Walt Disney Classic Cartoon Favorites: Budget Fun or Missed Chance?
The Walt Disney Classic Cartoon Favorites line emerged as a seemingly successful venture for Disney’s home entertainment division. Launched with the promise of delivering roughly an hour of vintage color animated shorts per disc, the series targeted consumers seeking classic Disney animation without the premium price tag, collectible tins, or extensive bonus features associated with the more comprehensive Walt Disney Treasures line. These modestly priced DVDs ($14.99 SRP at launch) quickly found an audience, offering accessible compilations of cartoons from the format’s golden era. With multiple waves released in quick succession, the line appeared to meet a demand for straightforward, no-frills collections of beloved shorts, making classic animation readily available to families and casual fans. This review delves into the nature of this DVD line, using Volume 9, Classic Holiday Stories, as a prime example to assess its value and place within Disney’s home media catalog.
Understanding the Walt Disney Classic Cartoon Favorites Line
The core concept behind the Walt Disney Classic Cartoon Favorites series was simplicity and accessibility. Each volume curated a selection of shorts, often loosely themed, providing around 60 minutes of viewing time. The target demographic was clear: individuals or families wanting a dose of nostalgic Disney animation on DVD without investing in the collector-focused, feature-rich, and often limited-edition Walt Disney Treasures sets.
This budget-friendly approach, however, came with trade-offs. The Treasures line, curated by Leonard Maltin, was renowned for its historical context, meticulous restorations, and wealth of supplementary material, appealing to dedicated animation historians and collectors. In contrast, the Classic Cartoon Favorites offered unrestored transfers, lacked bonus content entirely, and presented a curated, rather than comprehensive, selection. While satisfying sales figures suggested market acceptance, collectors often lamented the bare-bones presentation and occasionally compromised video quality compared to the Treasures releases. The line ultimately served a different purpose – quick, affordable access to a sample of Disney’s short film legacy.
Spotlight on Volume 9: Classic Holiday Stories
Released strategically ahead of the holiday season, Volume 9 – Classic Holiday Stories exemplified the Walt Disney Classic Cartoon Favorites formula while also deviating slightly. Adhering to the near-hour runtime (58 minutes), this volume distinguishes itself by featuring only three animated shorts. This lower count is due to the inclusion of two longer “featurette” length cartoons: The Small One (1978) and Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983), each running significantly longer than the typical 6-to-8-minute Disney short.
Furthermore, these two main inclusions pushed the timeline of cartoons featured in the series beyond the early 1950s cutoff observed in previous volumes. Their production occurred well after the traditional theatrical short format had declined and following Walt Disney’s passing. Despite this, labeling them “Classic” feels appropriate; they represent significant achievements during a quieter period for Disney animation, and the generation who saw them first-run were reaching an age to share them with their own children. Notably, this volume marked the Region 1 DVD debut of The Small One, a significant draw for those holding onto aging VHS copies.
The Small One (1978): A Closer Look
(Runtime: 25:25)
This touching featurette tells the simple, heartfelt story of a young boy in ancient Judea tasked with selling his beloved donkey, Small One. The donkey, though playful and loyal, is considered too small for heavy work. The boy seeks only a single piece of silver but struggles to find a buyer who appreciates the gentle creature. He encounters rejection and ridicule from a tanner interested only in the hide, opportunistic marketplace dealers, and a mocking auctioneer. Dejected, the boy and Small One are approached by a kind, bearded man seeking a gentle donkey to carry his wife to Bethlehem. The transaction brings solace to the boy, knowing his friend has found a good home and a vital purpose. The subtly depicted journey towards the bright star provides a poignant and deeply satisfying conclusion, connecting Small One’s fate to the Nativity story.
A young boy comforts his small donkey, Small One, in a scene from Disney's The Small One (1978).
