Everything about Pete Disney Character totally explained
Pete (also known by variations of his name, including
Peg-Leg Pete,
Bad Pete,
Big Pete,
Big Bad Pete, and
Black Pete) is a
fictional character from the
Walt Disney Company studios. He is an
anthropomorphic cat and is occasionally depicted with a
pegleg, and known as the arch- of
Mickey Mouse,
Donald Duck, and
Goofy. Though usually associated with the
Mickey Mouse universe, Pete appeared in Disney's
animated cartoon series "
Alice Comedies" long before Mickey, and is Disney's oldest continuing character. He was a relatively obscure character until appearing as a regular character in the 1990s
TV series Goof Troop. Though Pete is officially a cat, his feline appearance was subdued in
Goof Troop and he resembled a canine like many other characters in the series.
Ancestry and Family
Comic book stories have depicted Pete as being descended from a long line of villains, highwaymen and outlaws. Even historical figures such as
Attila the Hun,
Blackbeard, and
Antonio López de Santa Anna have been included among his ancestors.
His mother is known only as Maw Pete and was mentioned in the story "Donald Duck Finds Pirate Gold" by
Carl Barks and
Jack Hannah (first published October, 1942) as a resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Her first actual appearance however was in "The River Pirates" (first published September, 1968) by
Carl Fallberg and
Paul Murry. The same story introduced Li'l Pete, Black Pete's fraternal twin brother who seems to be afflicted with dwarfism.
In December, 1998, the Mickey Mouse comic strip introduced an older
sister of Pete. Petula is the television host of the cooking show
Petula's Pantry. She finds time however to seek revenge against Mickey for condemning her "baby
brother" to life imprisonment.
Better known and more enduring as characters in the comics are two cousins of Pete, created by
Romano Scarpa in
italian Disney comics.
Trudy appeared first, and was introduced in "Topolino e la collana Chirikawa" ("Mickey Mouse and the Chirikawa Necklace", first published on March 10, 1960). This female version of Pete and (possibly distant) cousin was introduced as a childhood acquaintance of his: they're even shown as kids kidnapping Mickey when he was a baby. However, Trudy soon became his girlfriend, his partner-in-crime and roommate—whenever they hold residence out of prison that is. Their relationship seems to have evolved to a long-standing common-law marriage. This is occasionally used in contrast to Mickey's eternal engagement to Minnie Mouse and Goofy's determination to remain a bachelor. Trudy and Pete also have two hellion nephews named Pierino & Pieretto who often serve as foils for Mickey or Mickey's nephews Morty and Morty & Ferdie.
The second cousin to be introduced was criminal mad scientist
Plottigat. He first appeared in
Topolino e il Pippo-lupo ("
Mickey Mouse and Goofy the (were)wolf" aka "Pipwolf", first published on January 9, 1977). Plottigat is a firm believer in the saying "Knowledge is Power". He considers himself superior to most others in both intellect and education, therefore a rightful leader. However, Plottigat often finds himself employed by gangs under Pete or even
Phantom Blot. Both of the latter are considered better connected within the Mouseton version of organized crime.
Alice Comedies
1925
Pete first appeared in the
Walt Disney-produced 1920s "
Alice Comedies" short subject series. He first appeared in
Alice Solves the Puzzle (
February 15,
1925) as Bootleg Pete. His nick-name is a reference to his career of
bootlegging alcoholic beverages during the
United States Prohibition (
January 16,
1920 -
December 5,
1933). His activities brought him at a
beach in time to see Alice playing with a
crossword puzzle. Pete happened to be a collector of crossword puzzles and identified Alice's puzzle being a rare one missing from his collection. The rest of the short focused on his antagonizing Alice and her drunk-on-
moonshine cat Julius in order to steal it. The menacing,
bear-like
villain commanded quite a presence on the screen and was destined to return.
In
Alice Wins the Derby (
May 5,
1925) Pete, Alice and Julius are among several contestants in a combined
horse racing/
auto racing event. Pete first demonstrates his skill at
cheating on
sporting events to achieve victory. However a
car accident takes both Pete and Julius out of the race. The ending is given away by the title of the short.
