Mickey Mouse Works: "Donald's Failed Fourth"

Premiered March 1, 1999.

July 4th has arrived and Donald Duck (Tony Anselmo) is excited about watching fireworks.  His girlfriend Daisy (Diane Michelle) tasks him with finding a spot for watching the fireworks and setting up their picnic.  As Daisy steps away, she tells Donald to make sure he sets up "a perfect view for the night sky."

Donald finds what appears to be the ideal spot for the picnic blanket and lays it on the ground.  However, the blanket comes to life and attacks Donald!  

He resorts to drastic measures in order to get the blanket to lay flat. 

The scenario seems to improve when Daisy returns to drop off some folding chairs, then she steps away.  Unfortunately, the chairs also prove to be uncooperative.  

The same can be said of the picnic basket, which spits out its contents and locks Donald inside it!  All of this causes Donald to throw one of his patented temper tantrums!

Can Donald Duck convince his picnic supplies to cooperate?  Or will his plans for a romantic 4th of July celebration with Daisy be ruined?

J.A. Morris says: 

This is a very short, slight cartoon, but it's a lot of fun.  And as we've said here before, there aren't a lot of specials, movies or episodes built around the 4th of July.  So we're always glad to discover programming that celebrates holidays other than Christmas, Halloween and Thanksgiving.  

"Donald's Failed Fourth" is very much in the tradition of classic Donald Duck theatrical cartoons that were released in the 1930s through the 50s.  Donald would frequently get angry in those shorts and launch into squawking fits.  That's exactly what happens here when his blanket, chairs and basket seem determined to ruin his Independence Day picnic with Daisy.  

"Donald's Failed Fourth" is a cute cartoon set at 4th of July that will be enjoyed by Disney fans of all ages, but it's brief running time prevents me from giving it a higher rating.  

J.A. Morris' rating:
.5

2 and a half American flags.

RigbyMel says: 

I have always been a Donald Duck fan and generally enjoy animated shorts featuring the irascible duck.   "Donald's Failed Fourth" is an enjoyable, if featherweight (pun intended) 4th of July short.  

That being said, I do feel like some of the gags in this short feel repetitive, especially in a very short animated short.  

"Donald's Failed Fourth" is worth taking a look at for fans of Disney in general and Donald Duck in particular, but maybe not a "classic".  

RigbyMel's rating:

.5

2 and a half American flags.

Pluto's Christmas Tree

Premiered November 21, 1952.

Mickey Mouse (James McDonald) and his dog Pluto (Pinto Colvig) go out to the woods to chop down a Christmas tree. 

Unbeknownst to them, the tree happens to be the home of chipmunks Chip (James McDonald) and Dale (Dessie Flynn). 

When the tree is brought home and decorated the chipmunks are very taken with their new surroundings.  They play with lights and wreck ornaments, which attracts the attention of Pluto. 

The dog is determined to protect the tree from Chip and Dale.   

Can Pluto stop the chipmunks from destroying the Christmas tree?

J.A. Morris says:
That's a pretty short summary, because to say any more about this seven minute short would give away too much.  It's just a beautifully animated Christmas cartoon filled with great slapstick comedy.  Pluto is also depicted lots of cool poses.

I first saw Pluto's Christmas Tree when it aired on one of Disney's anthology series in the early 1980s and I've been a fan ever since. 

I always feel bad for Pluto because he's simply trying to be a good guard dog.  Chip 'n' Dale come off as jerks in this short, even if the tree was their home. 

I don't think I'm spoiling the toon too much when I tell you that, in the spirit of Christmas, Mickey and Pluto become friends with the chipmunks by the end of the short. 

For added fun, Donald, Minnie and Goofy make a cameo as carolers. 

Pluto's Christmas Tree is a lot of fun and highly recommended to audiences of all ages.

J.A. Morris' rating:

4 candy canes!

Mickey's Christmas Carol

 First released in the U.S. 16 December 1983

In this animated adaptation from the Disney Studios,  all the principals are "played" by Disney characters!  Hence, Scrooge McDuck (Alan Young), appropriately enough plays Ebeneezer Scrooge,  Mickey Mouse    ( Wayne Allwine) is Bob Cratchit,  Goofy is Jacob Marley, Nephew Fred is Donald Duck (Clarence "Ducky" Nash) and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future are played by Jiminy Cricket,  Willie The Giant (from Mickey And The Beanstalk) and Pegleg Pete respectively.  Tiny Tim is "played" by Morty Fieldmouse (one of Mickey's nephews) and many smaller roles are taken by other familiar characters.