Directed by Don Bluth in his directorial debut for Disney, The Small One showcases the talent he honed animating on films like Robin Hood and The Rescuers. Released alongside a Pinocchio reissue just before Christmas 1978, it became Bluth’s final Disney credit before his highly publicized departure from the studio nine months later, taking several animators with him to form his own independent studio. The Small One stands out in the Disney library for its length and its overt religious theme, handled with sensitivity and emotional resonance. Adapted from Charles Tazewell’s children’s book, the short avoids excessive sentimentality, presenting a tender melancholy underscored by its moving theme song. Its focus on the deeper meaning of Christmas, beyond general goodwill, draws favorable comparisons to classics like A Charlie Brown Christmas, highlighting its enduring quality and heart.
The boy and his loyal donkey Small One share a moment in the animated featurette The Small One.
Pluto’s Christmas Tree (1952): Festive Fun
(Runtime: 6:53)
Shifting to a lighter, more traditional format, Pluto’s Christmas Tree is a standout short from the tail end of Mickey Mouse’s original theatrical run. Capturing the Christmas spirit from its opening frames with a medley of instrumental carols, the story follows Mickey and Pluto as they venture out to find the perfect Christmas tree. The chosen fir, however, comes with two stowaways: the mischievous chipmunks, Chip ‘n’ Dale. Pluto’s discovery sparks a chaotic battle of wits as the dog tries desperately to oust the intruders, while the chipmunks delight in tormenting him and exploring their festive new surroundings. Their antics wreak havoc on Mickey’s decorating efforts, pushing the usually cheerful mouse to his limits. The short culminates in a typically happy, heartwarming Christmas resolution, beautifully rendered with vibrant holiday colors and classic Disney charm. It remains one of the most beloved Disney Christmas shorts.
Mickey Mouse proudly stands beside his Christmas tree while Pluto eyes Chip 'n' Dale hiding within its branches.
Chip and Dale peek out mischievously from inside the decorated Christmas tree in Pluto's Christmas Tree.
Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983): A Modern Classic
(Runtime: 25:35)
The final and longest piece in this collection, Mickey’s Christmas Carol, masterfully blends Disney’s past and future. It marked Mickey Mouse’s return to the big screen after a 30-year absence and served as a proving ground for a new generation of animation talent, including Glen Keane, Mark Henn, and John Lasseter, working alongside veterans like Eric Larson (one of Walt’s Nine Old Men) and Clarence Nash (in his final performance as Donald Duck). This fusion of talent resulted in a featurette that felt both timelessly Disney and refreshingly contemporary for its time.
Ebenezer Scrooge (Scrooge McDuck) angrily questions Bob Cratchit (Mickey Mouse) about using coal in Mickey's Christmas Carol.
Adapting Charles Dickens’ immortal tale of redemption, the short cleverly casts familiar Disney faces: Scrooge McDuck is perfectly cast as the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, with Mickey as his long-suffering clerk Bob Crachit. Other roles are filled by a delightful array of characters, from Goofy as the spectral Jacob Marley to Jiminy Cricket as the Ghost of Christmas Past and Willie the Giant as the Ghost of Christmas Present. Spotting characters from decades of Disney animation adds an extra layer of fun for fans. The story, though familiar, retains its power in this condensed form. Mickey’s Christmas Carol strikes an expert balance between drama and humor, faithfulness to the source and original Disney charm. It received critical acclaim upon its 1983 release (often overshadowing its accompanying feature, a reissue of The Rescuers), earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Short Film, and is widely regarded as one of the finest Disney productions of the post-Walt era.
The Ghost of Christmas Past (Jiminy Cricket) shows a troubled Ebenezer Scrooge (Scrooge McDuck) scenes from his youth in Mickey's Christmas Carol.
Technical Assessment: Video and Audio Quality
A significant point of contention for the Walt Disney Classic Cartoon Favorites line, including Volume 9, is the technical presentation. Unlike the restored prints often found on the Treasures sets, the shorts here show varying degrees of age and lack of remastering.
