Following two years after Walt Disney's first Latin American feature, SALUDOS AMIGOS, this film is longer, more daring, less propagandistic, but ultimately less bearable than its predecessor. Upon the failure of this film, a planned Latin American trilogy was scrapped, saving the world from CUBAN CARNIVAL. Unlike AMIGOS, THE THREE CABALLEROS has a more flowing structure, reminiscent of the final sequence of the first film. It's definitely the trippiest Disney production and makes one wonder what's in that cigar that Jose Carioca is always smoking.
Like AMIGOS, CABALLEROS starts off like an anthology film, but soon morphs into a more free-flowing musical experience. A framework of Donald Duck receiving presents from his friends in Latin America introduces the first two segments. "The Cold-Blooded Penguin" follows the penguin Pablo, who dreams of relocating to warm climates. Next, "The Flying Gauchito" involves a little Argentinean boy who enters a horse race with the winged donkey he discovers. For the third segment, "Bahia," Donald meets up with wisecracking parrot Jose, shimmies the samba with live-action dancers and salivates over the beautiful women. In "Las Posadas," the lively rooster Panchito Pistoles tells of the Mexican Christmas traditions, leading to Donald try his hand at the piñata. This is followed by "Mexico" where Panchito takes Donald and Jose on a flying serape through the gorgeous beaches of Mexico where Donald can't control chasing a bevy of live-action beauties. But in "You Belong to My Heart," Donald focuses his affections of the popular Mexican singer Dora Luz. The film concludes with "Donald's Surreal Reverie," which sends Donald on a "love is a drug" infused tour, filled with lush colors, flowers and pretty live-action woman.
CABALLEROS is much closer to being a Latin American spin on FANTASIA than AMIGOS, however, the songs are forgettable and Donald's love crazed antics wear out their welcome long before the movie is over. Like in AMIGOS, Donald doesn't resemble the cantankerous fowl that we know. He's a bit more of a troublemaker, but he lacks the charm of his more manic personality featured in Disney shorts. Jose and Panchito never stand out, relegated to severing as simple tour guides and obstacles to Donald's love lust. While some of the most vibrant, freeform moments have much more originality than anything in AMIGOS, the film still feels like its been fused together from spare parts. The first two sequences end up feeling like tacked on shorts before the real movie begins, while the final three segments blend together into one long mishmash of music and hallucinogenic imagery.
Animation fans will find many standout pieces to enjoy throughout the film — "The Cold-Blooded Penguin" with some nice sight gags, Mary Blair's vibrant color schemes, and Donald, Jose and Panchito's rendition of "The Three Caballeros" fueled by Ward Kimball's anything-goes animation are all highlights. Nonetheless, these quality bits don't add up to a successful whole. Many of the animated/live-action integration scenes come off dated at best and cheesy at worst. The whole film turns out like a less-than-melodious jazz jam session.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
