Disney Shorts - 2001 Index

The world's most beloved animated characters of Disney film and television meet and mingle for the first time in "Disney's House of Mouse," a new series from Walt Disney Television Animation premiering Saturday, January 13 (12:30 PM, ET/ 11:30 AM, PT) on the ABC Television Network as part of the "Disney's One Saturday Morning" lineup.

Billed as "the tooniest place on Earth," "Disney's House of Mouse" is the gathering place for animated characters each Saturday. Hosted by Master of Ceremonies Mickey Mouse and his longtime quintet of pals, the "nightclub" provides "staged" entertainment for a very-recognizable audience. From Winnie the Pooh and Jiminy Cricket to Hades and Jafar, the clientele comes into the "House of Mouse" to enjoy musical guests, cartoon shorts and Mickey's comical introductions from the stage. Home viewers also are privy to the weekly backstage pandemonium as Mickey, Donald Duck, Goofy, Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck and Pluto attempt to ensure that "the show goes on."

Executive producers Roberts Gannaway and Tony Craig established Mickey Mouse's contemporary television presence with the May 1999 premiere of the Emmy and Annie Award-winning "Disney's Mickey MouseWorks." Gannaway and Craig previously produced two highly-rated, Emmy Award-winning seasons of "The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa," and executive produced the Emmy-winning "101 Dalmatians: The Series" for ABC and syndication.

In taking "Mickey MouseWorks" to its next level, Gannaway and Craig focused on creating a hip, new series featuring appearances by a multitude of the Disney characters from feature films, television, direct-to-video and cartoon shorts. "Who would make a better audience for cartoons at Mickey's club than the cartoon characters themsleves?" Gannaway asks.

With the creation of "Mickey MouseWorks," Gannaway and Craig headed the first full-time animation crew to produce ongoing, original cartoon shorts starring Mickey Mouse since the 1950s. With "Disney's House of Mouse," the executive producers have consciously maintained the spirit of the original Disney cartoon shorts, constructing the timeless situations, clever and inventive gags and visual story-telling that bring out the lovable personalities in Mickey, Donald, Goofy and the others.

"In our three years making Mickey Mouse cartoons, we've realized how far we can take them in terms of animation and stories," Gannaway explained. "These characters are so enduring and so identifiable that no matter what happens, you can rely on them to surprise you and keep you laughing with their behavior and reactions."

The producers contemporized the characters' clothing and added modern technological props to bring Mickey, Donald and the others into the new millenium. Rather than sporting their trademark red shorts and polka-dot dress, Mickey and Minnie wear updated, matching-color outfits in black and white with a hint of purple. Mickey exudes a more urban air in a dark suit with a white shirt and a cool pair of shoes, while Minnie's ensemble resembles her leading man -- including an update of her traditional red hair bow to a similar-styled barrette. Donald and Daisy also match up in purple and yellow outfits.

"These are their work clothes -- their uptown look -- rather than their traditional cartoon wardrobes," said Craig.

"Disney's House of Mouse" also presents a novel new format by interweaving the running story of the behind-the-scenes chaos with "screenings" of cartoon shorts and musical guest performances.

"We wanted to find an ensemble environment for the 'Fab Five,' (Mickey, Donald, Goofy, Minnie and Pluto) and a cartoon show held on Saturdays with Mickey as host was ideal," said Gannaway. "After all, Saturday is the only day off for the other animated characters, and it's the one day when they can go see cartoons themselves."

Each of the main characters has a particular job at the club, although recurring predicaments and potential disasters can and usually mix the assignments. Although Mickey and Donald are equal co-owners of the club, Mickey is usually on stage, much to Donald's chagrin. Donald, officially the maitre d', harbors not-so-secret aspirations of becoming a bigger star than Mickey. His ambition is forever testing Mickey's nice guy attitude and touches off a rivalry between Mickey and Donald that escalates as the series progresses. "Exasperation is part of Donald's nature," Gannaway observed with a smile. "What could be more annoying than not to be the center of attention? Though he probably knows down deep that Mickey is the real leader."

The other characters provide a sitcom-like balance through their respective positions. Head waiter Goofy manages the staff of energetic penguin waiters (from "Mary Poppins"), while production manager Minnie exhibits an impressive talent for troubleshooting (Pluto is her assistant). As keeper of the guest list, starstruck Daisy works the lobby, welcoming arrivals and schmoozing celebrity guests in hopes of creating a short cut to stardom herself. Donald's nephews, Huey, Dewey and Louie, are the cool, smooth house band (with an ever-changing name, e.g. "The Quackstreet Boys" or "Quack Sabbath").

Music goes far beyond the nephews, though, in terms of "House of Mouse" entertainment. Renown rocker Brian Setzer wrote, produced and performs the high-energy "House of Mouse" opening title theme. Musical guests offer a plethora of parodies on traditional Disney tunes ("Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf" performed by Big Bad Wolf Daddy; "Daisy Crockett" sung by Daisy Duck; "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo Rap" from Jafar and Iago), as well as original songs penned by Mark Jonathan Davis, Randy Rogel and Marco Marinangeli. Mike Tavera is the underscore composer for "House of Mouse," while Stephen James Taylor is responsible for the underscore on the "Mickey MouseWorks" cartoon shorts.

While "House of Mouse" guests are watching shorts on club's big screen (primarily new cartoons from the "Mickey MouseWorks" collection), viewers get a backstage pass to the hijinks. Many plots stem from the need to meet a "show must go on" clause in their lease, which prevents bully landlord Pete from shutting down the establishment. And, of course, Pete isn't above pulling dirty tricks and devious ploys to sabotage the show.

In what has become their signature style, Gannaway and Craig have designed a piéce de resistance to steal every animation fan's heart : an opening title sequence composed of a multitude of Disney characters that simultaneously introduces the characters and their duties at the club and teases the magnitude of guest appearances.

In a continuously moving shot, the camera follows the flow of the crowd into the club and up to Microphone Max's comical introduction of Mickey. Along the way, viewers will catch jaw-dropping glimpses of the variety of character combination possible at "House of Mouse."

"There are more than 100 Disney characters in the main titles and as many as 40 characters in some segments," Gannaway said of the one-minute piece. "There are animated characters there for everyone, from Disney fans to regular moviegoers. Every time viewers watch the titles, they'll recognize another face, so there will always be something new for them to see. You can't possibly see them all in one viewing."

The show is "plussed" with extras, from gossip-monger Clarabelle's reports on the latest dish from Main Street to Mickey's "Mouse on the Street" remote recordings. Each show also features commercials from sponsors such as "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo Limousines," "Rent-a-Prince" or "Fantasia Broom Custodial Services."

"Disney's House of Mouse" is produced by Walt Disney Television Animation. Roberts Gannaway and Tony Craig are Executive Producers.