Today in Film History (November 18th, 1928): Walt Disney Releases "Steamboat Willie"!
Jay B
On November 18th, 1928, the classic Disney animated short film, "Steamboat Willie" was released in the United States! Directed by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks, it is often considered the debut of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, although they both appeared in a test screening of "Plane Crazy" in May of that year. "Steamboat Willie" was the third of the Mickey Mouse films to be produced, but the first to be distributed since Walt Disney, who had just seen "The Jazz Singer", committed himself to produce one of the first fully synchronized sound cartoons. "Steamboat Willie" DID become the first cartoon with synchronized sound, as well as one of the first cartoons to feature a fully post-produced soundtrack, as Disney believed that syncronized sound was the future of film. The film received widespread critical acclaim, and is often considered one of the most influential cartoons ever made!