10 Fascinating Facts You Never Knew About Fantasia

10. It Was Made To Boost Mickey Mouse's Popularity

As said in the intro, Fantasia was only supposed to be a single short film, i.e. an animation based around The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. The reason for this was Mickey Mouse’s popularity was waning in the late 30s, as other Disney characters such as Goofy and Donald Duck were gaining more and more fans for their zany and high energy escapades. In contrast, Mickey hadn’t moved on from his happy-go-lucky, smiling persona and his “hotdog” speaking style since his inception.

Disney and his animation team conceived a redesign of the mouse with clearly defined eyes, a pear-shaped body and realistic ears. Mickey was then given the starring role in the Paul Dukas poem adaptation, given the finest animation team and exclusive showings at theatres throughout the United States.

The plan didn’t pay off as Fantasia failed to make its money back, and despite starring in other acclaimed shorts afterwards, Mickey’s popularity continued to decrease until he had a regular presence on TV during the 1950s.

It’s baffling to think people were sick of Mickey Mouse, but considering the mouse owns practically all media in the USA, we know who had the last laugh.