Alternative Disney: If Minnie Was First, How Much Would Change?

Imagine a world where Minnie Mouse, rather than Mickey Mouse, came first. How would this shift in history have impacted the iconic Disney franchise and the course of animation as we know it today?

Gender Dynamics in Animation

In this alternate universe, Donald and Goofy would have been girlified, resembling characters like the Power Puff Girls. The overall animation style might have taken on a more 'squeaky and girly' tone, leading to a shorter shelf life for the shows and possibly leaving behind some of the classic Disney magic.

It is also worth noting that the success of Barbie has not yet materialized in the amusement park industry. Without the presence of a similar female-oriented theme, the possibility of a Barbie-themed park remains unseen.

Power Dynamics of the 1920s

If Minnie had been the first Disney character, the franchise might not have survived the 1930s. Minnie, as a character, was more of a love interest for Mickey, rather than a prominent character herself. During the 1920s, she would have been portrayed more as a 'nice girl' pining for Mickey, who consistently rebuffed her, a la Krazy Kat and Ignatz towards Betty Boop, or simply as Mickey's mother or a caretaker.

Legal and Business Considerations

Considering the social attitudes of the 1920s, Minnie Mouse might have faced rejection by studios like Universal. If accepted, she likely would have suffered the same fate as Walt's first original character, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. In those days, creator rights did not exist, and companies like Universal Studios often wrote their contracts as purchase agreements, cutting off the creators from the profits of in-house films.

“Take a look at the names on the poster. No mention of Walt Disney or Ub Iwerks. That’s because creator rights didn’t exist back then, and companies like Universal Studios wrote out their contracts as purchase agreements. In other words, Universal Studios bought out Oswald completely and cut off Disney from the profits of the films made in-house.”

Fortunately, Walt's older brother, Roy Disney, took care of the business side of Walt's studio, ensuring that Walt could focus on creative endeavors.

Simultaneous Creation of the Mice

Interestingly, the mice in question were created simultaneously. Minnie is featured alongside Mickey in his first cartoon, Plane Crazy. Mickey's role in his early appearances was no different from Oswald the Rabbit. Both characters had a female companion or damsel in distress, a cat for Oswald.

This parallel in character creation and early roles might have led to the creation of Mickey, given the success and popularity of Oswald, had Minnie been the first character to debut.

Conclusion

The legacy of Disney would have been vastly different had Minnie Mouse come first. The animation industry, the social norms of the time, and the business interests of early filmmakers all played crucial roles in the formation of the iconic characters we know today. What if this story had a different ending? The possibilities for an alternate history of animation and branding are both fascinating and thought-provoking.