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Walt Before Mickey: Disney's Early Years (1919-1928)

Elliott Carter

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Walt Disney In His Early Years, Working On His First Animated Films Walt Before Mickey: Disney S Early Years 1919 1928

Walt Disney is one of the most iconic and influential figures in the history of entertainment. His creations, including Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Snow White, have brought joy to generations of children and adults alike. However, before Disney became the world-famous animator and filmmaker we know today, he spent many years struggling to find his way. This article will explore the early years of Walt Disney's career, from his first attempts at animation to the creation of his first feature-length film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Walt before Mickey: Disney's Early Years, 1919-1928

by Timothy S. Susanin

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2134 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	373 pages

Early Life and Career

Walter Elias Disney was born on December 5, 1901, in Chicago, Illinois. He developed a passion for drawing at an early age, and he often spent hours sketching animals and other objects. When he was 14, Disney's family moved to Kansas City, Missouri. There, he attended the Kansas City Art Institute and studied under some of the leading animators of the day.

After graduating from art school, Disney worked as a commercial artist and a cartoonist. In 1920, he founded his own animation studio, called Laugh-O-Gram Films. However, the studio went bankrupt after only a few years. Undeterred, Disney moved to Hollywood in 1923 and founded a new studio, called The Walt Disney Company.

Early Animated Films

Disney's early animated films were not particularly successful. His first film, Alice's Wonderland (1923),was a commercial failure. However, Disney's next film, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit (1927),was a huge hit. Oswald was a cartoon character very similar to Mickey Mouse, and he quickly became one of the most popular cartoon characters of the time.

Unfortunately, Disney lost the rights to Oswald to Universal Studios in 1928. This was a major setback for Disney, but he refused to give up. He and his team of animators quickly created a new cartoon character, Mickey Mouse. Mickey Mouse first appeared in the film Steamboat Willie (1928),and he quickly became one of the most popular cartoon characters of all time.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

In the early 1930s, Disney began working on his first feature-length film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. This was a hugely ambitious project, and it took Disney and his team of animators three years to complete. However, the film was a huge success when it was finally released in 1937. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was the first full-length animated feature film, and it set a new standard for animation. The film was also a commercial success, and it helped to make Disney one of the most successful filmmakers in the world.

Walt Disney's early years were full of challenges and setbacks. However, he never gave up on his dream of becoming a successful animator. Through hard work and perseverance, Disney eventually achieved his goal. His early films, including Oswald the Lucky Rabbit and Mickey Mouse, helped to establish him as one of the leading animators of his time. And his first feature-length film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, set a new standard for animation and helped to make Disney one of the most successful filmmakers in the world.

Disney's early years are an inspiration to anyone who has a dream. They show that with hard work and perseverance, anything is possible.

Walt before Mickey: Disney's Early Years, 1919-1928

by Timothy S. Susanin

4.4 out of 5