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Our first stop on the tour is Chile where we visit Pedro, a young airplane making his first flight but finds danger on the way. Originally released in 1943, the short has a feel to it that isn’t unlike The Little Engine that could, and while not a bad short, it certainly isn’t something that highlights what Disney can do in their shorts. If you already own the Saludos Amigos, you’ve definitely seen Pedro before. Next, we don’t simply travel to another country, but we make a trip back in time. The Olympic Champ released way back in 1942 is one of the better known Goofy shorts. This piece of animation embodies some of Disney’s better magic with lots of laughs as Goofy has one mishap after another in the Olympic games with probably the best highlight being the pole vaulting event where he has to stop high above while the narrator receipts a little poetry. This short has also been included two different times as a part of Disney’s Cartoon Classics line on the Sports Goofy volume as well as The Goofy World of Sports. A trip to the cold reaches of Russia presents one of the better known Disney shorts. I think everyone knows Peter and the Wolf, which was also seen on the Make Mine Music DVD release. It’s been a number of years since I’ve seen this short, but getting the opportunity to see if again brought back many fond memories. Peter and the Wolf of course isn’t told just through narration, but also with music as Serge Prokofiev’s composition of the same name provides the background for the story. Another famous Disney short is found next as we find ourselves in merry ol’ England. The Brave Little Tailor is almost an astounding 70 years old, released originally back in 1938 just in case you’re keeping track, but the short still is a fantastic piece of work. Starring Mickey Mouse, the poor rodent has opened his mouth at the wrong time and now has been enlisted by the king to defeat a dragon, but with millions in gold and the hand of Princess Minnie on the line, how can he refuse? If you already own The Sword in the Stone or Mickey Mouse in Living Color, you should be very familiar with this work, but there’s no harm in having it added into your Disney library once again. Not everything on this volume has been released on DVD already; just ask Donald and Goofy as they team up together in the short Crazy with the Heat. The two are on their way through Egypt, but unfortunately their car breaks down. Now, they have no choice but to walk, and that’s when the desert sun starts getting to them. This is another great example, not just of the early days of Disney animation, but the sense of humor that is seen in many of their shorts. The final stop brings us right back here to the United States for the short Susie the Little Blue Coupe. This is another of Disney’s shorts that I vaguely recall seeing in my youth, and it really feels as though it is like a precursor to a more modern release by Disney and Pixar; Cars. In this bit, you will follow Susie, a coupe as she starts life fresh off the assembly line and eventually becomes a hot rod. Susie might not be Lightning McQueen, but she’s not without her charm. With some of the more famous shorts being included in this collection, this is a must own title for fans of the early days of Disney animation. I’m sure the days of shorts will come back into theaters again someday, besides what has been seen with the Pixar releases (and that gives me the chance here to mention the great one included with, yes, Cars.) The golden days of Disney are captured perfectly in this short but entertaining tour and it’s the best trip you can have without having to leave your couch. -mike-
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