Blue Rhythm

1931 Mickey Mouse cartoon

Blue Rhythm

Mickey directing the jazz band in the second half of the film.

Directed by| Burt Gillett
Produced by| Walt Disney
Starring| Walt Disney
Marcellite Garner
Music by| W. C. Handy
Animation by| Ed Benedict (assistant)
Charlie Byrne
Johnny Cannon
Les Clark
Jack Cutting
Joe D'Igalo
Norm Ferguson
Hardie Gramatky
Jack King
Dick Lundy
Tom Palmer
Harry Reeves
Cecil Surry
Frank Tipper
Frenchy de Tremaudan
Rodolfo "Rudy" Zamora[1]
Color process| Black-and-white

Production
company

Walt Disney Productions

Distributed by| Columbia Pictures

Release date

* August 7, 1931 (1931-08-07)

[2]

Running time

| 7 minutes
Country| United States
Language| English

Blue Rhythm is a 1931 Mickey Mouse animated short film directed by Burt Gillett, produced by Walt Disney Productions and distributed by Columbia Pictures. It was the 31st short in the Mickey Mouse film series, and the seventh of that year.[3] The plot focuses on a multifaceted performance of W. C. Handy's "St. Louis Blues". The film features the voices of Walt Disney as Mickey and Marcellite Garner as Minnie Mouse.

## Plot

[edit]

The concert opens with Mickey on the piano. His shadow is cast dramatically on the curtain as he plays a classical interlude. Soon he transitions into a ragtime version of "St. Louis Blues". Minnie struts onstage and sings the verse "I hate to see that evening sun go down..." with Mickey accompanying. Soon an unseen band takes over the accompaniment and Mickey joins Minnie; the two mice dance and scat sing two more verses.

As Mickey and Minnie exit stage right, the curtain rises to reveal the band – Pluto on trombone, two goats on violins, a Scottish Terrier on sousaphone, a pig on the cornet, Clarabelle Cow on a double bass and a piccolo, two Dachshunds on saxophones, and Horace Horsecollar on a drum set and xylophone; Mickey reappears through a stage elevator to conduct. After several interruptions, Mickey plays a clarinet and parodies jazz bandleader Ted Lewis;[4] the performance is based in part on the Ted Lewis Band's 1926 recording of "St. Louis Blues".

As the band plays the final notes of the climatic finale, they collectively jump on the bandstand and cause it to collapse. They reemerge from the debris to deliver a final "Yeah!" to the audience.

## Voice cast

[edit]

* Mickey Mouse: Walt Disney
* Minnie Mouse: Marcellite Garner[5]

## Reception

[edit]

Title card

The Film Daily (October 4, 1931): "Neatly executed and thoroughly entertaining cartoon comedy."[6]

Variety (March 8, 1932): "No story to this, but it needs none to get it over. Opens with Mickey at the piano pounding out a number, with Minnie rather spoiling it with the falsetto singing that is considered necessary for cartoon characters. A short dance and then a break to a stage jazz band for the usual trick stuff, but well done and in excellent synchrony. Cartoon work overlaid on a capital musical program."[7]

## Home media

[edit]

The short was released on December 2, 2002 on Walt Disney Treasures: Mickey Mouse in Black and White.[8]

## Television

[edit]

* 1998 - Ink & Paint Club, episode #44 "Musical Mickey"

## See also

[edit]

* Mickey Mouse (film series)

## External links

[edit]

* Blue Rhythm at The Encyclopedia of Animated Disney Shorts
* Blue Rhythm at the Big Cartoon Database
* Blue Rhythm at IMDb
* Blue Rhythm at the Disney Film Project