A special introductory portrait of Mickey created just for this short

Some things that differ from the traditional storyline include:
* Scrooge's remark that Marley left him money for funeral costs, and Scrooge opted to bury his friend at sea to make a profit on the bequest.
* In addition to his usual mistreatment of Crachit, Scrooge also makes him do his laundry and fusses at Bob for trying to use a piece of coal to thaw out his inkwell.

 * Scrooge's interactions with the three spirits are brief but mostly intact.  The major departure here involves Scrooge's relationship with his fiance Isabelle (named Belle in the book and "played" by Daisy Duck in this adaptation). Not only does Scrooge's obsession with money and work lead to the end of their engagement, he forecloses on Isabelle's cottage! (That's harsh!)

Scrooge (literally) breaks Isabelle's heart.

After his reformation,  Scrooge runs into Nephew Fred in the street and tells him that he will join them for Christmas dinner after all, much to Fred's surprise.  Scrooge then pays a Christmas day visit to the Crachits' house (something that doesn't occur in all adaptations or in the book itself).  He tries to pretend to be his old, stingy self at first but can't pull it off as Tim and the other little Cratchits discover that his "laundry" bag contains toys and goodies for the family.

The contents of Scrooge's bag are way cooler than dirty laundry!

RigbyMel says:

If this isn't the first adaptation of A Christmas Carol that I saw as a child, it is certainly one of the earliest that I remember seeing.   (My family went to see it at the local movie theater -- I think it was packaged as the short before the 1983 re-issue of The Rescuers).  I enjoyed it then and continue to enjoy it now.

Donald Duck as Nephew Fred enthusiastically enters Scrooge's counting house

The story is told with economy, clocking in at just 23 minutes and is a bit kinder and gentler in its presentation than some versions. (No Scrooge threats to bury those who enjoy Christmas with a stake of holly through their hearts, for example.)  It is  a Disney movie, after all.    There is a touch of scary with the Ghost of Christmas Future, as well there should be.   The only real issue I have with this adaptation is the "casting" of sweet, loveable Goofy as Marley's Ghost - I don't quite buy that he was a mean old miser in life.

There are some great gags employed,  my favorite being when the Ghost of Christmas Present picks up a streetlight and proceeds to use it like a flashlight.    I also like the discovery of the toys at the end and I think the "Oh What A Merry Christmas Day" song that plays over the opening and closing credits is an overlooked holiday gem.

Pegleg Pete as the Ghost of Chirstmas Future

This adaptation is well animated and well acted, but if one is not a fan of Disney stuff in general, one might find it cloying.  Personally, I am a dyed-in-the-wool Disney-phile and try to watch this version at least once a year.

Scrooge visits the Crachit home on Christmas Day.

RigbyMel's rating;
4 candy canes

The Ghost of Christmas Past (Jiminy Cricket) whisks Scrooge away

J.A.Morris says:
Unlike my co-blogger, I did NOT see this when it was new and didn't see it at all until the DVD release.  I'm a big fan of Dickens and the Disney characters, so it's easy for me to enjoy this short. 

Mr. Toad as Fezziwig.

It features nice voice work by some legendary performers.  This is the last theatrical cartoon featuring Clarence "Ducky" Nash as the voice of Donald Duck.  He played the character from Donald's inception in 1934.  Alan Young (who also co-wrote this adaptation) is also great as Scrooge McDuck.  This is Young's first time voicing this character, he's continued to perform the Scrooge McDuck ever since.

Willie the Giant as the Ghost of Christmas Present searching for the right house to visit

It should also be noted that this was the first new Mickey Mouse cartoon since The Simple Things, which was released 30 years earlier, in 1953.

Young Scrooge and Isabelle at Fezziwig's party

 Mickey's Christmas Carol can be found on dvd and also airs on ABC Family every Christmas season.

I'm surprised this never quite became a tv "classic" because it's a nice version of Dickens' tale and it could also motivate kids to seek out the book for the "real" story. 

