05 août 2008
Saludos Amigos
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Saludos Amigos, the sixth Great Classic of Disney studios released on February 6th, 1943. Its production began in 1941, after the return of a group of artists of the studios of a great journey in South America. The aim of this journey was to promote the American values and to ward off the rise of the Nazi influence in the various countries of the South of the continent.
Time were hard in Disney studios, after the closing of the European market in 1939, a general strike bursts into 1941, most of the employees claimed the bonuses which had been promised to them during the production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Instead of satisfying his employees, Disney had then decided to put in construction new studios in Burbank, considering those of Hyperion Avenue too small. The proposition of the American government to send Walt Disney and his team of artists to South America arrived just at the right moment and permit him to go away from the conflict. Among the members who accompanied him we found Lee and Mary Blair, Franck Thomas or Marc Davis. From this journey will be born Saludos Amigos but also The Three Caballeros released in 1945.
Saludos Amigos is particular in several points. First it is the shortest Great Classic ever produced, 46 small minutes! Then it is the only Great Classic where appears Walt Disney himself, playing in the various live scenes incorporated between every animated short film. The time was to do savings, connect several short films between them was the best solution in order to don't to spend too much money. We will call very fast this kind of full-length film:package films. Saludos Amigos is composed of four short films :
- Lake Titicaca : Donald is playing the role of a lambda tourist who is visiting the surroundings of the famous lake.
- Pedro : We are following the adventures of a small plane crossing The Andes to deliver the mail.
- El Gaucho Goofy : Goofy puts himself in the skin of an American Cow Boy who find himself in the Pampa.
- Aquarela Do Brasil : Donald meets Jose Carioca, a parrot possessed by samba, who makes Donald taste the pleasures of his country.
Saludos Amigos will be very well received at its release in February 1943, even if someone blamed it for being much less accomplished than the ancient Great Classics. The film will even be a real triumph in South America. It was three times nominated in Oscars ® for the best music, the best sound and the best song (categories in which the animated films of the studio are often going to meet themselves).
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