The Birthday Party (1931 film)

1931 Mickey Mouse cartoon

The Birthday Party

Directed by| Burt Gillett
Produced by| Walt Disney
Starring| Walt Disney
Marcellite Garner[1]

Production
company

Walt Disney Studios

Distributed by| Columbia Pictures

Release date

* January 2, 1931 (1931-01-02)[2]

Running time

| 7:33
Country| United States
Language| English

The Birthday Party is a Mickey Mouse short animated film first released on January 2, 1931, as part of the Mickey Mouse film series.[2] It was the twenty-fifth Mickey Mouse short to be produced, the first of that year.[3]

## Plot

[edit]

Minnie Mouse throws a surprise birthday party for Mickey, and he is surrounded by a circle of friends singing and dancing his praises. A pig chef offers him a birthday cake, but Mickey blows so hard that all of the cake ends up on the pig's face.

Mickey opens his present—a small piano, to match Minnie's -- and the two mice play and sing "I Can't Give You Anything but Love, Baby". Then they play "Darktown Strutters' Ball" as the guests dance. After a while, the piano stools take over, and Mickey and Minnie dance as well. Horace Horsecollar and Clarabelle Cow also have a spirited dance break.

Heading to the xylophone, Mickey plays "Home! Sweet Home!" and then accompanies Minnie on "Twelfth Street Rag". The xylophone gets excited and Mickey ends up riding it like a bucking bronco, ending up with a fishbowl over his head.

## Production

[edit]

Mickey Mouse was a little over two years old at this point, having debuted in Steamboat Willie in November 1928. Mickey's "official" birthday changed often -- Walt Disney declared in 1933 that Mickey's birthday was October 1,[4] and in the Mickey Mouse comic strip, Mickey celebrated his 7th birthday on September 28, 1935.[5] Mickey's next birthday cartoon, Mickey's Birthday Party, was released on February 7, 1942. It was not until the early 1970s that Dave Smith of the Walt Disney Animation Studios Archives determined that the date of Steamboat Willie's premiere was November 18, and fixed that as Mickey's official birthday.[6]

## Reception

[edit]

In Mickey's Movies: The Theatrical Films of Mickey Mouse, Gijs Grob writes: "The short's most remarkable feature is a short scene in the beginning, animated by Tom Palmer: Mickey and Minnie bashfully asking each other whether they're fine may constitute the first funny dialogue in Disney history. At least, it's a wonderful example of character animation, elegantly establishing the relationship between the two."[3]

The Film Daily (February 1, 1931): "A Mickey Mouse cartoon in which the animals stage a birthday party, featuring an enormous cake. They go through some clever antics and all in all it is a peppy animated, well up to the standard of the Walt Disney series. The harmony and musical effects override the theme and clutter up the cartoon work unnecessarily in spots, but that seems to be the prevailing idea in cartoons until the exhibs or the public register a definite objection."[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]

The short appears in the TV shows The Mickey Mouse Club (season 2, episode 22) and Donald's Quack Attack (season 1, episode 40).[9]

## Voice cast

[edit]

* Mickey Mouse: Walt Disney
* Minnie Mouse: Marcellite Garner

## See also

[edit]

* Mickey Mouse (film series)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Scott, Keith (2022). Cartoon Voices from the Golden Age, 1930-70. BearManor Media. pp. 258–259. ISBN 979-8-88771-010-5.
2. ^ a b Kaufman, J.B.; Gerstein, David (2018). Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse: The Ultimate History. Cologne: Taschen. p. 63\. ISBN 978-3-8365-5284-4.
3. ^ a b Grob, Gijs (2018). "The Birthday Party". Mickey's Movies: The Theatrical Films of Mickey Mouse. Theme Park Press. ISBN 978-1683901235.
4. ^ Gluck, Keith (November 18, 2012). "The Birth of a Mouse". The Walt Disney Family Museum. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
5. ^ Gottfredson, Floyd (2012). Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse, vol 3: High Noon at Inferno Gulch. Seattle, WA: Fantagraphics Books. p. 210\. ISBN 978-1606995310.
6. ^ Van Gelder, Lawrence (November 18, 1988). "Mickey Mouse's Age". The New York Times. p. 68.
7. ^ "Reviews of Sound Shorts". The Film Daily: 12. February 1, 1931. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
8. ^ "Mickey Mouse in Black and White DVD Review". DVD Dizzy. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
9. ^ "The Birthday Party". Internet Animation Database. Retrieved February 8, 2020.

## External links

[edit]

* The Birthday Party at IMDb
* The Birthday Party on YouTube

* 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)
* "Mickey's Mechanical House" (1999)
* House of Mouse (2001–2003)
* Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (2006–2016)
* Minnie's Bow-Toons (2011–present)
* Mickey Mouse (2013–2019)
* "Mumbai Madness" (2014)
* Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures (2017–2021)
* The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse (2020–2023)
* Mickey Mouse Funhouse (2021–present)
* Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+ (2025–present)

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|

* 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–present)
* Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+ (2025–present)

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)

Film cameos|

* Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

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–present)
* Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+ (2025–present)

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)

* ‡ 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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