Walt Disney Treasures - On the Front Lines (1943) Review

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(More customer reviews)The years that the probable contents were released, as well as some info on the various works.
FILMS
1943
VICTORY THROUGH AIR POWER - This film was basically propaganda with some entertainment and some powerful animation. Mainly championed Major Seversky's 1942 book of the same title with the theory that long-range air power could defeat the WWII enemies. The scene of an American eagle attacking the Japanese octopus is very powerful, moving animation.
ENTERTAINMENT/PROPAGANDA SHORTS
1942
DONALD GETS DRAFTED-always enjoyed the idea of Donald reporting to the draft board in his sailor suit.
THE ARMY MASCOT-Pluto schemes to take over the job of a mascot goat, with hilarious results.
THE VANISHING PRIVATE-Donald goes crazy with invisible paint, leading to war with his sergeant Pete, with a perfect, funny ending.
SKY TROOPER-Donald wants to be a pilot, and his sergeant Pete gives him more than Donald bargained for.
1943
DER FUEHRER'S FACE-the famous and infamous cartoon in which Donald dreams he is in Naziland where he is forced to work in a munitions plant.
EDUCATION FOR DEATH-very strong propaganda about Germany's totalitarian state which turns an innocent young boy into a robotic soldier.
PRIVATE PLUTO-Pluto has a war with the chipmunks in guarding the area.
FALL OUT - FALL IN-Donald experiences some of the trials of Army life, such as super-long hikes.
REASON AND EMOTION-entertainment and propaganda used in a story about reason and emotion working together for the war effort, enjoyable animation.
VICTORY VEHICLES-Goofy shows off alternate transportation due to the wartime rubber and gasoline shortage, settling on the pogo stick.
THE OLD ARMY GAME-Sergeant Pete catches Donald sneaking back into base after a late night on the town, leads to a merry chase.
HOME DEFENSE-Donald's nephews conflict with Donald after he sleeps during his duty of watching for enemy attack.
CHICKEN LITTLE-The classic "the sky is falling" story, originally planned to have more wartime references.
1944
HOW TO BE A SAILOR-Goofy's story of the history of sailors, ending with him using himself as a torpedo to sink Japanese ships.
COMMANDO DUCK-Donald is sent on a suicide mission to wipe out an entire Japanese air base, with hilarious results.
EDUCATIONAL SHORTS
* = Created for Canada to sell their war bonds.
** = CIAA films (Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs) created to combat the German Nazy influence that was widespread in Latin American in the early 1940s.
1941
THE THRIFTY PIG * - animation from Three Little Pigs cartoon adapted, with the Big Bad Wolf wearing a Nazi hat and armband.
THE SEVEN WISE DWARFS * - animation from Snow White adapted to show dwarfs buying war bonds.
1942
DONALD'S DECISION * - uses animation from 1938 Donald Duck cartoons "Donald's Better Self" and "Self Control" to convince Donald to buy war bonds.
ALL TOGETHER * - uses animation from several sources, including The Band Concert (1935) and Mickey's Amateurs (1937) to show several Disney characters in a parade to sell war bonds.
THE NEW SPIRIT - Donald is encouraged to pay his income tax to help the war effort.
FOOD WILL WIN THE WAR - Stresses the importance of farmers to the war effort. Includes the Three Little Pigs leading a long line of pigs.
OUT OF THE FRYING PAN INTO THE FIRING LINE - Minnie & Pluto star in an effort to show how important it was for housewives to save kitchen fats and greases for the war effort.
1943
THE GRAIN THAT BUILT A HEMISPHERE ** - Tells the history of corn and its importance to the world.
THE SPIRIT OF '43 - Donald Duck resists Nazi propaganda and pays his taxes to support the war effort.
WHE WINGED SCOURGE ** - The Seven Dwarfs point out ways to defeat the malaria-carrying mosquito.
DEFENSE AGAINST INVASION ** - Shows the human body's ability to fight off germs through vaccination.
1945
CLEANLINESS BRINGS HEALTH ** - The difference between the Clean Family that is happy and healthy and the Careless Family that is unhappy and unhealthy.
WHAT IS DISEASE ** - Shows what causes disease and how to protect against disease.
1946
PLANNING FOR GOOD EATING ** - Careless Charlie is used to teach a family about good dietary habits.
TRAINING FILMS
1942
FOUR METHODS OF FLUSH RIVETING - basic animation for education purposes
STOP THAT TANK (BOYS ANTI-TANK RIFLE) - a great deal of live action but fun, enjoyable animation of Hitler being blown to Hell by the rifle
1942-1945?
TRAINING FILM MONTAGE - A selection of scenes from various training films, I assume.
There are a few war-related entertainment shorts not listed here - one or more might be added to this collection instead of what is listed above.
1943
DONALD'S TIRE TROUBLE - most likely short. Donald has continual trouble with flat tires due to the wartime shortage of rubber.
PLUTO AND THE ARMADILLO - small connection to the wartime. Short releated to the Latin Armerica trip and the Saludos Amigos and The Three Caballeros films developed from that trip.
1944
THE PELICAN AND THE SNIPE - same info as for Pluto and the Armadillo.
1945
DOG WATCH - Pluto is a watchdog for a Navy ship.
The war years were a demanding time for the Disney Company. Most of their meager resources were devoted to the war effort. But this era contained a great deal of creative effort that might not have existed if not for the war.
I have seen most of these war works, and I consider them fascinating and among the best of all of Disney's work. I much look forward to owning them on DVD.

