Many of you are probably very familiar with the classic 1950's TV show The Mickey Mouse Club. However the idea of there being a Mickey Mouse Club was nothing new when this show came out. Mickey Mouse clubs have been popping up across America for decades. An article from the Motion Picture Herald (dated February 13, 1932) speaks about one of these.
Here is the article:
"Just to let you all know that J.R. Wheeler, city manager of the Palace Theater, Marion, Ohio, is still carrying on in show-business, we'll present a few facts in reference to a recently formed Mickey Mouse Club and the promotion of a full page co-op ad.
"With assistance from police, firemen and boy scouts, Wheeler opened his Mouse Club a few weeks ago to an assembly 2,200 'Mice' and there were mighty few folk around Marion who did not know what was going on. A local department sponsored the move and on opening day the kiddies paraded though the main streets carrying banners with copy stating that 'Kline's Mickey Mouse Club was on the way to the palace theater'
"The campaign was started with an advertisement on screen and in store three weeks before the first meeting. Children enrolled each day at the store and were given membership buttons. A contact made with the School Board brought permission to give passes to honor students and the local Parent-Teachers' Association issued public approval of the club.
"At the opening session the kids heard a speech by the department store manager; had their officers installed; pledged allegiance to the American flag; sang 'America'; were led through the Mickey Mouse 'Yell' by their cheer leader; heard a talk on 'Safety' by the local Chief of Police, and listened to an address made by the P.T.A. president. The balance of the program was made up of a band dance, dancing school revue, a Mickey Mouse cartoon, with theme song, and the feature picture. The whole stunt did not set the house back one cent. From week to week the store will continue to donate awards for kids."
As an extra bonus below is a Mickey Mouse cartoon from the year the previous article was written, Touchdown Mickey. Enjoy.
-Michael J. Ruhland
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