Horst in Translation ([email protected]) "The Whalers" is an 8-minute color cartoon from over 75 years ago. This one was released a year before the beginning of World War II. The directors are David Hand and Dick Huemer and this duo worked on some of Disney's most known films from back in the day such as "Dumbo", "Alice in Wonderland", "Fantasia", "Bambi" and "Snow White". So I was a bit disappointed by this short film here, especially also as Colvig, Nash and Disney reunited for the voice acting. But the story simply wasn't too interesting and the jokes and slapstick weren't that great here either. The only thing slightly memorable was the Jonah reference about Goofy here. The rest is fairly forgettable and there are many other superior Disney short films from that era, also some of them including the same trio just like this one. Check out another is my suggestion. Oh and a final word about whaling. This is obviously a very cruel and unacceptable activity, but people did not perceive it this way in the 1930s I guess. Well, it's fine anyway as our three heroes here are far too incompetent to ever succeed in that profession.

TheLittleSongbird Not a classic by all means, but great fun regardless. Mickey doesn't feature that much here, but Goofy and Donald have plenty to do and as pretty much always are peerless. The animation is done in a very nice fluid and colourful visual style, and the music is rousing and clever. Also prevalent are some interesting sight gags, and the whale is a great point of interest. When it comes to cartoon whales I prefer Willie from Willie the Operatic Whale and Spot from the Little Mermaid series, but this whale is memorable. The story is simple and a tad predictable but only occasionally, but it is effective mostly. The voice acting is well done, with Clarence Nash coming off best.Overall, nicely done and entertaining. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Atreyu_II I am somewhat confused that this one is classified as one of the "Mickey Cartoons". Sure, Mickey Mouse is in it, but he doesn't really do anything here and he barely speaks something here. Plus, the story focus more on Goofy, Donald Duck and a whale than Mickey Mouse.It's a generally enjoyable cartoon. The only thing I have to criticize is that they want to hunt the whale. But that doesn't happen. Fortunately, it turns out to be a comical story, especially the bits inside the gigantic whale and the bit when the whale destroys the boat.I love that whale. The whale is the main interest in this story. Without the whale, this would have been probably nothing special.Although quite old-fashioned, for something that is from the year 1938, it doesn't look as dated as it could be (except for some minor clues, such as the older appearance of Goofy and Mickey Mouse).

Shawn Watson Mickey, Donald and Goofy are whale hunters? How disgusting! But this was made back when Disney was non-PC. Which is really how it should have stayed if you don't mind me contradicting myself.Obviously, because of their clumsiness, they aren't actually going to kill any whale and you can bet your bottom dollar that their whaling ship ain't gonna be afloat by the end.In the usual hijinks Donald is tormented as seagulls eat his sandwiches and Goofy can't fire a harpoon to save himself (am I the only one who saw pretty strong phallic imagery with that cannon?) and Mickey does...nothing. Why is this even categorised as a Mickey cartoon? The bit inside the whale is cute, the rest never rises above adequacy.