Buon Natale Topolino

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.

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.

For many, this will be an unhappy short, as it has "cruel" slapstick and Mickey Mouse and Pluto are often sad. Other people will find it funny because they will like slapstick. Some people will love it because it is beautiful and emotional.

In this Mickey is trying to earn money at Christmastime with some music, with Pluto as (probably) his only companion. Meanwhile, a spoilt and horrible toddler spots Pluto out the window and declares, "I WANT DOGGY!" Later (when poor Mickey's instrument is broken) he sees a poor family with no Christmas merriment and Mickey is determined to do something...

This short is emotional, beautiful, sad, well-animated, well-plotted and exciting in places. Good for any Mickey Mouse fan and good for people who are not too upset by sad and emotional things. If you are particularly a despiser of upsetting slapstick (especially with the lovely Mickey Mouse), this is not the thing for you. Otherwise, you will (almost definitely) enjoy the lovely "Mickey's Good Deed" for this coming Christmas day!

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