Amazon.com: Mickey's pal Pluto developed from the pair of bloodhounds in "The Chain Gang" (1930). Walt Disney liked animator Norm Ferguson's handling of the dogs' expressions, so the artists continued to work with the character. Ferguson's breakthrough animation of the flypaper sequence in "Playful Pluto" (1934), available on Walt Disney Treasures: Mickey Mouse in Black and White, Vol. 2, showed that the cartoon character could think and react to a situation through pantomime. Many cartoons follow the pattern of "Playful Pluto": the ochre dog tries to cope with either a recalcitrant object--skates in "On Ice," an inflatable rubber horse in "Beach Picnic"--or a cute but troublesome animal: a seal in "Pluto's Playmate," a gopher in "Canine Caddy" and the title character in "Pluto and the Armadillo."
Pluto's quick temper and willingness to rush in where pedigrees fear to tread made him a popular subject for cartoons (and military insignias) during World War II. In "First Aiders," Pluto serves as a reluctant subject when Minnie practices splinting and bandaging. Eager to do his bit, he serves as a military watch dog in "Private Pluto," "Dog Watch," and "Canine Patrol." In several of these cartoons, Mickey is reduced to playing straight man to Pluto, who gets the laughs. Pluto is pitted against a black housekeeper, reminiscent of Mammy Two-Shoes in the Tom and Jerry cartoons in "Pantry Pirate"--a rare example of ethnic stereotyping in a Disney short. (Unrated, suitable for ages 5 and older: cartoon violence, occasional ethnic stereotypes) --Charles Solomon
Description: Mickey's faithful friend Pluto is unleashed in this first volume of the celebrated canine's cartoon capers. Spanning the years 1930 to 1947, these 29 classic shorts include Pluto's 1930 debut in "The Chain Gang" -- which was actually his first and second appearance playing unnamed, identical bloodhounds -- and the 1941 Academy Award(R)-winning short "Lend A Paw." The tales continue with a special "dogumentary" focusing on the birth and evolution of everybody's best friend, an excerpt from the TV program "A Story Of Dogs," a look back at the life of Pluto's father, animator Norman "Fergy" Ferguson, and more. It's no wonder Pluto's star rose faster than his temper.
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Binding: DVD EAN: 9780788853524 Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC ISBN: 078885352X Label: Walt Disney Home Entertainment Languages:EnglishOriginal Language Manufacturer: Walt Disney Home Entertainment Number Of Items: 2 Publisher: Walt Disney Home Entertainment Region Code: 1 Release Date: December 07, 2004 Running Time: 266 minutes Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
Customer Reviews
great DVD
It was so great To see This DVD (which arrived way ahead of the estimated arrival) which includes 'Pluto at the zoo' that i saw as a young boy in super-8 with no sound and b&w.
Diseny has made all of its old cartoons availble in wonderful editions.
My only concern is that Volume 2 is unavailble new and most sellers dont ship to my area (Israel). So is the case with Volume 3 and 4 of the Donald Duck series. Why Diseny chooses not to renew these great editions i cant understand.