Walt Disney Studios Animated Shorts

The Karnival Kid

Walt Disney Studios released The Karnival Kid on July 31, 1929. It was just the ninth animated short starring Mickey Mouse and features Mickey's first spoken words.

Image © Walt Disney Studios

The Karnival Kid - Hidden Mickey

Kat Nipp the carnival barker calls the crowd over for The Shimmy Dance. The dancer's shadow creates a Hidden Mickey, or maybe a Hidden Minnie.

Image © Walt Disney Studios

The Karnival Kid - Hidden Minnie

Kat Nipp the carnival barker calls the carnival crowds to watch the hoochy koochy dance. Dancing to the rhythmic Snake Charmer Song, the dancer's shadow creates a Hidden Minnie.

The Snake Charmer Song's distinctive melody is also used in Irving Berlin's Harem Nights and James Thornton's Streets of Cairo.

Image © Walt Disney Studios

The Karnival Kid - Mickey's First Words

Working as a vendor in The Karnival Kid (1929), Mickey Mouse screams his first words, "Hot Dogs!"

Image © Walt Disney Studios

The Karnival Kid - Mickey Ears

When Mickey meets Minnie, he tips his ears in lieu of a hat.

Mickey Mouse Ears were created after Mouseketeer Roy Williams was inspired by this Karnival Kid (1929) scene. Williams created the felt caps with help from Mickey Mouse Club costumer Chuck Keehne, Hal Adelquist (general coordinator) and Bill Walsh (producer). The iconic Mickey Ears were worn by each of the Mouseketeers and popularized on the television show.

The Karnival Kid - Hidden Mickey

Even the villain, Kat Nipp, is a Mickey Mouse fan. Pictures of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse have been hidden on the wall of Kat Nipp's wagon.

One the Walt Disney Studios earliest villains, The Karnival Kid (1929) marked Kat Nipp's final appearance.