Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Mouse cartoon to be filmed was "Plane Crazy" in the summer of 1928, but it was produced as a silent and held back from release. The first Mickey Mouse film with a synchronized soundtrack, "Steamboat Willie", reached the screen that fall and became a major hit, eclipsing Oswald. "Plane Crazy" was later given its own synchronized soundtrack and released on March 17, 1929. Mintz, meanwhile, opened his own studio consisting primarily of former Disney employees, where he continued to produce Oswald cartoons, among them the first Oswald with sound, "Hen Fruit" (1929). While things were going in Mintz's favor, animators
The Fireman (1931 film) The Fireman (1931 film) The Fireman is a short animated film distributed by Universal Pictures, and stars Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. It is the 39th Oswald film by Walter Lantz Productions, and the 95th in the entire series. Oswald and his buddy Hoodoo the polecat are stowing away on a fire truck. But as the fire truck runs a slightly rough ride, Oswald and Hoodoo fall off the vehicle. Momentarily Hoodoo's weepy nephew comes to the scene, desperately wanting to be with them. Oswald does not think Hoodoo's nephew should come along but decides to play with the little polekitten