Video Quality Concerns
All three cartoons are presented in the 1.33:1 fullscreen aspect ratio. The Small One, making its Region 1 DVD debut, suffers noticeably from digital artifacts, print blemishes, choppy transitions, and general visual noise, indicating a lack of restoration. Pluto’s Christmas Tree (1952), being the oldest, shows expected wear but fares slightly better, comparable to an acceptable, unrestored vintage short presentation. Its original Academy Ratio fits the fullscreen display well.
Mickey’s Christmas Carol looks the best, being the most recent, but its presentation here is in open matte 1.33:1, differing from the 1.66:1 widescreen (16×9 enhanced) version found on the Mickey Mouse in Living Color, Volume 2 Treasure set. This open matte transfer reveals more picture information at the top and bottom but loses negligible amounts on the sides compared to the presumed intended theatrical ratio. While less egregious than cropping, it’s an inconsistency that could have been avoided by using the existing widescreen master. Overall, picture quality is inconsistent, with The Small One showing its age poorly, while Mickey’s Christmas Carol looks clean despite the framing difference.
Audio Presentation
The Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround audio tracks mirror the video inconsistencies. The Small One‘s audio track sounds muffled, particularly dialogue, and the songs lack dynamic range, clearly needing remastering. Pluto’s Christmas Tree, originally mono, holds up reasonably well for its age. Mickey’s Christmas Carol delivers the strongest audio experience, with clear dialogue and effective sound design, even offering subtle surround channel reinforcement.
Bonus Features and DVD Design
True to the Walt Disney Classic Cartoon Favorites mandate, Volume 9 contains no bonus features. This is particularly disappointing considering the existence of an excellent making-of documentary for Mickey’s Christmas Carol included on the Mickey Mouse in Living Color, Volume 2 Treasure set. The DVD offers Disney’s FastPlay option, which automatically plays previews and the main content, bypassing the menu unless interrupted.
A hand counts coins, symbolizing the budget-focused approach of the Classic Cartoon Favorites DVD line.
The 16×9 animated menus follow the standard design for the series but incorporate a holiday theme with falling snow, festive music featuring bells, and characters dressed in winter attire. Previews at the disc’s start include Lady and the Tramp: Platinum Edition, Chicken Little, and Kronk’s New Groove. Additional sneak peeks available via the menu promote Toy Story: 10th Anniversary Edition, Tarzan: Special Edition, Old Yeller: 2-Movie Collection, Muppet movie reissues, and the Timeless Tales DVD series. An insert lists the cartoons and promotes other volumes in the line.
The animated main menu for Classic Cartoon Favorites Vol 9 features falling snow and festive Disney characters.
Closing Thoughts
Classic Holiday Stories offers a trio of exceptional Disney shorts, perfectly suited for the Christmas season but enjoyable year-round. The Small One is a poignant gem, Pluto’s Christmas Tree is classic festive chaos, and Mickey’s Christmas Carol is a beloved adaptation that holds a special place in Disney history. The quality of the animation itself is undeniable.
However, the Walt Disney Classic Cartoon Favorites presentation on this Volume 9 DVD leaves much to be desired. The lack of restoration, particularly evident on The Small One, and the inconsistent aspect ratio for Mickey’s Christmas Carol detract from the viewing experience. The complete absence of bonus materials further diminishes its value proposition compared to the more archival Walt Disney Treasures releases.
For casual viewers or families seeking an affordable dose of Disney holiday cheer, and especially for those wanting The Small One on DVD, this volume might suffice despite its flaws. The cartoons themselves are top-tier. But for collectors who already own Mickey Mouse in Living Color, Volume 2 (which presents Mickey’s Christmas Carol and Pluto’s Christmas Tree in better quality or context, along with bonus features), this release offers little incentive beyond the debut of The Small One. The decision hinges on whether the convenience and low price outweigh the compromises in presentation quality and the lack of extras inherent to the Walt Disney Classic Cartoon Favorites line.
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