Some of the fascination of researching the early beginnings of Walt Disney Studios is how his now familiar, lovable cartoon characters first came about. One of the company's more popular animated figures is a dog named 'Goofy,' who could talk and laugh, unlike his canine counterpart, the earlier introduced Pluto. Goofy's first incarnation was with Mickey Mouse and his gang, including Minnie, Horace Horsecollar and Clarabelle Cow in May 1932's "Mickey's Revue." Mickey's 41st cartoon used the practice as other Hollywood studios did in their early live-action musicals by rolling out their stars onto the stage performing song-and-dance acts. To save time and money, Disney's version of Mickey's musical show reused portions of previously-released cartoons. Some of the cartoon's acts were first seen in 1931's 'The Barnyard Concert,' 'Mickey's Follies' and 1929's 'The Opry House.'.
The film debut of Goofy's character was in a cameo appearance in "Mickey's Revue" as an amused, but obnoxious spectator sitting in the audience enjoying the show. Disney writer and voice artist Pinto Colvig came up with the caricature inspired by a "granny, half-baked village nitwit' he knew in his hometown. The canine's first appearance was named Dippy Dawg. He was an elderly dog sporting glasses. Dippy is portrayed as possessing a unique style of laughing, reflecting how good a time he was having watching the revue. Dippy Dawg made six guest appearances for the next two years in Disney cartoons before he was officially renamed 'Goofy' in August 1934's "Orphan's Benefit." From there Goofy became a regular member of Mickey Mouse's gang and proved to be one of the more popular characters in Walt's house in cartoon land. Goofy's star status rose so high he received his own cartoon series and TV specials throughout the years.