Talkin’ Turkey with Tim Babb
Day 18

Today is Mickey Mouse’s 85th birthday. So I thought I’d list my top 85 favorite Mickey Mouse cartoons…then I realized that’s way too long of a list, so here’s my top 5 (or “High 5” as we say ’round these parts) Fair warning…you won’t see Steamboat Willie or Sorcerer’s Apprentice on this list. Yes, they’re iconic, but you already know about them and they aren’t personal favorites of mine like these five are. Enjoy…

5) Mickey’s PhilharMagic

If you’ve never seen Mickey’s PhilharMagic, don’t watch that video. Wait until you can see it at the park. I know, it’s technically not a “Mickey Mouse Cartoon” in the traditional sense, since it’s an attraction at Walt Disney World. But I love it. It was amazing. Even though, as I mentioned in a previews Kingdom Comedy, Mickey is barely in it…he’s in it for a bit and it’s got his name on it, so I say it counts.

4) Mickey’s New Car

This one is by no means a classic, but it was one of the cartoons they made for the House of Mouse show. My son used to make me watch this every time he got “computer time” (we let him watch YouTube videos for about 15-20 minutes if he takes his naps. Yes it’s bribery. No I am not interested in your explanation of why it’s a bad idea.) I grew quite fond of it after all the repeated viewings. I especially like the sight gag with the construction signs at 5:52

3) Mickey’s Polo Team

It was so weird to find this on YouTube in color and with sound. I’m used to seeing this in black and white in Main Street Cinema at Disneyland. It’s a little theater that shows 6 Mickey Mouse cartoons. It’s a great place to chill at the end of the night with a pretzel and a coke. Of all the cartoons playing, I always gravitate towards Mickey’s Polo Team (even though Steamboat Willie is the only one with sound). It gets extra points for having the Marx Brothers in it.

2) Lonesome Ghosts

I’ve loved this one ever since I was a kid. Goofy gets most of the laughs in this one but Mickey gives a solid performance as well. Plus, we get to hear “I ain’t afraid of no ghosts” years before the Ghostbusters said it.

1) Mickey’s Christmas Carol

That’s not the actual cartoon, it’s the intro of the cartoon. You’ll have to find the full cartoon for yourself. Fortunately, we are heading full steam into the holiday season, so I’m sure you’ll be able to find it soon. (It’s also a part of “Mickey’s Magical Christmas” which is streaming on Netflix at the moment)
As I mentioned on the podcast when we did our High 5 Holiday Movies, this was my introduction to the Christmas Carol story. It’s such a great holiday movie. Mickey’s role in this is so interesting, because he’s not particularly funny at all. The character of Mickey Mouse was created to make people laugh, yet he has to do some of the heaviest dramatic work in the whole picture when (spoilers) Tiny Tim dies. Just a great, great great cartoon.

So what do you think? Did I miss one of your fave five? Let me know in the comments!