Deep in the African jungles, amidst dangerous hippos, killer crocodiles, and deadly cannibals, come a brave trader and his trusty dog . . . Mickey Mouse and Pluto, in 1932’s cartoon short Trader Mickey! Despite the fact that the trusty trader is touting vitally important goods such as clothing and musical instruments, he is met with a less than gracious welcome. In fact, the natives attempt to boil him and enjoy him in some mouse soup. Of course, Mickey is an expert charmer and by the film’s end, he and the natives are getting along harmoniously and making beautiful music together. This film marked the directing debut of animator Dave Hand. What’s remarkable is that just five short years after this somewhat crudely animated, black-and-white short cartoon was released, Dave had his hand in an animated classic that to this day is still considered by many to be the fairest one of them all . . . he was the supervising director of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
