I fell in love with this film the first time I watched it on my Florida Disney program 5 years ago. The sequel to Saludos Amigos, this film captures more of the magic of South America that Walt Disney and El Grupo experienced on their Goodwill Tour. For this project, I’m focusing on the story itself, including dialogue, character development, any subplots, how a story presents itself, the speed at which it moves, if it slows down unnecessarily, etc.
Update: In February 2022, I started a video version of the DFP on Tiktok. You can find the video below. Thoughts expressed in the video may be different than what are expressed in the blog post, due to the time difference in posting.
A Brief Summary
Best Birthday Ever!! To celebrate Donald Duck’s birthday, his Latin American friends, José Carioca (from Saludos Amigos) and a new friend, Panchito, the Mexican charro rooster, have sent him a large package full of presents: a 16mm projector and film, a book on Brazil and a Mexican piñata. With his new presents and his friends, Donald learns about the strange birds of South America, the romance of Baía and the traditions and dances of Mexico. Includes an Aracuan bird, a cookie seller and lots of dancing cactus.
What works
- Something I absolutely love about this movie is that all of the shorts are connected to each other via Donald’s birthday. Using Donald’s birthday and the presents he receives allows for each short to stand on its own while still being a small part of an over-arching storyline.
- While the shorts are connected via the over-arching story-line, they actually connect in different ways as well.
- “Avas Raras” (Strange Birds), the film Donald received as his first present, which shows different South American birds including the Arucuan bird, also shows two shorts: “The Cold-Blooded Penguin” and “The Flying Gauchito”.
- Donald’s second present provides the setting for the next short, “Baía”, and reintroduces a friend, Jose Carioca (from Saludos Amigos)
- José and Donald open the final present (Mexíco) to reveal Panchito and some cool and crazy moments including learning how Christmas is celebrated in Mexíco “Pasado” and then taking a magical serape ride to visit different parts of Mexíco.
- While the shorts are connected via the over-arching story-line, they actually connect in different ways as well.
- Having Donald Duck interact with the projector film’s narrator (not Sterling Holloway) was great. And not even just with the film’s narrator, but his interactions throughout all of this film. Unlike Saludos Amigos, where he was more of a comic relief, to be used as a visual gag, in this film he actually is much more developed as a character. Different sides of Donald’s character had a chance to come out an play.
- The “Flying Gauchito” short rhymed! It was this adorable little story, with funny moments and every other line rhymed! (Which only amped up the cuteness factor.)
- Note: The gaucho who narrated the story reminded me of Cyril Proudbottom (from The Wind in the Willows/The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad). I checked to see if it was the same actor, but it wasn’t.
- Plot twist: During the Baía sequence, Aurora Miranda (Carmen Miranda’s little sister) is the only woman in a group of men, including Donald and José. She’s flirtin’ her way around the group WHEN (duh duh duhhhh) the guitarist gets rejected by her twice. He doesn’t seem to like it and, oh my gosh! He finds a bunch of girls to come join the party. There’s music, there’s conflict, there’s romance, a broken heart or two, it’s fabulous!
- The main shorts and sequences flowed so well. The timing of the main shorts worked well for how long the film was and the sequences surrounding the shorts made for a smooth transition. I will have to say that during the final portion, the star sequence makes me think of ‘Pink Elephants on Parade’ meets synchronized swimming. The cactus dance that follows only adds to that.
Honorable Mentions
- Shout out to Sterling Holloway (the original voice of Winnie the Pooh) for narrating Pablo the Penguin.
- The Arucuan bird’s song. If I could make that my ringtone, I would, no lie. (update: such a ringtone exists. It is mine now.)
- Donald has always been one of my favorite Disney characters (tied with Mickey Mouse for the top spot) and I adore him in this. Especially when he becomes sad because he’s too small to get to his last present. He was just so, so cute. I just wanted to give him a hug.
What I learned from watching this film
- The narrative technique, the device used in this film (Donald’s birthday) was so perfect. It was simple without being cheesy and the transitions were so smooth, I didn’t feel like I was ever pulled away from the film.
- Despite how nutty the final sequences were, the firework celebration was a solid ending. It, to continue with the present theme, tied everything up nicely with a bow. It didn’t feel over-drawn or forced, it was a fun way to end the film and Donald’s birthday.
If you’ve seen The Three Caballeros, what did you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Rewind to the beginning of the Disney Film Project
Skip back to the previous film with Victory through Air Power
Fast Forward to the next film with Make Mine Music
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