It's in the Details #16: the Secret in the Tower and the 85th anniversary of Steamboat Willie

  In this series, we'll be looking at details that are hidden all around you at the parks. The Imagineers do a great job placing in many hidden gems and things to try that one has to take a moment to notice, or explore. Many of these are obvious and in plain sight, and some are hidden quite well, you just have to know where to look.

  Long time no see, again, everyone! This week's hidden detail comes once again from the Tower of Terror, coinciding with the 85th anniversary of Mickey Mouse's [public] debut in Steamboat Willie, November 18th, 1928. Known officially as the first Mickey Mouse cartoon (the honor of which is actually deserved to Plane Crazy), it was the first to combine live animation with real time sound effects, and was an immediate hit. Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks' creation of the little mouse to save the studio became such a massive draw, audience goers expected to see him at every show. In early theater days, many shows were actually comprised of shorts with which to entertain the audience, interspersed with newsreels and such. Cartoons were usually part of the program, and Mickey's popularity meant he was a crowd-pleaser, and was usually expected.

  

 Considering the Hollywood Tower Hotel's supposed era, it wouldn't be a surprise to assume many of the guests there were Mickey Mouse fans. Tucked away in the library (always the best spot for hidden items!), under a trumpet, is an unsuspecting piece of sheet music, that may have been played by the band any of the many late nights at the club. Upon further inspection, the title stands out from the page: 'What! No Mickey Mouse?'. Seems a little suspicious, doesn't it?

  Actually, during the 30's, the expectation of Mickey Mouse at a show was so great, fans began to heckle and cry out, 'What! No Mickey Mouse?' at any showing absent of the rambunctious rodent. The saying became so popular, the movement prompted famous lyricist Irving Caesar to create a song during the elections of 1932, jokingly calling for the election of the mouse. Hidden in plain sight, one can read the first page of music left as a tribute to the era, and the mouse, that led to so much more.

  In case you were wondering how the song went, below is a video of the song being played by The Old Maestro, Ben Bernie and all the Lads.

Youtube video thanks to warholsoup100

Missed It's in the Details #15? Check it out here!