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The Saga of Windwagon Smith

Release Date March 16, 1961

Format Color / standard animation

Timing 13:18 (unedited)

Synopsis

Windwagon Smith blows into town with a strange contraption: a conestoga wagon outfitted with a wind sail. The town fathers figure that since a small windwagon does so well, a big one must do better. They set out to build one (while Smith woos the mayor's daughter) and launch it on it's maiden voyage to very unexpected results.

Characters

Windwagon Smith
Mayor Crum
Molly Crum
Jake Shaker

Credits

Director : Charles Nichols
Animation
Julius Svendsen
Art Stevens
Effects Animation : Jack Boyd
Story
Lance Nolley
C. August Nichols
Production Design : Erni Nordli
Layout : Lance Nolley
Color Styling : Walt Peregoy
Music : George Bruns
Lyrics : C. August Nichols
Vocals : Rex Allen and the Sons of the Pioneers

Inside Jokes

One of the storefront signs reads "C. A. Nichols and Co.", a reference to the director, Charles Nichols.

Cut Scenes

The Indian head mast, and some Indian and Chinese stereotypes have been edited out.

Videos

United States
Cartoon Classics : First Series : Volume 12 : Disney's Tall Tales
Germany
Donald Total Verliebt
Italy
Paperino Pippo Pluto e ...

Laserdiscs

Japan
Winne the Pooh and a Day for Eeyore
Disney Cartoon Festival 7

DVD

United States
Disney Treasures : Disney Rarities: Celebrated Shorts, 1920s - 1960s

Comments

From Ryan R. : The Saga of Windwagon Smith is a great short set on the 19th century Kansas Prarie. The protagonist in the tale reminded me of the typical oafish hero in a Disney tall tale (think Casey at the Bat).

The animation reminded me of the old George of the Jungle cartoons, and some of the characters (including the hero's love interest) are extremely one dimensional.

Still, the story is quite fun, and pure Disney. It's a shame that this short is not more readily available (but then I'm partial to the whole tall tale genre.

From Chris : Great tall tale.

From Baruch Weiss : This cartoon does not have a Disney look to it. Nevertheless, it's still a good one!

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