Toon Tuesday: Remembering “Runaway Brain”

Jim Hill

18 years ago

You’d think that — what with it being October 31st and all — that “Runaway Brain” would at least be shown once today on Toon Disney.

But no. This hilarious Chris Bailey short remains tucked away in the Disney vault. Mostly because the suits don’t exactly like the way that Mickey Mouse is portrayed in this 1995 film.

Which is kind of understandable. Given that the very first time that we see Disney’s corporate symbol in this animated short, he’s in slacker mode. So engrossed in playing his Playstation game …

… (Which puts a “Mortal Kombat” -esque spin on that Disney classic, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs“) …

… that not only is Mickey ignoring Minnie, but he’s also forgotten that tonight is the anniversary of their very first date.

Minnie almost walks out on Mickey right then & there. But he eventually calms her down by promising to take Minnie out on a very special date.

Unfortunately, these two then get their wires crossed. Wheras he’s proposing an evening of miniature golf, Minnie somehow gets the impression that Mickey’s about to take her on a nine-day cruise to Hawaii.

Mickey is horrified to suddenly find himself in this position. “What am I going to do, Pluto?,” he squeaks. “It takes moolah to hula.”

Realizing that he has to quickly come up with the cash to cover this trip, Slacker Mickey agrees to take a high-paying part-time job. Which is how he finds himself at 1313 Lobotomy Lane …

Where before Mickey realizes what’s really going on, Dr. Frankenollie has him strapped in a chair …

… as the subject of a bizarre experiment …

Where Mickey’s brain will be swapped …

… with that of a hulking brute named Julius.

Doctor Frankenollie’s experiment is ultimately a success. Mickey’s body is now occupied by the brain of a monster.

While Mickey’s brain is now imprisoned inside of Julius’ body.

Mickey (while he’s trapped in Julius’ body) tries to reason with the monster. He even has the creature pull out his wallet, with the hope that the monster will then recognize the cartoon icon that he’s now dealing with.

But once Julius (in Mickey’s body) gets a look at that picture of Minnie Mouse, that’s all she wrote. The monster has to get his hands on Mickey’s girl-friend.

Julius (in Mickey’s body) escapes the lab, with Mickey (in Julius’ body) in hot pursuit. The monster-ified mouse quickly climbs to the top of the tallest building in the city. Where he then spies …

… Minnie entering a swimsuit shop. Where she hopes to find a new outfit for the cruise that Mickey will soon be taking her on.

In a heartbeat, Julius (in Mickey’s body) is down at street level. Bursting through the doors at the swimsuit store …

Determined to get his demented hands on Mickey Mouse’s girl-friend.

Julius (still in Mickey’s body) is just about to pounce. When suddenly Mickey (in Julius’ body) bursts through the doors and rescues Minnie.

Minnie is initially terrified by this hulking brute. Until Mickey reveals that it’s his brain that’s trapped inside of this enormous body.

What follows is a slapstick set-piece where Mickey & Julius battle it out in the streets. Mouse versus monster. And just when it seems that Mickey (while still in Julius’ body) is getting the upper hand, an encounter with some high tension wires …

… causes these two characters to switch brains again.

And once the dazed Julius comes to his senses, he eyes Mickey with great menace …

… then roars right in his face.

Which brings me to the real reason that I wrote today’s article. In an animated short that’s loaded with inside jokes (EX: The exterior of Dr. Frankenollie’s lab looks just like the home from “The Exorcist.” Or that the name of the mad scientist in this movie actually pays tribute to those two Disney Legends, Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston), here’s a gag that’s literally on screen for just a frame or two.

Care to guess who the bird is that’s tumbling out of Julius’ mouth? It’s Zazu from Disney’s 1994 box office smash, “The Lion King.”

FYI: If you’d like to see “Runaway Brain” in all its glory, this seldom-seen short can be found on Volume Two of the “Mickey Mouse in Living Color” set. Which is one of the titles offered in the “Walt Disney Treasures” DVD line.

Anyway … That’s your October 31st treat from JHM. A blink-and-you’ll-miss-it sight gag from “Runaway Brain.”

Have a happy Halloween, okay?