In all honesty, I don't consider Donald and Pluto the strongest of pairings, but as a Disney short fanatic I would still watch it. Put-Put Troubles does have its foibles, aside from a title that some mayn't find the significance of. The story does feel like two stories merged into one, there is certainly a feeling of two different shorts here and for me it didn't quite gel. Apart from some very funny gags, much of it is slow-moving with little that leaps out as new or fresh. While Donald and Pluto are great characters individually, I don't consider their pairing strong enough for them to be a proper team. Surprisingly as well, Pluto came across here as a stronger character than Donald, I mean surprisingly because I do consider Donald a far stronger character overall. Donald undeniably has some great moments, but Put-Put Troubles doesn't ever play him or his personality to their strengths, we see little of Donald's temperament or frustration, which are fundamental parts to his character. However, Put-Put Troubles is still entertaining. And that is mainly thanks to the gags, which are very clever and funny, the most imaginative being the ending, though the spring coil around Pluto's neck, the gag with the sandbar, the smoke from the boat making Donald look like a convict and Pluto dancing are great too. The continuous Pluto being caught in the coil gag gets very routine after a while and loses any humorous impact. The animation is crisp and colourful, and there is a wonderful music score that is lively and lush as well as enhancing the action. Pluto dominates the screen-time in this short and he is enormous fun. As said though, Donald while having his moments was rather disappointing for me. Pinto Colvig and Clarence Nash's vocal acting is as always wholly reliable. Overall, Put-Put Troubles is entertaining but something is missing and I think the two stars being much better from characterisation and utilisation points of view has something to do with it. 6/10 Bethany Cox