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "The Encyclopedia of Disney Animated Shorts". Blue Rhythm. Archived from the original on November 24, 2012. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
2. ^ Kaufman, J.B.; Gerstein, David (2018). Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse: The Ultimate History. Cologne: Taschen. ISBN 978-3-8365-5284-4.
3. ^ Lenburg, Jeff (1999). The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons. Checkmark Books. pp. 108–109\. ISBN 0-8160-3831-7. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
4. ^ Smith, Dave (2006). "Blue Rhythm". Disney A to Z: The Official Encyclopedia (3rd ed.). New York: Disney Editions. pp. 80–81\. ISBN 0-7868-4919-3.
5. ^ Scott, Keith (2022). "The Walt Disney Cartoon Voices, 1928-70". Cartoon Voices of the Golden Age, Vol. 2. Bear Manor Media.
6. ^ "Reviews of Sound Shorts". The Film Daily. LVII (3): 9. October 4, 1931. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
7. ^ "Talking Shorts". Variety: 14. March 8, 1932. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
8. ^ "Mickey Mouse in Black and White DVD Review". DVD Dizzy. Retrieved February 19, 2021.

* v
* t
* e

Mickey Mouse in Disney animation

List of appearances in media

Mickey Mouse
short films|

| 1920s|

* Steamboat Willie (1928)
* The Gallopin' Gaucho (1928)
* The Barn Dance (1929)
* Plane Crazy (1929)
* The Opry House (1929)
* When the Cat's Away (1929)
* The Barnyard Battle (1929)
* The Plowboy (1929)
* The Karnival Kid (1929)
* Mickey's Follies (1929)
* Mickey's Choo-Choo (1929)
* The Jazz Fool (1929)
* Jungle Rhythm (1929)
* The Haunted House (1929)
* Wild Waves (1929)

|

1930s|

| 1930|

* Fiddlin' Around
* The Barnyard Concert
* The Cactus Kid
* The Fire Fighters
* The Shindig
* The Chain Gang
* The Gorilla Mystery
* The Picnic
* Pioneer Days

|

1931|

* The Birthday Party
* Traffic Troubles
* The Castaway
* The Moose Hunt
* The Delivery Boy
* Mickey Steps Out
* Blue Rhythm
* Fishin' Around
* The Barnyard Broadcast
* The Beach Party
* Mickey Cuts Up
* Mickey's Orphans

1932|

* The Duck Hunt
* The Grocery Boy
* The Mad Dog
* Barnyard Olympics
* Mickey's Revue
* Musical Farmer
* Mickey in Arabia
* Mickey's Nightmare
* Trader Mickey
* The Whoopee Party
* Touchdown Mickey
* The Wayward Canary
* The Klondike Kid
* Mickey's Good Deed

1933|

* Building a Building
* The Mad Doctor
* Mickey's Pal Pluto
* Mickey's Mellerdrammer
* Ye Olden Days
* The Mail Pilot
* Mickey's Mechanical Man
* Mickey's Gala Premier
* Puppy Love
* The Steeplechase
* The Pet Store
* Giantland

1934|

* Shanghaied
* Camping Out
* Playful Pluto
* Gulliver Mickey
* Mickey's Steam Roller
* Orphan's Benefit
* Mickey Plays Papa
* The Dognapper
* Two-Gun Mickey

1935|

* Mickey's Man Friday
* The Band Concert
* Mickey's Service Station
* Mickey's Kangaroo
* Mickey's Garden
* Mickey's Fire Brigade
* Pluto's Judgement Day
* On Ice

1936|

* Mickey's Polo Team
* Orphans' Picnic
* Mickey's Grand Opera
* Thru the Mirror
* Mickey's Rival
* Moving Day
* Alpine Climbers
* Mickey's Circus
* Mickey's Elephant

1937|

* The Worm Turns
* Magician Mickey
* Moose Hunters
* Mickey's Amateurs
* Hawaiian Holiday
* Clock Cleaners
* Lonesome Ghosts

1938|

* Boat Builders
* Mickey's Trailer
* The Whalers
* Mickey's Parrot
* Brave Little Tailor

1939|

* Society Dog Show
* Mickey's Surprise Party
* The Pointer

1940s|

* Tugboat Mickey (1940)
* Pluto's Dream House (1940)
* Mr. Mouse Takes a Trip (1940)
* The Little Whirlwind (1941)
* A Gentleman's Gentleman (1941)
* Canine Caddy (1941)
* The Nifty Nineties (1941)
* Lend a Paw (1941)
* Orphan's Benefit (1941; remake)
* Mickey's Birthday Party (1942)
* Symphony Hour (1942)
* Pluto and the Armadillo (1943)
* Squatter's Rights (1946)
* Mickey's Delayed Date (1947)
* Mickey Down Under (1948)
* Mickey and the Seal (1948)

