Plane Crazy (Mickey Mouse cartoon, 1928)

"Plane Crazy" is a classic Mickey Mouse cartoon that holds a special place in animation history. Released on May 15, 1928, it was the first Mickey Mouse cartoon ever made, though it initially debuted as a silent film. Directed by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks, the short was later re-released with sound in 1929, following the success of "Steamboat Willie," which introduced Mickey to a wider audience.
In "Plane Crazy," Mickey is inspired by Charles Lindbergh’s famous transatlantic flight and attempts to become an aviator. He builds a rickety plane from spare parts, and with Minnie Mouse as his passenger, he takes to the skies. The cartoon is full of slapstick humor—Mickey’s wild flying stunts, a crash landing, and even a moment where he tries to impress Minnie with some aerial antics. It’s a fast-paced, chaotic romp that showcases Mickey’s early mischievous personality, quite different from the more polished character he’d later become.
The animation style is raw and energetic, typical of the rubber-hose animation of the late 1920s, with exaggerated movements and a playful disregard for physics. Minnie also makes her debut here, sporting her signature polka-dot dress (though it wasn’t polka-dotted yet in this film). Fun fact: Walt Disney originally voiced Mickey in this cartoon, providing the squeaky falsetto that would become iconic.