The demand for Mickey Mouse clubhouse toys seems unending, and the range of cartoons, DVDs and toys is massive, but it’s quite interesting to head back to the beginning and see how the whole thing started. In this article I’m going to take a look back at one of his earliest cartoons, Steamboat Willie.When released in 1928, and featuring synchronized sound for the first time, it was the first Mickey Mouse cartoon published. The city of New York was the place set for the Steamboat Willie premiere. It was an immediate success.The film was a parody of a Buster Keaton movie steamboat Bill Junior, and was written and directed by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks. The music was arranged by Wilfred Jackson, an animator for Disney. Some of the popular songs were Steamboat Bill And Turkey in the Straw.Issues relating to the copyright of the film have proved controversial, but recent evidence suggests that Steamboat Willie may be in the public domain. The film was voted number 13 out of the 50 greatest cartoons of all time, and was selected for preservation in the United States film Registry.The movie has been subject to censorship in the past. Using a goose as a set of bagpipes and pulling a cat’s tail did not impress the censor at all.The Steamboat Willie movie was also featured in the Walt Disney treasures DVD. The DVD release Vintage Mickey included Steamboat Willie, and was a collection of black-and-white Mickey Mouse cartoons.Sooner or later it was obvious that Mickey Mouse was featured in a video game. The first level of the videogame Mickey Mania: The Timeless Adventures of Mickey Mouse was actually based on the Steamboat Willie movie. The game was released on the Super Nintendo, Sega CD and Sony PlayStation consoles.Kingdom Hearts I I, a Disney game, uses a Steamboat Willie inspired world with period characters.What amazes me is that this cartoon from all those years ago has spawned this huge market for Mickey Mouse Toys. I quick online search will bring up a plethora of Mickey Mouse related items. If you’re looking for DVDs, video games, dressing up sets, and even wallpaper you’ll find it online. You’ll find a toy for every occasion. There appears to be no letup in the desire for Mickey Mouse related goods.To think that Mickey Mouse is as successful as he is, 80 years after his first film, is quite astounding. Stunning!.