ORIGINS OF DISNEY ANIMATION/DISNEY IN THE 20s – Montage of clips:
CINDERELLA (Laugh-O-gram; 1922) – Made in Kansas City, Missouri in 1922, with direction by Walt Disney himself, this early silent film offers a novel take on the classic fairy tale with Cinderella being driven to the prince’s ball in a Tin Lizzie driven by her cat.
ALICE’S WONDERLAND (1923) – This inventive pilot film for the series of silent Alice comedies that would follow, was made in Kansas City, Missouri, and features a live-action opening where Alice (Virginia Davis) visits Walt Disney in his cartoon studio, before entering Cartoonland, where her animated adventures include being chased by lions that have escaped from the zoo.
TROLLEY TROUBLES (1927) marked the debut of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Oswald encounters some unusual obstacles as a trolley conductor transporting bunny children and other animals, including an obstinate cow, and some steep climbs.
STEAMBOAT WILLIE (1928) – Directed by Walt Disney, this film was the first Mickey Mouse cartoon to be released, and launched the iconic mouse on a career in films, television and theme parks that continues to this day. It is considered one of the first animated films to use synchronized sound and a fully post-produced soundtrack. Ub Iwerks led a team of animation pioneers in bringing this lovable character to life.