This Day in Disney History: December 12

Welcome back to our magical trip through the history of the Walt Disney Company. Today we are looking at the events on this day in Disney history- December 12.

I am not going to lie. Today was a sparse day in Disney history. Nevertheless, we had the release of three different shorts and the re-christening of a Disneyland hotel. Let’s get going.

Empty Socks Released (1927)

On this day in 1927, the Oswald the Lucky Rabbit short Empty Socks was released.

The silent black and white cartoon featured Oswald as Santa. The short was directed by Walt Disney himself and was Disney’s first markedly Christmas cartoon.

Empty Socks was considered a “lost film” until a print of the short was found in Norway in 2014! If you want to see the formerly lost cartoon, click play below.

7 Wise Dwarfs Debuts (1941)

On this day in 1941, 7 Wise Dwarfs was released.

The educational short was made for the National Film Board of Canada to promote the selling of Canadian War Bonds.

In the cartoon the Seven Dwarfs start in their mine, but shortly decided to invest in Canadian War Saving Certificates and sing a variation of “Heigh-Ho”.

How to be a Detective Released (1952)

On this day in 1952, the Goofy short How to Be a Detective was released.

Directed by Jack Kinney, this installment in the Goofy “How To” series features the titular character as “Johnny Eyeball, Private Eye”.

Photo: D23

Paradise Pier Hotel Opens (2000)

Finally, on this day in 2000 Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel opened.

Previously known as the Disneyland Pacific Hotel, the resort received a new beachfront theme, and a private entrance into Disney’s California Adventure.

Photo: D23

That concludes our look at this day in Disney history- December 12. Be sure to come back tomorrow when we take a look at a more eventful day!