Product Details

• Actors: Pinto Colvig, Florence Gill, Clarence Nash, Billy Bletcher, Cliff Edwards
• Directors: Ben Sharpsteen, Clyde Geronimi, Dick Lundy, Jack King, Jeff Kurtti
• Writers: Carl Barks
• Format: Animated, Closed-captioned, Collector's Edition, Color, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0)
• Subtitles: English
• Dubbed: Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: G (General Audience)
• Studio: Walt Disney Video
• DVD Release Date: May 18, 2004
• Run Time: 275 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0000BWVAG
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #67,340 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Walt Disney Treasures - The Chronological Donald, Volume One (1934 - 1941)" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Although the book The Adventures of Mickey Mouse (1931) listed Donald Duck as one of Mickey's friends, he didn't appear on screen until the "Silly Symphony" "The Wise Little Hen," three years later. Donald's personality began to gel in "The Orphan's Benefit" (1934, on Walt Disney Treasures: Mickey Mouse in Black and White), when he threw his first temper tantrum. He began as dumpy-looking character with a long beak and thick legs, but was soon redesigned and made more appealing.

Donald's firecracker temper made him a favorite with audiences--and the Disney artists. By the late '30s/early '40s Mickey was no longer allowed to kick someone, break a window, or get into a really embarrassing situation. Donald was, and he did. If Donald encountered a mechanical device, from an outboard motor to a waffle iron to a riveting gun, the results were sure to be disastrous. He was routinely outwitted by chipmunks, ants, bees, and his nephews, Huey, Dewey, and Louie, who came to visit in 1938 and stayed for more than 60 years.

The Donald Duck shorts featured some of the broadest slapstick comedy the Disney studio ever produced. They lack the razor-sharp timing, extreme takes, and wild gags the animators at Warner Bros. and MGM were developing at this time. But they're still funny and retain a nostalgic charm, especially such classics as "Don Donald," "The Autograph Hound," "Mr. Duck Steps Out," and "Put-Put Troubles." (Rated G, suitable for ages 8 and older: cartoon violence, tobacco use, minor ethnic stereotyping) --Charles Solomon

Product Description

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. .

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

165 of 169 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "The Chronological Donald" Preview... August 9, 2003

By Gregoriancant

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.

57 of 65 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Maltin's sermons prevent 5 stars May 19, 2004

By kevin m antonio

Oh, man, what a GREAT dvd set. Say what you want about Disney being an Evil Empire, but they know how to put together these sets. My daughter and I laughed our heads off through the first disc and are making our way through the 2nd.
Donald IS Disney's best character, because, well, he's one of us, just trying to make his way through the world and dealing, or trying his best to deal, with life's usual b.s.
The quality of these cartoons is incredible considering they came out 60 to 70 years ago. The colors are so vivid they verge on the brink of hurting your eyes.
The big drawback however is Leonard Maltin's sermonizing about gunplay and stereotyping... all the unPC stuff. I feel like he thinks morons are watching these cartoons. He keeps giving the "that was what was done then, but we would never consider doing it now". Ok, Leonard, once is enough, thanks. The lowpoint is "Donald's Penguin" in which we're told that the penguin did not get hurt except when Donald gave it a spanking. It's a flipping CARTOON! Makes me realize how uptight we are as a society these days. I don't think you'd find Warner Bros. apologizing for their cartoons (at least I hope they don't).

So, buy this... but skip over Maltin's mewlings.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars BRILLIANT COLLECTION April 14, 2004

By Tim Janson HALL OF FAMETOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

I have always been a huge fan of animation, particularly the golden age of animation of the 30's and 40's. It's high time sets like these started coming out. While Disney was never as cutting edge and sarcastic as Warner Bros., these older cartoons have a definite edge in them that you don't get in today's Disney animation.

(...)

Included in this set are two of Donald's Oscar Nominated cartoons including:

"Good Scouts" in which Donald acts as scoutmaster for his three nephews for a nature hike through the wilderness. Story by Carl Barks.

"Truant Office Donald" Donald is responsible for making sure his nephews get to school when they attempt to play hookey. Story by Carl Barks.

Among the other great shorts are"

"Donalds Nephews" Donald's first encounter with his three "angel" nephews, who proceed to destroy his home. Donald turns to the book "Modern Child Training" for help. Story by Barks!

"Donald's Ostrich" Donald is the announcer of the Wahoo train station dealing with a troublesome piece of cargo : an ostrich. This was Donald's first short recieving top billing.

"Donald's Golf Game" A great short in which Donald needs silence to concentrate on his golf game, but his nephews (who have been pressed into duty as caddies) have other plans, including a bag full of trick clubs.

"Donald's Vacation" Donald decides to vacation in the great outdoors, but the denizens of the great outdoors are less than co-operative. More Barks!

"Hockey Champ" Donald "the Hockey Champion of Duck Swamp" plays a game of hockey with his nephews. Barks!

And much more. I cannot praise this set any higher, if you are a fan of Donald, Disney, or the golden age of animation, this set is for you!