Walt Disney Treasures - The Chronological Donald, Volume Three (1947 - 1950)

Not that Donald can't carry a cartoon solo. Three cartoons in this set rank among his best. In "Donald's Dilemma," a conk on the head from a flower pot transforms Donald into a Sinatra-like crooner, much to the growing displeasure of Daisy, who does not want to share him with his adoring fans. In "Donald's Dream Voice," after his voice alienates customers, salesman Donald takes a voice pill ("I'll try anything once") that gives him the debonair tones of Ronald Colman (it's still funny even if you don't know who he is). And in "Dip Drippy Donald," a sleepy Donald tries to cope with a leaky faucet. As with past Walt Disney Treasures sets, a "From the Vault" feature separates cartoons with mildly politically incorrect content, ranging from Huey, Dewey, and Louie smoking in "Donald's Happy Birthday" to a Chinese caricature in "Three for Breakfast." On-camera host Leonard Maltin supplies the viewer advisory. Like Daffy Duck over at Warner Bros., Donald is hardly a role model, which gives these riotous cartoons some un-Disney-like edge. But they do stand the test of time, and are a feather in Donald's cap. The extra features are fun (Donald's appearances on The Mickey Mouse Club) and, for animation buffs, informative ("Sculpting Donald"). --Donald Liebenson