The Three Caballeros (1944)

Have You Ever Been To Baía?

- Of all the films within the vast Walt Disney vault, The Three Caballeros (1944) is one that is often forgotten. For my money however, The Three Caballeros remains one of the funniest and most creative of the Disney animated films.

A mix of live-action and animation, The Three Caballeros was made largely for the War effort, trying to strengthen ties between the United States and Central/South America. The story follows Donald Duck who is given three big and unusual presents on his birthday (Friday the 13th no less): a movie telling the stories of rare South American Birds (including Pablo the Penguin and a flying donkey bird), the most interactive pop-up book about Brazil ever, and quite the loaded piñata. With his friends, José a Brazilian parrot and Panchito a Mexican rooster, Donald Duck learns a lot about the language, history, culture, customs, and "purty girls" of Mexico and South America.

Who is funnier than Donald Duck? Seriously. The sounds that come out of Clarence Nash (the voice of Donald Duck) are just hilarious whether it is Donald's incomprehensible grumbling or actual words. And of course, Donald Duck is up to his usual slapstick and horny shenanigans throughout The Three Caballeros.

Sometimes the film drifts into scenes that almost seem drug induced (maybe Donald dropped acid off camera?) but overall, The Three Caballeros is an entertaining, hilarious and unfortunately largely forgotten Walt Disney animated picture.


CBC Rating: 8/10