24 Days of Waltzmas, Day 22: Mickey's Orphans

Mickey’s Orphans (1931)
Starring: Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Pluto
Setting: Mickey’s House

Plot: It’s Christmas time and a litter of kittens are left on Mickey’s doorstep. 

Stocking Stuffers:
This cartoon is a remake of the Oswald the Lucky Rabbit short Empty Socks (1927).  It was thought to be lost but a copy missing about a minute of footage was found in the National Library of Norway in 2014.

This story is very similar to that of Mickey’s Good Deed (1932) where Mickey and Pluto also help give less fortunate kittens a merry Christmas. 

Are Mickey and Minnie living together?  It’s hard to tell but it doesn’t feel like Minnie is just visiting…  Or, is it Minnie’s house and Mickey and Pluto are visiting???

It’s telling that the kittens’ mother bypasses the church to deliver her litter to Mickey and Minnie.

Putting a Bow on It:
How good natured are Mickey and Minnie?  These kittens interrupt their “Silent Night” by running roughshod through their home, tearing it completely apart yet, the mice and their dog’s kindness are undeterred as their concern for giving the orphans a fruitful Christmas outranks whatever destruction the little ones hath wrought.  And, all of this was impromptu mind you!  I know If I found a basket of kids on my porch, I’d leave it there, lock the door and call the police!