Page 42 - Dr. Nisha Bunke

Minnie Mouse Unveiled

By Gerald M. Neff
Just where did this attractive lady mouse come from. and what are her her doubles at the theme parks and appearing in their 72 re-run cartoons
true beginnings plus her real life story in verbal terms, including a brief she expressed a desire to me that she is bored and tired of the fantasy
fact finding tour. For the answer to this and more I contacted an old castle and now not so magical rides and displays; Minnie dreams for
Vietnam war-buddy who got me an unlisted cellphone number for one more. She wants to visit the neighboring property and its new distinct
Minerva Mouse. Here are the results of my interview, once on the phone atmosphere accompanied by its present owner whom she met online. In
and in contact with promises of a proper story provided and endorsed spite of her 88 years she is once again the attractive and alluring flapper
by her, and my word of it being published in a key centerfold of the “The of yesteryear after her recent surgery and botox treatments; dressed in
San Diego Woman’s Magazine”, I was on. her new polka dotty bow and now unpatched knickers she is saying good
Minnie or Minerva as she was known then, was born one of six mice bye to fat pump shoes and hello to five inch stiletto Jimmy Choos. Now,
to a farm couple who lived along the river bank, and due to extreme She feels ready for a new adventure.
poverty and lack of substance for the family, it was decided that Minerva, “Why settled for a cigar smoking mouse on a smelly old boat when you
her uncle Morty and two cousins Millie and Melody should seek greener have the opportunity to fly on a jet broomstick piloted by a glamorous
pastures elsewhere. young British lad with the name of Harry Potter?” She said.
All four were sneaked on board a river boat one dark night in 1928 with For further exciting adventures of Minnie, check your local TV guide.
the help of the boat's pilot one steamboat Willie, a pleasant but rough Yoo-Whoo !!!
around the edges cigar puffing river pilot mouse. Topped off with his
greasy blue engineer's cap, he appealed to Minerva right away. Willie
was taken likewise by this sassy young mouse girl. The river craft’s only
mission was to pick up and transport a certain Mister Walter Disney. Mr.
Disney was struck by the sincerity and honest character of his fellow
travelers and invited them to accompany him to Buena Vista, California,
and seek their fortunes along with him. Unfortunately this was
overheard by a certain Black Pete the boat captain, who followed them
to their destination and would continue to appear numerous times over
the next seventy years as the arch villain, and all around bad guy, always
interested in upsetting the harmony of our agreeable young mouse, and
friends. Walt as he was then known and now the godfather of the mice
had a cartoon studio in Hollywood. He invited our band of travelers to
work with him for what he hoped was a promising future.
The first work of cinema or cartoon for our little friends -where Minerva as
Minnie and Steam Boat Willy were the stars- was “Plane Crazy” quickly
42 followed by a replay of the first river encounter called “Steam Boat Willie”
complete with Black Pete. Then, on the heels of these two cartoon
successes Willie became Micky along with Minnie star in “Galloping
Gauchos” and involved the whole gang including Pluto -the group's
happy dog- and of course Pete as the villain.

With the success of these three cartoons under his belt Walt now did a
complete redesign of Minnie, her flower pot hat was replaced by her
Hallmark Polka Dottie Bow and colored patched knickers, and of course
her now ever-present “Yoo-Whoo” . Walt patterned her on the then
popular flapper girls. She was not as extreme as Betty Boop but was
more family orientated and wholesome, complete with her trade mark
black stockings ending in her ever-present ridiculous pumps. These
pumps were copied down to the size by her lifelong friend Daisy Duck.
She was the constant companion of a very fussy and bad tempered duck
by the name of Donald. Donald Duck was to be a challenge for the next
sixty years as his roving eye would take in anything feminine and it did
not even need to have feathers. But, that is another story for later on.
As Walt's success grew with his now famous movie-shorts or cartoons, We Now Carry Plus Size Special Occasion Dresses
so did the family and animal characters. After the first hits, Mickey
seemed to pay more attention to Goofy, Donald and company with only
Clarabelle Cow as Minnie's faithful companion. The thirties and forties
were filled with many parts accompanying Mickey and the gang, but few
leading roles for our favorite lady mouse. She was always fashionable
but not out in front as much as she would have liked.
She was faithful to Mickey although they were never married. Walt would
explain that they were legally married in-love to those who often asked
this pointed question.
Mickey, after constantly winning Minnie's heart and rescuing her from Make an Appointment to visit our
Black Pete, he and Walt gave Minnie her just rewards, finally, in the Brand New Bigger and Better location at
80's her own night club complete with bar and restaurant called “The 205 W 5th Ave, Suite 202, Escondido, CA 92025
House of Mouse”. Micky may have owned the club, but Minnie proved
to be a strong manager with her now driving feminist points of view. She
continued as always in the Disney theme parks “Disneyland” in Buena
Vista and “Disney World” in Orlando Florida, but, she wanted more. So,
once again Walt gave in to her feminine desires and she actually got her
own program on “Totally Minnie”, a TV musical special. Besides coaching