1950s|

* R'coon Dawg (1951)
* Pluto's Party (1952)
* Pluto's Christmas Tree (1952)
* The Simple Things (1953)

1980s|

* Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983)

1990s|

* The Prince and the Pauper (1990)
* Runaway Brain (1995)

2010s|

* Get a Horse! (2013)

Pluto short films|

* Pluto's Purchase (1948)
* Pueblo Pluto (1949)
* Plutopia (1951)

Other short films|

* Parade of the Award Nominees (1932; cameo)
* The Night Before Christmas (1933; cameo)
* The Fox Hunt (1938; cameo)
* All Together (1942; cameo)
* Crazy Over Daisy (1950; cameo)
* Mickey in a Minute (2022)
* Once Upon a Studio (2023)

Feature films|

| Theatrical|

* Fantasia (1940)
* Fun and Fancy Free (1947)
* Fantasia 2000 (1999)

|

Direct-to-video|

* Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas (1999)
* Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse (2001)
* Mickey's House of Villains (2002)
* Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers (2004)
* Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas (2004)

Documentary|

* Mickey: The Story of a Mouse (2022)

TV specials|

* Totally Minnie (1988)
* Mickey's Tale of Two Witches (2021)
* Mickey and Minnie Wish Upon a Christmas (2021)
* Mickey Saves Christmas (2022)
* Mickey and Friends Trick or Treats (2023)

TV series|

* The Mickey Mouse Club (1955–1994)
* The Mouse Factory (1972–1973)
* Good Morning, Mickey! (1983–1992)
* Mickey's Mouse Tracks (1992–1995)
* Mickey Mouse Works (1999–2000)
* House of Mouse (2001–2003)
* Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (2006–2016)
* Minnie's Bow-Toons (2011–present)
* Mickey Mouse (2013–2019)
* Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures (2017–2021)
* The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse (2020–2023)
* Mickey Mouse Funhouse (2021–2025)
* Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+ (2025)

Film cameos|

* Hollywood Party (1934)
* Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
* A Goofy Movie (1995)
* The Lion King 1½ (2004)
* Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018)
* Wish (2023)
* Hidden Mickey

* Mickey Mouse films
* Mickey Mouse television series
* Non-Disney works featuring Mickey Mouse

* v
* t
* e

Minnie Mouse in Disney animation

Short films|

| 1920s|

* Steamboat Willie (1928)
* The Gallopin' Gaucho (1928)
* The Barn Dance (1929)
* Plane Crazy (1929)
* When the Cat's Away (1929)
* The Plowboy (1929)
* The Karnival Kid (1929)
* Mickey's Follies (1929)
* Mickey's Choo-Choo (1929)
* Wild Waves (1929)

|

1930s|

| 1930|

* The Cactus Kid
* The Fire Fighters
* The Shindig
* The Gorilla Mystery
* The Picnic
* Pioneer Days

|

1931|

* The Birthday Party
* Traffic Troubles
* The Delivery Boy
* Mickey Steps Out
* Blue Rhythm
* The Barnyard Broadcast
* The Beach Party
* Mickey Cuts Up
* Mickey's Orphans

1932|

* The Grocery Boy
* Barnyard Olympics
* Mickey's Revue
* Musical Farmer
* Mickey in Arabia
* Mickey's Nightmare
* The Whoopee Party
* Touchdown Mickey
* The Wayward Canary
* Parade of the Award Nominees
* The Klondike Kid

1933|

* Building a Building
* Mickey's Pal Pluto
* Mickey's Mellerdrammer
* Ye Olden Days
* The Mail Pilot
* Mickey's Mechanical Man
* Mickey's Gala Premier
* Puppy Love
* The Steeplechase
* The Pet Store

