Disney's Clock Cleaners: The 1937 short that inspired video games

In 1937, Disney released Clock Cleaners , a short film starring Mickey, Donald, and Goofy that would become a landmark of classic animation. Before the success of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs , this short already showcased the narrative and visual innovation that would come to characterize the company.

Mickey and his friends are tasked with cleaning a clock tower, but, like any good comedy, nothing goes as planned. Despite its family-friendly appearance, the short faced controversy: the American Family Association requested the removal of certain scenes and modification of Donald's lines, deeming them inappropriate.

Today, Clock Cleaners is available on Disney+ , allowing new generations to enjoy this historic animation legacy.

Clock Cleaners ' impact wasn't limited to film. Its cogs, clocks, and springs inspired multiple Disney video games. In 2010, it was incorporated into Epic Mickey as a transition level, and in Disney's Crossy Road (2016), Goofy adopted a design based on the short.

Even the Kingdom Hearts franchise used areas with springs and clocks, showing how classic animation continues to fuel the iconography of modern gaming.

Before Crash Bandicoot 4, Toys for Bob developed the game 102 Dalmatians (2000) with levels inspired by the aesthetics of Clock Cleaners , especially the Big Ben full of gears and mechanisms. This same studio would be behind Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time , where the level "Nitro Processing" recalls the color palette and design of the Disney classic.

The connection is clear: developers repurpose proven references and mechanics, creating a bridge between classic animation and modern video games. Even in Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped , the villain N. Tropy uses clocks and time manipulation as part of his aesthetic, reinforcing the influence of shorts like Clock Cleaners .

Beyond its historical significance, this short represents how classic animation can transcend its original medium and become a source of inspiration for pop culture and video games . Disney's creativity in the 1930s continues to influence developers, gamers, and fans who value the connection between art and interactive entertainment.

The story of Mickey, Donald, and Goofy reminds us that even in trouble and chaos, innovation and fun can become a lasting legacy.