In Traffic Trouble, Mickey Mouse is a cab driver fighting puddles, potholes and other cars for space on the road. He loses one passenger, but picks up Minnie. Can she get her to her destination on time?
In The Castaway, Mickey washes ashore on a deserted island with a piano. His music starts attracting the animals of the island, but what will Mickey do when gorillas, lions and crocodiles take an interest?
In Fishin' Around, Mickey and Pluto ignore the "No Fishing" signs and try their luck at catching something. But the duo have their hands full when the fish prove to be smarter than they thought. What will Mickey do when the police arrive?
Much better.
My reviews since Steamboat Willie have not been kind to the rodent. Each of the Mickey Mouse animated shorts has seemed to focus on nothing more than watching our title character make random noises to music (often while abusing other animals).
Here we get some specific if slight stories. There are actual conflicts. None of it is Citizen Kane, but having some plot to propel you through seven minutes is essential.
The best of the three was Fishin' Around. Besides the giddy thrill of seeing Pluto on-screen, there's a real tale here. It's basic (Mickey and Pluto trying to outsmart a school of fish), but it works. There's a nice book ending within it as Mickey sinks a No Fishing sign, only to end up on the run from the police when he's caught.
Traffic Trouble has the most fun visuals. Mickey's cab is constantly stretching, contorting and losing pieces as it tries to reach its destination. It made me smile, but contains some of that animal abuse I've come to dread in these as Mickey turns a pig into an air pump.
The Castaway is utterly forgettable. It's closer to the previous efforts I've come to hate. Mickey is shipwrecked on an island, but that's really just a set up for him to play some music.
On the whole, these were much more enjoyable than what I've been getting from Disney. I hope it continues in 1932.
Traffic Trouble - **1/2 out of *****
The Castaway - ** out of *****
Fishin' Around - *** out of *****
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