| BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS: |
Metropolis is an Al Taliaferro character who appears in at least one MM daily "gag" from 1943 (reprinted in WDC&S #56) where Metro is picking up laundry from Mickey Mouse and Mickey comments to Morty & Ferdie on how polite Mrs. Cottonbottom's son is. That seemed to be enough reason for Whitman to do that three-page text story, "Snooky's Pocket" (WDC&S #37 - Oct 1943) that features him. In this second tale he is employed by Goofy's Uncle Giddy (Gideon), the Editor of the Crow County Clarion (newspaper). Uncle Giddy takes Metro and his pet kitten, Snooky, for a drive to visit Giddy's Grandpa Schultz. During supper Grandpa Schultz tells them he needs to raise money to send his granddaughter Suzy to school. Meanwhile Snooky has wandered off. Metro sets out to find the missing kitten only to fall into an old mine shaft. While there he finds Snooky and a load of gold nuggets. In the end they agree there is enough to help both Suzy and Metro receive a good education. It is apparent that Metro is supposed to be black (although he's depicted quite positively, a rarity in those prejudiced times). Metro says he and his mother originally came from Georgia. I don't think he appeared again after these roles. Another obviously black character was Aunt Delilah (a.k.a. Mammy Twoshoes). |
Metropolis 