Anything with Goofy and Donald is always worth watching and most of the time great or very close near it. To see them together is a dream, and they are together for one of their best collaborations in Frank Duck Brings 'em Back Alive. The concept is not exactly innovative, nor did it need to be, but what is done with it is very exciting in Frank Duck Brings 'em Back Alive. This is helped by the fast pacing and imaginative gags. Goofy eating the contract, Goofy being trapped in a cage with no bottom and Donald carrying it oblivious to Goofy being inside are enormously fun gags, but the best one for me was the gag in the cave where Donald and Goofy end up with their clothes swapped in some way or another and a lion chases them out. The animation is terrific, colourful and vibrant with lots of detailed backgrounds- especially the dark jungle- and both Goofy and Donald are very well drawn. The music has always brought heart, energy and soul to the Disney shorts, beautifully orchestrated and the ability to enhance the respective short's humour, and Frank Duck Brings 'em Back Alive is no exception. Donald is true to character and his trademark irritable and easily frustrated personality is very well shown here. Goofy works very well with him and has some nice moments where he makes small mistakes, though some may find that he is smarter than Donald here, considering that his strength is where he doesn't know what his mistakes are and how to get out of them while the audience do, that might feel a little strange to some. Pinto Colvig and Clarence Nash provide characterful vocal work. Overall, an enormously enjoyable short that makes a familiar concept seem fresh. 10/10 Bethany Cox
