Mickey Mouse cartoons are known for their particular synchronization with the musical score. So much so, that the technique is known as "Mickey-Mousing".
This particular clip is so rich in detail, that it's almost impossible to describe in full detail. (For instance, I've left out the facial expressions.) Therefore, I have limited the description below somewhat, but still, it's very detailed indeed. It's possible that I've made some errors here and there, but those will be ironed out in the storyboarding.
It's a pitty that I'm not allowed to just show you the clip with comments. The copyrights clearly states:
This DVD (including its soundtrack) is authorised for private use only. Unless expressly authorised by law or in writing by the copyright proprietor, any copying, public performance or other commercial use of this DVD or any part of it, or any export, re-supply and/or distribution by way of trade is strictly prohibited. Unauthorized reproduction, exhibition or distribution may result in severe criminal and civil penalties. Sales and/or rental rights for this DVD are specified on the original packaging of this DVD.
What is happening in this clip?
... During the intro of the song
-- Camera zooms out --
Mickey spreads his arms to take off his raincoat.
-- Camera now steady --
Mickey continues to take of his raincoat. First his left arm, then his right and sweeps the coat lightly into the air. He grabs it first with his left hand, then with both and throws it elegantly on the front of his car, while clearly showing with both hands open what he is doing and stretching his body towards the car on his right.
Mickey's body "unstretches" for his next action, which is taking off his driving hat. He grabs it with his left hand and throws it underhand in the cabine of the car.
Mickey reaches with his right hand low into the cabine to grab his walking hat. The hat protrudes from the right of the cabine and while Mickey's right hand reaches in, he balances on his right foot on the pavement (his stretched out left foot keeps his body in balance). Next he picks up the hat with both hands. While he puts his body into an upright position and brings the hat in both hands towards his head, he raises his left foot even higher to keep his balance. But wait, he first takes the hat into his left hand, while both arms are spreading wide, showing the inside of the hat. With a grand sway into the air and the hat still in his left hand, he puts it onto his head, while bending his knees.
Mickey stretches his knees to prepare for the next action. With his right foot Mickey reaches into the car cabine (in a kind of splits), while stretching his left arm outwards for balance (his right arm disappears behind his back). He raises his right foot really high (while his body goes left downwards and his left hand almost touches the pavement). Now his foot kicks down (both arms now behind his back) and the cane rockets upwards (handle first) with a twirl. Mickey now returns to a standing position and his left arm appears from behind his back and casually grabs the cane when it lands, bottom tip first, at the middle of the cane.
... on cue with the music intro last tune
With grandeur he reverses with his left leg to take his first step into his walk through the park with his hat and his cane, while his right arm reappears from behind his back.
... Singing starts: "I was strolling through the park one day in the merry month of May."
-- While Mickey walks, the camera trucks to the right, so he stays centered while he walks--
In the first step Mickey puts his cane from his left hand into his right hand (holding it by the handle this time). Mickey takes three jolly steps forwards using his cane in his right hand. On step 3 he almost disappears behind a tree.
-- Camera trucks approx. 45 degrees to the right up --
While behind the tree, Mickey turns to his left and takes another four steps towards the next corner.
... Musical interlude
-- Camera keeps trucking 45 degrees to the right up --
At the corner Mickey jumps into the air, with both hands together stretched in front of him, looks up and keeps looking upwards while he lands on both feet and turns his body (right foot in front, flat on the floot right knee bent, left foot in the back, only toes on the pavement, left knee stretched). His arms are still stretched in front of him.
... Musical Pause
-- Camera now stops trucking while Mickey is at the corner --
Mickey jumps up again, lands on his left foot almost flat and pointing towards his left, leans his body to his front, while his (bent) right leg is pointing towards his back and stretching both arms slightly backwards (the cane points horizontally towards the back of Mickey). Mickey now puts his right leg forwards (stretched, while he leans his body heavily forwards, his left hand almost touching the pavement). He puts his right foot down, pointing to his right, while his body is now almost upright*; Mickey grabs hold of the rim of his hat with his fingers, but keeps his index finger clear, pointing upwards (thumb is below the rim). He puts his left foot in front, now pointing the toes to his front (while he lifts his hat like he's greeting someone).
*Note: the whole movement of Mickey in this stage is that of an undulation, a kind of
wave with his body.
... Humming starts
-- Camera trucks to the right --
Mickey takes the next step with his right leg, while slowly releasing the grab of his hat. He now doesn't use his cane anymore for walking, but, instead, keeps it horizontally, while he strolls along elegantly.
-- Camera keeps trucking, while the scene fades out --
Mickey takes his next step with his left leg.
Edit: The overall
beat in this clip is 60 bpm (1 beat every 24 frames). And from the sounds of it the music seems to be in 4/4 measure (I'm not sure, because my musical knowledge is a bit rusty). Mickey is almost all the time going up and down in this rythm (even when he's not walking!).
The only exception is the business at the last corner. It's the focal point of this clip. The richness and density in action is so high here, that you'll have to see it several times to see it all (or study it frame-by-frame and still go through the scene several times).
I think this focal point is due to the particularity of the musical score. Anyway, both the animation and music "jump out of the scene", because they are out of the ordinary. And it's only 30 frames or so in length (the whole clip is 527 frames at 24 fps).
I already know this is going to be a very tough job. I'd be happy if I'd finished even a rough version in time.