Big Mickey is the largest crane in Bigg City Port.
He speaks in a South Welsh accent, similarly to O.J. (Old Jones).
Biography
Big Mickey first speaks in the episode Munitions, in which he loads the naval tramper Kraka-Toa with explosives from the Z-Stacks. The last load he was unloading was Zorran's.
When Bluenose arrived and asserted that his load was before Zorran's, Big Mickey was still in the process of unloading Zorran's barge, which would have been dangerous to move for that reason. Bluenose bellowed orders at Big Mickey to give priority to him and forced his way into Zorran's unsafe barge, causing Big Mickey's dock to go up in flames. Big Mickey bravely told the tugs to stay clear before an eventual explosion sent him tumbling. He was able to position himself that he fell into the port's shallow water, saving him from further damage in the TV version, but killing him in the VHS version.
Later, in the episode High Tide, Big Mickey loaded steel for the Z-Stacks and the Star Fleet. However, it is likely that this episode takes place before Munitions, as it appears to be an introduction to Big Mickey.
Personality
Big Mickey is known to be supportive towards the Star Fleet, as he rooted for them in their competition against the Z-Stacks for the Steel Company's contract. According to Zorran, he is clearly his own boss as he remarked that "Nobody tells Big Mickey what to do!"
Controversy
Big Mickey's presence in Tugs was unique compared to other characters in the series in terms of fate. In the VHS version of Munitions, nothing else is said about the consequences of his fall besides the tugs' sentiments towards it, implying he was destroyed from the disaster at his dock, with further evidence in a deleted scene intended for Ghosts where O.J. (Old Jones) hallucinates seeing a ghostly crane named Snatcher, who uses Big Mickey's body, for a brief moment at a crane inlet. However, in the TV version of Munitions, it was made clear Big Mickey was saved from the fire and explosions of his dock when falling into shallow water, implying he had probably survived the ordeal which further supports his later presence in High Tide making sense. It is thereby possible the creative department of Tugs' production crew had trouble determining whether to kill the character off or not, with the latter idea ending up being more settled on.
After Tugs
After the show's production ended, Big Mickey was recycled as a background prop for Brendam Docks in Thomas & Friends. His most notable role was in Edward's Brass Band, where he accidentally knocked Edward off the track while unloading a boiler from a ship, though he wasn't referred to by name.
Like the other former Tugs characters and props, Big Mickey was also carried over to the new CGI series.
In New Crane on the Dock from the 21st season of Thomas & Friends, Big Mickey gained a face and the ability to speak again. Upon speaking up towards the end of the episode, he was thrown off by everyone staring at him, due to the fact that no one on Sodor had ever heard him talk before. He remained a recurring character until the series was rebooted after the 24th season.
Appearances
Episodes
Salty's Lighthouse
|
Audio Files
Siren
Only used | Sound Effect |
---|---|
Munitions |
Trivia
- He is based on a USN 20t tower crane.
- Despite common misconception, Big Mickey is never stated to be working for the Steel Company. In fact, the High Tide photobook implies he was "helping" them with their move to their new home.
- In most episodes of the series, Big Mickey is seen at Lucky's Yard. This was likely because his model was simply reused for set dressing, which explains why he never spoke while here.
- In Regatta, he is shown holding a banner for the yard.
- His model was recycled and used in Thomas & Friends, beginning in its 3rd season episode Thomas, Percy and the Dragon. Out of all the Tugs characters, he has the longest post-Tugs lifespan, along with S.S. Vienna and the other dockyard cranes.
- Out of all the Tugs characters carried over to Thomas & Friends, Big Mickey is the only one to bear their original name.
- Since Thomas & Friends switched from using live-action to CGI, Big Mickey's model was kept in storage by HiT Entertainment/Mattel Creations. The companies loaned their model to be on display at the Star Tugs Exhibition during 24th-26th August 2019.
- Originally, Big Mickey was to bear a face that would cover his entire front end. There were only two prototype faces, three counting Snatcher's face made for him. He instead used a megaphone due to budget restraints.
- Of course, Big Mickey did gain a face in Thomas & Friends with a different design than the unused prototypes.
- Throughout Thomas & Friends, Big Mickey's model underwent several changes:
- He was repainted a warmer shade of grey.
- His megaphone was removed.
- In Season 5, his top railing became thinner and his walkway became more detailed.
- In Season 6, he had riveted steel sides, his hoist end became covered, his wheelhouse walkway became square and he gained a new base.
- In Season 21, he gained a face, has the ability to speak again, and is referred to by name again.
- In Season 1 of All Engines Go, his cabin (and thus his face) was removed and he was repainted yellow.
- In a behind the scenes photo from Jinxed, the crane Albert Sparky can be spotted wearing a "Big Mickey" sign.
See also
- Big Mickey on the Thomas & Friends Wiki
- Snatcher, a deleted crane character believed to be Big Mickey's ghost.