The Gallopin' Gaucho is the second Mickey Mouse cartoon ever produced, created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks in 1928. It was conceived shortly after Plane Crazy and before Steamboat Willie, but was released after Steamboat Willie due to the need for synchronized sound.
The short is a parody of the popular silent film The Gaucho (1927), starring Douglas Fairbanks. Mickey plays a swashbuckling Argentine cowboy (gaucho), drinking, smoking, and sword-fighting in a wild western-style saloon adventure. This early version of Mickey was edgier and more mischievous than the family-friendly icon he would later become.
Why It Matters?
- Demonstrates the evolution of Mickey Mouse's personality, from mischievous and rough to more polished and friendly in later cartoons
- Features Ub Iwerks’ dynamic animation style, especially in action and comedy scenes
- Continues the early experimentation with storytelling, physical comedy, and pacing that would define Disney animation
As of January 1, 2024, The Gallopin' Gaucho entered the public domain in the United States. This applies to the original black-and-white version of the cartoon. It can now be freely used, shared, and remixed, although modern depictions of Mickey Mouse remain protected by copyright and trademark laws.