Recenently, the website CartoonBrew has found the legendary cartoon ”Dinner Time.” This is the film that inspired Walt Disney to pursue making “Steamboat Willie”. It was a sound film that Walt saw in New York in 1928 and which made him realize that he could do a better job of combining sound and animation.
“Dinner Time” is specifically mentioned in a letter from Walt Disney to his brother Roy and collaborator Ub Iwerks. Excerpts from the letter are reprinted in the Disney bios by Neal Gabler, Bob Thomas and Michael Barrier, but the actual film hasn’t been seen in 80 years. Sadly I could not get a video of it but you can see it here, or at cartoonbrew.com. Thank you CartoonBrew!