Die Bootsbauer

MADE DURING WHAT was probably the zenith of the Mickey/Donald/Goofy stint as the Disney Studios' answer to the screen comedy team. The beauty of the shorts were indeed becoming a victim to their own achievement; as well as providing a springboard to the up and coming succession of full length animated features. (SNOW WHITE, PINNOCHOIO, FANTASIA, BAMBI, DUMBO, etc.) MUCH LIKE SO many other entries in the series, the premise is at once both simple yet somehow quite brilliant in its execution. The "plot" of such a short calls for each of the comic threesome starts out together and shares several other sight-gag laden scenes. The action typically gives two sequences each to the three individually.

AS FOR THE unique aspects of this entry, it lies in the tranquility generated by a seascape (even an artificial & animated one). Never has "Going Down To The Sea In Ships" has never done in such surroundings, being rendered in the most richly hued Technicolor filming imaginable.

AS IS THE norm, the short ends up with the protagonists no further ahead in their construction of the boat from model-type kit. And it is this that leaves our comic trio of on screen heroes ready to fight another day.

If Mickey, Donald and Goofy build themselves a boat ('so easy even a child can do it') do you REALLY think that by the end of the cartoon it is still going to be standing? Obviously not.

Their usual lack of skill and ignorance for each other's well-being cause enough problems during the actual building of said boat but it is when Minnie christens the boat 'Queen Minnie' that all their hard work slaps them in the face.

And who would have known that Goofy was dumb enough to think a figurehead is a real lady and fall in love with her.

Mildy amusing.

Another classic Disney short teaming their three stars of the time: Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy (with an appearance by Minnie at the end). This time the trio are trying to build a boat from some sort of kit. It's a real boat but it comes ready-to-assemble with instructions and everything like a toy or model boat. The boys naturally have trouble, particularly Goofy and Donald. It's a funny cartoon with lovely animation and jaw-droppingly beautiful Technicolor. Good voice work from Clarence Nash, Pinto Colvig, and Walt Disney himself. Not the best cartoon featuring these three but a really good one.

Boat Builders was a solid Walt Disney cartoon. Featuring Mickey, Goofy and Donald, it has some really entertaining moments. My only real complaint is that some of the animation isn't always that great, there is the occasional stiff movement or the occasional flat background. That said the music is wonderful, and so is the voice acting, while Walt Disney and Clarence Nash both turn in fine work, it is Pinto Colvig as Goofy who comes off best.

Then there are parts that are truly funny, the scene with the loose plank was funny, but the best was when Goofy thinks a mermaid figurine is a real woman and starts chasing after her when Mickey takes her away. Overall, I enjoyed this cartoon. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Before VHS tape and DVD technology, many old movies and old cartoons were re-released every few years. I was a preteen in the early 1950's and vividly remember first seeing the 1938 "Boat Builders" just before a Roy Rogers Saturday matinée flick at the local theater. It was the funniest cartoon I had ever seen. I laughed aloud continually through the entire seven minutes as Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, Goofy, and their animated friends build a boat and launch it with outrageous slapstick humor aplenty. The whole audience joined me in the laughter. Several years later I watched "Boat Builders" again. It was still funny and enjoyable, the animation still amazing. I'm rating this cartoon from the standpoint of a preteen. For youngsters yesterday, today, and tomorrow, this one is a winner.