From the official "Mickey Mouse Works" press kit:
"Mickey Mouse Works" had it's official preview on May 1st, 1999
at 12:00 noon. It is now shown as part of their "One Saturday Morning" schedule
on ABC. To prepare yourself for the new series; here's details on what you
can expect.
Each half-hour episode of"Disney's Mickey MouseWorks" contains a selection of cartoons that vary in length from 90 seconds to 12 minutes, with no established format to determine which cartoons will be paired with others. "We wanted to give our audience a sense of surprise in that they'll never know what the format will be," said Executive Producer Roberts Gannaway. "With such a wide array of cartoons and cartoon lengths, we have the flexibility to mix and match them for the best viewing. There'll be some themed days, but mostly the viewers will have fun just opening our box of cartoons and seeing what's inside."
Starring in these cartoons are the studio's best known characters - Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto, Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck - as well as a supporting cast of familiar faces, including Ludwig Von Drake, Chip and Dale, Pete, and Donald's irascible nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie. "Mickey MouseWorks" also features many "niche" characters from the Disney archives, like Figaro the cat, Humphrey the Bear, and Pluto's peers Dinah Dachshund and Butch the Bulldog, as well as introducing a few new personalities to Disney animation.
Part of the initial delight is a title sequence which ends differently at the beginning of each episode. Most baby boomers and Mickey Mouse Club fans remember Donald Duck's vocal parry of his name whenever Mickey's name is shouted in the "Mickey Mouse Club" theme song. Things haven't changed much as Donald's ongoing battle to steal the spotlight continues at the end of each title sequence - when Donald attempts to label the "Mickey MouseWorks" logo with the words "starring Donald Duck." Of course, Donald's attempts involve a variety of outlandish vehicles and objects, including an elephant, balloon, window shade, sailboat, locomotive, bi-plane, brick wall, etc.
There are three different type of cartoons shown on "Mouse Works"; Gag Cartoons, Character Cartoons and "Mouse Tales Cartoons."
GAG CARTOONS
The 90-second "Gag Cartoons" feature the main characters in
"humorously-tense," recurring situations. In these cartoons, the premise
is always the same, but the outcomes are distinctly varied. As an example,
when "Pluto Gets The Paper" he does exactly what the title states - initially
skipping out the front door to retrieve the newspaper. However, the trip
is never free of obstacles and interference - and in 90 seconds, he always
manages to confound each circumstance and bring the news back to
Mickey.
Six different series of gag cartoons are planned (Note : some of these entries have already been logged on the site) :
"Pluto Gets the Paper" : see above. Upcoming entries include "Street Cleaner", "Bubble Gum" and "Spaceship."
"Donald's Dynamite" : Donald will be seen in a variety of normal situations; always, however, being interrupted by finding and having to rid himself of a well-placed bomb. Upcoming entries include "Bowling Alley" and "Fishing."
"Goofy's Extreme Sports" : Sport Goofy returns in more modern situations and more extreme sports such as "Paracycling", "Rock Climbing", "Skating the Half Pipe" and "Wakeboarding."
"Maestro Minnie" : Minnie as the conductor of an orchestra attempting to play the classics while havoc breaks out in cadence to the music. Musical numbers include "Brahms' Lullabye", "The Flight of the Bumblebee", "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6" and "The William Tell Overture."
"Mickey to the Rescue" : Mickey, doing what he does best, rescuing Minnie from the clutches of Pegleg Pete. Upcoming rescues include "Cage and Cannons", "Staircase" and the traditonal "Train Tracks."
"Von Drake's House of Genius" : Ludwig Von Drake showing off his new inventions, which usually begin to go out of control. The uncontrollable inventions include "Time-Reverser", "Remote Controlled Laser Lawn Mower", "The Money Increaser" and the "Teldinger."
CHARACTER CARTOONS
The 6- and 7-1/2 minute "Character
Cartoons" recall the classic era of cartoon shorts, complete with a full
body of gags and a heartfelt spin. Once again, the characters take center
stage, featured both individually and in various combinations. These cartoons
create new opportunities for Goofy's renowned "How To" formula, in which
Goofy's prowess and smarts (or lack thereof) are put to the test as he attempts
to master a brand new avocation. Similarly, Mickey, Donald and Goofy are
featured as odd-job operators in the tradition of Disney classic shorts like
"Lonesome Ghosts" and "Clock Cleaners." Each episode will find this unique
trio running a new business, from "Turkey Catchers" to "Organ Donors" (where
they collect and deliver pipe organs for charity). The "character" shorts
also include new "Silly Symphony" cartoons, continuing Walt Disney's tradition
of all-musical, non-dialogue animated shorts. The Mickey MouseWorks "Silly
Symphonies" generally star main characters who, more often than not, portray
mythical or storybook characters caught up in a fantasy created by the music.
Performed by a forty-piece orchestra, music is the foundation for the
non-dialogue story and accompanying visuals. As an example, Saint Saens'
Dance Macabre comes to life in the "Mickey MouseWorks" version of "Hansel
& Gretel," starring Mickey Mouse and Minnie.
Upcoming Shorts Featuring:
Mickey Mouse : "Mickey's Airplane Kit", "Mickey's Mistake", "Mickey's Piano Lesson", "Mickey Tries to Cook", "Mickey's Mechanical House, "Mickey's New Car", and "Opposite Town."
Donald Duck : Donald's Dinner Date", "Donald's Failed Fourth", "Donald's Rocket Ruckus", "Donald's Shell Shots", and "Snowmania."
Goofy : "How to Be a Spy", "How to Be a Waiter", and "How to Ride a Bicycle."
Minnie Mouse : "Daisy Bothers Minnie" and "Purple Pluto."
Pluto : "Pluto's Arrow Error", "Pluto's Penthouse Sweet", "Pluto Runs Away", "Pluto vs. the Watchdog" and "Pluto's Kittens."
Mickey, Donald and Goofy : "Organ Donors", "Roller Coaster Painters", "Turkey Catchers" and "Sandwich Makers."
Ludwig Von Drake : "Hydro Squirter."
Silly Symphonies : "Dance of the Goofys", "Donald's Valentine Dollar" and "Hansel and Gretel."
"MOUSE TALES CARTOONS"
The l2-minute "Mouse Tales" cartoons provide latitude for greater exploration of story, character and emotion, primarily "casting" the characters to retell the "classics" of literature, stage and screen in a light-hearted, two-act comedy form. They include "Around the World in 80 Days" , "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "The Nutcracker."
