Plane Crazy

Yes, Plane Crazy was the very first Mickey Mouse cartoon created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks, produced earlier in 1928. However, it was actually the fourth one released because it failed to find a distributor initially. After the massive success of Steamboat Willie with synchronized sound later that year, Disney finally released Plane Crazy.

The short film features Mickey Mouse attempting to imitate Charles Lindbergh by building and flying his own airplane to impress Minnie Mouse. His chaotic flight ultimately results in the plane crashing, leaving Mickey without his love interest by the end. It was a direct parody of the massive aviation craze sweeping the 1920s.

In this early incarnation, Mickey is depicted as quite mischievous and slightly aggressive, lacking the polite demeanor he developed later. During the cartoon, he forcefully tries to kiss Minnie while in the air, prompting her to parachute out of the plane using her bloomers. This raw personality was softened significantly by Disney in subsequent shorts.

No, the original test screening of Plane Crazy in 1928 was a completely silent film. Walt Disney only added synchronized sound to Steamboat Willie, which revolutionized animation. Although Plane Crazy was initially silent, it was eventually released to the public with a musical soundtrack in 1929 after Mickey Mouse became a massive hit.