Le docteur fou

I can recall only seeing this once on tv some 30 years ago & was a rarity amongst Disney's early output/ This is no Silly Symphony and has a particular interest in that it was given a very limited release in the UK for one good reason - it has the rare distinction in the history of animation of having the then censor's new "H" for horror clapped on it (noone under 16 years admitted irrespective of the programmes). Disney's best children's later attractions as Snow White,Dumbo, Pinnochio & Fantasia had their darker moments of terror which gave the then censor some problems(unlike today!).Hence,like the later Wizard of Oz Snow White was initially given the "A" certificate before going on General Release when it was then changed to the Universal cert unlike Wizard which was never changed. Ever since The Skeleton Dance, ol'Uncle Walt like Hitchcock took secret glee in the anxiety element. Perhaps that there Big Bad Wolf in the 3 Little Pigs was not so far from The Wolf Man! Boo!

For me, this cartoon illustrates why Disney has the edge over the other animation companies – it has a lot of heart. In The Mad Doctor, Mickey Mouse tries to save his dog, Pluto, from an evil scientist who wants to conduct a life-ending experiment on Pluto. Through the short, you feel for the characters and are actually concerned for them.

The cartoon is very well drawn despite it only being in black and white. Disney animators use this limitation to their advantage with great shading and lighting effects. You even get a sense that you're looking at an old horror flick. The gags are great too, especially seeing what Pluto goes through when he's scared by the doctor. But by far the best part of this cartoon is the ending. It's both surprising, slightly scary, and heartwarming. This cartoon is a bright spot in the early days of an inspirational and innovative enterprise.

My IMDb Rating: 10/10

This cartoon has some pretty weird, spooky stuff - a dark side you would never see in later Mickey Mouse cartoons. Unless your four-year-old can handle a mad doctor threatening to cut Mickey's head off, steer him clear of this one. For adults, though, it's quite original.

Disney's cartoons were known for their light-hearted optimism that enthralled his mostly young audiences. But in January 1933's "The Mad Doctor," he threw a curve ball by releasing a rather dark Mickey Mouse cartoon. A mad scientist who lives in a castle above Mousetown captures Mickey's pet dog, Pluto. The nut case wants to use the dog to conduct an experiment where he thinks if he cuts off Pluto's head and attaches it to a chicken it may lay eggs with puppies inside. Mickey Mouse's 52nd cartoon was deemed so scary some theaters refused to show it. The United Kingdom banned it, and even Nazi Germany prohibited the cartoon nationwide.

"The Mad Doctor" does have its fans, however. The Film Daily called it "one of the liveliest animated cartoons to come along, and plenty comical." Cracked Magazine included it for its 'Top 8 Most horrifying Moments from Kids' cartoons.' Billy Bletcher, specializing in scary voices, provided his vocals for both the mad doctor as well as the big, bad wolf in the later "Three Little Pigs."

Such a jarring experience from a Disney short. The Mad Doctor is such a departure from the fun and easy-going Disney vibe. It´s genuinely scary at times and the added comedy feels nearly surreal and out of place for a short like this. But it´s masterfully done no doubt. From the beautiful animation to the incredible score, The Mad Doctor is a most see experience.

In the middle of the night Pluto is kidnapped by a mad doctor, it´s up to Mickey to save his dog.

The animation is so beautiful and stunning. Everything looks so incredible, and the backgrounds and skeletons looks incredible. The backgrounds are no doubt the highlight. The castle both inside and outside is drawn incredibly and the shadows and attention to details look incredible. Every aspect of the animation is incredible in my eyes.

The score also helps. It´s so scary and atmospheric and that is what this short is, atmospheric. It hits that creepy vibe perfectly and this Disney short is actually creepy.

This is a sick plot and so not Disney. It feels like an alternate timeline somehow where Disney went down a darker path. I know Disney himself didn't make it or liked this, but the fact they got this made feels insane. The atmosphere and vibe are just so creepy, and you feel bad for both Pluto and Mickey here. The stakes feel high.

I felt like the ending was a bit too safe, but I get why they went down that route. I also feel the humor nearly fells too much in the short and out of place somehow. While it works, I more so felt the creepy factor here and that it should be the essence of the short.

The Mad Doctor is incredible. While there are a few aspects I didn't like or vibed with me it´s still an incredible experience. The animation at display is incredible, the atmosphere spot on, the creepy factor dialed up, it´s a sight to be seen.