In
Alice Is Stage Struck (
October 1,
1925) Pete is casted as the stuff of
nightmares for little Alice. She is depicted performing a stage version of
Uncle Tom's Cabin with her live-action friends when she falls unconscious. In her nightmare, Alice is being chased by Pete in his
dog sled across an
Arctic environment.
In
Alice Picks the Champ (
November 1,
1925), Pete is depicted as the owner of a
gym who challenges all who enter in a
boxing fight. The invitation is extended to Julius upon his entry. Despite the title Alice is a mere spectator in their fight rather than playing a more active role.
Pete made his final appearance for the year in
Alice's Tin Pony (
November 15,
1925). The "
pony" of the title was actually a
train transporting passengers Alice and Julius along with a
payroll shipment. The shipment attracts the attention of "Pete the Bear" and his gang of
outlaws who attempt a
train robbery. This was the first time Pete was depicted as leader of his own gang rather that a solitary villain. This depiction would prevail in his
comic book appearances for decades.
1926
In
Alice on the Farm (
January 1,
1926), Pete performs his first act of
kidnapping. He abducts Alice from a farm early on the short. Pete places her in a
bag,
punches her out and gives his own, silent version of an
evil laugh. Julius then has to win custody of his female friend in a
duel. Arguably the first of many duels Pete would have in his long career. Notably both Pete and Julius received more screen time than Alice herself.
Pete received a darker role in
Alice's Mysterious Mystery (
February 15,
1926). The title
mystery concerns the abduction of an entire
school of
puppies by two mysterious
dog catchers. Amateur
detectives Alice and Julius investigate the case. The trail leads to Pete and an unnamed
anthropomorphic rat serving as his
henchman. The duo had abducted the puppies to sell them to a local
sausage factory. Arguably establishing Pete as more ruthless than a mere kidnapper.
Pete upstaged Alice again in
Alice's Balloon Race (
March 1,
1926) where said
balloon race serves as an excuse for another confrontation between Julius and his arch-enemy. Alice served as a bit player in her own film.
In
Alice's Spanish Guitar (
November 29,
1926), Pete listens to Alice playing
guitar in a
Spanish café. Pete is charmed by her music and abducts the girl once again. He keeps her captive in his own
castle. Julius once again has to save the
damsel in distress.
Alice's Brown Derby (
December 13,
1926) depicts a
horse racing contest where Pete attempts to cheat again while Julius rides a mechanical
horse.
Alice the Lumberjack (
December 27,
1926), finds Alice and Julius working as
lumberjacks. Pete interrupts their work to abduct Alice again. Julius is forced to come to the rescue once again. Both shorts can be seen as evidence of the repetition of plot themes that plagued the series as it progressed.
1927
Alice the Gold Bug (
January 10,
1927) had Alice, Julius and Pete competing against each other in a
surreal golf game.
Alice Foils the Pirates (
January 24,
1927) has a misleading title. Actually the short features Pete holding Alice
hostage in a
pirate ship while Julius comes to the rescue. Pete would later be cast as an experienced
captain and occasional pirate in both his comic strip and comic book appearances.
Alice at the Rodeo (
February 21,
1927) features Alice and Julius in a
rodeo. Alice rides a
bull which has little trouble throwing the little girl off his back. Julius proves more successful in
bronc riding and wins first prize. But it's Pete who escapes with his winnings. This naturally leads to another confrontation between the two rivals.
Alice in the Alps (
March 21,
1927) indeed has Alice and Julius
ice skating in the
Alps. They encounter Pete while
mountaineering.
Alice's Auto Race (
April 4,
1927) actually features Julius and Pete competing in their usual style.
Alice's Knaughty Knight (
May 2,
1927) features Julius and Pete as
knights in
armour fighting over the affections of Lady Alice.
Alice's Channel Swim (
June 13,
1927) has Julius and Pete competing in a
swimming race across the
English Channel. Alice was actually the
referee rather than a swimmer.
