Mickey in Arabia

An action-packed Mickey cartoon and where and Minnie face off with regular villain Peg-Leg Pete and a host of spear-throwing henchmen in an Arab country.

Some catchy music, but the usual running around. At least the fighting part was a bit exciting.

Grade C-

Early cartoons treated black people like it was still 1850. This takes place in Arabia. Why were virtually all the indigenous people made to look like the most outrageous stereotypes of American black people? I know they are peripheral to the plot here, but what did the Disney corporation think Arab people looked like? Did they bother to even give some sort of reality to this cartoon? Oh, well. It's in the past. Right?

Mickey in Arabia is a lot of fun, which is what you expect above all in a cartoon short. The stereotypes are rather crude, even by Mickey Mouse short standards, and the story is standard, adopting the Mickey rescuing Minnie from Pete formula that you see a good deal in Mickey shorts around this time, and reminiscent of Galloping Gaucho(which is actually not that bad a thing). However, the animation is fine, it is crisp and clean with the characters drawn well, and the music, always a major component of the success of the Disney shorts, is energetic and characterful enhancing every scene and gag. The gags are right on the money including the camel getting drunk, the scenes in Pete's lair,- the gunshots and the diving into pots- Minnie trying to take photos of a juggler and the balls being juggled with his bottom. The rooftop chase was thrilling and the ending was funny and sweet. Mickey is wonderfully expressive here, while Minnie is just as likable, once again you can definitely see their chemistry and what they see in one another. Pete is an appropriately antagonistic foil. Overall, a very good short if not one my favourites. 8/10 Bethany Cox