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(More customer reviews)This first phase in covering all of Donald Duck's cartoon shorts is no doubt going to be the most popular (and most extensive with future, multiple volumes) of any of the previous Walt Disney Treasures collections. It will probably be hard to find by the beginning of 2004. (A limited amount made is once again expected.)
Because Donald Duck appeared with other characters throughout the years, it's hard to tell how series host/compiler Leonard Maltin will categorize these. Donald was already appearing in Silly Symphony and Mickey Mouse cartoons starting in 1934--though this set starts in 1936 (with "Donald and Pluto"). You can catch the ones not included here (up to 1941) on the now hard-to-find Silly Symphonies/Mickey Mouse in B&W/MM in Living Color Vol. 1 Disney Treasures sets to fill in the gaps. Those shorts are:
1934--"The Wise Little Hen" (A Silly Symphony--and Donald's debut), "Orphan's Benefit", "The Dognapper" (both on MM in B&W).
1935--"Mickey's Service Station" (MM in B&W), "The Band Concert", "Mickey's Fire Brigade", "On Ice" (the last three on MM in Living Color Vol. 1).
1936--"Mickey's Polo Team", "Orphan's Picnic", "Mickey's Grand Opera", "Moving Day", "Alpine Climbers", "Mickey's Circus" (all on MM in Living Color Vol. 1).
1937--"Magician Mickey", "Moose Hunters", "Mickey's Amateurs", "Hawaiian Holiday", "Clock Cleaners", "Lonesome Ghosts" (all on MM in Living Color Vol. 1).
1938--"Boat Builders", "Mickey's Trailer", "The Whalers" (all on MM in Living Color Vol. 1).
1940--"Tugboat Mickey" (will be on upcoming MM in Living Color Vol. 2).
The only other ones between 1934-41 that aren't available yet on DVD are "Mother Goose Goes Hollywood" (a 1938 Silly Symphony where Donald has a cameo), and "The Volunteer Worker" (only a two-minute trailer from 1940 that probably won't be included in this collection). "The Nifty Nineties" (another Donald cameo) is already available on the Vault Disney 2-disc edition of "Pollyanna."
All the starring shorts (up to '41) with Donald Duck on this collection will be (year-by-year):
1936--"Donald and Pluto" (more or less his first starring short, only because he's billed before Pluto).
1937--"Don Donald" (the debut of Daisy Duck--"Donna" Duck in this short), "Modern Inventions" (technically Donald's first solo effort).
1938--"Donald's Ostrich (usually billed as Donald's first solo short), "Self-Control", "Donald's Better Self", "Donald's Nephews" (the debut of Huey, Dewey, and Louie), "Polar Trappers" (starring with Goofy), "Good Scouts", "The Fox Hunt", "Donald's Golf Game"
1939--"Donald's Lucky Day", "Hockey Champ", "Donald's Cousin Gus", "Beach Picnic", "Sea Scouts", "Donald's Penguin", "The Autograph Hound", "Officer Duck", "The Standard Parade"
1940--"The Riveter", "Donald's Dog Laundry", "Bill Posters", "Mr. Duck Steps Out", "Put-Put Troubles", "Donald's Vacation", "Window Cleaners", "Fire Chief", ("The Volunteer Worker" would have been next).
1941--"Timber", "Golden Eggs", "A Good Time for a Dime", "Early to Bed", "Truant Officer Donald", "Old MacDonald Duck", "Donald's Camera", "Chef Donald"
In future volumes of "The Chronological Donald", we can hopefully enjoy Donald's later, interesting shorts such as "Working for Peanuts" (the first Disney short in 3-D) and the ones made in the mid-50's using Cinemascope ("Grand Canyonscope", among others). Donald's WWII shorts will probably be incorporated into the upcoming "Disney on the Front Lines" Treasures collection. We'll have to wait and see how his appearances with Chip & Dale and his educational shorts ("Donald in Mathmagic Land", "How to Have an Accident" cartoons, "Steel and America", "Donald's Fire Survival Plan"--all late 50's/mid-60's) will be presented while covering his entire output. If they're not included here, then hopefully Leonard Maltin will compile an educational short Treasures collection in future years.
One would think that with all this wide output and popularity, Donald Duck would have been the Walt Disney Company mascot (perhaps he's still clamoring for the job ;) ).
The other Disney Treasures released this December '03: "Disney on the Front Lines" (WWII animated shorts and propaganda films), "Mickey Mouse in Living Color 2" (completing Mickey's color cartoons), "Walt's Tomorrowland" (will include Ward Kimball's "Man in Space" series).
Lastly, a personal thanks to Leonard Maltin for championing the releases of these vital parts of American film so people can enjoy them again or discover them for the first time.
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Walt Disney Treasures - The Chronological Donald, Volume One (1934 - 1941) (2004)It was 1934 when the irascible Donald Duck came to life in a teeny bit of a part in "The Wise Little Hen" and proceeded to steal the show. From that point on nobody could hold him back, and the much loved cranky character went on to be the most prolific of Walt's "fabulous five." Now for the first time, you can enjoy the Donald in all of his solo starring shorts from "Donald And Pluto" in 1936 to "Chef Donald" in 1941. This volume also includes a loving tribute to the man who achieved immortality by inventing the voice of Donald Duck -- and performing as his alter ego for 50 years -- Clarence "Ducky" Nash. Featuring exclusive introductions by film historian Leonard Maltin, this is a timeless collection from generations past for generations to come. .
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