What is the story with Disney and Oswald??

[Goopy]

So we all know who Oswald is and the story behind how Walt lost him. Now Disney have him rightfully back I am somewhat puzzled by Disney and their reluctance to merchandise him.

I understand the whole argument that many people don't know who he is, he is more a historical figure in Disney than anything else however why is Disney so reluctant to market him in their parks etc. After all I am sure there are more than enough fans of Disney who would collect Oswald items to at least warrant a small section in one of the many stores across Disney property.

Oswald was the first and in my opinion he should be marketed inside the parks unless for some reason Disney views him as potentially doing more damage than good since many people view Mickey is the first (although we all know otherwise on here )

as Walt said "I only hope that we don't lose sight of one thing - that it was all started by a mouse. "

but was it really? True the empire was built around the success of a mouse but it was started by a Rabbit.

Mickey fans please no flaming

 

[ConcKahuna]

Oswald was created by Walt when he was working for Universal, so technically Oswald never belonged to Walt.

There was a bit of a drawn-out fight where Universal took full controll of Oswald, and the vast majority of Oswald cartoons were produced with no Disney involvement what so ever. He never really took hold in the US, but he was popular in Japan for a while.

Oswald is comming back soon though, as the (seemingly uninentional) villan of Epic Mickey!

 

[Saxsoon]

He actually isn't the villain. The Phantom InkBlot is. Oswald is the ruler of the mirror world and Mickey seeks his help. Oswald is however just a little jealous, but I believe eventually comes around.

 

[Stumpy]

Oswald was created by Walt when he was working for Universal, so technically Oswald never belonged to Walt.

True, and to add insult to injury Walt not only was unaware that Oswald belonged to Universal, but the studio actually hired all of his animators away from him except for Ub Iwerks. Pretty underhanded, so I could see why Walt considers his first "true" character to be Mickey Mouse.

The only thing I've ever wondered is why Disney states that Mickey was created in 1928 when Plane Crazy was actually produced in 1927. Is it because Steamboat Willie was the first with synchronized sound?

 

[Tricycle]

True, and to add insult to injury Walt not only was unaware that Oswald belonged to Universal, but the studio actually hired all of his animators away from him except for Ub Iwerks. Pretty underhanded, so I could see why Walt considers his first "true" character to be Mickey Mouse.

The only thing I've ever wondered is why Disney states that Mickey was created in 1928 when Plane Crazy was actually produced in 1927. Is it because Steamboat Willie was the first with synchronized sound?

Plane Crazy was released on May 15, 1928. So I think that even though Mickey had been in existence in Walt's imagination for a year or so prior to 1928, that was the first year that we all got to meet Mickey!

 

[PoohsFan1]

My suggestion to you is to either a) run over to your local video store and rent "Walt: The Man Behind the Myth" or b) if you have Netflix, to place it in your que. I watched that movie and it was amazing (I love reading/watching about Walter E. Disney's life and how he made an Empire). It talks about EVERYTHING, from the time he was born up until his death. It does go into great detail about what happened with Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.

 

[crazydaisy00]

My son is doing a report on Walt Disney so we rented Walt:The Man behind the Myth thru netflix and watced it last night! I highly recommend it!

 

[Magix]

Oswald t-shirts are available at DLR and some Lucky Brand stores currently.

 

[SteamboatStevie]

Another great item is the Walt Disney Treasures: The Adventures of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit collector's edition DVD. In addition to ALL of the Oswald cartoons, it features some of the Alice comedies, Plane Crazy, Steamboat Willie, the Skeleton Dance, and a fantastic documentary on Ub Iwerks, which discusses Oswald at length. It's a must have for any Disney-history buff.

As for Epic Mickey, I'm hoping it brings Oswald back into the limelight. I can't wait!

 

[GrazingGoat1966]

....or read the Walt Disney biography by Bob Thomas which goes over Oswald in some detail. A ripping read for those with any interest in Walt Disney's life and journey from someone who actually interviewed Walt and most of the main figures in the Disney story.

Unlike the Neal Gabler effort of a few years back.........................

 

[mickeysbestfriend]

with the assessment of the Bob Thomas book. My wife bought it for me since she know I was a huge Walt fan. I loved the book and it was an informative and smooth read. Gabler's book however is a struggle to get through. A family member bought it for me two years ago and I am still struggling to get through it.

Bill

 

[SteamboatStevie]

Although Gabler was granted full access to the Disney Archives (OMG, what I would give for that!), his writing style seems much less authorative, less entertaining, and much more difficult to trudge through than Thomas'.

A bit off topic (too late, I suppose), but another GREAT read by Bob Thomas is "Building a Company," a bio of Roy O. Disney. Pretty much the same story, but told through Roy's perspective. VERY interesting.

 

[thisonegirl]

I swear I saw a girl at my school wearing an Oswald sweatshirt. I had a freaking spazz attack. I was so excited.

 

[r-town]

he looks kind of like mickey did