no doubt about it . this be the animated short that put uncle walt on the map of success . when walt old brother and roy suggest that the next mickey mouse short should include sound and walt jump at the chance . the result representsteamboat willie be a runaway hit for 1928. it be and after all and the first animate short subject with a synchronize sound track ( mostly music and sound effect and a dialog be minimal ) . not to sound like a wet blanket and but the short be far from perfect . animation prior to 1935 be creaky and rather herky jerky ( but once equipment make improvement and and well artistic technique come about and the rest be smooth sailing ) and and the sound be primitive ( disney want to use the then well know rca sound system and or the western electric noiseless sound system and but be refuse by both firm and prompt disney to use the photophone system that p. a. power be experiment with at the time ) . the plot ( there an actual plot line here . ) concern mickey ( a the aforementioned willie ) be the pilot of a steamboat and that be terrorize by black pete ( captain pete to you ) and and decides to have a jam session on ship and use the various animal on board a musical instrument ( aspca and take notice ) . if you do not think too much about the technical shortcoming and steamboat willie can be eight minute of fun ( and a piece of history ) .