14 Shades of Disney, Shade 2: Ye Olden Days

Shade #2: Ye Olden Days (1933)
Starring: Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy (Dippy Dawg), Clarabelle Cow and Pete (?)
Setting: A Medieval Castle

Plot: The gang is acting out a medieval yarn where a wandering Minstrel (Mickey) saves the princess (Minnie) from marrying the Prince of Poopoopadoo (Dippy Dawg).

Box of Chocolates:

In case there was any question, this cartoon makes it clear the characters are all playing parts and even features a Cast List (see below):
Ye Caste
Ye Wandering Minstrel… Mickey Mouse
Ye Princess… Minnie Mouse
Ye Prince… Dippy Dawg
Ye Olde Kinge…

Dippy Dawg made six appearances in shorts before his name was changed to “Goofy” in 1934’s Orphan Benefit.

The patch on the side of Mickey’s mule reads “Excuse Ye Dust.”

The name of the actor playing the part of the Kinge of Kampalazoo’s isn’t listed but I’d say he looks and acts similar enough to Pete for him to get the credit.

Clarabelle Cow appears uncredited as the Princess’ handmaiden.

There’s not much creepier than when the man in an arranged marriage says “You’ll learn to love me!” as Goofy does while kissing Minnie’s arm.

The Kinge’s castle comes outfitted with sliding kitchen doors with “Ye Kitchen” scrawled across them.

The Kinge is pretty harsh… he throws his own daughter into the attic for being a “fanatic” after she refuses the prince.

This makes Minnie the Princess of Kampalazoo.

I know Mickey doesn’t sing in every short from the 30s but it sure feels like it.

Clarabelle sure is a sport in letting Mickey and Minnie tie an escape rope together out of her clothes but where did she get the barrel?

I like the Kinge’s style; he dunks his entire chicken in his ale before swallowing the bird whole.

Goofy enters his armour arse first while Mickey dons a pot-bellied stove and pot for his “suit.”  

Give it to Mickey’s plucky mule for giving Goofy’s steed all he could handle and more!

The Morning After:
I’m a huge fan of the idea that Mickey and his gang are not just characters at face value but are actual, working actors.  I can’t remember when it’s ever been so explicit where there’s a cast list, separating themselves from their roles but I wish it had been done more often.  Really, even in something as straight forward as the last short, Puppy Love, I still would like to believe they are all still “acting.”  It’s like how the world of ‘Toons is presented in Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1989) where there’s a clear delineation between Mickey in the “pictures” and Mickey just living his normal, everyday life in Toontown. I know I’ve mentioned this ad nauseam but it also gives us another chance to see Goofy’s impressive range on display.  Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Pluto are always themselves.  But, once again, Goofy goes beyond the clumsy bumpkin we all know and love to play a lecherous prince – a villain no less!