The Three Caballeros is a 1944 animated feature film, produced by
Walt Disney and distributed by RKO Radio Pictures. The
seventh animated feature in the Disney animated features canon and a sequel to 1942's Saludos Amigos, the film is an adventure through parts of
Latin America, combining live-action and animation.
Produced as part of the studio's goodwill message for South America, but less obviously propagandistic, the film again starred
Donald Duck, who in the course of the film is joined by his old friend José Carioca, the cigar-smoking parrot from Saludos Amigos
representing Brazil, and later makes a new friend in the persona of pistol-packing rooster Panchito Pistoles, representing Mexico.
Several Latin American stars of the period appear, including singers Aurora Miranda
(sister of Carmen Miranda) and Dora Luz, as well as
dancer Carmen Molina.
The film is plotted as a series of self-contained segments, strung together by the device of Donald Duck opening birthday gifts from his Latin American
friends.
The film premiered in Mexico City on December 21,
1944. It was released in the USA on February 3, 1945.
Worldwide release dates
- Mexico: December 21, 1944 (Mexico City)
- Brazil: February 4, 1945
- Australia: December 7, 1945
- Spain: February 17, 1947
- Sweden: March 28, 1947
- France: April 21, 1948
- Hong Kong: March 17, 1949
- Italy: July 14, 1949
- Finland: May 18, 1951
- West Germany: December 14, 1954
- Austria: September 2, 1955
- Japan: March 10, 1959
Film segments
The film's segments include:
- The Cold-Blooded Penguin involved a penguin named Pablo, who is so fed up with the
freezing conditions of the South Pole that he decides to leave for warmer climates.
- The Flying Gauchito involved the adventures of a little boy from Mendoza in
Argentina and his winged donkey, Burrito.
- Baia involved a pop-up book trip through Salvador, the capital of the
Brazilian state of Baía, as Donald Duck and José Carioca meet up with some of the locals who dance
an interesting samba and Donald starts pining for one of the females in the group.
- Las Posadas was the story of a group of Mexican children who celebrated Christmas by re-enacting the journey of
Mary and Joseph searching for room at the
inn. "Posada" means "inn", and they are told "no posada" at each house until they come to one where they are offered shelter in a
stable. This leads to festivities including the breaking of the piñata, which in turn leads to Donald Duck trying to break the
piñata as well.
Influence and sequels
The song "You Belong To My Heart" was featured in a Disney short called
Pluto's Blue Note (1947). It was later recorded by
Bing Crosby. The songs "Baia" and the title song became popular hit tunes in the
1940s.
Some clips from this film were used in the "Welcome to Rio" portion of the Mickey
Mouse Disco music video.
Don Rosa wrote two sequels in 2000 and 2006. Maybe as a result, as of September 2006,
Panchito and José Carioca, have returned at Walt Disney World where they used to appear for meet and greets. They can only be
found outside the Mexico pavilion in World Showcase at Epcot. Donald also appears with them.
In April 2007, the film became the basis for a ride at the Mexican pavilion at Walt
Disney World's Epcot named Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros.[1]
Cast
2000 Gold Collection cover of
The Three Caballeros.
References
- ^ http://wdwhistory.com/Epcot/World_Showcase/Mexico/Gran_Fiesta_Tour/
See also
External links
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