The Pointer

The Pointer
Directed by	Clyde Geronimi
Produced by	Walt Disney
Studio(s)	Walt Disney Productions
Distributor	RKO Radio Pictures
Released	July 21, 1939
Language	English
Preceded by	Mickey's Surprise Party
Followed by	The Standard Parade

The Pointer was an animated short released in 1939. It was the first short to feature the new look that Mickey Mouse was given in the "Sorcerer's Apprentice" segment in Fantasia (although storyboard sketches, as well as the theatrical poster seen on the right, still used his original design).

Synopsis

Pluto becomes a hunting dog, learning how to point for Mickey.

Plot

Mickey Mouse and Pluto are camping in the woods about to set out hunting. Mickey reads to Pluto from an instructional book how to point at game and not move. Mickey promises that if they are successful they will have "quail on toast, and maybe a nice big juicy bear steak" that night. They then set out into the forest, Mickey carrying a shotgun.

But the first time they see quail, Pluto gets too excited, knocks Mickey over, and scares the birds away. Mickey scolds Pluto, but later softens, realizing that Pluto is a mutt and won't be able to learn. They set off again, but become separated. Pluto again hears some quail, and points at them. He is careful this time not to move at all, even to the point of letting the quail jump up on him and pull his fur. Mickey however, is unaware that Pluto is not right behind him. He jumps down from a rock and unwittingly wakes a sleeping bear who starts to follow him. Only when Mickey doubles around and comes across Pluto, still in his pointer position, does he realize that there is a bear behind him.

The bear appears to be belligerent, but rather than running away, Mickey first tries to talk to the bear, explaining that he and Pluto were only hunting quail. Mickey even introduces himself to the bear, saying "I hope you've heard of me."

The bear instead chases after Mickey and Pluto, who tear a path across the landscape back to their camp. That night they happily eat a supper of canned beans.

Voice Cast

• Walt Disney - Mickey Mouse
• Lee Millar - Pluto

Releases

Television

• Disneyland, episode #1.1: "The Disneyland Story"
• Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color, episode #8.5: "The Hunting Instinct"
• The New Mickey Mouse Club, March 14, 1977
• Good Morning, Mickey, episode #9
• The Ink and Paint Club, episode #1.2: "Mickey Landmarks"

Home video

• Walt Disney Cartoon Classics: Pluto (VHS/laserdisc)
• Walt Disney Treasures: Mickey Mouse in Living Color, Volume 2 (DVD)
• Walt Disney's Funny Factory: With Mickey (DVD)

Gallery

v - e - d

1920s Plane Crazy • The Gallopin' Gaucho • Steamboat Willie • The Barn Dance • The Opry House • When the Cat's Away • The Barnyard Battle • The Plowboy • The Karnival Kid • Mickey's Follies • Mickey's Choo-Choo • The Jazz Fool • Jungle Rhythm • The Haunted House • Wild Waves 1930s Fiddling Around • The Barnyard Concert • The Cactus Kid • The Fire Fighters • The Shindig • The Chain Gang • The Gorilla Mystery • The Picnic • Pioneer Days • The Birthday Party • Traffic Troubles • The Castaway • The Moose Hunt • The Delivery Boy • Mickey Steps Out • Blue Rhythm • Fishin' Around • The Barnyard Broadcast • The Beach Party • Mickey Cuts Up • Mickey's Orphans • The Duck Hunt • The Grocery Boy • The Mad Dog • Barnyard Olympics • Mickey's Revue • Musical Farmer • Mickey in Arabia • Mickey's Nightmare • Trader Mickey • The Whoopee Party • Touchdown Mickey • The Wayward Canary • Parade of the Award Nominees • The Klondike Kid • Mickey's Good Deed • Building a Building • The Mad Doctor • Mickey's Pal Pluto • Mickey's Mellerdrammer • Ye Olden Days • The Mail Pilot • Mickey's Mechanical Man • Mickey's Gala Premier • Puppy Love • The Steeple-Chase • The Pet Store • Giantland • Shanghaied • Camping Out • Playful Pluto • Gulliver Mickey • Mickey's Steam-Roller • Orphan's Benefit • Mickey Plays Papa • The Dognapper • Two-Gun Mickey • Mickey's Man Friday • The Band Concert • Mickey's Service Station • Mickey's Kangaroo • Mickey's Garden • Mickey's Fire Brigade • Pluto's Judgement Day • On Ice • Mickey's Polo Team • Orphans' Picnic • Mickey's Grand Opera • Thru the Mirror • Mickey's Rival • Moving Day • Alpine Climbers • Mickey's Circus • Mickey's Elephant • The Worm Turns • Magician Mickey • Moose Hunters • Mickey's Amateurs • Hawaiian Holiday • Clock Cleaners • Lonesome Ghosts • Boat Builders • Mickey's Trailer • The Whalers • Mickey's Parrot • Brave Little Tailor • Society Dog Show • Mickey's Surprise Party • The Pointer • The Standard Parade 1940s Tugboat Mickey • Pluto's Dream House • Mr. Mouse Takes a Trip • The Sorcerer's Apprentice • The Little Whirlwind • The Nifty Nineties • Orphan's Benefit • A Gentleman's Gentleman • Canine Caddy • Lend a Paw • All Together • Mickey's Birthday Party • Symphony Hour • Pluto and the Armadillo • Squatter's Rights • Mickey and the Beanstalk • Mickey's Delayed Date • Mickey Down Under • Mickey and the Seal 1950s R'Coon Dawg • Pluto's Party • Pluto's Christmas Tree • The Simple Things 1980s-Present Mickey's Christmas Carol • The Prince and the Pauper • Runaway Brain • Get a Horse! • Mickey in a Minute • Once Upon a Studio See Also The Mickey Mouse Club • The Mouse Factory • Good Morning, Mickey • Mickey's Mouse Tracks • Mickey Mouse and Friends (TV Series) • Disney's The Twelve Days of Christmas • Mickey's Fun Songs • Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas • House of Mouse • Mickey Mouse Works • Mickey's Magical Christmas • Mickey's House of Villains • Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas • Mickey Mouse Clubhouse • Mickey Mousekersize • Mickey Mouse (TV series) • Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures • Mickey's 90th Spectacular • The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse