Mickey's Parrot could have gone either way. In any instance it would be funny, but it would have either been a short where Mickey is as prominent as the title would suggest or he would take a back-seat and Pluto, Goofy or Donald would provide most of the laughs. Mickey's Parrot is a terrific example of being the former. The premise of mistaking the parrot for an escaped convict may be hard to swallow at first, but the pacing never lets up and the short is always fun so I don't consider it much of a problem. The animation is really beautiful, with a lot of colour, fluidity and well drawn characters. It isn't really a Mickey Mouse short without a priceless facial expression from him. We get several in fact, not just those that make us laugh but also ones where they convey much emotion. That is especially true of the sheepish fear when he thinks the crook is standing right behind him. Mickey himself is also a sheer delight. He has more of a prominent role here than in other shorts of his in the 30s and has some nifty moments of his own, such as at the end where we are reminded of his warm-hearted nature. Pluto may have done funnier stuff before and since Mickey's parrot, but he is still funny and full of energy. The parrot is a great foil also. The music is beautifully orchestrated and characterful, while the gags are imaginative and often very amusing. The best are with Pluto getting emasculated literally, with the goldfish biting his nose and also when he is cornered and driven up the wall. Overall, Mickey's Parrot is a lot of fun, well recommended. 10/10 Bethany Cox
