Friday, April 4, 2008

Goofy: An Olympic Champ???

The 2008 Summer Premiere Event Sculpture will feature Goofy from The Olympic Champ (1942). Torchbearer, a Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of 2,008 will be available through Authorized Walt Disney Classics Collection Dealers and the Walt Disney Theme Parks, June 20-22, 2008.

As was common for shorts starring Disney's clumsy anthropomorphic dog, Goofy remains silent as a calm narrator provides contrast to the pratfalls on screen. In ancient Greece nearly 3000 years ago, a solo Goof illustrates different techniques of foot racing as well as hurdling, pole-vaulting, hammer-throwing and the decathlon, all events in the early days of the Olympics. Needless to say, visual gags are in high supply, from a finger-burning Olympic torch to a hammer throw which ends with a potent discovery of oil.

For those unfamiliar with the short, I've included a clip of the animated short (courtesy of YouTube.com) below:


The Olympic Champ is a Goofy Cartoon ©Disney

7 comments:

Matthew said...

This piece makes me smile! I love Goofy when he is trying to be so "cool".

I love the colors and the pose.

Herc said...

I'm liking Goofy too, Matthew. Can't wait for the event. I think that many places will be doing olympic parties or toga parties. Should be fun. Didn't know what he was holding, but found out it is his hat.
Don, do you have a back view of him?

Jason S. said...

Thanks for continuing to include the YouTube videos, Don. Watching it right now as I type this comment.

Happy to see more shorts being represented in the Collection and think the selection of this Goofy makes for a nice tribute to his many Sports related cartoons. Just gotta smile at this piece.

DC Pop Fanatic said...

Jeff-I will inquire and see if one is available.

Jason-You're welcome. It's always cool when I'm able to find a YouTube clip that coincides with a blog entry.

Behr said...

So Don are there others from the Fab 6 that portray the Olympics? I think it would be great to see the other 5 captured in Olympic style!

DC Pop Fanatic said...

Hi Geoffrey,

Did a quick search on Google but couldn't come up with anything :( Not sure if any of the other Fab Five were in an Olympic themed short or not.

A friend of mine has the Fab Five in Greecian attire from Caesar's Palance in Las Vegas and may display Goofy with them. Asked him to take a photo, will be interesting to see how they all look together.

Babette said...

I think this Goofy would look great with the Hercules Tribute Series and Diana Fantasia piece side by side aiming at the Goof, esp if he's on a riser.