Before Mickey Mouse, Walt Disney created the character Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Walt would lose the rights to the character before starting the Walt Disney Company in the 1920s. In the 2000s, Disney would re-acquire the rights from Universal in a trade that sent beloved sports commentator Al Michaels from ABC to NBC. Now, Disney has been able to restore two of the original Oswald the Lucky Rabbit shorts and add them to Disney+.

TROLLEY TROUBLES

In “Trolley Troubles,” Oswald is taking a group of bunny children and other animal characters on a trolley trip, but he keeps running into troubles along the way. These include a cow on the tracks, a steep hill, an angry goat and a bumpy road. Eventually, Oswald’s trolley crashes into the river and converts into a raft where he uses a stick to row to safety.

The most notable thing about this short is the cow. This looks like it is the first known appearance of Clarabelle Cow, an animated character that would go on to be Goofy’s girlfriend in modern Disney cartoons. On top of the cow’s appearance, the angry goat provides some great humor as Oswald uses that stick he eventually needs to row the raft as a battering ram. He lures the goat to attack the trolley and uses the stick so the goat pushes the trolley over the steep hill. It was ingenious and funny at the same time.

Rating: 4 stars

ALL WET

In “All Wet,” Oswald is selling hot dogs at the beach, but the hot dogs have come to life and cause problems for any customer who buys them. Oswald tries to impress a girl, but she wants more than a hot dog vendor, so he pays off a lifeguard to pose as one leading the girl to want his attention. The girl pretends to be in trouble, but as Oswald tries to save her, she is attacked by a big fish and ends up actually in trouble. After a wave returns them to shore, Oswald rolls up the girl to get all of the water out of her lungs. Once she’s okay, the two are happy together.

This short had its moments, but it didn’t do as much for me as “Trolley Troubles.” I laughed a few times, but it could’ve been better. Still, I’m glad to see this classic short available on the service.

Rating 3.5 stars

What did you think of the “Oswald the Lucky Rabbit” shorts?

Jeremy Brown

Jeremy has been a big Disney fan since he was a kid growing up during the Disney Renaissance. One day he hopes to go to every Disney Park in the world.

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