Toy Tinkers

Toy Tinkers (1949)

*** (out of 4)

Donald goes into the forest and cuts down a Christmas tree, which is witnessed by Chip and Dale who in return sneak into Donald's house to steal some walnuts. After they're caught the two sides battle with various ornaments and toys. This film has a lot in common with DONALD'S SNOW FIGHT, which featured Donald doing battle with his two nephews and I think you can also see that this film had an influence on PLUTO'S Christmas TREE, which had Pluto doing battle with Chip and Dale after they got into his home. This middle film isn't nearly as great as the other two but I think there's enough here to keep people entertained. I think the highlight of the movie is a sequence where the chipmunks are on a train and have to try and steal the walnuts from Donald who has a few tricks of his own. Throughout the film the animation is top-notch and there's no question that there's enough action for two movies.

In the last Disney cartoon released in the 1940s, Donald is out cutting a Christmas tree. This attracts the attention of Chip and Dale. They follow him to his cabin, where they observe him decorating the tree, contemplating his toys, and then they spot the immense bowl of walnuts. They must have it!

Of course it starts out simply, and grows in complication as more and more war toys are used the the increasingly frenzied battle between good and evil .... which side you come down on. Will there be dynamite?

I will admit that I much prefer Pluto's Christmas Tree, but this is a very amusing cartoon. My only complaint is that it is noticeably more violent than other Christmas vignettes. The animation and the music are lovely, and a lot of the episode is laugh-out-loud funny. I loved the part when Chip an' Dale put a candle in the telephone, and when Donald answered it, it exploded, it was hilarious. Chip an' Dale are as sweet as ever, especially when they argue over the Christmas present. It was also nice to see Donald having fun, though he isn't as temperamental as he appears in other episodes. Overall, a very amusing and well done cartoon, not the best, but well worth looking out for! 9/10 Bethany Cox.

This Disney cartoon short with Donald Duck and Chip and Dale is for sure the best Christmas cartoon short film of all time. A fabulous Christmas mood is brought to the cinema screen in perfect drawings. A wintry landscape, the traditional tree-felling of the Christmas tree, a beautiful home with fantastic Christmas decorations - everything is there: classic gifts and sweets under the tree, which is then decorated by Donald, and little rascals who fight a Christmas battle with the popular duck Makes children's hearts beat faster - and not just their hearts. Timeless, classic, simply beautiful. A masterpiece.

With "Donald Duck" safely ensconced at home with his freshly chopped tree preparing for Christmas, the mischievous "Chip" and "Dale" peer through his window at the alluring selection of treats on his carpet and thanks to their powerful incisors, are swiftly helping themselves to his seasonal nuts. Once their host cottons on to their thievery, though, there seems little likelihood of a truce between what rapidly become two warring parties making full use of an array of toys and confectionary - even an Howitzer - but will there be a victor or perhaps some pipes of peace? This is an enjoyably colourful and lively cartoon with the chipmunks always an affably good foe for a "Donald" whose squeaky and increasingly frustrated dulcets always made me smile. There's plenty of tit-for-tat and a jolly score to help it along, too. The Christmas spirit is definitely alive and well with this!