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On December 8, 1941, the Disney Studio was taken over by the military as part of the war effort. Making the most of the talent that hadn't shipped out yet, Walt Disney spent the next four years creating and producing training, propaganda, and educational films for the Armed Forces. In addition to these films, this extraordinary volume also includes the full-length feature "Victory Through Air Power." Released theatrically in 1943, this powerful propaganda film has never been reissued until now. You'll also see recently discovered on-the-set footage, and get rare firsthand accounts about the work and culture at the Disney Studio in interviews with Disney Legends Joe Grant, John Hench, and Roy Disney. Featuring exclusive introductions by film historian Leonard Maltin, this is a timeless collection from generations past for generations to come.

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Walt Disney Treasures - Mickey Mouse in Living Color (1937) Review

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(More customer reviews)First the good:
This is by far the best compilation of Mickey shorts available to the public to date. Disney produced 87 Mickey shorts in the 30's - by far the most prolific period of Mickey Mouse Cartoons (there were only 120 made from 1928 to 1953). 27 of these shorts are contained on this disc, which constitutes more than half of the color Mickeys made. He was already a sensation before he went to color; these shorts firmly established him as an American icon. To the animation fan, it can be argued that this disc contains some of the best cartoon "acting" of the golden age of animation. By no means should a serious fan avoid this disc.
The not so good:
These shorts have not been remastered. I'm not even sure they come from the best available print. Some of these shorts have looked better on the "Ink and Paint Club." The cartoons in this package contain flaws that some could consider unacceptable, or at least annoying - colors going out of register (albeit probably not noticeable to the casual viewer), a few sound problems (rare, but a bit annoying), dust and dirt. Watch the "Brave Little Tailor" in the scene where Mickey kills the seven flies. The amount of film debris present is alarming - it almost looks like it's snowing. Some have said that the recent remastering of Snow White has resulted in an ultra-clean presentation that takes away from the period animation. Well...this disc certainly doesn't present THAT dilemma. It's not unacceptable as the good far outweighs the bad. But I would have thought Disney to spend a bit more time on presenting the best possible versions of these pieces.
Overall:
An absolute must for the animation collector. Concerning the comments about the mastering - it's highly unlikely that Disney will remaster these shorts in another package. Grab it while it's available as this is supposedly a limited release of 150,000 copies....

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A collection of twenty-six animated shorts in color starring everyone's favorite, Mickey Mouse, released between 1935 and 1938. Introduction by Leonard Maltin. Cartoons: The Band Concert, Mickey's Garden, Mickey's Fire Brigade, Pluto's Judgement Day, On Ice, Mickey's Polo Team, Orphan's Picnic, Mickey's Grand Opera, Thru the Mirror, Mickey's Rival, Moving Day, Alpine Climbers, Mickey's Circus, Mickey's Elephant, The Worm Turns, Magician Mickey, Moose Hunters, Mickey's Amateurs, Hawaiian Holiday, Clock Cleaners, Lonesome Ghosts, Boat Builders, Mickey's Trailer, The Whalers, Mickey's Parrot, Brave Little Tailor.

