The Prince and the Pauper is a 1990 American animated action adventure comedy short film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and directed by George Scribner. Featuring the voice of Wayne Allwine as Mickey Mouse, it is based on the 1881 novel of the same name by Mark Twain. It was Disney's final use of the traditional ink-and-paint and camera process for a theatrical product, before the CAPS digital-ink-and-paint process rendered the traditional techniques and equipment obsolete. It's also the final Mickey Mouse short to use the APT process. Some objects, such as the carriage, were created on computers before being printed out on paper and photocopied onto animation cels. The animation was given a watercolor look and based on Disney's style from the late 30s, influenced by Fred Moore.
The film was released on November 16, 1990, as the first animated short produced by Disney to accompany the original release of a Disney animated feature, accompanying the original release of The Rescuers Down Under.
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Plot
The story begins in London, England in the mid-16th century when a good and wise king ruled the country with peace and compassion. However, one day, the king fell ill and his greedy captain of the guard, Pete plunders and terrorizes the country for almost a decade in the king's name. One winter day, three beggars, Mickey Mouse, Goofy, and Pluto are trying to get money for some food when Captain Pete's carriage, filled with stolen food, passes. Pluto sees a sausage stand out from the carriage and gives chase, pursuing it into the castle. When Mickey knocks on the door to get his dog back, one of the soldiers opens the door and lets him in, mistaking him for the mouse prince. Pete lectures the soldier for letting anyone in, pointing out where the real prince is: in class with his teacher, Horace Horsecollar and his valet, Donald Duck. The prince hears Pete outside roughly handling Mickey and Pluto, so he orders them to be brought to him right away. Pete kicks Mickey through the door and forces Pluto out of the castle.
