a famous cartoon character created by Walt Disney , who called him ‘the mouse that built an empire’. Mickey has become the symbol of the company and his high voice was spoken by Disney himself. He was first seen in Steamboat Willie (1928). Mickey’s girlfriend is Minnie Mouse and his dog is Pluto. In 1929 Disney began Mickey Mouse Clubs in large shops and cinemas. The Mickey Mouse Club was also a popular Disney television programme (1955–59). The children on it wore mouse ears and were called Mouseketeers. In each programme they sang a song that spelled out Mickey’s name.
Compare Donald Duck .