It’s great coming across shorts like these that represent a
key moment in Disney history. Yes the
trio we indeed feature in many shorts to come, but this was the very first it
happened and if hadn’t gone over well those other shorts would probably have
never been made. Having multiple characters
is complicated. You have to get more
animation teams together, because it isn’t just Ib Iwerks doing this all on his
own anymore, you have to take into account personality in how the characters
play off one another. That works great
here as Donald’s temper is on display and Goofy’s clumsiness too. Finally you have to give each character
things to do. That’s a little lopsided in this short as Mickey gets the most to do I think, with Goofy second, and Donald
third. That’s a shame because Mickey
doesn’t change a tire in quite the funny way Donald did in ‘Tire Trouble’, but
I still liked it overall.
Unlike ‘The Cactus Kid’ where the animation is timed well to
the music, but doesn’t really fit the plot this does both. I think the best part is Goofy holding up
Pete’s car as he slides around in oil.
The movements all go with the music, but the actions also reflect the
plot of the short which is get the car fixed before time is up.
It's great seeing the evolution of design like Pete here who
has his iconic mug of a face, though his voice isn’t set yet, having this
strange Russian accent that I don’t actually care for. Donald still has his 1934 look that doesn’t
translate quite as well to the tantrum throwing, which is probably why it was changed,
but unlike with Pete Clarence has the voice down already.
In closing this is a very well done short. The animation is perfectly timed to the music
while serving a purpose. The characters
all get something to do even if it isn’t quite equal. While later shorts would improve with better
character designs and better character treatment this is the first of its kind
and it sets the stage well for what will come.
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