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OPEN CLASSIC CINEMA · 686

Steamboat Willie

19288 minUnited States
AnimationMusicalComedy
Video edition
Wikimedia Commons
Original language
English
This copy runs
7:40
Subtitles
No subtitle track in this language

Languages and subtitles

No subtitle track in this language

Wikimedia Commons · Walt Disney / Ub Iwerks / Johnny Cannon / Les Clark / Wilfred Jackson / Bert Lewis · Public domain

Synopsis

Mickey enjoys pretending to command a steamboat until Captain Pete sends him back to work. Loading animals and welcoming Minnie give him fresh opportunities for trouble. Ordinary objects and the creatures on board become part of an improvised musical performance, with movements, gags and sound effects repeatedly answering one another.

Cast

DirectorsWalt DisneyUb Iwerks

Behind the scenes

Although two Mickey cartoons had already been made, this became his first official theatrical release. Its carefully coordinated sound and movement helped establish the character at a moment when cinema was changing rapidly to sound.

Sources and availability

General references identify the work and its copy. A reference beside an editorial section is linked to the claims checked in that section.

Wikipedia — film referenceWikidata — film identity and credits

Work catalogued as public domain in the United States.

The public-domain references concern the original films in the United States. Rights can differ for other countries, editions, restorations, music or translations. Sources are listed on each film page.

Availability checked on September 12, 2026.

Photograph credit

Photographs cropped, resized and optimized as WebP, displayed in monochrome.

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