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Sunday, October 30, 2011

Disney's Trick or Treat

Classic Animation
[Source: Wikipedia] Trick or Treat is a 1952 American animated short film produced by Walt Disney Productions and released by RKO Radio Pictures. The cartoon, which takes place on Halloween night, follows a series of pranks between Donald Duck and his nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie who are aided by Witch Hazel. The film was directed by Jack Hannah and features the voices of Clarence Nash as Donald and his nephews, and June Foray as Hazel. The film introduced the song "Trick or Treat for Halloween" which was written by Paul J. Smith.

The film opens with the song "Trick or Treat for Halloween," the lyrics of which tell the story's lesson – one must be generous on Halloween or face trouble.

One Halloween night, Witch Hazel observes Huey, Duey, and Louie going trick-or-treating. The trio, dressed as a ghost, a devil, and a wizard, go up to the door of their uncle Donald Duck's house under a covered porch and ring the bell. But instead of giving them the traditional candy, Donald explodes firecrackers in their bags, then pulls a string leading to a rigged bucket of water hanging under the porch roof and tips it on the boys. Donald laughs, and the discouraged nephews go and sit on the curb.

But Hazel, who was secretly watching the drama unfold, tries to comfort the boys. When she discovers that they believe in "real witches," she decides to help them get their treats from Donald after all. At first Hazel tries to convince Donald herself, but he dumps another bucket of water on her. Realizing that the job may be harder than she thought, she turns to her magic.

At another location, the nephews watch Hazel concoct a magic potion in a large cauldron. In a scene paying homage to Shakespeare's MacBeth (see Three Witches), Hazel adds ingredients somewhat toned down from the play. ("Eye of needle, tongue of shoe, hand of clock that points at two!" etc.) Hazel fills a spray bottle of the potion and returns to Donald's house with the nephews.

Hazel sprays a Jack-o'-lantern and three fence posts with the potion and they become an animated chorus singing the theme song. A terrified Donald instantly agrees to treat the boys, but when Hazel refers to him as a pushover, he changes his mind. Donald locks his pantry and swallows the key. Hazel then uses the potion on Donald's feet, and commands them to "kick out that key." But when the key is kicked out, Donald throws it under the pantry door. Hazel then orders Donald's feet to "smash that door down" with Donald. After several attempts, Donald finally breaks down the pantry door and is left unconscious on the floor.

In the end, Huey, Duey, and Louie collect their treats and Hazel departs. A final shot shows the enchanted Jack-o'lantern suddenly pop onto the screen saying "Boo!"

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