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DONALD DUCK

March 12, 2007 – 4:09 pm

DONALD DUCK

After Mickey Mouse became a role model for children in 1930’s Walt Disney could no longer make Mickey to swear or show anger. Disney wanted a character that could display negative emotions; hence Donald was born when Disney heard Clarence Nash doing his “duck” voice during recital of “Mary had a little lamb”.

Donald duck first appearance was in “The Wise Little Hen” (June 9, 1934). Donald and Peter Pig were supporting characters in the cartoon who refuse to help the mother hen in planting and harvesting corn. When the harvesting is over Donald and Peter are interested in the corn delicacies but they are not invited. June 9, 1934 is official birthday of Donald when his debut film was released.

It was Donald’s unintelligible speech that made Donald one of the most famous animated characters in the world of cartoons. It catapulted both Donald and Clarence “ducky” Nash to instant fame. Donald was voiced over by Nash till 1985 after which the role was taken over by Tony Anselmo, who was trained by none other than Nash.

Donald’s first starring role was in “Don Donald” (January 9, 1937) which although was released as a Mickey cartoon didn’t feature Mickey. In this short Donna Duck is also introduced (long time love interest of Donald who later became known as Daisy).

During late 1940’s Donald Duck had surpassed Mickey Mouse as Disney’s most popular cartoon character. Der Fuehrer’s Face which was released on January 1, 1943 was awarded 1943 Academy Award for Animated Short Film. In it Donald is shown having a nightmare in which he is working in “Nutzi Land” (Nazi Germany) in deplorable conditions. Walt produced “Saludos Amigos” and “The Three Caballeros” after his visit to South America.
 
In Duck Tales Donald plays a small role in which he leaves his nephews under care of Uncle Scrooge and joins the Navy. After this Donald had his own show Quack Pack in which Huey, Dewey and Louie are shown as teenagers and Donald Hawaiian shirt to his sailor suit.

Favorite sayings of Donald are “Oh, yeah?”, “Hiya, toots!”, “Aw, phooey!”, “Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!”, “Nothin’ to it!”

To celebrate Donald’s 50th birthday a television special was aired on CBS on November 13, 1984. Host Dick Van Dyke took a look at the famous duck, with many of his celebrity friends helping out.