Mickey's Good Deed

This is a very touching cartoon and it was made during the depths of the Depression. The ending scene saves the cartoon but still leaves you with a tear in your eye.

Just saw Mickey's Good Deed on YouTube. In this one, Mickey reluctantly agrees to sell his dog to a rich man's bratty son in order to buy presents for a poor cat family that ran over his bass violin. Having equal parts humor and pathos (loved the Jimmy Durante Jack-in-the-Box), this is a winning animated short from Walt Disney Productions from the early '30s. What a wonderful first Christmas cartoon from the House of Mouse. While the rich kid was indeed pretty cruel to Pluto, I felt sorry for him when his father spanked him. Nothing more to say except that this Mickey Mouse, far from being the corporate symbol he is presented as today, is very much a Depression-era character whose only companion is his faithful dog he loves unconditionally. Merry Chirstmas, Mickey and Pluto.

Mickey and Pluto are poverty stricken themselves. Mickey plays the cello while Pluto sings, but people only throw screws and nails in their bucket. At some point the cello is destroyed and they are truly destitute. Mickey is forced to sell Pluto to a rich family where their bratty child never has enough. During this time he comes to a house where the father is in prison and the little cat children have nothing. So he takes the Pluto money and buys them gifts anonymously. It's quite a touching film.

This is a heartwarming little tale where Mickey and Pluto play music and serenade to passersby for change during Christmastime. Even though they're low in cash and hungry, Mickey still decides to take drastic measures to ensure that a group of orphans he saw in a dilapidated home is given Christmas gifts. This is real charmer, will tug at your heartstrings, and will definitely make your feel the Christmas spirit of giving.

There's also some other fun in the story as well, with a bratty kid and Pluto trying to escape him. Also, there's a satisfactory feeling of seeing the brat getting disciplined and a touching scene where Pluto gets reunited with Mickey. A great cartoon!

Grade A

A marvellous short, beautifully written and animated, and proof that the early Mickey Mouse was NOT boring! Here, he is a truly loveable, empathetic character who's easy to cheer for. This cartoon captures the true meaning of Christmas better than any other holiday-themed cartoon I've ever viewed.