The Walt Disney Company and starred in several Disney produced films. Ub Iwerks refined Disney's initial design of Mickey Mouse. Disney's first sound film "Steamboat Willie", a cartoon starring Mickey, was released on November 18, 1928 through Pat Powers' distribution company. It was the first Mickey Mouse sound cartoon released, but the third to be created, behind "Plane Crazy" and "The Gallopin' Gaucho". "Steamboat Willie" was an immediate smash hit, and its initial success was attributed not just to Mickey's appeal as a character, but to the fact that it was the first cartoon to feature synchronized sound. Disney used Pat Powers' Cinephone system,
The Walt Disney Company Italy The Walt Disney Company Italy The Walt Disney Company Italia S.r.l. (formerly called The Walt Disney Company Italia S.p.A) is The Walt Disney Company's Italian division and one of The Walt Disney Company's European divisions. The company was founded on 8 May 1938 as Creazioni Walt Disney S.A.I. The company owns and operates Disney Channel Italy, Disney in English, and more. Comics are also published by the company as well. In 2009, Jetix Europe sold 2 channels to Switchover Media. The television division of the company produced series for Disney Channel Italy such as: "Quelli dell'intervallo" ("As the Bell Rings")