In this episode, Animation Camera veteran David R. Ankney shares a rare production detail from director Don Bluth’s second theatrical animated feature film, ‘ An American Tail ‘, the ‘ The Mouse of Minsk ‘ – The physical reference model constructed to guide animators through the complex ‘Secret Weapon’ sequence that is seen near the end of the film. It’s a glimpse into the practical, hands‑on problem‑solving that defined Don Bluth’s studio in the 1980s.

SHOW NOTES :

An American Tail (1986) – The Secret Weapon Scene – Video > LINK

The Mouse of Minsk : ( sometimes misheard as “mouse of mince” ) from Don Bluth’s An American Tail

What the Mouse of Minsk Actually is in the Film
There are two versions:

1. The Legendary Mouse of Minsk
   Only mentioned in the story.
   Described as “as tall as a tree” with a “mile-long tail.”
   The “real” Mouse of Minsk is never shown in the film — only described in Papa Mousekewitz’s legend.
   Therefore, no model sheets exist for this version.
   
   
2. The Mechanical Mouse of Minsk ( the one you see on-screen )
   Built by the New York mice from museum junk.
   Used as a giant firework-powered decoy to scare off the Mott Street Maulers.
   This is the only version that appears visually in the film.
   The design is a large, clunky, patchwork mechanical contraption, not a character with expressive animation.
   
   No official character model sheets or production-design images of the Mouse of Minsk have been released publicly. The model was likely built from Storyboard / layout drawings, not full character turnarounds.

Near the end of Tarzan’s animation schedule, Walt Disney Feature Animation organized an appreciation lunch for the crew. A handful of artists gathered in the second‑floor hallway before heading over together — a simple moment from one of the studio’s productions during that era, before the feature animation building in Burbank California was redesigned.

SHOW NOTES

Tone Thyne IMDB > LINK
Tone Thyne LinkedIn > LINK

Chris Wahl IMDB > LINK
Chris Wahl LinkedIn > LINK

Ken Duncan IMDB > LINK
Ken Duncan LinkedIn > LINK

T.Dan Hofstedt IMDB > LINK
T.Dan Hofstedt LinkedIn > LINK

Kevin Lima IMDB > LINK
Kevin Lima LinkedIn > LINK

Chris Buck IMDB > LINK

April 9, 1998. As Disney’s Mulan approached the end of production, the animation crew gathered at the Hollywood Athletic Club for a special Appreciation Lunch. In Part 2, we follow the team as they arrive at the venue, take in the atmosphere, share food, and unwind over a few games of pool—capturing a rare, behind‑the‑scenes moment of celebration during the final stretch of the film.

SHOW NOTES :

During production on Don Bluth’s An American Tail, the crew was split between two buildings in Southern California: the main studio and a second building across the street known as “the Warehouse”. In this video, producer Gary Goldman makes a quick visit to our room. One of my roommates, EFX animator Joey Mildenberger, calls him over so I can record a brief behind‑the‑scenes moment from the production floor.

GARY GOLDMAN :

Walt Disney Productions :
February 1972 to September 1979

1973 Inbetweener/assistant Animator to Frank Thomas: Robin Hood
1974 Animator: Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too
1976 Animator : The Rescuers
1977 Directing Animator: Pete’s Dragon
1978 Directing Animator: The Small One ( 30 minute featurette )
Directing Animator: The Fox and the Hound (uncredited).

Co-founder : Don Bluth Productions; Bluth Group Ltd; Sullivan Bluth Studios, Ireland and Don Bluth Films, Inc.

Directing Animator, Producer, Director :

1979 Directing Animator, Producer – Banjo the Woodpile Cat ( 27 minute featurette )
1980 Producer – animated sequence – Xanadu
1982 Directing Animator/ Producer – The Secret of N.I.M.H.
1983 Producer – Dragon’s Lair Video Game
1983 Producer – Space Ace Video Game
1989 Producer – Dragon’s Lair II: A Timewarp Video Game
1986 Producer – An American Tail
1988 Producer – The Land Before Time
1989 Producer / Co-Director – All Dogs Go To Heaven
1990 Producer / Co-Director – Rock-A-Doodle
1991 Producer / Co-Director – A Troll in Central Park
1993 Producer / Co-Director – Thumbelina
1997 Producer / Co-Director – Anastasia
1999 Producer / Co-Director – Bartok the Magnificent, Direct To Video
2000 Producer / Co-Director – Titan A.E.
2002 Bluth Group Ltd. – Executive Producer: Dragon’s Lair 3D: Return to the Lair Video Game

Don Bluth Films, Inc.: Developing Intellectual properties for feature films, working with writers, scheduling, budgeting and financing for ten projects in development. Currently located in Phoenix, Arizona.

Gary Goldman – IMDB Page > LINK

Gary Goldman – LinkedIn Page > LINK