Review of Truant Officer Donald

"Truant Officer Donald" is an 8-minute cartoon from 1941, so this one had its 75th anniversary last year. The title gives away that this is of course another Disney production and when you read the names King, Barks, Hannah and Nash, then you know you are in for a treat. And you are indeed. I wanted to write that this is a film that is pure comedy that does not need emotions to succeed, but then the roasted duck scene happened. Now that was unexpected. It is part of the ways in which the Nephews fight back when Donald tries all he can to get them to school, but the trio prefers to hang out and play. Early on, Donald is in charge, but that changes quickly. Eventually, there is another funny plot twist that makes you wonder though which parents and kids would not know when the summer holidays start. Yes you can call him that as they may be ducks, but they are very humanized. This little film here was nominated for an Oscar, but lost to another Disney short that year, one that brought more emotional gravity perhaps still. Anyway, I think this is a smart and creative little film. And truly entertaining and funny. Who needs WWII references. A definite contender for best cartoon of the year and if you know how high the quality was at that point (Golden Age of Animation), you know this means quite something. A must-see and I've always thought the Nephews were more interesting addition in Donald cartoons than Chip'n Dale for example. Here's the evidence.