Oswald the Lucky Rabbit (partially lost series of Walt Disney animated short films; 1927-1928): Difference between revisions
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==Background== | ==Background== | ||
Walt began production on the shorts in 1927. Oswald was well received and became the first Disney character to have his own tie-in merchandise.<ref>[http://www.thisdayindisneyhistory.com/OswaldRabbit.html A brief history on the Lucky Rabbit]</ref> ''Oswald's'' success over the competition was due to the more ambitious, innovative, and raunchy animation and | Walt began production on the shorts in 1927. Oswald was well received and became the first Disney character to have his own tie-in merchandise.<ref>[http://www.thisdayindisneyhistory.com/OswaldRabbit.html A brief history on the ''Oswald the Lucky Rabbit''.]</ref> ''Oswald's'' success over the competition was due to the more ambitious, innovative, and raunchy animation and humor compared to the others, which tended to be more conservative and safe. Despite the success of the series, after 27 shorts, the budget was cut by more than half and nearly half of Walt's animation team was moved to other projects. Disney soon quit working at Winkler and starting his own animation studio with some of his most talented ''Oswald'' staff. Having lost the rights to ''Oswald'', Disney proceeded to create a new character named Mickey Mouse. | ||
After Disney left Winkler, Oswald's shorts were animated by many rising animation legends, such as a young Tex Avery<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwdFy1mZnRE One of the later Oswald cartoons]</ref> | After Disney left Winkler, Oswald's shorts were animated by many rising animation legends, such as a young Tex Avery.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwdFy1mZnRE One of the later Oswald cartoons.]</ref> ''Oswald'' cartoons eventually featured color and sound but was ultimately discontinued in 1943 due to a fall in popularity. Those shorts are still owned by Universal.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ92eqrkRS8 The last regular Oswald cartoon by Universal, ''The Egg Cracker Case''.]</ref> In addition, a few ''Oswald'' cartoons were remade into Mickey Mouse cartoons by Disney.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yx_0I_PK0IE Mickey Mouse cartoon, ''Building a Building'']</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B2ET6irhF0 Oswald cartoon, ''Sky Scrappers''.]</ref> | ||
==Rediscovery== | ==Rediscovery== | ||
In 2005, when Oswald's copyright expired, Universal (which had distributed the Winkler shorts) gave the Walt Disney company the rights to Disney's original ''Oswald'' shorts. A DVD collection was released in 2006 containing 13 of the original 27 shorts.<ref>[http://movies.disney.com/the-adventures-of-oswald-the-lucky-rabbit Disney site promoting the Oswald DVD]</ref> Several more shorts appeared in some form over the next few years. | In 2005, when Oswald's copyright expired, Universal (which had distributed the Winkler shorts) gave the Walt Disney company the rights to Disney's original ''Oswald'' shorts. A DVD collection was released in 2006 containing 13 of the original 27 shorts.<ref>[http://movies.disney.com/the-adventures-of-oswald-the-lucky-rabbit Disney site promoting the Oswald DVD.]</ref> Several more shorts appeared in some form over the next few years. | ||
In 2007 the current existing ''Oswald'' shorts (only the ones Walt Disney produced) at the time were released in the "Walt Disney Treasures" line of DVDs. The shorts "Poor Papa" and "Africa Before Dark" were included as bonus features on The Walt Disney Signature Collection Blu-Rays of ''Pinocchio'' and ''Bambi''.<ref>[https://www.walmart.com/ip/Pinocchio-The-Walt-Disney-Signature-Collection-Blu-ray-DVD-Digital-HD/55179941#read-more The ''Pinocchio'' Signature Collection Blu-ray]</ref><ref>[https://www.laughingplace.com/w/articles/2017/06/02/blu-ray-review-bambi-walt-disney-signature-collection/ The ''Bambi'' Signature Collection Blu-ray]</ref> Two minutes of a further short, ''Neck 'n Neck'', was discovered in Japan in 2018.<ref>[http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201811140057.html Article on the discovery of ''Neck 'n Neck in Japan]</ref> | In 2007 the current existing ''Oswald'' shorts (only the ones Walt Disney produced) at the time were released in the "Walt Disney Treasures" line of DVDs. The shorts "Poor Papa" and "Africa Before Dark" were included as bonus features on The Walt Disney Signature Collection Blu-Rays of ''Pinocchio'' and ''Bambi''.<ref>[https://www.walmart.com/ip/Pinocchio-The-Walt-Disney-Signature-Collection-Blu-ray-DVD-Digital-HD/55179941#read-more The ''Pinocchio'' Signature Collection Blu-ray.]</ref><ref>[https://www.laughingplace.com/w/articles/2017/06/02/blu-ray-review-bambi-walt-disney-signature-collection/ The ''Bambi'' Signature Collection Blu-ray.]</ref> Two minutes of a further short, ''Neck 'n Neck'', was discovered in Japan in 2018.<ref>[http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201811140057.html Article on the discovery of ''Neck 'n Neck'' in Japan.]</ref> | ||
Six of the original Oswald shorts made by Disney are currently missing. Four others are incomplete.<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oswald_the_Lucky_Rabbit_filmography Oswald's filmography, including the Disney shorts]</ref> | Six of the original Oswald shorts made by Disney are currently missing. Four others are incomplete.<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oswald_the_Lucky_Rabbit_filmography Oswald's filmography, including the Disney shorts]</ref> | ||
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==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
*[[Poor Papa (found "Oswald the Lucky Rabbit" animated short; 1927)|''Poor Papa'']], the first ''Oswald'' short. | *[[Poor Papa (found "Oswald the Lucky Rabbit" animated short; 1927)|''Poor Papa'']], the first ''Oswald'' short. | ||
==External Link== | |||
*[http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Oswald_the_Lucky_Rabbit_(series) ''Oswald'' series overview on the Disney Wikia.] Retrieved 25 Mar '16. | |||
==References== | ==References== |
Revision as of 12:36, 1 March 2019
Oswald ending card from the Disney era.