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Walt Disney Treasures - The Chronological Donald, Volume Two (1942 - 1946) (1942) Review

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(More customer reviews)The official announcement of the exact contents of this DVD set has just been made, with the set containing the Donald Duck cartoons of 1942-1946. These first official announcements occasionally have some mistakes or omissions, but they are generally accurate. In addition to the cartoons, the following extras were announced:
A chat with the current voice of Donald Duck.
The complete episode of the Disney TV Show "A Day In The Life Of Donald Duck", first shown February 1, 1956. The cartoon Donald (and his car, at times) is placed in live-action settings to show his "typical work day". One special scene has Donald arguing with his "voice" Clarence "Ducky" Nash, with Nash getting the last "quack". Jimmy Dodd, Roy Williams, and the Mouseketeers also appear. A few of Donald's cartoons are included.
A featurette on Donald Duck artists Carl Barks "The Art And Animation of Carl Barks".
The 1940 Donald Duck public service short 1940 "The Volunteer Worker". If this info is correct, I don't know why this is repeated from the Walt Disney Treasures DVD set Chronological Donald Duck Volume 1.
A timeline of the Walt Disney Studios during the World War II years 1941-1945.
Donald-themed still frame art galleries.
The cartoons below noted with a "*" were also previously released on the Walt Disney Treasures DVD set On The Front Lines. Cartoons noted with a "+" should be in the set, but were probably mistakingly left off the official announcement list.
1942
1. The Village Smithy - Donald is a smithy who is continually frustrated in his work on a wagon wheel and trying to shoe a donkey.
2. Donald's Snow Fight - When Donald destroys his nephews' snowman, the snow fight escalates into Donald's snow ship attacking the nephews' snow fort. The nephews win the fight, with hilarious results. My favorite of the Donald/nephews conflict cartoons.
3. * Donald Gets Drafted - Donald eagerly obeys his army induction order, but soon suffers through a humiliating physical and a sadistic drill sergeant. I always got a laugh out of Donald reporting to an army induction in his sailor suit.
4. Donald's Garden - Donald continually has gardening problems - first, with his watering can and water pump; and then with a gopher who eats his prize watermelons.
5. Donald's Gold Mine - Donald's conflicts with his donkey in his gold mine results in finding gold; but, in the end, Donald looks like one of his bars of gold.
6. * The Vanishing Private - Donald uses invisible paint to camouflage an anti-aircraft gun. His sergeant Pete angrily chases an invisible Donald. Pete finally loses his temper by throwing grenades where he thinks Donald is. Donald gets the last laugh when a general has Pete thrown into jail, with Donald as the guard.
7. * Sky Trooper - Donald continually bugs his sergeant Pete by saying he "wants to fly an airplane". Pete tricks Donald into being a member of a parachuting team. When Donald refuses to jump and Pete tries to force him out of the plane, both Donald and Pete fall out without a parachute. As they fall, they dislodge a bomb, which destroys the general's headquarters. Donald and Pete both end up doing KP peeling potatoes.
8. + Bellboy Donald - After Donald's hotel manager gives him a lecture about Donald's impoliteness to the guests, Donald is taunted continually by Junior, Senator Pete's son. Donald controls his temper until the very end, when Donald ends up spanking Junior after Donald has lost his temper and his job.
1943
9. * Der Fuehrer's Face - Donald has a nightmare that he is living in Nazi Germany, where everything (buildings, trees, clouds, etc.) is shaped like a swastika. He dreams of bayonet discipline, starvation, hard labor on a munitions assembly line, and having to "Heil Hitler" every minute of the day. He awakens to find himself glad to be a U.S. citizen. This is a very effective propaganda cartoon and is also an entertaining, funny cartoon. It is the only Donald Duck cartoon to win an Academy Award.
10. Donald's Tire Trouble - While speeding through the countryside, Donald has a flat tire. Due to the wartime rubber shortage, Donald has several hilarious misadventures in trying to fit the flat.
11. Flying Jalopy - Donald buys a defective plane from Ben Buzzard, who makes Donald's life insurance out to Ben and then proceeds to try to wreck the plane while Donald is flying it.
12. * Fall Out - Fall In - Donald suffers through the drudgery of the life of a soldier, including impossibly long marches through all types of weather. Donald wrestling with his tent while trying to pitch it is hilarious.
13. * The Old Army Game - His sergeant Pete catches Donald sneaking back into his barracks after curfew. Donald takes off, with Pete chasing him, with funny and interesting results.
14. * Home Defense - Donald, a civilian war aircraft spotter, falls asleep at his post. His nephews trick him by launching a toy plane and toy parachutists to make Donald think there is an enemy attack. Several funny scenes follow.
1944
15. Trombone Trouble - The gods Vulcan and Jupiter are kept awake by Pete's awful trombone playing, so they give Donald the power to stop Pete. After Donald wins, he picks up the trombone and starts playing it himself. One of the funniest Donald/Pete conflict cartoons.
16. Donald Duck and the Gorilla - Donald and his nephews scare each other with a fake gorilla suit when the radio announces that a gorilla has escaped from the zoo. But a frantic chase begins when the real gorilla shows up.
17. Contrary Condor - Donald Duck, an egg collector, pretends to be a baby condor when the mother condor catches him trying to steal one of her eggs. Very funny scenes follow of Donald trying to get out of his predicament.
18. * Commando Duck - Donald is given a secret mission to wipe out a Japanese airbase. Unfortunately for Donald, he isn't told how he is supposed to accomplish this alone. There are several very imaginative scenes that follow, resulting in Donald wiping out the airbase.
19. The Plastics Inventor - Donald bakes a plastic airplane from radio instructions and proudly goes out to try it. But several hilarious scenes follow as the plane melts in a rain storm.
20. Donald's Off Day - Donald's nephews and the weather continually frustrate his efforts to go golfing.
1945
21. The Clock Watcher - Donald works as a department store gift wrapper, but his job is threatened by his tardiness, laziness, playing with the merchandise, and the gifts just refusing to be wrapped.
22. The Eyes Have It - Donald mistreats Pluto by using hypnotism glasses to change Pluto into different animals. Pluto turns the tables on Donald and chases him when Pluto is changed into a lion.
23. Donald's Crime - Donald, needing money for a date with Daisy, steals from his nephews' piggy bank. After the date, his conscience makes him get an all-night dishwashing job to get the money to put back into the piggy bank. But Donald doesn't get away with his theft - the nephews catch him putting the money back into the bank and thinks he's stealing the money.
24. + Duck Pimples - A fun and imaginative cartoon in which characters in a murder mystery book come to life and Donald is accused of the crime.
25. No Sail - One of my favorite Donald/Goofy cartoons. They rent a sailboat that runs on nickels. After they run out of nickels, there are several frustrations for Donald due to Goofy being silly and clumsy.
26. Cured Duck - Daisy refuses to see Donald again until he is cured from his terrible temper. Donald uses an "insult" machine to cure himself. He returns to Daisy cured, but then has to deal with her temper.
27. Old Sequoia - Forest ranger Donald is fired after many misadventures in trying to prevent some beavers from destroying a sequoia tree.
1946
28. Donald's Double Trouble - Daisy breaks up with Donald due to his numerous faults. Donald meets his "sophisticated" double and uses him to win back Daisy's love. The trick backfires when the double falls in love with Daisy.
29. Wet Paint - Donald gets into a war with a bird that destroys Donald's new car paint job and uphostery while gathering material for her nest. Donald gives up when he sees her nest full of her baby birds.
30. Dumb Bell of the Yukon - Artic trapper Donald gets the trouble he deserves when he takes a cub from a sleeping mother to make a fur coat for Daisy. Several funny scenes follow when the mother bear chases Donald.
31. Lighthouse Keeping - Donald, a lighthouse keeper, must deal with a pelican who is trying to douse the lighthouse light. As usual, Donald causes his own problems by first playing tricks on the bird.
32. Frank Duck Brings 'Em Back Alive - Donald loses his sanity in trying to capture "wild man of the jungle" Goofy.
These cartoons are among Donald's funniest and most imaginative. These Walt Disney Treasures sets of the Disney cartoons are among the best bargains of any DVD set. I own these cartoons since VHS tapes of the 1980s and the Disney Channel cartoon shows and still enjoy them after watching them for many years. I very much look forward to the DVD sound and picture quality that these Walt Disney Treasure sets have had.

