Mickey's Mechanical House

Template:Infobox television episode "Mickey's Mechanical House" is a cartoon made by Walt Disney Television Animation, originally released in 1999 as part of the 9th episode of Mickey Mouse Works. It was narrated by Monty Python member John Cleese. The cartoon was also included in the plot of the film Mickey's House of Villains (2002), and in the House of Mouse episode "House of Genius" (2003).

Plot

This cartoon is narrated in rhyme. Mickey Mouse keeps trying to sleep while living in an old, unrepaired house, which constantly annoys him. Mickey decides to move out of it, he takes Pluto and runs down a sidewalk full of houses. Soon, he meets a salesman who is selling a modern and clean "electric house" where anything can be controlled by a push of a button on a remote control. Mickey, delighted that it was better than the other, buys the house and moves in it. At first, the mouse is happy with his new home, but the robotic servant (who refuses to let Mickey stay up to explore the house at night) and malfunctioning equipment make him change his mind and escape from the place. Eventually, Mickey changes his values and returns to live in his old house.

Cast

• Wayne Allwine as Mickey Mouse
• Bill Farmer as Pluto
• John Cleese as the Narrator
• Jeff Bennett as Salesman

Reception

The episode is said to exemplify fiction that "animate(s) the sentient home through its collection of labor-saving, but ultimately" malfunctioning devices. The film is also described as follows: "It’s a new short, well animated in the UPA style of the 1950s. Cleese does a wonderful job as the narrator, and brings the story to life with zest and his impeccable sense of wry irony in his voice."