1934|

* Shanghaied
* Camping Out
* Mickey's Steam Roller
* Two-Gun Mickey

1935–1939|

* On Ice (1935)
* Mickey's Rival (1936)
* Hawaiian Holiday (1937)
* Boat Builders (1938)
* Brave Little Tailor (1938)
* The Fox Hunt (1938; cameo)
* Mickey's Surprise Party (1939)

1940s|

* The Little Whirlwind (1941)
* The Nifty Nineties (1941)
* Mickey's Birthday Party (1942)
* Out of the Frying Pan into the Firing Line (1942)
* First Aiders (1944)
* Bath Day (1946)
* Figaro and Frankie (1947)
* Mickey's Delayed Date (1947)
* Pluto's Sweater (1949)

1950s|

* Pluto and the Gopher (1950)
* Crazy Over Daisy (1950; cameo)
* Pluto's Christmas Tree (1952; cameo)

1980s|

* Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983)

1990s|

* Runaway Brain (1995)

2010s|

* Get a Horse! (2013)

2020s|

* Once Upon a Studio (2023)

Feature films|

* Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988; cameo)
* Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas (1999)
* Mickey's Magical Christmas (2001)
* Mickey's House of Villains (2002)
* Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers (2004)
* Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas (2004)

TV series|

* The Mickey Mouse Club (1955–1994)
* Mickey Mouse Works (1999–2000)
* House of Mouse (2001–2003)
* Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (2006–2016)
* Minnie's Bow-Toons (2011–present)
* Mickey Mouse (2013–2019)
* Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures (2017–2021)
* The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse (2020–2023)
* Mickey Mouse Funhouse (2021–2025)
* Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+ (2025)

TV specials|

* Totally Minnie (1988)
* Mickey's Tale of Two Witches (2021)
* Mickey and Minnie Wish Upon a Christmas (2021)
* Mickey Saves Christmas (2022)
* Mickey and Friends Trick or Treats (2023)

Related|

* Mickey Mouse (film series)
* Pluto (film series)

* v
* t
* e

Clarabelle Cow in animation

Short films|

| Oswald series
(as Bessie)|

* Trolley Troubles (1927; cameo)‡
* Hungry Hobos (1928; cameo)‡

|

Mickey Mouse
series|

* Steamboat Willie (1928)‡
* Plane Crazy (1929)‡
* The Plowboy (1929)‡
* Mickey's Choo-Choo (1929)‡
* The Karnival Kid (1929)‡
* The Barnyard Concert (1930)‡
* The Shindig (1930)
* The Chain Gang (1930)
* Pioneer Days (1930; cameo)
* The Birthday Party (1931)
* Blue Rhythm (1931)
* The Barnyard Broadcast (1931)
* The Beach Party (1931)
* The Mad Dog (1932)
* Barnyard Olympics (1932)
* Mickey's Revue (1932)
* Mickey's Nightmare (1932; cameo)
* The Whoopee Party (1932)
* Touchdown Mickey (1932)
* Mickey's Mellerdrammer (1933)
* Ye Olden Days (1933)
* Mickey's Gala Premier (1933)
* Camping Out (1934)
* Orphan's Benefit (1934)
* The Band Concert (1935)
* On Ice (1935; cameo)
* Mickey's Fire Brigade (1935)
* Mickey's Grand Opera (1936)
* Mickey's Polo Team (1936; cameo)
* Mickey's Amateurs (1937)
* Orphan's Benefit (1941; remake)
* Mickey's Birthday Party (1942)
* Symphony Hour (1942)
* Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983; cameo)
* The Prince and the Pauper (1990)
* Get a Horse! (2013)

Others|

* Mother Goose Melodies (1931; cameo)
* Parade of the Award Nominees (1932; cameo)
* All Together (1942; cameo)
* Roller Coaster Rabbit (1990; cameo)
* Once Upon a Studio (2023; cameo)

Feature films|

* Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988; cameo)
* Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas (1999; cameo)
* Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers (2004)
* Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018; cameo)

TV series|

* The Mickey Mouse Club (1955–1959)
* Mickey Mouse Works (1999–2000)
* House of Mouse (2001–2003)
* Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (2006–2016)
* Minnie's Bow-Toons (2011–present)
* Mickey Mouse (2013–19)
* Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures (2017–2021)
* The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse (2020–2023)
* Mickey Mouse Funhouse (2021–2025)
* Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+ (2025)