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The adventures of the world's favorite fiery-tempered duck continue as we follow his solo-starring efforts from 1942 through 1946. This period was filled with an abundance of comic exploits as Donald shows his huge audience what he's made of, short fuse and all. Among Donald's featured escapades is the Academy Award(R)-nominated Best Short, "Donald's Crime," from 1945. Also showcased is an interview with the current-day voice of Donald Duck, Tony Anselmo, and a profile of the legendary comic book artist Carl Barks -- including a look at the not-often-seen work he did in Disney's animation department.

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The Complete Superman Cartoons - Diamond Anniversary Edition (1941) Review

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(More customer reviews)Produced during 1941-42, the classic Superman cartoons of Max and Dave Fleischer remain among the finest works in animation history. Unfortunately, their public-domain status has resulted in several DVD compilations of variable quality. Bosko's "Diamond Anniversary Edition" is the best Superman disc available. All 17 cartoons are uncut and presented in the order of their original theatrical release. However, it should be noted that the Fleischers were responsible for the first 10 Superman cartoons (including "Japoteurs"), with the remaining shorts produced by Famous Studios during 1942-43. Despite a few memorable efforts, such as "Jungle Drums" and "The Underground World," the Famous animators were unable to duplicate the Fleischer magic. Since the cartoons were expensive to produce, it was no surprise that Paramount and DC Comics agreed to end the series after two years. Still, the best Superman shorts - "The Mechanical Monsters" (1941) and "The Bulleteers" (1942) - are mini-masterpieces that evoke the comic-book spirit better than any live-action film. The print quality of Bosko's Superman disc is excellent, even though a first-generation master of "Terror on the Midway" has yet to surface.

