24 Days of Waltzmas, Day 12: A Very Goofy Christmas

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A Very Goofy Christmas (1999)
Starring: Goofy and Max
Costarring: Pete
Setting: In and around the Goof’s home and neighbourhood

Plot: Young Max and Goofy are preparing for Christmas when Pete, the Goof’s ne’er-do-well neighbour, tells Max that Santa Claus doesn’t exist.  Goofy won’t stand for this as he attempts to prove to his son that the fat man in red is, indeed, real. 

Stocking Stuffers:

This “short” is the second sequence in the Christmas compilation movie, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas.

Maximilian “Max” Goof (not to be confused with Goofy Jr.) first appeared as an eleven-year-old pre-teen in the animated television series Goof Troop (1992 -1993) however, age-wise, this is Max’s youngest appearance at what appears to be eight or nine.

For inquiring minds, it’s suggested in Goof Troop that Max’s mother had long since passed since she is referred to in one episode by Goofy as “up there among the stars.”

Max is also a unique character in that he ages.  In each of his various appearances he is at a different stage in life: A Very Goofy Christmas – elementary school, Goof Troop – middle school, A Goofy Movie (1995) - high school, An Extremely Goofy Movie (2000) - college and Christmas Maximus (2004) - post-college.

Max is seen here wearing a Mickey Mouse wristwatch.

A couple of the stores we see in the shopping mall are Lumberjack Lingerie and CEO Shorts.

Angelique from Beauty and the Beast: Belles Enchanted Christmas (1997) makes a cameo as one of Goofy’s Christmas ornaments.

As is in Goof Troop, Pete appears as the Goof’s neighbour but without his wife, Peg, and two kids, P.J. and Pistol.  However, the story in Goof Troop goes that Goofy returns to his hometown with an eleven-year-old Max and moves in next door to Pete.  Since Max is clearly younger here, this appears to be an inconsistency or this story isn’t necessarily canon. 

You’ll notice all the various portraits of Goof Ancestors hanging throughout the house.  There’s even a “Cave Goof” with a bone sticking through his nose.

Putting a Bow on It:
The Goofy-Max relationship is at its absolute sweetest/purest here as we get to see a young Max before he’s jaded and isn’t as embarrassed by his dad’s goofiness.  It’s a refreshing take since every other story revolves around an older Max’s reluctance or misgivings with being a Goof.