Oswald the Lucky Rabbit

Oswald the Lucky Rabbit is a cartoon character that was invented by Walt Disney and his studio in 1927 for the Universal Pictures producer Charles Mintz and George Winkler. The figure is considered the forerunner of Mickey Mouse.

Formation under Disney

After the cessation of production of the series Alice Comedies presented Disney Oswald 1927, after he had signed a new contract with Universal Studios. The first short film, Poor Papa, was rejected by producer Charles Mintz. The first movie was released Trolley Troubles, where Oswald had a younger appearance than the first movie. The figure was in possession of Universal Studios. In the following two years, Disney has produced over 24 short films.

However, at this time, the cost to ensure a better quality of animation. When Disney in 1929 a higher budget demanded Mintz wanted to shorten this. Since Walt Disney did not approve of him the job was withdrawn from production, Mintz Disney withdrew some key employees, including Hugh Harman and Rudolf Ising, who were involved in the development of Oswald. Then Disney started with the development of Mickey Mouse, while short films with Oswald Mintz were produced in another studio on.

Further development

After 1929, the films of Walter Lantz produced in a specially created studio. Even in 1929 it the first Oswald film was presented with sound, Hen Fruit. The first color appearance took place in the movie The King of Jazz in 1930 as a cameo. The regular production of the films was set in 1938. 1943 was followed by another film that would be the last.

From 1942, the publisher Dell Comics published several comics with Oswald in the series New Funnies, and later in Four Color Comics. The comics published until the early 1960s. Oswald got in the stories of two sons, Floyd and Lloyd, set aside.

2006, the rights of the figure went back over to the Disney company. Then, the films released on DVD.

2010 appears with Disney Epic Mickey for Nintendo Wii for the first time an Adventure with Mickey Mouse in the Oswald a major role ( namely that of the anti-hero ) plays.

Production

At production, the animators Ub Iwerks, Hugh Harman, Friz Freleng, Les Clark, Ben Clopton, Norm Blackburn and Rollin " Ham " Hamilton were involved. The Urfilme were without sound, this has been added as an afterthought. A total of 194 films were produced, the last three in color.