Unleashing Steamboat Willie's Dark Side: Early Mickey Mouse Haunts Horror Films
Breaking free from Disney's copyright shackles on Monday, the iconic character from Steamboat Willie is now taking center stage in the eerie world of horror cinema. Mere hours after the 1928 short entered the public domain, YouTube witnessed the release of the trailer for "Mickey’s Mouse Trap." Another unnamed film, set to delve into the darker side of early Mickey Mouse, was unveiled on Tuesday. "Steamboat Willie" showcased the initial renditions of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, directed by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks. This third cartoon collaboration marked their debut release, portraying a more menacing Mickey, resembling a rat more than a mouse, steering a boat and crafting musical instruments from other animals. In an uncanny twist of fate, the initial projects revolving around this newly liberated character take the form of seemingly low-budget and campy slasher movies—a trend not entirely unprecedented. Winnie the Pooh, sans his signature red shirt...