The Three Caballeros (1944)

Donald receives his birthday gifts, which include traditional gifts and information about Brazil (hosted by Zé Carioca) and Mexico (by Panchito, a Mexican Charro Rooster).

Directors:

Norman Ferguson, Clyde Geronimi

Writers:

Homer Brightman (story), Ernest Terrazas (story)

Stars:

Aurora Miranda, Carmen Molina, Dora Luz

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Aurora Miranda	...	The Brazilian Girl (as Aurora Miranda of Brazil)
Carmen Molina	...	Mexico Girl (as Carmen Molina of Mexico)
Dora Luz	...	Mexico Girl (as Dora Luz of Mexico)
Sterling Holloway	...	Prof. Holloway (voice)
Clarence Nash	...	Donald Duck (voice)
Joaquin Garay	...	Panchito (voice)
José Oliveira	...	José Carioca (voice)
Frank Graham	...	Narrator (voice)
Fred Shields	...	Narrator (voice)
Nestor Amaral
Almirante
Trío Calaveras	...	(as Trio Calaveras)
Trío Ascensio del Rio	...	Themselves (as Ascencio Del Rio Trio)
Padua Hills Players	...	Themselves

Storyline

A large box arrives for Donald on his birthday, three gifts inside. He unwraps one at a time, and each takes him on an adventure. The first is a movie projector with a film about the birds of South America; Donald watches two cartoons, one tells of a penguin who longs to live on a tropical isle and the other about a gaucho boy who hunts the wild ostrich. The second gift is a pop-up book about Brazil. Inside is Jose Carioca, who takes Donald to Brazil's Bahia for a mix of animation and live action: the two cartoon birds sing and dance with natives. The third gift is a piñata, accompanied by Panchito. A ride on a magic serape takes the three amigos singing and dancing across Mexico. ¡Olé!

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Plot Keywords:

1940s | voice over narration | bahia brazil | cartoon reality crossover | number in title | 

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Taglines:

Wondrous Technicolor Feature!

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Genres:

Animation | Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Musical

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

During the final years of World War II, the character of Panchito Pistoles introduced in this film served as a minor military symbol. He was the mascot of the 201st Fighter Squadron, a Mexican fighter airplane squadron that served that assisted the American forces in the recapture of the Philippines. The likeness of Panchito was also painted as nose art on an American bomber airplane, a North American B-25 Mitchell. The original airplane was scrapped in 1949 but another B-25 Mitchell was fashioned into a replica of it with the same Panchito image. It is still in civilian service and appears in air-shows.

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Goofs

During the flying zarape ride, Panchito tells Donald and Joe about the town of Patzcuaro and its lake Janitzio. Actually the lake is also named Patzcuaro; Janitzio is the main island in the lake.

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Quotes

[the little gauchito and Burrito are in a race together; the other gauchos on their horses take off, leaving them both in the dust; they look around]
Narrator: We were off with the speed of a bullet! We flew down the track like the wind! Every gaucho was, uh... And meanwhile, Burrito and I were, uh, uh, jockeying for position. Psst. Gauchito! They went that way.
[they look left]
Narrator: That way!
[they move along slowly; all the spectators laugh]
Narrator: No wonder they laughed. I didn't even look like a jockey. Hey! Gauchito!
[...]

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Crazy Credits

In the end of the movie, the fireworks exploding of the title "Fin", "Fim" and "The End".

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Alternate Versions

The title sequence on the Buena Vista version is a bit different from that of the RKO version. The Buena Vista version omits, on the title, the phrase, "In Technicolor", which the RKO version has; it only says, "Technicolor". Also, whereas the RKO version simply dissolves from the RKO title card to the "Walt Disney Presents" card, there is a fade through black between the Buena Vista card and the "Walt Disney Presents" card. The "Walt Disney" font is also slightly different on the Buena Vista version: slightly stretched and narrow and not as bolded and thick, which is the case on the RKO version. Also, the lettering for the Buena Vista version was redone.

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Connections

Featured in Animation Lookback: Walt Disney Animation Studios Part 2 (2009)

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Soundtracks

Pandeiro & Flute
(uncredited)
Music by Benedito Lacerda

User Reviews

So, there I was, walking down Disneyland's Main Street along with some friends.

It was a cold January Saturday evening. The park was beautifully lit. People were cheery. We could see the Matterhorn on our right hand side. Magical is the best description I could find.

Suddenly, I started singing...

"Somos los tres carros, los Tres Caballeros, y nadie es igual a nosotros..."

What do I know. My friends all knew the words. 4 guys, ranging from 27 to 31 years old, began forming a chrous line and singing off the top of our lungs...

I don't know how this happened. This is not, by any stretch of imagination, a popular or wildly succesful film. I guess it just touched us, the way Donald Duck had a mexican friend (Panchito), or the wild "Piñata" scene, or the strong latin flavour of the film.

Memories notwithstanding, we kept on singing... and singing... and singing.

People around us seemed to enjoy the show, too.

"Valientes brillamos, como brilla un peso

-Quien dice?!?

NOSOTROS, LOS TRES CABALLEROS!"

Details

Official Sites:

Disney's Official Site

Country:

USA Mexico

Language:

English Spanish Portuguese

Release Date:

22 February 1945 (USA)

Also Known As:

Surprise Package

Filming Locations:

Walt Disney Feature Animation - 500 S. Buena Vista Street, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

71 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1