Alice in the Klondike (
June 27,
1927) has Alice and Julius as
gold prospectors in
Klondike,
Yukon,
Canada. Their successful search attracts their old rival Pete who wants the gold for himself. This would be the final appearance of Pete in the series. The series would have four more entries, ending with
Alice in the Big League on
August 22,
1927. Pete would be the only character of the series to survive its ending.
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit
1927
When Disney needed a villain to place against his new star
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Pete was again put to good use. His introduction to his new adversary came with the sixth Oswald short
The Ocean Hop (
September 8,
1927). Apparently inspired by
Charles Lindbergh, the two enter an
aeroplane race across the
Atlantic Ocean.
Hugh Harman and
Rollin Hamilton were responsible for animating several inventive gags during the film. At least one became a classic. At some point Oswald runs off a
cliff and continues to walk on air without the effect of
gravity until realizing there no ground to stand on. The gag would be reused in many cartoon shorts to come. One should note that Charles Lindbergh also served as the inspiration for
Plane Crazy (
May 15,
1928), the first cartoon to feature
Mickey Mouse and
Minnie Mouse.
A more characteristic depiction of Oswald came with
The Banker's Daughter (
September 15,
1927). Oswald was working as a
limousine driver for a
banker but is quickly fired for
flirting with Miss Cottontail, the daughter of his employer. When Pete performs his first
bank robbery at the same bank, Oswald comes to the rescue in order to become a
hero and gain favor with the Cottontails. This love interest to Oswald would never appear again.
Rickety Gin (
October 19,
1927) features Pete in a more comedic and romantic role. Oswald appears as a
police officer who uses his fancy
uniform to romance an unnamed young
nurse. Pete succeeds at getting the officer drunk and proceeds in stealing his uniform and romancing the nurse himself. Apparently the lady was attracted to uniform-wearing men.
Harem Scarem (
December 20,
1927) features Pete and Oswald in
Morocco. Oswald falls in love with a
dancer and Pete abducts her. Leading to another heroic rescue for Oswald.
1928
Rival Romeos (
February 16,
1928) features Pete and Oswald as rivals for the heart of their "Lady Love". However both
Romeos and their
automobiles were at the end rejected by their Juliet in favor of an unnamed dog and his
motorcycle.
Sagebrush Sadie (
March 14, 1928) features Oswald as a
cowboy attempting to save a
stagecoach and its female passenger from outlaw Pete.
Ozzie of the Mounted (
March 29, 1928) casts Pete as "Foxy
Wolf", an outlaw wanted by the
Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Oswald was naturally positioned as the Mountie determined to "get his man". The chase goes on through a series of
Canadian locals. One should note that "Foxy" has no known connection to the
namesake character of the later
Merrie Melodies series.
Oh, What a Knight (
March 30, 1928) is somewhat unusual. The action takes place not in the 1920s but in the
Middle Ages. Pete is a strict father who keeps his daughter in isolation within their family castle. Oswald is the potential
lover of the girl who is trying to release her. Oswald duels with Pete and then uses an
anachronistic bowling ball to take out his men. He makes his escape with the girl only to be confronted by the final defense of a hostile
lion. The two lovers escape the castle using a
parachute and
kiss as they make their fall. The use of the parachute presumably places the events after its first recorded use by
Armen Firman in 852.
Sky Scrappers (
April 25, 1928) casts Pete as another kind of "villain". Not an outlaw but a harsh superior in a working environment. A figure presumably familiar to many among the intended audience of the short. In this case a construction site where Oswald is a steel worker and Pete his supervising foreman. A working relationship than only deteriorates when both men are interested in a new love interest by the name of Fanny.
Leaving personal matters interfere with their work apparently led both men to
unemployment. By the time of their next appearance in
Hungry Hoboes (
May 14, 1928), the duo had been reduced to
hoboes seeking
rail transport. On the plus side, the two old rivals had apparently achieved
friendship.
