September 1, 1939 – The Donald Duck Short Film The Autograph Hound is Released to Theaters
“Get out! And stay out, you web-footed autograph hound!”
On September 1, 1939, the Donald Duck short film The Autograph Hound was released to theaters. The short contains many caricatures of famous stars of the time, including Mickey Rooney, Shirley Temple, Clark Gable, and Greta Garbo. The short was directed by Jack King, and stars Clarence Nash as Donald Duck.
In front of Hollywood Studios, a large sign is set up, proclaiming “No autograph hounds allowed.” Shortly after the audience sees the sign, the gates open up, and the security guard throws Donald out onto the street. As Donald yells at the officer, he is almost hit by a car belonging to famous actress Greta Garbo. Donald tricks the guard into thinking he’s riding in with Ms. Garbo, but when the guard finds out he’s been duped, he pursues Donald across the studio. Donald first hides in Mickey Rooney’s dressing room. He asks Rooney for an autograph, but Rooney plays practical jokes on Donald, angering the duck. Seeing the security guard again, Donald flees.
Donald runs into the Ritz Brothers, and doesn’t hesitate to ask them for an autograph
The next stop Donald makes is on the set of a film, which has an ice skating rink set up. He runs across Sonja Henie, and asks for her autograph, which she carves into the ice. Donald attempts to take it with him while crossing another set set up like the Sahara Desert, only to find the autograph melting fast in his hands. He comes across a tent with what appear to be the shadows of three belly dancers on the wall. When the “belly dancers” pass by the door of the tent, it’s revealed that it’s actually the Ritz Brothers. Donald asks for their autograph, and they provide it, but not in the manner Donald wanted. Spotting the officer again, Donald makes a run for it.
After running up the stairs of a set, Donald trips over Shirley Temple, and the two tumble down the stairs. Shirley recognizes Donald, and the two ask for each other’s autograph. As he jumps for joy over his good fortune, the officer grabs him by the neck and proclaims that he’s got him. Temple, however, chastises the officer for grabbing Donald Duck. The news that Donald Duck is in the studio passes around like wildfire, with celebrities leaving their sets to meet him, including Greta Garbo, Clark Gable, and the Marx Brothers. Donald is soon surrounded by autograph books, with the officer himself handing Donald a pen and asking for his autograph. Donald grabs the pen and gives it to him, spraying the officer’s face with ink.
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