Le déménagement de Mickey

Walt Disney was famous for his fascination with butt jokes. We see it here. This cartoon has two extended jokes. One is a tussle between Goofy and an animated piano. Its among the best bits in early animation.

The other, longer piece was surely scripted by Walt. It has Donald in all sorts of butt-problem situations. Its more curious than funny. Where do jokes about rear ends come from? Donald was created pretty much for this purpose and most of his projects concern rear ends until Walt became obsessed with Disneyland and trains.

Ted's Evaluation -- 2 of 3: Has some interesting elements.

About to be foreclosed upon by Sheriff Pete, Mickey and Donald need to move out fast, leading to the usual mayhem. Goofy, as an ice delivery man (ask your grandparents), comes to help them out; but, as usual, he's no help at all.

This is one of the earliest cartoons to team Mickey, Donald and Goofy, and one of the best. The formula is established early on: The trio have a common task to complete, then split up for individual gag routines. The gags are very clever and well timed, and the action is fast-paced, with everything building up to an exciting climax. Of particular interest to animation buffs is Art Babbitt's handling of Goofy. He bends and twists his joints far past the breaking point, yet makes it seem absolutely natural, giving the Goof an astonishing flexibility without seeming rubbery. A must for cartoon fans.

Mickey and Donald are way behind in their rent money. Sheriff Pete (so tough he spits nails into the wall and hammers them in with his fist) wants his house back and decides to sell their furniture to make up for the debt. As soon as the mouse and duck start to pack up their meagre belongings all hell breaks loose, as it usually does in a Disney cartoon.

Ice Deliveryman Goofy is stalked by a runaway piano, Donald gets a plunger/goldfish bowl stuck on his behind and Mickey has trouble fitting everything into one suitcase. Obviously the Sheriff ain't so keen on this last minute buffoonery but he gets what he deserves in the end.

Mickey and Donald are six months behind in their rent, so Pete, the Sheriff, is having them evicted. He sets up a furniture sale to recoup the loss. Mickey decides they need to get out as soon as possible. Goofy, the ice man, comes along with his truck to help. From then on it's a series of wild events as they attempt to pack things up. Pretty typical plot but the animation is quite good and very colorful.

I saw this Silly Symphony today, and you know what it is hilarious. The jokes are well timed, and I can't count the number of times I was laughing throughout. The jokes include Goofy getting stalked by a piano, Mickey struggling to fit everything into one suitcase, and my favourite Donald trying to get (wait for it) a plunger then a goldfish bowl off his rear end. As far as I am concerned it was these extended jokes that made the short so enjoyable. Others pros are colourful Technicolour animation, a lively music score and the incomparable voice talents of Walt Disney, Billy Bletcher, Pinto Colvig and Clarence "Ducky" Nash. Plus Pete is deliciously horrible here. All in all, silly it all sounds, but actually a hilarious Silly Symphony, that has already become a favourite! I never realised a moving day could be so funny. 10/10 Bethany Cox