First shot of animation: a large package, addressed to Donald Duck

It’s Donald’s birthday! And his present is to be the frame story for a package film. Having one is a good choice, but I’m not sure why all Donald’s friends got him edutainment on the cultures of Latin America, primarily regarding birds.

This is the first feature film to integrate animation and live action, and it gets more impressive as it goes. First it’s just rear projection of Donald and Joe Carioca behind live dancers, then the Caballeros composited over aerial footage, but by the time Donald is harassing women on the beach there’s actual special effects and interaction with props.

Yeah the point of this movie is Donald is far too horny. He calls every woman “toots” for some reason? I guess you can’t keep it in your pants if you never wear any. Whenever Donald gets too close to a woman, Panchito interrupts with the theme song, reminding him they’re “three gay caballeros” and “always together”, at one point wrapping him up in a rainbow serape. The final number ends with fireworks inserted in Donald’s behind and exploding.

Joe and Panchito are huge personalities, immediately fun. Panchito is one of Donald’s gifts, demands to be his best friend, and puts a gun in his face within 5 minutes. The title number begins with a repeat of Fantasia’s “sound track” effect, but simplified as the waveform makes the shape of the instrument being played.