The Plowboy

Plot

In this early Mickey Mouse cartoon, Mickey is working as a plowboy on a farm with his horse helper Horace Horsecollar. When Minnie Mouse arrives to visit, Mickey immediately abandons his work to flirt with her, attempting various romantic gestures and songs to win her affection. However, Minnie consistently rejects Mickey's advances, finding his attempts clumsy and inappropriate. Throughout the cartoon, Mickey's failed attempts to impress Minnie make him look increasingly foolish in the eyes of his loyal helper Horace, who watches the embarrassing spectacle unfold. The film concludes with Mickey dejected and alone, having learned nothing from his failed romantic pursuit, while Horace continues the plowing work that Mickey abandoned.

Historical Background

Released in March 1929, 'The Plowboy' emerged during a pivotal moment in animation history and American culture. The stock market crash of October 1929 would occur just months after its release, marking the beginning of the Great Depression. This cartoon represents the transition period between silent and sound animation, as 'Steamboat Willie' had premiered just months earlier in November 1928, revolutionizing the industry. The farm setting reflected the predominantly rural American society of the late 1920s, before the massive urbanization of the 1930s. The cartoon was produced during Hollywood's early sound era, when studios were rapidly adapting to new technologies. Mickey Mouse had just become a national sensation following the success of 'Steamboat Willie,' and Disney was working to establish the character's personality through various scenarios and settings.

Making Of

The animation for 'The Plowboy' was created at Disney's first dedicated studio on Hyperion Avenue. Walt Disney himself provided the voice for Mickey Mouse, though in this silent cartoon his vocalizations were limited to whistles and grunts. The animation team, including Ub Iwerks and Les Clark, worked under tight deadlines to produce cartoons at a rate of approximately one per month. The plowing sequence required careful synchronization of multiple moving elements - Mickey, Horace, the plow, and the furrows in the field. The cartoon's simple farm setting allowed the animators to focus on character development and personality animation, which was becoming increasingly important in Disney's work. The rejection storyline was somewhat daring for its time, as most romantic cartoons of the era ended with successful courtship.

Visual Style

The cinematography of 'The Plowboy' utilized standard animation techniques of the late 1920s, with black and white cel animation on paper backgrounds. The visual style emphasized clear silhouettes and strong character poses to ensure readability on theater screens. The farm scenes featured detailed background paintings that created depth and atmosphere, with rolling hills and rustic farm buildings. The animation of the plowing sequence demonstrated sophisticated multi-element animation, with careful attention to the mechanical movement of the plow and the interaction between characters and equipment. The character animation showed Disney's emerging focus on personality and emotion, with Mickey's facial expressions and body language conveying his romantic hopes and subsequent disappointment. The visual storytelling relied on strong composition and staging to communicate the narrative without dialogue.

Innovations

'The Plowboy' demonstrated several technical advances for its time, particularly in character animation and multi-element scene composition. The successful integration of Horace Horsecollar as a new character showed Disney's ability to expand their cast while maintaining consistent quality. The plowing sequence required complex animation of machinery interacting with characters, representing a technical challenge that the Disney studio handled skillfully. The cartoon maintained consistent character proportions and movement quality throughout, indicating improved animation standards compared to earlier Disney shorts. The background art showed increasing sophistication in creating depth and atmosphere. While not a sound cartoon, the timing and rhythm of the animation were carefully planned to work with musical accompaniment, showing Disney's understanding of the importance of musical timing in animation.

Music

As a silent cartoon with musical accompaniment, 'The Plowboy' featured a live musical score performed by theater musicians. The music would have been typical of late 1920s cartoon accompaniment, incorporating popular songs of the era along with original comedic themes. The score likely included jaunty, upbeat music for the farming sequences, romantic melodies during Mickey's attempts to woo Minnie, and comic stinger music for moments of embarrassment or failure. The musical accompaniment was crucial to establishing mood and enhancing the visual comedy. While no specific composer is credited for this cartoon, the musical direction would have followed Disney's standards for timing and emotional emphasis. The transition to synchronized sound cartoons would soon make this type of musical accompaniment obsolete.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening sequence showing Mickey and Horace working together to plow the field, demonstrating their teamwork and competence
• Mickey's elaborate attempts to impress Minnie, including dancing and singing, which progressively become more desperate
• The moment when Minnie firmly rejects Mickey's advances, leaving him visibly shocked and embarrassed
• Horace's reactions throughout the cartoon, serving as the audience's surrogate and providing comic commentary through his expressions
• The final scene with Mickey dejected while Horace continues working, providing a moral lesson about responsibility

What Critics Said

Contemporary reviews of 'The Plowboy' were generally positive, with critics noting the improved animation quality and character development compared to earlier Disney shorts. The Motion Picture News praised the cartoon's 'clever gags and smooth animation' while Variety noted the 'appealing characterizations' of Mickey and his new companion Horace. Modern animation historians view the cartoon as an important stepping stone in Mickey's evolution, with Leonard Maltin noting it as 'a charming example of early Disney personality animation.' Critics have pointed out that the rejection storyline showed Disney's willingness to experiment with more complex emotional content than typical cartoons of the period. The cartoon is now appreciated for its historical value and as an example of Disney's rapid artistic development during the late 1920s.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences in 1929 responded warmly to 'The Plowboy,' particularly enjoying the introduction of Horace Horsecollar and the relatable farm setting. The cartoon's humor and visual gags played well to theater audiences of all ages. The rejection storyline, while somewhat unusual for the time, was generally well-received as it added depth to Mickey's character. Children enjoyed the slapstick elements and farm animals, while adults appreciated the more sophisticated social dynamics between the characters. The cartoon helped solidify Mickey Mouse's popularity following the breakthrough success of 'Steamboat Willie,' contributing to the character's rapidly growing fan base. Theater owners reported that Disney cartoons were becoming significant draws for audiences, helping to fill seats during the increasingly competitive era of early sound pictures.

You Might Also Like