Fan Fare

(writing and reporting by Jill Serjeant)

Mickey Mouse turned 80 years-old on Tuesday and although the friendly rodent with the trademark big black ears hasn’t had a movie for four years, he’s still alive and well and just about everywhere.
 
Disney marked the big day with little fanfare, having brought out the big cake and 18 months of celebrations for Mickey’s 75th birthday bash. But the House of Mouse is rolling out its latest animated feature , “Bolt” this week,  featuring an adorable puppy called Bolt, his feline friend Mittens and an excitable hamster (?!) sidekick.
 
Mickey’s official birthday is deemed to be November 18, 1928, when “Steamboat Willie” got its premiere in New York, launching the career of the squeaky-voiced mouse and marking the first animated movie with synchronized music and sound effects. 
 
Mickey and his oversized ears went on to become one of the most famous international icons of the 20th century as the face of Disney theme parks around the world, a television channel, cruise line and movie studio.
 
But will Mickey be able to parlay his fame for another 80 years?  Although he has a TV series for pre-schoolers on the Disney Channel called “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse”,  his last movie was “Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas” in 2004, and it went direct to video.