The Cactus Kid (1930)

Highly Overrated But Still Good

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

Mickey finds himself down old Mexico way as he approaches a cantina where Minnie tends bar. He does some fancy dancing but grabs her nose and the next thing you know, everything that isn't bolted down comes flying at him. Also, to make matters worse, Pete shows up and puts the moves on Minnie. There is quite a shootout in the dark and Pete and Minnie ride away. Mickey and his horse pursue them. Lots of dancing and the usual ending.

Minnie sure fought with Mickey a lot in the earlier cartoons like this one, not liking his dance moves at first, but warmed to his many clever styles and piano skills. There is much catchy music in this one including the Can-Can, set to the galloping chase between Mickey and Peg-Leg Pete, whom had kidnapped Minnie. A clever little cartoon, overall. Grade B+

This is an early Disney cartoon featuring Mickey Mouse. There will be spoilers ahead:This is, in some ways, The Gallopin' Gaucho, V 2.0. The two cartoons are instructive as to the improvement in Disney's shorts. The short is tighter, the animation is better and there's more of a plot here, Both shorts are enjoyable but this one is just a touch better, Mickey rides up to a cantina, enters and through his exuberance, annoys Minnie. Trying to make amends, Mickey winds up at the piano. Pegleg Pedro (Pete) comes in and annoys Minnie even more than Mickey did. Mickey moves to defend Minnie's honor and things escalate.There's actually a gun battle between Mickey and Pete, before Pete grabs Minnie, rides away and the chase is on. There are some nice visual gags, with a bit of repetition, during the chase. Of course, in the end, virtue triumphs and Pete has a really bad day. The end gag is nice.This short is on the Mickey Mouse In Black and White, Volume Two Disney Treasures DVD set and is well worth looking for.

The Cactus Kid is not one of my favourite Disney cartoons, but it is still an interesting and humorous one. The basic story is very familiar, very reminiscent of Galloping Gaucho except in Mexico this time. There are differences however, Mickey is a more endearingly meek version than his bravado version in Galloping Gaucho for example. The animation is great however, you can actually see and feel Mickey's mix of courage and fear. The music is just as energetic as ever and does well in enhancing the action, the horse chase at the start cleverly has Horace galloping in time to the music. There are some great scenes, with the standouts being the shoot-out in the dark and Pete falls off the cliff and goes up and down like an accordion. The climatic chase sequence is nothing new strictly speaking, but still has some exciting action. All three characters are on top form, Mickey still has some depth to him especially in the animation, Minnie is just as likable and Pedro(Pete, interesting also that this is the first cartoon where you see his peg leg) is an entertaining foil. All in all, not a favourite but still recommended. 8/10 Bethany Cox