1929 - 1933
By the time producer
Charles B. Mintz took away the Oswald series from Disney, Pete had been established as the most consistently appearing supporting character to Oswald. He continued to appear in that role in the Oswald films directed and produced by
Walter Lantz until 1933. His most notable non-Disney appearance was arguably as a captain in
Permanent Wave (
September 29,
1929).
Mickey Mouse
He then appeared as
Mickey Mouse's enemy beginning with the cartoon
The Gallopin' Gaucho and
Steamboat Willie, both (1928). It was at this time Pete's species was decided on. Earlier, he could have been anything from a
badger to a
bear. Since Mickey is a mouse it's only natural that his enemy would be a cat.
In the
comics Pete often teams up with Mickey Mouse enemies
Sylvester Shyster,
Eli Squinch,
The Phantom Blot or
Weasel. In earlier comic strips, Pete was portrayed as Sylvester Shyster's henchman, but gradually started to work on his own. Sometimes, Pete also teams up with other bad guys in the Disney universe, such as
Scrooge McDuck's enemies (the
Beagle Boys and
Magica De Spell),
Mad Madam Mim,
Captain Hook, and the witch from
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
In the 1983 short film
Mickey's Christmas Carol, an adaptation of
Charles Dickens' novel
A Christmas Carol featuring Disney characters, Pete was cast as the Ghost of Christmas Future, who reveals himself by removing his hood and lighting a cigar, which also lights up the engraving on Scrooge's grave, and having only one line ("Why
yours,
Ebenezer. The richest man in the cemetery!") and laughing cruelly while Scrooge struggles to escape from his open grave as the gates of Hell are opening. Pete also made a cameo appearance as a Toon Town police officer in the very final scene of
Who Framed Roger Rabbit - he's viewed from the back, alongside
Goofy and
Horace Horsecollar in security uniforms; this can be seen just before
Porky Pig and
Tinkerbell close the movie. This was a non-speaking role.
Donald Duck
Pete and
Donald Duck met in the boxing ring in
Canvas Back Duck.
World War II
During
World War II Pete was "
drafted" by
Walt Disney and appeared as the official
mascot of the
United States Merchant Marine. And while his name is never actually said, the same character and voice are used for Donald Duck's Commanding Officer, having the Rank of Seargent in both the Army or the Air-Force; whichever branch of the military Donald is enlisted in during the cartoon.
DuckTales
In the first season of the 1987 TV series
DuckTales, Pete appeared in a few episodes. However, he was portrayed as a different character in each of his appearances. Because of this, he wasn't always a true villain, but sometimes just a selfish individual with no evil agenda. In a few episodes, he even makes peace with Scrooge's group in the end. The various Petes appear to be their own characters, as two of them lived in different time periods, and because Scrooge never "recognizes" him, despite any previous encounters he may have had with any of the other Petes.
| Episode |
Character |
| Duck in the Iron Mask |
Captain Pietro |
| Time Teasers |
Captain Blackheart |
| Merit-Time Adventure |
Dogface Pete |
| Pearl of Wisdom |
Sharkey |
| Lost Crown of Genghis Khan |
Genghis Khan |
Goof Troop
In the 1992 TV series
Goof Troop, Pete has a family who includes his wife Peg, their two children
Pete Junior (or PJ for short) and Pistol, and their dog Chainsaw. Curiously, Pete, as well as his family resemble dogs in Goof Troop, as opposed to his normal portrayal as a cat. They live next door to Goofy and his son
Max. Pete owns a used-car dealership, and though no longer openly villainous, is still conniving (as well as abrasive, obnoxious, and truculent) and often exploits his good-hearted and somewhat addled friend Goofy. Often his schemes backfire, or he feels guilty about his oafish behavior and works to set things right. His wife Peg often attempts to rid Pete of his uncouth attitude, and his son PJ is a complete opposite of his father in behavior, as he's good friends with Goofy's son Max in the series' spin-off movie
A Goofy Movie.
