Willie is an opera-singing sperm whale and the main protagonist from Disney's 1946 short The Whale Who Wanted To Sing At the Met, a segment of the 1946 film Make Mine Music.
Background
Willie was generally a normal whale except for the fact that he simply adored opera, and would sing for any sailors in earshot, leading to the investigations of just how this was possible. Most notably, Tetti-Tatti the Opera Director, who couldn't believe that a whale could actually sing Opera and decided that Willie must have swallowed an opera singer, taking a trio of tough sailors with him to try and rescue the Opera singers so they could perform for him.
Whitey, the seagull, takes a newspaper to Willie, all the sea creatures excited for their talented friend as they believe he's going to be discovered and finally have his dream come true. Willie rushes out to meet the ship with Tetti-Tatti and sailors, singing for them and showing the true extents of his talents. The three sailors have no more interest in killing him, wanting to simply listen to him sing, while Tetti-Tatti becomes more and more frantic, believing that Willie has eaten three Opera singers due to Willie's ability to sing with multiple voices at once. The Sailors repeatedly wrestle Tetti-Tatti away from the harpoon and pin him to listen to Willie.
At first, it seems that Tetti-Tetti is finally convinced, having become his manager, but later he shoots Willie with the harpoon, killing him. Whitey mourns his friend, as Willie's spirit enters heaven. However, he is now able to sing with even more voices, performing for what is implied to be a packed audience, as the golden gates close with a sign which reads "Sold Out", having realized his dream after all.
Personality
He appears to be very friendly, singing for not only sailors but for his ocean friends, the seals and a seagull. He dreams of singing at the Met and becoming a famous opera star, showcasing his unmatched talent for the world to hear, performing all sorts of operas. He doesn't seem particularly interested in monetary compensation-he just wants to sing his whale-sized heart out for all to hear.
Design
He's a whale-with all that comes with it! Huge squishy-looking body, massive head with comparatively small eyes and mouth, boasting a rather unique attribute-having three uvulas in his throat, which allows him to sing with three different voices, even forming different words and notes with each one, leading the Opera director to believe he has swallowed not one, but three opera singers!
Appearances
Make Mine Music
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Mickey Mouse Works
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House of Mouse
Willie makes a few appearances among the audience in the series. A notable appearance was when he was sitting with Willie the Giant when Hades walked by and greeted them. This confused the two, where Willie noted that Hades gives him "the willies".
Mickey Mouse
Willie makes a cameo appearance in the episode "O Sole Minnie".
Gallery
_-_Humphrey_In_The_House4.jpg "House Of Mouse - (Ep. 38) - Humphrey In The House4.jpg (27 KB)")
_-_Halloween_With_Hades3.jpg "House Of Mouse - (Ep. 49) - Halloween With Hades3.jpg (17 KB)")
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