Donald's Happy Birthday

It is March 13 and it is Donald's birthday. The nephews want to by him a box of cigars but they don't have any money. They work for it so Donald will give them money, but they are not allowed to spend it right away. When Donald is sleeping they try to get the money. This short is a little boring and there are no real laughs in it. Compared to most others it is pretty bad. 5/10.

It's Donald Duck's birthday and his nephews are excited to buy him a gift he'll like. They settle on a box of cigars -- $2.98 for a box of fifty, which was no sign of quality, even in 1949 -- but they don't have any money. Quik, do some gardening chores! Mr. Duck is happy to pay them $2.98 for the work. But he insists on it going into their bank.

Once again, Donald is his own worst enemy, and we eagerly await all the tricks the young ducks must go through, and how he will sabotage their best of intentions. As always, an enjoyable cartoon in the series.

Sometimes i think about why people prefer Donald than Mickey and the only answers are: he's the anti-hero, he's nevrotic, he got bad luck, we found ourselves so much in him.

It's a pity that one of his worst flaws is his jerkiness towards his nephews in this case, and it isn't the first time and wouldn't be the last that will happen. I guess it's the case to reflect how Donald is so beloved in all his tantrums around everything turning him. Or are you telling me you are like Donald even in this way, forcing people to smoke without any reason?

Anyway, it's a nice short, and so are the nephews.

Huey, Duey, and Louie work hard in Donald's garden in order to make enough money to spoil him for his birthday (March 13th). Donald thinks their crazy but pays them nonetheless, though he insists that they stick the money in the bank for their future. Desperate to get the dough they need the triplets resort to hijinks and eventually manage to purchase a box of cigars (I guess tobacco laws were not so strict in 1949).

Donald thinks that the stogies are for the kids and makes them smoke the whole box. The final gag of Donald learning the truth makes him shrink to a couple of inches tall. Well, at least for once he knew he was in the wrong.

A nicely animated cartoon that is quick and concise with enough laughs to make it worthwhile.

There are funnier Donald and nephews shorts around, and more crisply paced ones. But these don't stop Donald's Happy Birthday from being an interesting short. I don't think Donald's Happy Birthday is all that routine. Most Donald and nephews shorts have the theme of the nephews causing trouble or playing cruel tricks on Donald getting him frustrated easily. Here Donald's nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie had good intentions and Donald is a jerk while feeling guilty when it's not all what it seems(though I do think he loves his nephews and has their interests at heart but doesn't go about it the right way). The very end I did find somewhat dark and touching. The animation is wonderful, very crisp and colourful, and the music is beautifully orchestrated and paced in a characterful manner as ever. All the characters are on top form even with the change of pace, and Clarence Nash's voice work is impeccable. All in all, a very good short. 8/10 Bethany Cox