Mickey’s Christmas Carol!

Welcome to a SPECIAL EDITION of the Piece Of Advice Newsletter!

Good morning! Today is the 42nd anniversary of “Mickey’s Christmas Carol” and to celebrate we are taking a look into it’s history! Three members of the special’s crew; Armetta Jackson (editor), Mark Henn (animator), and Ted Kierscey (animator) were nice enough to answer a couple of questions for me too!

In 1983, Disney brought holiday magic to the screen with “Mickey’s Christmas Carol”, a delightful adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic tale. The idea to reimagine the iconic story using beloved Disney characters had been floating around for years, but it was the 1974 “Disneyland Storyteller” record album, featuring a similar cast and narration, that helped plant the seeds for the animated special. With Mickey Mouse as Bob Cratchit, Donald Duck as Nephew Fred, and Scrooge McDuck; who was quite literally inspired by Dickens’ Ebenezer; as Scrooge, the cast felt like a natural fit for the timeless tale.

The short was directed by Burny Mattinson, a longtime Disney animator who had dreamed of adapting Dickens’ story since the 1970s. Mattinson pitched the project at a time when Mickey hadn’t headlined a theatrical release in over 30 years. With a runtime of just 26 minutes, “Mickey’s Christmas Carol” was released alongside a reissue of “The Rescuers”, giving Disney fans a nostalgic and heartwarming bonus during the 1983 holiday season. It was also notable for being the first time Alan Young voiced Scrooge McDuck, a role he would continue to play for decades.

The special beautifully blends Victorian charm with Disney’s signature animation and humor. While it keeps much of Dickens’ original structure, the Disney twist allows characters like Goofy to play Jacob Marley and Jiminy Cricket to appear as the Ghost of Christmas Past. Despite its short length, it manages to deliver a full arc of redemption, compassion, and joy; staying true to the original message of the story while making it accessible and endearing for all ages.

“Mickey’s Christmas Carol” was a hit with audiences and critics alike, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Short. Over the years, it has become a cherished holiday tradition, often airing on television and featured on countless holiday compilation DVDs and streaming platforms. For many families, it marks the official beginning of the Christmas season, proving that good storytelling; and Mickey Mouse; never go out of style!

Bonus Questions:

Giancarlo: How does it feel to be a part of such a beloved Christmas special in such a cool way?

Armetta Jackson: It was a fun project, some really talented folks. I love how the credits had that burnt paper look.

Ted Kierscey: “Mickey’s Christmas Carol” was a joy to work on back then. We released it as a featurette, having first shown in the United Kingdom, then here in the States about two months later. Burny Mattinson directed. He was a fine artist and good friend. I do miss him a lot. But fortunately, we have that film and others to remember him by.

It means everything to me to have been able to fulfill Walt’s desire of bringing happiness to so many through entertainment and the sense of wonder for children.

Mark Henn: Working on Christmas Carol was both fun and an honor! Everyone had a great time bringing the classic characters back to the screen!

Piece Of Advice:

Giancarlo: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Armetta Jackson: The best advice with regard to my career was given by my Mother. She said, “Keep your head up.”

Ted Kierscey: Never say words that hurt another person.

Mark Henn: “There will always be someone who draws better than you, it’s what you do with your drawings that is important.”- Frank Thomas

Thank you for tuning in and I hope you’re having a great weekend! We’ll catch you with another fun one tomorrow!

-Giancarlo