Figaro: Toy, Character and Companion

Mikki was always a mouse and she soon declared Andrew a cat.  For Christmas 1992, Mikki presented Andrew with Figaro, a toy of the Disney character.  Figaro gradually worked his way into our lives, coming with us on holiday, writing Trip Reports for the "Intercot" Disney discussion board, getting more and more pictures of himself taken, and eventually writing his own Blog.

As a Disney character, Figaro first appeared as Geppetto's kitten in Walt Disney's second animated feature, "Pinocchio" (released in 1940). Figaro was largely the creation of Eric Larson, one of Disney's "Nine Old Men". John Grant describes Figaro as "almost certainly the most instantly appealing character in the movie". Confirmed cat lovers may therefore ask why Geppetto wanted a real boy as well - or what would have happened if Figaro had been less good natured and had refused to get out of bed to open the window.

Figaro next appeared in "All Together", a war savings advertisement where he joined better known characters. This gave a hint he would appear again.

Figaro and Cleo   1943

Figaro is with Cleo the fish from "Pinocchio" - but with a much more aggressive attitude towards her. Of course, if Figaro had been fed properly, he would not have needed to think about Cleo.

First Aiders 1944

Classic mayhem after Minnie practises first aid treatments with Figaro and Pluto. And for those who wonder if Mickey and Minnie are married or live together, do we see some familiar red shorts as a bandaged Pluto chases Figaro through the clothes cupboard?

Bath Day,  1946   ***

Figaro shows his courage by the way he deal with alley cats after Minnie subjects him to a bath, bow and perfume.

Figaro and Frankie,  1947   ***

This is Frankie the Bird's only cartoon appearance but we still think he is "resting" somewhere in Toontown and that Figaro kept the good intentions he had by the end of the film.

Cat Nap Pluto,  1948

Pluto and Figaro. One wants to sleep: the other to play. How many of us can sympathise with one or other of these characters?

Pluto's Sweater,  1949

Here Pluto is the victim of Minnie's insensitive treatment of her pets. Figaro could have been more sympathetic.

Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas, 1999

Figaro is welcome back after quite a break. He is there with Minnie, loyally helping hide the unpaid bills from Mickey and settling down by the fire with his friend Pluto.

We have seen Figaro from time to time on the "House of Mouse" tv show. Sometimes he is sitting with Geppetto in the audience.  We think we remember one larger segment when he got chased by Pluto. We haven't been able to research "House of Mouse" thoroughly.

***   =  In these two films, Figaro is himself the "star".  His face appears at the beginning with his own song, ending ". . .  What a clever kitty cat."

Let your mouse "hover" over a picture to see a description.