The Mouse Factory

The Mouse Factory is an American syndicated television series produced by Walt Disney Productions and created by Ward Kimball, that ran from 1972 to 1973.[1] It showed clips from various Disney cartoons and movies, hosted by celebrity guests (credited as being "Mickey's Friend"), including Charles Nelson Reilly,[2] JoAnne Worley, Wally Cox, Johnny Brown, Phyllis Diller,[3] Joe Flynn, Annette Funicello,[4] Shari Lewis and Hush Puppy,[5] Lamb Chop, Dom DeLuise, Don Knotts and many more visiting the Mouse Factory and interacting with the walk-around Disney characters from the Disney theme parks. The series was later rerun on the Disney Channel in the 1980s and 1990s.

The Mouse Factory
Screenshot of the title card for The Mouse Factory
Created byWard Kimball
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes43
Production
Running time22 minutes
Production companyWalt Disney Productions
Release
Original networkSyndicated
Original releaseJanuary 26, 1972 (1972-01-26) –
March 5, 1973 (1973-03-05)
Chronology
Followed byGood Morning, Mickey!

The theme played over the previews of each episode was a fast instrumental version of "Whistle While You Work" from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

To start the ending credits, it shows Mickey Mouse in a biplane, flying across the screen carrying a banner than reads " the end". A large ape, resembling King Kong, promptly swipes said plane as well as Mickey out of thin air, dropping them in his mouth and devouring them. In season 2, this was changed to Donald Duck uttering the phrase "it won't work".

The song played over the end credits is "Minnie's Yoo Hoo", the theme song from the original Mickey Mouse Clubs that met in theaters starting in 1929.[6]

Due to low ratings, the series was cancelled after its second season.

Premise

The Mouse Factory mixes live-action with animation and features a different theme in each episode. Each episode is hosted by a celebrity guest, who plays a new character and interacts with Disney characters such as Mickey, Donald, Goofy or Tigger (which are played by disguised actors), among others. In addition, each episode features several classic short films and clips of feature films (about three short films and clips in each episode).[7]

List of episodes

43 episodes were produced, including:

Season 1 (1972)
# Title Host Airdate
1VacationsCharles Nelson ReillyJanuary 26, 1972
2Women’s LibJoAnne WorleyFebruary 2, 1972
3Folk Tale FavoritesJohnny BrownFebruary 9, 1972
4Spooks and MagicPhyllis DillerFebruary 16, 1972
5Physical FitnessDon KnottsFebruary 23, 1972[8][9]
6The Great OutdoorsDom DeLuiseMarch 1, 1972
7Water SportsJoe FlynnMarch 8, 1972
8Man at WorkJohn BynerMarch 15, 1972
9MusicSkiles and HendersonMarch 22, 1972
10Interplanetary TravelJonathan WintersMarch 29, 1972
11HomeownersJim BackusApril 5, 1972
12Spectator SportsCharles Nelson ReillyApril 12, 1972[10]
13HorsesJoAnne WorleyApril 19, 1972
14AviationJohnny BrownApril 26, 1972
15Back to NatureWally CoxMay 3, 1972
16Bullfighting to BullfrogsPat ButtramMay 10, 1972
17SportsPat PaulsenMay 17, 1972

Season 2 (1972-1973)
# Title Host Airdate
1AlligatorsJohnny BrownSeptember 11, 1972
2Paul BunyanJim BackusSeptember 18, 1972
3BullfightingBill DanaSeptember 25, 1972
4KnighthoodHenry GibsonOctober 2, 1972
5PlutoJohn AstinOctober 9, 1972
6Goliath IIKurt RussellOctober 16, 1972
7The Mouse ShowDave MaddenOctober 23, 1972
8CatsShari Lewis and Hush PuppyOctober 30, 1972[11]
9Ben FranklinWally CoxNovember 6, 1972
10Mickey MouseAnnette FunicelloNovember 13, 1972[12]
11LionsHenry GibsonNovember 20, 1972
12ConsciencesHarry MorganNovember 27, 1972
13Noah’s ArkBill DanaDecember 4, 1972
14HuntingJohn AstinDecember 11, 1972
15SportsN/ADecember 18, 1972
16TugboatsDave MaddenDecember 25, 1972
17AutomobilesKen BerryJanuary 1, 1973
18TrainsHarry MorganJanuary 8, 1973
19HomesJim BackusJanuary 15, 1973
20The Reluctant DragonWally CoxJanuary 22, 1973
21WheelsJohnny BrownJanuary 29, 1973
22Winter FunKurt RussellFebruary 5, 1973[13]
23PenguinsAnnette FunicelloFebruary 12, 1973[14]
24ElephantsNipsey RussellFebruary 19, 1973
25Mickey and the BeanstalkShari Lewis and Lamb ChopFebruary 26, 1973
26DancingKen BerryMarch 5, 1973

References
  1. Cotter, Bill (1997). The Wonderful World of Disney Television. Hyperion Books. pp. 219–223. ISBN 0-7868-6359-5.
  2. The Mouse Factory - Opening (1973) - YouTube
  3. The Mouse Factory - Episode 4: Spooks & Magic, Hosted by Phyllis Diller, YouTube
  4. Annette Funicello on the Mouse Factory 1972, YouTube
  5. The Mouse Factory "Cats" Open (ft. Shari Lewis and Hush Puppy), YouTube
  6. The Mouse Factory Credits—"Minnie's Yoo Hoo," YouTube
  7. Woolery, George W. (1985). Children's Television: The First Thirty-Five Years, 1946-1981, Part II: Live, Film, and Tape Series. The Scarecrow Press. pp. 350–351. ISBN 0-8108-1651-2.
  8. Mouse Factory - Fitness (1 of 3) - YouTube
  9. Mouse Factory - Fitness (2 of 3) - YouTube
  10. Mouse Factory #12 opening - Spectator Sports - Charles Nelson Reilly - YouTube
  11. The Mouse Factory: "Cats" Open (ft. Shari Lewis and Hush Puppy), YouTube
  12. Annette Funicello on the Mouse Factory 1972, YouTube
  13. Mouse Factory - Snow (3 of 3) - YouTube
  14. Annette Funicello hosts the Mouse Factory 1973, YouTube
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