Jim Cummings provided Pete's booming bass voice starting from that series, and to date is still the character's voice in all media. In the series it's revealed one of the reasons why Pete dislikes Goofy so much is that when Pete was a High School quarterback in a big football game, it was Goofy who accidentally caused Pete to fumble the ball and lose the game by hitting him in the face with a pom pom (Goofy was on the cheer squad).
Mickey Mouse Works and House of Mouse
After
Goof Troop, Pete reverted back to his evil ways on
Mickey Mouse Works, where he frequently bullied the other characters and occasionally kidnapped
Minnie Mouse. Then in
House of Mouse, he plays the role of the evil landlord. Several episodes involved his attempts to close the club by sabotaging the show.
The Three Musketeers
In the 2004 made-for-video animated remake of
The Three Musketeers (with Mickey,
Donald Duck, and
Goofy playing the title roles), Pete again appeared under the name Peg-Leg Pete as a villain. Here, he was the Captain of the Musketeers, aiming to take over
France, with the help of his lieutenant,
Clarabelle Cow, and the Beagle Boys. To do so, he must get
Princess Minnie out of the way, but it proves to be difficult for him, even when he hires the film's titular trio to be her bodyguards, believing they won't do a good job protecting her. He received his own bad guy theme, using the classic music piece
In the Hall of the Mountain King.
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
Pete appears in numerous episodes of
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Disney's newest 3D-animated children's series. He maintains his antagonist role, but is significantly toned down for its preschool audience. Viewers will find that Mickey and gang are very forgiving of Pete and his escapades.
Video game appearances
Mickey Mousecapade
Pete appears as the captain of a pirate ship in the early NES Capcom game
Mickey Mousecapade (or simply Mickey Mouse). Unlike most appearances, he isn't the final boss in this game.
Mickey's Dangerous Chase
In this early Game Boy game, Mickey has a present for Minnie, but Big Bad Pete steals it. To get it back, Mickey must chase him through several different zones. Pete is the final (and only) boss of the game.
Disney's Magical Quest
In
Disney's Magical Quest, a trilogy by
Capcom, Pete is the final boss of each game, personating a distinct ruler (Emperor, Baron and King). He serves as an evil ruler who terrorizes the land he reigns. Mickey and, depending on the game, Minnie or Donald, are always set to defeat him. In the end of the first two games, when he's defeated, he simply disappears, but in
Disney's Magical Quest 3, however, after being defeated by Mickey and Donald, he eventually surrenders and promises to become a good person.
Quackshot
Quackshot follows the adventures of
Donald Duck as he, with the aid of his three nephews
Huey, Dewey and Louie, sets out to obtain some treasure from a
map he found. Pete appears as an antagonist near the end of the game, kidnapping Donald's nephews and demanding to be given the map, and must be fought immediately prior to the final stage and boss of the game.
Mickey Mania
Mickey Mania follows
Mickey Mouse, who has been catapulted back in time to his earliest appearance in
Steamboat Willie. Black Pete is Mickey's
archvillain throughout the entire game, all the way from his very first confrontation against Mickey in Steamboat Willie all the way to his role in then-recent
1990's
The Prince and the Pauper.
Kingdom Hearts II
In
Kingdom Hearts II, Pete is one of the main villains
Sora and co. had to deal with. He was originally a steamboat captain from the Disney Castle world, referring to Mickey as the "boat boy king", but was furtherly punished and then banished to another dimension for his evil ways. However, he was freed by
Maleficent whom he vowed to help conquer the worlds, or as he put it "have her help me take over", by recruiting many of the villains and building a
Heartless army, thus absent during the events of the first game. Pete first encountered Sora and company at
Yen Sid's tower, learning what became of Maleficent. He was a bit distraught to hear that Maleficent was killed, but was glad to see her back. Despite updating her on events of
Organization XIII, Pete lost Maleficent's confidence due to not trying to get her back and/or trying to take over without her. Still, his loyalty and luck outliving the other villains, though often only because of his cowardice, keeps him firmly as her Second in Command and most loyal henchman, despite Maleficent's insults and annoyance. When Maleficent's merciless insults led to Pete and yearning for "the good old days," a portal to the past was opened and Maleficent decided to give Pete a second chance. In Timeless River, he tried to get the Cornerstone of Light by stealing his old boat from his "1920-style" past self, but failed when Sora and co. stopped him with some help from "Past-Pete" (though he was only intent on wanting revenge on "the punk what stole my steamboat" without realizing the identity of his future-self). Pete has few appearances from this point on, but Maleficent can't keep herself mad at Pete and takes him back even after what she calls his last chance.
