DON'S FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH (1953)

RELEASE DATE: Saturday 30th May 1953

 SYNOPSIS: On a driving vacation with the nephews, Donald is excited to show them all the wonderful local sights. I think most parents can identify with this: "Look at all this amazing scenery, kids!" And the kids are much more interested in their comic book. Donald decides to give the boys a taste of their own medicine. He makes them think the mysterious Fountain of Youth has transformed him into a baby. He might have got a bit more than he bargained for when he takes an egg from a protective mother alligator though!

HAKU: Donald is a bit of a sadist. See how much pleasure he gets out of watching his nephews cry.

IRVYNE: Yeah. He's a terrible uncle!

ANNA: He's a big meanie!

 

 

HAKU: I'm wondering where they were holidaying. There's old Spanish forts, and the sign said "Ponce de Leon."

 

IRVYNE: My internet research has shown me that the Fountain of Youth that Juan Ponce de Leon drank from (and caused him to live to the ancient age of 61!) was in the town of St. Augustine in the North-East of Florida. So I suppose that's where the ducks must be visiting in this cartoon. And there are alligators in Florida, so that makes sense. With the scenes of Donald being chased by the alligator, this film feels a bit like a semi-sequel to Peter Pan!

 

HAKU: No ticking clock though.

 

IRVYNE: The way the mother alligator wins her babies' love at the end is classic!

  

  

SHENZI: It was a nice role-reversal to see the boys having to act as the parents to a bratty child.

 

MERRYWEATHER: Huey, Dewie and Louie loved their comic book! If this was set today, the kids would probably each have a 3DS to play.

 

  

SHENZI: I think it must be anime (read backwards) because it says "comic" on the back page and "book" on the front!

 

IRVYNE: It's funny to realise that some things never change. You can take kids on holidays and say, "Look at all the beautiful scenery!" and they're more interested in their books or computer games.