May 28, 2019 "Plane Crazy"

The Liberty Gazette

May 28, 2019

Ely Air Lines
By Mike Ely and Linda Street-Ely

Charles Lindbergh’s non-stop flight across the Atlantic inspired a great many people in a great many ways. The most obvious was within the aviation industry. Engineers went to work designing aircraft that could fly longer. Businessmen wrote new business plans for ways in which the airplane could contribute to efficiency and profits. Pilots got a shot of “we can do it!” and competed for more “firsts.”

But even outside the aviation industry, Lindbergh’s flight was a story of America’s spirit. That spirit reached every nook and cranny of American life.

Walt Disney was another influencer. Cartooning ballooned in popularity, especially as full-length feature films after the premier of Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Animation caught the attention of children, which parents found useful, but also drew to it new artistic talent.

This was the “Roaring Twenties.” Much of the population was moving from farms to cities. People were defying Prohibition, indulging in new discoveries, such as hairstyles, make-up, dancing, and attire. It was a time of distinctive fashion trends and America became a society of mass consumption.

This was also the Golden Era of Flight. World War I had ended, and the airplane was a new item. Those with vision and imagination saw the potential the flying machines offered.

Ironically, Disney was born less than two months before Lindbergh. When the two were 26 and 25, respectively, Lindbergh dared a record flight across the Atlantic, and Disney debuted his first animation, “Plane Crazy,” a “sound cartoon” he created as tribute to Lindbergh and that historic flight.

And so it was that Mickey Mouse’s career started off in the building and flying of airplanes. This past May 16 was the 91st anniversary of that day when Disney introduced the world to his black mouse, who was plane crazy. And that crazy part was, well, accurate. The first rendition of the airplane didn’t fly, it crashed. As they say, never buy the Model A of anything. So, Mickey converted his car to an airplane. He even skimmed a book called, “How to Fly,” because who wouldn’t want to be a hero like Lindy? While it was rough going for a while to get it airborne, he finally made it, and took Minnie along for the ride.

Photo from
http://www.disneyfilmproject.com/2009/05/plane-crazy.html

Unfortunately, Mickey’s manners were abysmal, and his demand for a kiss at altitude caused Minnie to jump out. Fortunately for Minnie, her petticoat served her well as a parachute, possibly making her the first cartoon skydiver. There was a cow in the mix, too. After she was caught up by the plane before it took off, the “milk shower” was an obvious gag when Mickey tried to grab on to something. Now you’ll have to run over to YouTube and search for the film.

The six-minute animated short was silly, sure to get kids laughing, but its purpose was to celebrate Lucky Lindy, and his New York-to-Paris flight in the Spirit of St. Louis.

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