Everyone sees "Mickey Mouse" these days. And while being amused by him the question continually comes to mind, "How does he do it? What's behind his cavorting?" We finally took our question to Columbia Pictures and here is their answer.
Walt Disney and his gang in Hollywood are making screen history with their single reel, synchronized, animated pen and ink cartoons. Throughout the country the antics of "Mickey Mouse," and the quaint creations in the Disney "Silly Symphonies" are causing the public to rock with laughter and are proving such box-office attractions that they are featured on the theatre marquee and in newspaper advertising. In some places the two subjects are being extensively exploited with campaigns equal to those of special productions.
The "Silly Symphonies" were the first of the animated cartoons to create a sensation. The Skeleton Dance, the first of this series, released by Columbia Pictures Corporation, the company that is now distributing the entire Disney output, caused quite a furore. It had its initial showing at the Roxy Theatre in New York City where it proved to be such a drawing card that it was immediately rebooked for a second showing at a later date. It marked the first time that any film, short or feature length was considered of sufficient importance to be thus rebooked at the Roxy.
On the occasion of its return. The Skeleton Dance, was featured upon the marquee and a subject for special review by New York newspaper critics. In Toronto, Canada, it enjoyed a four weeks' run at the Tivoli, an exceptional feat for a short subject.
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