'The Little Whirlwind' is one of my favorite Mickey movies in which he stars solo (actually, Minnie is in this one too, but only in a supporting role)!
In this short film, Mickey cleans Minnie's yard in order to get some of her fresh cake, but soon has to struggle with the title-giving whirlwind, who tries to undermine his efforts.
I especially like this one because Mickey hadn't developed yet into the rather boring everyman, he even gets to be pretty angry and irascible in his fight with the whirlwind - a character trait that normally applies more to Donald (who I prefer in Carl Barks' comic books), but bears far more fruition here, because it makes Mickey a more well-rounded character.
Speaking of 'round': This is the first (of only a few) movies in which Mickey's ears are working in perspective. (And - strangely enough - buck teeth, which they got rid of after this short.)
The animation is outstanding (by veteran artists Fred Moore, Les Clark and Ward Kimball, among others)! Not just are the Mouses very well animated and dynamic; I find it also amazing how the artists were able to breath life and give character to a nature phenomenon like wind! Furthermore, the music is incorporated in a smart way.
I wish they had continued to develop Mickey Mouse in the way they started to with 'The Little Whirlwind'; to me, only 'Symphony Hour' (1942) and the 90's 'Runaway Brain' come to mind.