TV specials|

* Mickey's Tale of Two Witches (2021)
* Mickey Saves Christmas (2022; cameo)
* Mickey and Friends Trick or Treats (2023; cameo)

* ‡ Appearance as a non-anthropomorphic cow

* v
* t
* e

Horace Horsecollar in animation

Short films|

| Mickey Mouse
series|

* The Plowboy (1929)‡
* The Jazz Fool (1929)
* The Barnyard Concert (1930)
* The Cactus Kid (1930)‡
* The Fire Fighters (1930)‡
* The Shindig (1930)
* Pioneer Days (1930; cameo)
* The Birthday Party (1931)
* Blue Rhythm (1931)
* The Barnyard Broadcast (1931)
* The Beach Party (1931)
* Barnyard Olympics (1932)
* Mickey's Revue (1932)
* The Whoopee Party (1932)
* Touchdown Mickey (1932)
* Mickey's Mellerdrammer (1933)
* Mickey's Gala Premier (1933)
* Camping Out (1934)
* Orphan's Benefit (1934)
* The Band Concert (1935)
* On Ice (1935; cameo)
* Mickey's Grand Opera (1936)
* Orphan's Benefit (1941; remake)
* Mickey's Birthday Party (1942)
* Symphony Hour (1942)
* Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983; cameo)
* The Prince and the Pauper (1990)
* Get a Horse! (2013)

|

Others|

* The Fox Chase (1928; as Billy)‡
* The Fox Hunt (1938; cameo)
* All Together (1942; cameo)
* Once Upon a Studio (2023; cameo)

Feature films|

* Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988; cameo)
* Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas (1999; cameo)

TV series|

* The Mickey Mouse Club (1955–1994)
* Mickey Mouse Works (1999)
* House of Mouse (2001–2003)
* Mickey Mouse (2013–2018)
* Mickey and the Roadster Racers (2017–2019)
* The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse (2020–2023)
* Mickey Mouse Funhouse (2021–2025)

* ‡ Appearance as a non-anthropomorphic horse

* v
* t
* e

Films directed by Burt Gillett

* Wild Waves (1929)
* Cannibal Capers (1930)
* Frolicking Fish (1930)
* The Fire Fighters (1930)
* The Shindig (1930)
* The Chain Gang (1930)
* Monkey Melodies (1930)
* The Gorilla Mystery (1930)
* The Picnic (1930)
* Winter (1930)
* Pioneer Days (1930)
* Playful Pan (1930)
* The Birthday Party (1931)
* Birds of a Feather (1931)
* Traffic Troubles (1931)
* Mother Goose Melodies (1931)
* The Moose Hunt (1931)
* The Delivery Boy (1931)
* The Busy Beavers (1931)
* Mickey Steps Out (1931)
* Blue Rhythm (1931)
* Fishin' Around (1931)
* The Beach Party (1931)
* Mickey Cuts Up (1931)
* Mickey's Orphans (1931)
* The Duck Hunt (1932)
* The Mad Dog (1932)
* Just Dogs (1932)
* Flowers and Trees (1932)
* Mickey's Nightmare (1932)
* King Neptune (1932)
* Bugs in Love (1932)
* The Wayward Canary (1932)
* Babes in the Woods (1932)
* Mickey's Good Deed (1932)
* Mickey's Pal Pluto (1933)
* Ye Olden Days (1933)
* Three Little Pigs (1933)
* Mickey's Gala Premier (1933)
* The Steeple Chase (1933)
* Giantland (1933)
* Shanghaied (1934)
* Playful Pluto (1934)
* The Big Bad Wolf (1934)
* Gulliver Mickey (1934)
* Orphan's Benefit (1934)
* Mickey Plays Papa (1934)
* The Sunshine Makers (1935)
* Scotty Finds a Home (1935)
* Lonesome Ghosts (1937)
* Moth and the Flame (1938)
* Brave Little Tailor (1938)

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