Here's an early appearance of Meeny, Miny and Mo, the Three Lantz Monkeys. They steal pies from Oswald Rabbit's farm, and then are put to work. Apparently when he was not appearing in cartoons for Walter Lantz, Oswald ran a farm, with milk, eggs, and poultry, but mostly a big bull to chase monkeys around.
By 1936, Lantz was looking for cartoon stars, not only to add to the ranks of Oswald, but to replace his fading glow. It seems to have been a common career arc for cartoon star: first you are noticed, then you are starred, and then you're in the cartoon to assure your audience of quality, but really, it's the supporting characters you come to see. Betty Boop had pushed aside Bimbo, and now, with the Production Code destroying her sexy fun, was there to introduce Grampy or "Henry, the World's Funniest Human." Over at Disney, Mickey Mouse was being increasingly shoved aside by Donald Duck and Goofy, soon to get their own series. Here, Oswald mostly relaxes in a hammock while the monkeys get into scrape..
By 1936, Lantz was looking for cartoon stars, not only to add to the ranks of Oswald, but to replace his fading glow. It seems to have been a common career arc for cartoon star: first you are noticed, then you are starred, and then you're in the cartoon to assure your audience of quality, but really, it's the supporting characters you come to see. Betty Boop had pushed aside Bimbo, and now, with the Production Code destroying her sexy fun, was there to introduce Grampy or "Henry, the World's Funniest Human." Over at Disney, Mickey Mouse was being increasingly shoved aside by Donald Duck and Goofy, soon to get their own series. Here, Oswald mostly relaxes in a hammock while the monkeys get into scrape..
