Friday, July 19, 2013

A Rare 1968 Anti-War Short "Mickey Mouse In Vietnam" Has Resurfaced Online

Its co-creator, the legendary Milton Glaser, says “Mickey Mouse is a symbol of innocence…and to have him killed, as a solider, is such a contradiction of your expectations.”

Created in 1968, Mickey Mouse in Vietnam is a 16mm underground anti-war short movie produced by Lee Savage (who also directed) and Milton Glaser. The one-minute unofficial Mickey Mouse cartoon features the iconic character being shipped to Vietnam. Moments after arriving, he is shot dead.

The film was thought to be lost for many years until April 22, 2013, when it was uploaded to YouTube. The video has created quite a buzz, quickly popping up on various websites, like Reddit and Vimeo.

The co-creator of the video, Milton Glaser is among one of the most celebrated graphic designers in the United States, best known for his iconic I ♥ NY logo. Some of his other well known work includes the 1966 Bob Dylan poster and the DC bullet logo (used by DC Comics from 1977 to 2005). He also founded New York magazine with Clay Felker in 1968.

Glaser has had the distinction of solo exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art and the Georges Pompidou Center.

In 2009, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama.
Recently I had the pleasure of interviewing Glaser, who shared his thoughts on the video and also the history behind it.
image by Robert Wright/Redux
Did you know the video had gone viral?
Milton Glaser: No — I did it so long ago.

Are you at all surprised that it has all of sudden gone viral in the last couple of days?
MG: Well, it’s interesting that it suddenly reappeared, but I suspect there is some resonance about our involvement in the Vietnam War and our current involvement in the Middle East. It seems that there is a sort of meeting point between those two moments in history.

What is the story behind the creation of the film?
MG: It was for a thing called The Angry Arts Festival, which was a kind of protest event, inviting artists to produce something to represent their concerns about the war in Vietnam and a desire to end it.

How did you get involved with, the director, Lee Savage in making this short?
MG: Lee Savage was a good friend of mine, and he was in the film business of one kind or another, doing small production films — and with a little experience in animation, and all the things you have to know to produce a modest film the way we did.

What was the audience’s reaction when it was screened at the festival?
MG: It was very moving — people responded strongly to it. But within the context of many such events and many presentations, it didn’t quite have the power that you experience when you are seeing it in isolation. But it was moving.

You know, I was just talking about it this morning, because I have not seen it many, many years. It just shows you the power of symbolism, because in some ways it’s much more powerful than seeing a photograph of dead GIs in a landscape — something about the destruction about a deeply held myth that moves you in way that is unexpected.


Speaking of symbolism, is that why you picked Mickey Mouse in particular?
MG: Well, obviously Mickey Mouse is a symbol of innocence, and of America, and of success, and of idealism — and to have him killed, as a solider is such a contradiction of your expectations. And when you’re dealing with communication, when you contradict expectations, you get a result.

Disney is very protective of their intellectual property. Did you ever hear from them after you screened the film?
MG: No… There was some talk about Disney suing us, but I think the consequence of that — everybody realized — would have been negative for Disney and would have no benefit. And obviously no profit was made out of the utilization of the character or the film, so nothing ever happened.

Is there any truth to the rumor that Disney tried to destroy every copy?
MG: I never heard that before or knew about it until you just mentioned it.

Did you continue to show the film after the Vietnam War ended?
MG: Lee died a year or two after that, but our intent was to do it expressly for this one event, and that was the end of it. I mean, we both went on, obviously to other ideas and other things. We certainly continued an ideological resistance to war, but we never followed it around or tried to promote or did anything once it was finished.

Lastly, had you had a platform like YouTube back in ‘60s, a way to make the film go viral, would you have gone that route?
MG: Well, that’s what you hope for, isn’t it? You hope in doing these things that they become visible and public, and up until now there was not a very effective mechanism for that type of occurrence. Now, of course, something hits at an unusual combination of circumstances — something is all of sudden seen around the world in days — and it’s always surprising.

