World War IAfter World War I, the United States was experiencing an economic and cultural boom. The public was increasingly drawn to the movie theaters, excited to enjoy the newest cinematic sensations. The movie industry, bolstered by the American public’s newfound willingness to spend money on entertainment, was also experiencing a boom. The silent films that had dominated the earlier era were soon replaced by the “talkies”, revolutionary movies known for their inclusion of spoken dialogue. This age of movies proved beneficial for Disney and his first few films. As the first cartoon released with synchronized sound, Disney’s "Steamboat Willie" quickly distinguished his animation from that of his competitors. "Steamboat Willie" also served as a confidence booster in a time when Disney sorely needed it; about to go bankrupt, Disney decided to put everything into his animation. His decision eventually paid off, as audiences around the world grew to love the character eventually known as Mickey Mouse.
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