In the game, he helped
Hades bring up the Underdrome, attempted to gain possession of
Jafar's lamp to make the villain into a Heartless, helped
Barbossa's crew undo their curse at
Isla de Muerta, and appeared as a lion while teaming up with
Scar in the Pride Lands. Although Maleficent doesn't usually treat him well, to the point where Pete is reduced to tears when she calls him a "useless imbecile," he's much more accepted by the other villains he meets (however, Hades' short fuse causes him to yell at Pete when Hades feels patronized). He is a boss thrice, first in the Olympus Coliseum where he's able to summon Heartless to help him in a timed battle, and the last three times in the Timeless River (counting a short fight against Pete's past self). In the second fight, he attempts to steal the Cornerstone of Light using the hijacked steamboat, but he's incapacitated when the debris he tosses at Sora and co. is hurled back at him, knocking him out. The final time, he fights similar to the first fight, facing both Sora and co. and the enraged Past Pete. His attacks range from bombs punches and throwing fire crackers and he's able to manipulate the environment the characters are in, he can also cast Reflect to become invincible for a few seconds. He is also an opponent in the Hades Cup. By the end of the game, Maleficent wanted control of The Castle That Never Was, but Pete warns the over-confident Witch that they're so close the darkness the Heartless feed on, they might not obey them anymore. Later, when Maleficent offered to allow Sora and co. to get to Xemnas, he was a bit reluctant to fight the massive army of Heartless spawned from
Ansem's failed machine, but a banter with Mickey made Pete determined to fight alongside Maleficent out of pride. What happened to them is unknown.
Voices
Billy Bletcher, 1932 - 1954
Will Ryan, 1983 (
Mickey's Christmas Carol), 1987 (
DuckTales)
Arthur Burghardt, 1990 (
The Prince and the Pauper)
Jim Cummings, 1992 - Present
Other countries
Denmark:
Sorte-Per ("Black-Pete")
Italy:
Pietro Gambadilegno ("Pegleg Peter")
France:
Pat Hibulaire (a pun-
patibulaire means "gallows bird." Earlier names :
Le Frisé --"The Curly One"-- or
Jean Bambois)
Japan: (ピート,
Piito)
Tōru Ōhira
México and Latin America:
Pedro el Malo ("Peter the Evil")*
Germany:
(Kater) Karlo,
Kater meaning "male cat"
Spain:
Pete Pata Palo ("Pegleg Pete") in comics;
alternative name: Juan Fernández (citation needed)
Brazil:
João Bafo-de-Onça ("John Jaguar-Breath");
earlier name: Pete Perna-de-Pau ("Pegleg Pete")
Portugal:
Pete ;João Bafo-de-Onça
Iceland:
Svarti Pétur (Black Peter)
Sweden:
Svarte Petter
Serbia:
Hromi Daba
Finland:
Musta Pekka
The Netherlands:
Boris Boef
Indonesia:
Boris
- Despite some sources saying his name in Latin America is "Francisco Colmenero", it's actually the name of his Mexican dubber.
Cultural references
A thinly disguised version of Pete appears in the novel
Who P-P-P-Plugged Roger Rabbit by
Gary K. Wolf.
"Black Pete's
Blunderbuss" or simply "Blunderbuss" is an alcoholic drink consisting of a
Red Bull energy drink mixed with
vodka and
Jägermeister liquor that has recently gained popularity in the famed 6th street entertainment district of
Austin, Texas. The name was presumably derived from the Black Pete's occasional role as a blunderbuss wielding pirate in both his comic strip and comic book appearances.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Pete Disney Character'.
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