Oswald the Lucky Rabbit: Bringing the Disney Magic Since 1927!
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When you think of Disney, who is it that comes to mind for you? Snow White? Cinderella? Donald Duck?
Most likely, the first character you thought of is Mickey Mouse, that iconic cartoon mouse that we know and love as Disney's mascot.
However, what about his precursor? I'm talking about Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. He made his first debut in 1927, ahead of Mickey Mouse in 1928's short, Steamboat Willie.
Oswald was the first Disney animated character to feature in their own series. He originally featured in 27 animations produced at Walt Disney's Animation Studios for distribution by Universal Studios.
Here's where it gets a tad bit sad.
In 1928, Disney lost the rights to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Charles Mintz, a film producer, claimed rights to Oswald for Universal Studios. Disney had become concerned that Mintz would not renew the contract for the Oswald cartoons. Part of this came from learning that Mintz was orchestrating the departure of his animators to work for him.
We all know the story from there. Mickey Mouse was created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks (one of the only animators that remained loyal to Disney) in 1928. As is obvious by his original design, Mickey takes his inspiration from Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. The resemblance is uncanny.
So, what happened to Oswald from there?
Charles Mintz opened his own studio, which as-a-matter-of-fact was staffed by primarily former Disney employees, to produce more Oswald cartoons. Hen Fruit (1929), was the first Oswald short to actually feature sound. Universal did a stab in the back to Mintz, terminating his contract and taking over direct control of the production of Oswald cartoons.
Oswald also was the star of comic books, making his first appearance in 1935, in DC Comics nonetheless! Da-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-da-na-na-na-na-na-na-na Oswald! Wait, that doesn't quite ring the same bell, does it?
Oswald even became a father in 1948, adopting two orphaned rabbits - Floyd and Lloyd.
Oswald was a lost gem for many years. How many, you ask? Let's see... 78 YEARS. A long time, but he was going to come home eventually.
Disney re-acquired the rights to Oswald in 2006, when a trade for some minor assets (including Oswald) was made for Al Michaels, a Disney ABC and ESPN sportscaster. Oswald was back!
Oswald Merchandise
Of course, this wouldn't be a The Dis-cussioner post without talking about some Oswald merch. First off, there's the video games Epic Mickey and Epic Mickey 2, which both feature Oswald. At E3 in 2013, Disney was selling promotional Oswald ear hats to commemorate the game. A family friend of mine and her son attended as press. Unfortunately, they were unable to attain a customized version of this Oswald hat. Not to fear, I gotchu fam. They were able to get a hat online, so I offered to take it to be customized by the mouse himself!
The Cast Members at Box Office Gifts were very surprised to see this hat - they had never seen it before. I asked for it to be customized, and I’m very happy to report that it turned out beautiful.
This gorgeous rainbow stitching would make a great addition to any ear hat. A very special thanks to my friend for letting me post how her hat turned out :)
Additionally you can get an Oswald water bottle, plushies, Oswald MagicBand buddies, and even Oswald pins!* There's also many more options to bring Oswald home with you! You should be able to get your Lucky Rabbit fix - no problem :)
Is Oswald a favourite of yours? Comment and subscribe :)
When you think of Disney, who is it that comes to mind for you? Snow White? Cinderella? Donald Duck?
Most likely, the first character you thought of is Mickey Mouse, that iconic cartoon mouse that we know and love as Disney's mascot.
However, what about his precursor? I'm talking about Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. He made his first debut in 1927, ahead of Mickey Mouse in 1928's short, Steamboat Willie.
 |
| Oswald the Lucky Rabbit |
Oswald was the first Disney animated character to feature in their own series. He originally featured in 27 animations produced at Walt Disney's Animation Studios for distribution by Universal Studios.
Here's where it gets a tad bit sad.
In 1928, Disney lost the rights to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Charles Mintz, a film producer, claimed rights to Oswald for Universal Studios. Disney had become concerned that Mintz would not renew the contract for the Oswald cartoons. Part of this came from learning that Mintz was orchestrating the departure of his animators to work for him.
We all know the story from there. Mickey Mouse was created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks (one of the only animators that remained loyal to Disney) in 1928. As is obvious by his original design, Mickey takes his inspiration from Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. The resemblance is uncanny.
 |
| Mickey Mouse as he appears in the 1928 short, Steamboat Willie. |
So, what happened to Oswald from there?
Charles Mintz opened his own studio, which as-a-matter-of-fact was staffed by primarily former Disney employees, to produce more Oswald cartoons. Hen Fruit (1929), was the first Oswald short to actually feature sound. Universal did a stab in the back to Mintz, terminating his contract and taking over direct control of the production of Oswald cartoons.
Oswald also was the star of comic books, making his first appearance in 1935, in DC Comics nonetheless! Da-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-da-na-na-na-na-na-na-na Oswald! Wait, that doesn't quite ring the same bell, does it?
Oswald even became a father in 1948, adopting two orphaned rabbits - Floyd and Lloyd.
Oswald was a lost gem for many years. How many, you ask? Let's see... 78 YEARS. A long time, but he was going to come home eventually.
Disney re-acquired the rights to Oswald in 2006, when a trade for some minor assets (including Oswald) was made for Al Michaels, a Disney ABC and ESPN sportscaster. Oswald was back!
Oswald Merchandise
Of course, this wouldn't be a The Dis-cussioner post without talking about some Oswald merch. First off, there's the video games Epic Mickey and Epic Mickey 2, which both feature Oswald. At E3 in 2013, Disney was selling promotional Oswald ear hats to commemorate the game. A family friend of mine and her son attended as press. Unfortunately, they were unable to attain a customized version of this Oswald hat. Not to fear, I gotchu fam. They were able to get a hat online, so I offered to take it to be customized by the mouse himself!
The Cast Members at Box Office Gifts were very surprised to see this hat - they had never seen it before. I asked for it to be customized, and I’m very happy to report that it turned out beautiful.
This gorgeous rainbow stitching would make a great addition to any ear hat. A very special thanks to my friend for letting me post how her hat turned out :)
Additionally you can get an Oswald water bottle, plushies, Oswald MagicBand buddies, and even Oswald pins!* There's also many more options to bring Oswald home with you! You should be able to get your Lucky Rabbit fix - no problem :)
Is Oswald a favourite of yours? Comment and subscribe :)
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