[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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