Original release date: June 20, 1936

Rating: TV-G for “gosh, why Mortimer?” and “It may contain outdated cultural depictions.”

Length: eight rival minutes

Background: “Mickey’s Rival” is yet another in the long catalog of Mickey shorts. It introduces the character of Mortimer Mouse.

There’s a little history here as Walt’s original choice for Mickey’s name was Mortimer. His wife, Lillian, suggested Mickey instead. In addition to this Mortimer, a totally different Mortimer was introduced in the Mickey comics as Minnie’s uncle.

This short’s Mortimer – rival Mortimer – has continued making random appearances in Disney shows leading all the way up to the current “Mickey and the Roadster Racers” Disney Junior show.

Review:

We begin with Minnie preparing a nice picnic in the park while Mickey dances near his car. A fancier car speeds by, stopping to introduce Mortimer Mouse. Mortimer has a Mickey look but much longer legs, towering over Minnie. He kisses her hand as Mickey struggles to get out of food that the racing car threw on him.

Minnie introduces Mortimer to Mick, a friendship Mickey has no interest in as the friend zone isn’t his favorite. Unlike Mickey, Mortimer does wear a shirt. Practical joke after practical joke follow and it is quickly apparent that Mortimer is a jerk. Mickey’s little car gets into it with Mortimer’s car as well, as you’d expect from cars with eyes.

Mortimer joins the picnic, much to the chagrin of Mick, and devours the turkey and makes Minnie laugh. Mickey really shouldn’t be letting this happen.

A nearby bull roars, as bulls do in areas with picnics, and Mortimer offers to go fight the bull for Minnie. Mickey isn’t impressed.

Morty keeps the bull at bay until the fence opens, running and jumping in his car. The bull charges Minnie instead, sending Mickey charging into action.

After quite the battle, one that includes Mickey’s car joining in the fight, Mickey of course wins and escapes. Mickey asks Minnie if she still likes Mortimer and she gives him a big “no,” giving Mickey enough assurance to continue through over half a century later without giving her a wedding ring.

I noticed no cultural depictions.

Extras:

Nothing.

Should you watch it?

It’s worth a watch, so watch it. Honestly I faded out during the Mickey-bull battle, but it was entertaining enough and justice was done with some color and HD detailing.