J.A. Morris' rating:
4 candy canes

Donald Duck: "Trick Or Treat"

 Premiered October 10, 1952

"When ghosts and goblins by the score ring the bell on your front door,  you'd better not be stingy or your nightmares will come true ..." -  The Mellomen singing the "Trick or Treat" song featured in the cartoon

Special  Halloween Donald opening

Soaped window title card

This Halloween short opens with Witch Hazel (June Foray) going for a Halloween joyride around a small American town.    She flies around on her broomstick  "Beelzeebub" ringing church bells and frightening bats and a black cat.

Anywhere (Duckburg?) U.S.A. 

Hazel is startled herself when a jack o'lantern appears over a fence.   She is delighted to see Huey, Dewy & Louie (Clarence "Ducky" Nash)  in full Halloween regalia dressed as a Witch, Ghost and Devil.   They are out trick-or-treating and Hazel watches them go up to their Uncle Donald's house in search of treats.

Huey, Dewy & Louie out trick or treating

Donald Duck (also voiced by Clarence "Ducky" Nash) is relaxing inside when he hears the doorbell ring.   He realizes that it must be his nephews and decides to play a trick  on them.

Donald Duck at home with Halloween treats

Rather than give them candy and goodies,  he puts firecrackers in the boys' trick-or-treat bags and douses them with water!

Donald is enjoying the "trick" aspect of Halloween rather too much

Witch Hazel feels sorry for Huey, Dewy & Louie and introduces herself to the boys, who are excited to meet a real witch.   "Oh joy! Thou do believeth in witches!"  says Hazel,  "Just for that, I'll help thee get thy candy!"   She tries to get Donald to get into the Halloween treat giving spirit.   Donald is unmoved and repeats his water dousing trick on Hazel.  

Hazel asks nicely 

Witch Hazel is mad now and she enlists the boys' aid in brewing a potion that will make Donald cough up the  goodies.

Witch Hazel brewing up trouble for Donald Duck

She recites an incantation that begins in a familiar vein "Double double toil and trouble ..."  but takes a turn for the unexpected, "eye of needle, tongue of shoe, hand of clock that points at two ..."

"This is the real thing, you know.  Right out of Shakespeare!" 

The result is a potion that is LOADED with Halloween magic.  The boys' jack o'lantern becomes animate and the fence posts become ghosts and march towards Donald's house.

"Every post is a ghost, if you've got a witch's brew ..."

Donald realizes it may have been unwise to annoy Witch Hazel

Donald realizes he may have made a miscalculation about things and rushes over to his goodie cupboard to make good with the Halloween treats. Witch Hazel brags to the boys that Donald has turned out to be "a pushover."

"A pushover?!?"

Donald is annoyed at Hazel's assessment of him.  He shuts the cupboard, locks the door and swallows the key to keep anyone from getting treats.

Halloween hijinks and hilarity ensue as Witch Hazel uses additional potion to try to make Donald give up the Halloween treats.   If you cannot remember what happens,  you should see if you can find a copy of this short to watch.  It is available on several DVD compilations.

RigbyMel says:

Full disclosure:  It's probably impossible for me to be objective about this short.  It's one of my all-time favorites.  I am a big Donald Duck fan - even if he is kind of mean in this short.

I have many fond memories of watching this on various Disney Halloween programs when I was growing up,  but I think my first acquaintance with it was via an LP record that had the soundtrack of the cartoon (with a little bit of narration) on one side and the story of The Haunted Mansion on the other side.   I'd listen to the Donald Duck side and giggle and then flip it over and scare myself silly with the Haunted Mansion side.    Here's a photo of the album jacket I found via the magic of the internet:

The front of the "Trick or Treat" LP 

And yes, it did come with cardboard Halloween masks!

In addition to the great voice acting by Clarence Nash and June Foray,  there is a vocal appearance by the inimitable Thurl Ravenscroft who sings the fun "Trick or Treat" song that pops up throughout the cartoon as part of the Mellomen.   Mr. Ravenscroft is perhaps best known as the voice of Tony The Tiger, spokescharacter for Frosted Flakes, but he was kind of omnipresent in the voice-over world in general because of his awesome bass voice.

"Boo!" 

This short is a delight and I don't feel like it is Halloween until I've seen this at least once.   I highly recommend checking this out (or revisiting it) if you get the chance.    It is available as a bonus feature of the DVD of The Black Cauldron and on The Chronological Donald Volume 4.  Hopefully, Disney will put this and other shorts out on Blu-Ray in the not too distant future.

My rating:
4 Jack O'Lanterns