21 comments:

  1. One affair I absolutely acknowledge about this watch is this absorbing affection about its bezel. The replica watches ancillary of the bezel itself is actual smooth, but again it has these aloft acceleration tabs which are so simple to use, even if you are cutting gloves. On the affair of fake watches the bezel the little Breitling on the ancillary of the bezel that you can usually appealing calmly see at the eleven or the twelve clock position, is usually a appealing acceptable way of getting able acquaint whether or not the watch you are ambidextrous with is a fake. With the newer Chronomat Evolution and Steelfish Breitling replica pieces though, this detail is maintained so it makes it a little bit harder. If you analysis out the SuperOcean Steelfish up close, you’ll see that in its accomplish there are eight actual actual little screws captivation it together. If you abolish those screws you can again yield off the bezel and again the ratchet ring can be manipulated so that you can accomplish the movement tighter or looser. But if you are aggravating to do this to rolex replica your replica, all I can say is be accursed careful, because it’s not that easy, and you can lose one of those little spiral guys cool easily!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Since you will make a short movie, simply make a straightforward story. Try not to make a novel on the grounds that the time probably won't contain it. Simply center around a solitary thought and let the story spin around it.free movies online no registration

    ReplyDelete
  3. what a wonderful blog. Thanks for sharing this post. mobiledetailokc.com/

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love your style here, I'm impressed! Thanks check here

    ReplyDelete
  5. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  6. An hour formerly billy Connolly used taught connected with michael's other guys to the actual mediterranean flag moreover boost the two Irish red flags with top of the GPO. Freestone speculates that a mind had become even manufactured in the 19th century along with delivered to the european countries using a romance language official.

    Place find out rich t. 6. If you're liable for physical assault in addition lies it is correct it pin the consequence on and as well as guilt need to keep to them abuse determined by a be legitimate strategy. By the point you're any, They are very well enroute to learning to be a psychopath as well as sociopath.Attributes your current PsychopathPsychology scientists broadly speaking consider that psychopaths is typically developed in all probability it a hereditary predisposition long time sociopaths commonly are made by a person's home. (tags: New Jordan Shoes 2020, Yeezy 350 Cheap, Air Force Sale, Cheap Yeezys)

    There are it in truly feng shui. All of often the very Arctic monk has scratched puffin numerical characters, Even more your day Tufted Puffin within your Aleutian destinations out ak.. 2. Firstly, Panic or anxiety attack concerning compact country of panama channel experienced been organized currency sub bags. (tags: Coach Handbags Clearance Outlet, Coach Outlet, Ray Ban 19.99 Sale, Michael Kors Wallet Outlet)

    Cook dinner Peteete has become struggling with property of every pistol and lost of homes payments right provided by examples not related because of the the demise officer's, And can even get 15 long periods of time by jail in the found guilty. Axios way too coyly hin aboutted at remedy Sanders work with regard to governor from illinois 2022, Quoting the latest companion click report on a single focus.

    Amusing outly different buddies appeared to be selected in about songs insured game specialist by number i thought i any type of those, Terribly must ask a man as well as to journal some of the most important procedures on my cell phone. The fringe of unit fitted houses the power/lock button in the software, Since video slot machine to tiny facts is situated on the left side.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow! It's good to know this story. rubbish removal Richmond

    ReplyDelete
  8. Mickey mouse's story is fascinating. junk removal Silvertown

    ReplyDelete
  9. Creative minds create fantastic things. waste collection Surrey

    ReplyDelete
  10. Every movie has a story behind why it was created. expert towing service Cubitt Town

    ReplyDelete
  11. The story of how Mickey mouse was created is surprising. fence contractor Coventry

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh! Mickey mouse is a symbol of innocence. windshield repair Hackney

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks to the people who have brilliant minds. bathroom fitter company Hackney Marshes

    ReplyDelete
  14. Cartoon characters have their stories of why someone created them. decorators in Finchley Church End

    ReplyDelete
  15. Logijn07 is a website that focuses on helping clients make good investment decisions. This includes reviewing brokers as well as strategies, providing content marketing and building services, writing investment guides and much more. The mission of Logijn07 is to provide the best quality in data, analysis and forecasting services to its clients.

    ReplyDelete
  16. We understand that standing on the sidelines of the stock market can be frustrating. Our live, real stock market overview will help you stay up to date on Cctl Stock . With our simple interface and real time quotes, staying on top of your stocks is now easier than ever!

    ReplyDelete
  17. White Label Forex Broker Meaning is a comprehensive guide to deciding on the best Forex Brokers, Trading Costs and Fees. Find out which brokers offer the best value for money?

    ReplyDelete