The Kokomo Tribune from Kokomo, Indiana • Page 67

As well as enriching the lives af millions with entertainment, Mickey is also responsible for huge revenues obtalned through merchandising. Almost certainly, he was the first cartoon character to appear on noveltles, giftware, soft goods. The forerunner of them all was school writing tablets. In 1929 Walt was offered $300 for permission to use Mickey's likeness on these pads. Because he needed the money, Walt agreed.

A year later, Roy Disney signed a contract with the George Bargfeldt giving it the go-ahead to produce "figures and toys of various materials, embodying designs of comic mice known as Minnie and Mickey Mouse, appearing in copyrighted motion pictures." In 1932 Walt met Herman Kamen, an advertising genius who had a slew of merchandisIng ideas, One of them was a deal for ten million Mickey Mouse Ice-cream cones. Next came a link with Lionel trains, that turned out windup handcars for one dollar. The amazing results rescued the Depressionhit company from the verge of bankruptcy, The most famous Item of all is the Mickey Mouse watch. Ingersoll manufactured the first models In 1933. Priced at $3.75, It was Immediately reduced to $2.95.

This same watch Is currently going for $225 in antique stores. Between June 1933 and June 1935, million watches were sold in the U.S., at $2.95. Macy's reported that one day during that period, 11,000 timepieces changed hands. In 1957 Walt was, presented with the 25th million timepiece. They're now available all over the world.

from $7.95 to several hundreds of dollars. Two of them made the journey to outer space: astronaut Walter Schirra carried his Mickey Mouse watch with him on his Apollo space mission In 1969, and Gene Cernan wore his on Apollo 10. Although Mickey burst upon the world in 1928 in Steamboat Willie, it was not his first screen venture, Plane Crazy, without sound, was the original of Mickey's 118 cartoons. Unfor- exhibitors did not and Mickey Mouse in Steamboat Willie (1928) and Fantasia (1940). One for 0000 measure for handling) one for FREE! Stanley gives you a handy keytape rule when you buy a Stanley 124 or 16 rule.

They're the ones with the big inch- wide, easy toread blade, that's self- supporting up to seven feet Has new anti whip return and Tru- Zero hook with the compass pivot feature. As for good measure, this? 3' Powerlock Keytape Rule, a $3.29 value, is just right for all those little measuring jobs and FREE the MAIL Rule valued at $3.29 Here's my proof ol-purchase from P.O. the product card, plus 504 to cover New handling and postage. Offer expires June 1.1979 Name. Address: City State.

share Walt's enthuslasm. Un- with soundtrack. The project Overnight success enabled daunted, he forged ahead with ate up almost every penny Walt Walt to add sound to the other another silent, Gallopin' had. When he ran it through for two silent shorts and offer Gaucho. No luck with that, New York exhibitors, the exhibitors their first elther.

When Al Jolson's first manager of the Colony was package of three. talkie, The Jazz Singer revolu- more impressed with young Mickey's popularity spawned tionized the film industry in late Walt than he was with fledgling a Mickey Mouse- Club in 1929. 1927, Walt jumped on the Mickey. He decided to take a By 1935, many had disbanded. bandwagon, and the result was chance and chose Nov, 18, In 1955 the Club on TV Steamboat Willle, complete 1928, as the premiere.

was reactivated with Annette Funicello and, until 1959, was the most successful show of all time for the young set. Last year, The New Mickey Mouse Club, with a dozen new Mouseketeers, was revived and alred on home screens. When eggheads tried to explain away Mickey's phenomanal success, Walt chuckled, (1940). He was amused, not impressed, with their psychological evaluations. He told.

all those analysts: "Mickey's a nice fellow who never does anyone any harm, gels into scrapes through no fault of his own and somehow always manages to came up grinning. "All we, ever intended for him, or expected of him, was that he should continue to make people smile with him and at him. We didn't burden him with any social symbolism; we made him no mouthplece for frustrations or harsh satire," Walt flercely guarded Mickey's reputation wouldn't do he often argued at script conferences). He was Mickey's gulping, falsetto voice until 1946, when he found he could no longer spare the time, Walt approached Jim Macdonald in the Sound and Vocal Effects Dept. saying: "I'm too busy.

Can you take over Mickey's voice for me?" Jimmy did, and still does. And now, an interview with the world famous mouse. FW: Of all your roles, what was the toughest? MM: "The Sorcerer's Apprentice' in Fantasia because 1 had to do all my own stunts. No such thing as a 'stunt mouse' In 1940. It was a do-it-yourself part, without wires.

It was also my most memorable role because. I never dreamed I'd be in a movie with. Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra. FW: You haven't aged a day since your debut in Steamboat Wilkie. Do you think you've changed? MM; When the world first saw me, It was at the precipice of the Depression, so I didn't have any shoes or gloves.

As soon as Mr. Disney could afford It, he got me both. Also, there was a lot of bather with my tall. At the outset, having my tall out was in. During the 40's, having my tail out was out.

Since 1947 (Mickey's Delayed Date), havIng my tall out has been in. And In the early days 1 was more mischlevous than 1 am now, FW: You've played so many roles. Is there anything you'd give your eyetooth to do? MM: I've gone from fireman to glant killer; cowboy to inventor; detective to plumber, The only part 1 haven't played and one I'm dying to is myself a MOUSE. Fw THIS COUPON TO Stanley Tools; Dept, Box 3000: Britain; CT. 06050.

STANLEY FAMILY WEEKLY, November 12, 1978 8 5.