Monthly Archives: December 2015

December 21, 1945 – The Donald Duck Short Film Old Sequoia is Released to Theaters

“If Old Sequoia goes, you go!”

On December 21, 1945, the Donald Duck short film Old Sequoia was released to theaters. It was directed by Jack King, with story by Homer Brightman.

The short begins at a national park, where the tree Old Sequoia proudly stands. Two beavers are chopping down trees close to Old Sequoia at a rapid pace, unbeknownst to Donald, who is snoozing away in the ranger station. He nearly falls from the post when he receives a call, and is lectured about the trees in his park. The lead ranger threatens him, and Donald rushes to his task. He spies the beavers near Old Sequoia and chases after them as fast as he can. The beavers manage to trip him up, then set their sights on Old Sequoia. Donald manages to trap them with his shotgun, just as the phone rings. He is lectured again by his boss, and he sprints back to guard Old Sequoia. He realizes that the beavers have gotten into the tree to chop it down, and poor Donald can only watch as sawdust comes out of the tree. He attempts to put the sawdust back in the tree, and only ends up making the tree implode. The tree, left standing by a tiny stand, threatens to fall, with Donald just barely able to keep it propped up. Unfortunately, the tree falls, taking the ranger station with it. Donald receives one final call from his boss, informing him he is fired.

December 16, 1949 – The Donald Duck Short Film Toy Tinkers is Released to Theaters

“Prepare to defend yourselves!”

On December 16, 1949, the Donald Duck short film Toy Tinkers was released to theaters. The sixteen mm release of the film gave it another title of Christmas Capers. The short was directed by Jack Hannah, with story by Harry Reeves and Milt Banta.

It’s a beautiful winter’s night, and Chip and Dale are sound asleep in their log when Chip is awakened by Donald chopping down a Christmas tree. Chip wakes up Dale, and the two follow Donald home, where they spy all sorts of Christmas goodies through the window. Chip devises a plan to get inside and unnoticed, and the two start collecting the nuts they spotted inside. Dale gets a bit distracted after taking a hat and cane from a teddy bear, and starts playing with the toys. Donald notices the two stealing the nuts, and decides to play a prank on the while reclaiming the nuts; the chipmunks are much smarter than Donald, however, and the two groups go back and forth trying to one-up the other. The two engage in a war, throwing ornaments at each other, but eventually, Donald raises the white flag of surrender while the boys make off with the nuts and the toys.

December 14, 1951 – The Donald Duck Short Film Bee on Guard is Released to Theaters

“How are you, buzz buzz?”

On December 14, 1951, the Donald Duck short film Bee on Guard was released to theaters. It was directed by Jack Hannah, with story by Nick George and Bill Berg.

A tall tree trunk has been turned into a castle hive for bees, and they set out to gather what they need to produce honey, leaving one bee behind to guard the castle. The bees set to work in Donald’s nearby garden, and he becomes excited about the prospect of honey. He follows them back to the hive and attempts to take the honey, but is thwarted by the lone guard. He heads home to create a giant bee costume, then attempts to trick the guard into believing he’s a part of the hive after the bees depart again. While the guard is occupied, he steals the honey from the hive and “flies” away. The rest of the bees return, and find the honey missing and the guard asleep. The guard is booted from the hive, and finds a trail of honey leading to Donald’s house. Discovering the ruse, the guard attacks Donald, and the other bees watch as the two duel. The other bees cheer when the guard wins the fight, and he is honored within the hive.