This Day in Disney History: November 17
Welcome back to our continuing journey through the history of the Walt Disney Company. Today were looking at the events on this day in Disney history- November 17.
Once again we saw another release of a classic Mickey cartoon today, as well as the premieres of two Disney animated films. Most surprisingly however, today also features a major event in United States history! Let’s get going!
The Dognapper Released (1934)
On this day in 1934, the Mickey Mouse cartoon The Dognapper was released.
Directed by David Hand, the short features Mickey and an early version of Donald Duck as police officers who are tasked with catching dognapper Pegleg Pete!
Richard Nixon Declares “I Am Not a Crook” (1973)
On this day in 1973, President Richard Nixon declared “I am not a cook”
For those of you who don’t know, Nixon was actually at Disney’s Contemporary Resort when he made his famous declaration. The President had flown in for a conference of Associated Press managing editors.
The Little Mermaid Has General Release (1989)
On this day in 1989, The Little Mermaid had its general release.
The film was on the famous Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale, although Disney’s version of the little mermaid is a musical with songs written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman.
A massive success both critical and commercially, The Little Mermaid would become Disney’s first Academy Award nominated film since 1977’s The Rescuers.
Treasure Planet Premieres (2002)
Finally, on this day in 2022 Treasure Planet had its world premiere in Hollywood
A science-fiction adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson adventure novel, the film starred Joseph Gordon-Levvitt, Brian Murray, Emma Thompson and Martin Short.
Although the film was not released until 2002, the Treasure Island was first pitched by Clements at the same meeting where he and John Musker also pitched the Little Mermaid.
Treasure Island was a box office flop, despite positive critical reviews. Because of this, all future plans for the franchise were scrapped.
That’s all for this day in Disney history- November 17. Be sure to check back tomorrow to see what magical events happened next!