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THE MAN OF STEEL IS BACK! When America's favorite superhero flies back into theaters this summer, you can catch the original animated adventures on DVD with the complete 1941-1943 Paramount Superman cartoon classics! Legendary animation innovators Max & Dave Fleischer were the first to bring Superman to theater screens, only four years after the comic book hero's debut. Capturing the comic book spirit better than any live action film with the stunning early art-deco look of the original Superman/Action Comics era and a film noir feel, these stylish adventures proved so powerful that they influenced every Superman production afterward. Now restored to their best possible quality, these 17 animation masterpieces are presented in superbly clear quality! FEATURING:Superman (Pilot) Mechanical Monsters Billion Dollar Limited The Arctic Giant The Bulleteers The Magnetic Telescope Electric Earthquake Volcano Terror on the Midway Japoteurs Showdown Eleventh Hour Destruction Inc. Mummy Strikes Jungle Drums The Underground World Secret Agent

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Woody Woodpecker and Friends Classic Cartoon Collection: Volume 2 Review

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(More customer reviews)"If Woody had gone straight to the police, this would NEVER have happened..." (from BUNCO BUSTERS)
I share some fans' viewpoint that the 1940s Woody starring vehicles are the best. But many Woody viewers appreciate the 1950s Woody shorts -- the body of this collection -- for other reasons. These are the Woody shorts from which generations of nostalgia come.
"The story you are about to see is a big fat lie..." "Now I've gotcha, Chief Charlie Horse!" "YAAAAAY!" "Make with them keys, Maestro, and don't stop!" Face it: you remember these beloved Woody cliches even if you no longer recall the specific cartoons (UNDER THE COUNTER SPY, CHIEF CHARLIE HORSE, NIAGARA FOOLS, CONVICT CONCERTO) from which they come. You're getting them. All of them.
And that's not even starting on the supporting features, a mini-anthology of highly inspired choices. Andy Panda's MOUSIE COME HOME envisions codependence in crazed cartoon form; Chilly Willy's HALF-BAKED ALASKA has its unforgettable patter routine ("More butter? More syrup?"); and THE HAMS THAT COULDN'T BE CURED is a hot jazz Three Little Pigs send-up.
Finally there's Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, the star Walter Lantz inherited from an earlier (1927-28) Walt Disney/Ub Iwerks regime at Universal. Disney reacquired some rights to Oswald in 2006; last year saw a selection released in their Walt Disney Treasures line. But Universal retained rights to its own Oswald material, and Woody Vol. 2 brings us another small, tempting quintet.
The inventive, vital black and white classics are a fascinatingly different viewing experience from anything else on this box, as wannabe hero Oswald is smacked by Tex Avery's earliest gags. A long-lost color Oswald featuring girlfriend Fanny, SPRINGTIME SERENADE, is here too.
With new Oswald dolls and merchandise now available in stores, one can only hope Universal will tie in by taking the next step -- to release a multi-volume disc set on the Woody model, but with Oswald as the main character. From CHILLY CON CARMEN's pre-Betty Boop hooch dance to the cyborg T-Rex of STONE AGE, from the impossible ocean tricks of PERMANENT WAVE to Oswald's surrealist, pre-Wackyland adventures on MARS, there are dozens of these classics crying for a release.
Throw in a few pre-Lantz Oswalds as extras, and we're so there.

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It's time for more crazy tricks and treats with your favorite feathered friend in The Woody Woodpecker and Friends Classic Cartoon Collection: Volume 2!75 hilarious theatrical cartoons from creator Walter Lantz are presented completely uncut and digitally remastered including 3 Academy Award nominees.Enjoy the side-splitting fun and wacky adventures of Woody along with Chilly Willy, Andy Panda, Wally Walrus, Buzz Buzzard and Woody's nephew and niece - Knothead and Splinter.Featuring rare Musical Miniature and Swing Symphony cartoons plus appearances by Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Windy the Bear, Maggie and Sam and Inspector Willoughby, this outrageous collection is non-stop fun for fans of all ages!

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Walt Disney Treasures - The Chronological Donald, Volume One (1934 - 1941) (2004) Review

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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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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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