Voices of Sean Marshall, Olan Soule, William Woodson, and Hal Smith
Directed by Don Bluth
Music and Lyrics by Don Bluth and Richard Rich
I'm sneaking one last holiday special in before the big day arrives. This debuted during a time of transition at the Disney studios. Many of the "old guard" animators who had been there since the 30's had passed on or retired by the late 70's. New animators began to step up to the plate, and with them came new ideas, like this lovely featurette. Originally debuting with a re-release of Pinocchio in mid-December 1978, it made its cable debut on HBO the day before Christmas Eve and has been a staple on cable and home media around Christmas ever since. How does the story of a little boy and his donkey friend look now? Let's begin with the "Small One" and his kid buddy (Marshall) as they start their day in the stables and find out...
The Story: Small One has grown too old to carry the heavy loads the boy's father (Soule) requires him to. He insists the boy take him into town and sell him for one piece of silver. Small One is too scrawny and diminutive to be of much interest to anyone but the tanner (Woodson), who just wants his hide. By the end of the night, they've almost given up finding a new owner...until a certain gentleman (Gordon Jump) asks the boy if he can buy the donkey to take his wife to Bethlehem...
The Animation: Gorgeous, some of Disney's best from the 70's. The subdued colors work with the rich backdrops and simple but well-rendered characters. There apparently was some reused animation, notably of Mowgli as the boy, but it doesn't really stand out that much. Bluth's hand can be seen in the sketchy, slender characters and wealth of detail. Truthfully, it looks more like a shorter version of his later films than a Disney movie, and it stands with the best of his work.
The Song and Dance: One of Disney's sweetest shorts is a lovely and gentle retelling of the birth of Christ, from the point of view of the donkey who carried his parents to Bethlehem. Marshall, who had taken care of another beloved animal friend in Pete's Dragon the year before, does well as the little boy who has to let his friend go, whether he's singing about how they'll find him a good master, or defending him staunchly from the abusive and obnoxious auctioneer. Soule is warm but weary as his father; Williamson has a menacingly memorable cameo as the man who only wants Small One to use him for leather.
Favorite Number: The film opens with the title song, performed by folk artist Christalee. The slightly syrupy ballad gives us an idea of what's to come, as she sings of how "someone is waiting" for Small One. There's not a dry eye in the house after the touching "A Friendly Face," in which the boy wishes to find a kind owner for his adored friend while he takes care of him in the stable. "The Merchant's Song" is performed by three salesmen in Nazareth, who have no trouble swindling everyone they can reach out of whatever is in their pockets. This is contrasted with "Small One for Sale" as the boy tries get someone to take his pet, only to be constantly told he's not good enough.
Trivia: Don Bluth's directorial debut and his last film for Disney.
Most copies seen nowadays (including on Disney Plus) were edited to include more points on the star in the finale and to change the lyrics in "The Merchants' Song" from "cheat a little harder" to "work a little harder," likely to avoid Jewish and Arab stereotypes. (The original prints can be found on older video copies of its late 80's "Mini Classics" release.)
What I Don't Like: Slightly dark and subdued for a Christmas special. Many kids may be put off by the relatively mature story and this not being your typical colorful and noisy holiday show. It may be best watched with adults on hand to explain the Christian themes and assure them that things will turn out ok.
The Big Finale: This may be one of the best Disney animated films you've never heard of. Highly recommended viewing for fans of Bluth and those looking for great family holiday programming, especially stories revolving around the Nativity.
Home Media: The two DVD collections this can be found on are expensive. You may be better off streaming it; it's on Disney Plus with a subscription.
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