Status: Partially Lost
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit is a series of short cartoons made from 1927 to 1928 by Walt Disney and from 1928 to 1943 by a variety of animators under Universal Studios. After the failure of his Laugh-O-Grams and Lafflets, and the minor success of the Alice Comedies, Walt Disney wanted to compete with stronger cartoon characters of the era like Felix the Cat. After successfully pitching Oswald, Winkler Pictures gave him a talented animation staff and a budget.
Background
Walt began production on the shorts in 1927. Oswald was well received and became the first Disney character to have his own tie-in merchandise.[1] Oswald's success over the competition was due to the more ambitious, innovative, and raunchy animation and humor compared to the others, which tended to be more conservative and safe. Despite the success of the series, after 27 shorts, the budget was cut by more than half and nearly half of Walt's animation team was moved to other projects. Disney soon quit working at Winkler and starting his own animation studio with some of his most talented Oswald staff. Having lost the rights to Oswald, Disney proceeded to create a new character named Mickey Mouse.
After Disney left Winkler, Oswald's shorts were animated by many rising animation legends, such as a young Tex Avery.[2] Oswald cartoons eventually featured color and sound but was ultimately discontinued in 1943 due to a fall in popularity. Those shorts are still owned by Universal.[3] In addition, a few Oswald cartoons were remade into Mickey Mouse cartoons by Disney.[4][5]
Rediscovery
In 2005, when Oswald's copyright expired, Universal (which had distributed the Winkler shorts) gave the Walt Disney company the rights to Disney's original Oswald shorts. A DVD collection was released in 2006 containing 13 of the original 27 shorts.[6] Several more shorts appeared in some form over the next few years.
In 2007 the current existing Oswald shorts (only the ones Walt Disney produced) at the time were released in the "Walt Disney Treasures" line of DVDs. The shorts "Poor Papa" and "Africa Before Dark" were included as bonus features on The Walt Disney Signature Collection Blu-Rays of Pinocchio and Bambi.[7][8] Two minutes of a further short, Neck 'n Neck, was discovered in Japan in 2018.[9]
Six of the original Oswald shorts made by Disney are currently missing. Four others are incomplete.[10]
Theatrical Shorts
# | Short Title | Year Produced | Status |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Poor Papa | 1927 | Found |
2 | Trolley Troubles | 1927 | Found |
3 | Oh Teacher | 1927 | Partially Lost |
4 | The Mechanical Cow | 1927 | Found |
5 | Great Guns! | 1927 | Found |
6 | All Wet | 1927 | Found |
7 | The Ocean Hop | 1927 | Partially Lost |
8 | The Banker's Daughter | 1927 | Lost |
9 | Empty Socks* | 1927 | Found |
10 | Rickety Gin | 1927 | Lost |
11 | Harem Scarem | 1928 | Lost |
12 | Neck 'n' Neck* | 1928 | Partially Lost |
13 | The Ol' Swimmin' Hole* | 1928 | Found |
14 | Africa Before Dark | 1928 | Found |
15 | Rival Romeos | 1928 | Found |
16 | Bright Lights | 1928 | Found |
17 | Sagebrush Sadie | 1928 | Lost |
18 | Ride 'Em Plowboy | 1928 | Lost |
19 | Ozzie of the Mounted | 1928 | Partially Lost |
20 | Hungry Hoboes | 1928 | Found |
21 | Oh, What a Knight | 1928 | Found |
22 | Sky Scrappers | 1928 | Found |
23 | The Fox Chase | 1928 | Found |
24 | Tall Timber | 1928 | Found |
25 | Sleigh Bells* | 1928 | Found |
26 | Hot Dog | 1928 | Lost |
27 | High Up* | 1928 | Found |
(*) While reels of these films are known to exist, they are not currently available for public viewing.
See Also
- Poor Papa, the first Oswald short.
External Link
- Oswald series overview on the Disney Wikia. Retrieved 25 Mar '16.
References
- ↑ A brief history on the Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.
- ↑ One of the later Oswald cartoons.
- ↑ The last regular Oswald cartoon by Universal, The Egg Cracker Case.
- ↑ Mickey Mouse cartoon, Building a Building
- ↑ Oswald cartoon, Sky Scrappers.
- ↑ Disney site promoting the Oswald DVD.
- ↑ The Pinocchio Signature Collection Blu-ray.
- ↑ The Bambi Signature Collection Blu-ray.
- ↑ Article on the discovery of Neck 'n Neck in Japan.
- ↑ Oswald's filmography, including the Disney shorts