Halloween is only one week away and to celebrate, here is a look at some of Disney’s Halloween or spooky themed shorts from over the decades.
Mickey Mouse Shorts
The Haunted House (1929):
Mickey escapes a storm by going into a haunted house. The skeletons who live inside force him to play the organ.
Fun Fact: Some of the animation was recycled from The Skeleton Dance.
Pluto’s Judgement Day (1935):
Pluto chases a poor kitten and Mickey scolds him, saying he will have a lot to answer for on judgement day. Afterwards, Pluto falls asleep and dreams of a Hell run by cats.
Fun Fact: Clarence Nash, voice of Donald Duck, voiced the kitten and the Cat Judge.
Lonesome Ghosts (1937):
Ghosts looking for a little bit of fun hire the ghost exterminator team Mickey, Donald, and Goofy. The ghosts pulls pranks on the team but eventually the exterminators are able to ride the haunted house of the ghosts.
Fun Fact: A transparent paint had to be invented to animate the ghosts.
The Scariest Story Ever: A Mickey Mouse Halloween Spooktacular (2017):
Mickey is trying to tell scary tales to his friends but he just isn’t very scary.
Fun Fact: This was the second 30 minute special in the new Mickey Mouse cartoon series.
Donald Duck Shorts
Donald Duck and the Gorilla (1944):
On a stormy night, Donald learns that Ajax the gorilla has escaped from the zoo. Donald pranks his nephews into thinking Ajax is in the house but soon the gorilla is actually there!
Fun Fact: Another Disney cartoon featuring a gorilla was the Mickey Mouse short The Gorilla Mystery in 1930.
Duck Pimples (1945):
Donald’s imagination runs wild with scary stories he has read from books.
Fun Fact: Duck Pimples has been called the creepiest short Disney has ever made.
Trick or Treat (1952):
Donald plays “tricks” on his nephews instead of giving them “treats.” Witch Hazel teams up with Huey, Dewey, and Louie to get back at Donald.
Fun Fact: Witch Hazel was voiced by June Foray. June Foray voiced Lucifer in Cinderella and Grandma Fa in Mulan.
Bonus Fun Fact: The song “Trick or Treat for Halloween” was sung by The Mellowmen.
Silly Symphony
The Skeleton Dance (1929):
The name says it all.
Fun Fact: This was the very first Silly Symphony.
Educational Shorts
Disney’s Haunted Halloween (1983):
Educational short with Goofy about the origins of Halloween traditions.
Fun Fact: A talking jack-o’-lantern is narrating to Goofy.
Halloween Surprises (1989):
Educational short with Mickey’s clubhouse members learning about safety on Halloween.
Fun Fact: Mickey’s Safety Club was live action and not animated.
Which Disney Halloween short is your favourite?
I love the classic Disney shorts! They are so much fun!