WALT BEFORE MICKEY
US, 2015, 110 minutes, Colour.
Thomas Ian Nicholas, John Heder, Armando Gutierrez, David Henrie, Taylor Gray, Kate Katzman, Conor Dubin.
Directed by Khoa Le.
Walt Disney is still a well-known name although the films are introduced from the Disney Studios, and there are such institutions as Disney World in the US and in Europe.
This is an opportunity to learn something about Walt Disney before the creation of Mickey Mouse. Disney had a severe reputation in his later life and there are indications of driving impatience here but, on the whole, this might be called a rather sanitised interpretation of Disney’s early life and career. It is based on an admiring biography with an introduction by Disney’s niece.
In many ways, this film is like a tele-movie of the week or a Reader’s Digest biography of a prominent person.
However, we see that Disney like to sketch, had a severe father, moved from the farm to Kansas City, did some voluntary service in World War I, decided to become an animator setting up in Kansas City with friends, achieving some short animation features, especially visual commentaries on news headlines, Laugh-O-grams?. And he began work on visuals of fairytales, especially Alice in Wonderland.
The film traces the ups and downs of his career, some success in exhibiting films, collaborating with friends, the joining as a team to produce the animation. However, he was not good at finance and, despite donations and setting up a studio in Kansas City, he failed.
Walt was dependent on his brother Roy for business acumen (and there is a strong tribute to him in the final credits).
Disney then went to California, observed work at the studios, wanted to direct, got the opportunity to continue with Alice films, working with a rather talented little girl showing audiences how live action could blend with animation. However, despite interstate contacts, he came under the influence of an entrepreneur, Mintz, who intended to take over Disney’s work and sent a rather sinister brother-in-law to achieve this.
In the meantime, Disney had met Lillian who had come to work for him and married her. While he wanted his name on the studio and the productions, he had to confront Mintz in New York, rejecting his proposals.
During his time of depression, he came across a mouse and walked, hungry, through the city, with the mouse in his pocket. He finally wanted some inspiration for a new animation character, he thought of Mortimer Mouse – but, everybody was far happier with Mickey Mouse. The film ends with Disney and his family and associates watching audiences laughing at a Mickey Mouse cartoon in the cinemas.
The interesting thing in the final credits is the listing of his associates and their achievements.
1. Audience interest in the story of Walt Disney and his origins and career?
2. From a biography, introduction by Disney’s niece, a Disney approved biography?
3. The early years, Walt and his sketches, the reaction of his father, the horses, selling the farm, moving to the city? His interest in drawing? The possibility of being an actor? His service in World War I, ambulance service?
4. The status of animation in the 1920s? The artists, the studios, the programs in the theatres, Felix the cat? The silent era?
5. Disney, his personality, determined, his relationship with his brother, Roy, Roy and his illness? The visits? Walt and his setting up work in Kansas City? Getting money? Getting the associates, the programs, the Laugh-O-grams? Persuading exhibitors to show the films? The interstate contacts? Alice’s stories? Ambitions?
6. The ups and downs, selling the cartoons but not getting any profit, UB as his friend and working, Fritz Freling, the Harnans? Disney and his not being able to pay? Evicted from his apartment, sleeping in the office?
7. The failure, the decision to go to California, with his uncle, his paying his way? Studying at the studios, wanting to direct? Getting his friends again, the connections, the work? The productions?
8. Mintz, his power, his plans to absorb the Disney workers, sending his brother-in-law, George and his sinister behaviour? The demands for the little girl to act – who couldn’t? After using the little girl who could? Getting deeper into debt, the bouncing checks, the reactions of his staff? George and his insinuations, winning over members of the staff? Walkouts?
9. Roy, Walt asking him to join him, practical management, business sense?
10. Walt and his wanting his name on the studio, the productions? Going to New York with his wife? Going to the other studios, their not being able to make contracts? His refusal of Mintz’s control?
11. Lillian, the meeting, her friend, getting the job, not a good secretary, Disney falling in love, the marriage?
12. Wanting a creative idea? The memories of being with the mouse, feeding the mouse, their being hungry? The intrusion of the policeman and the mouse getting away? Mortimer Mouse? Mickey Mouse? The production of the first cartoon?
13. The screening, everybody present, everybody happy? The extraordinary story – after Mickey?
14. Disney and his reputation of being a disagreeable person – indications in his younger days? A very pleasant portrait of the young Disney?
15. The final information about those who worked with Disney and their successful careers?
