October 10, 1952 – The Donald Duck Short Film Trick or Treat is Released
“Trick or treat, trick or treat, trick or treat, the whole night through, little scalawags with fiendish gags can make it tough on you.”
On October 10, 1952, the Donald Duck short film Trick or Treat was released to theaters. The short was directed by Jack Hannah, with story by Ralph Wright, and music by Paul Smith. It stars Clarence Nash as Donald and the nephews, and June Foray as Witch Hazel.
It’s Halloween night, and a witch is seen flying around in the night sky. She stops to observe Huey, Dewey, and Louie trick or treating, and sees when they ring Donald’s door. Instead of Donald giving them candy, he gives them firecrackers, blowing up their trick or treat bags. He then dumps a bucket of water on them. The witch, named Hazel, feels sorry for the three, and stops in front of them, offering to help get revenge on their uncle. She stops at Donald’s door and receives the same treatment, and decides to resort to some more drastic measures.
The ingredients of the potion combine, causing a massive explosion
Hazel stands in front of her cauldron, with the nephews putting in all the ingredients she needs. The nephews watch in awe as the potion explodes. Hazel takes some potion with her, and the four of them fly off to Donald’s, with Hazel spraying the potion first on a pumpkin, which comes to life and startles Donald. She then sprays a paintbrush, which begins to paint Donald’s house green. Ghosts then appear at Donald’s door, scaring him before Hazel and the boys dive into the house, using her broom to pin him against the wall and give the boys the treats.
Unfortunately, when Hazel calls Donald a pushover, Donald changes his mind, locks the treats up, and swallows the key. Hazel doesn’t give up so easily, and she casts a spell on Donald’s feet, first causing the feet to kick out the key from Donald. Donald desperately tries to hold on to the key, but Hazel is able to have it released. Although Donald grabs the key at the last second and throws it under the cupboard door, Hazel decides to have Donald’s feet kick the door down – using Donald. The last attempt is successful, and kids have all the treats they want. The nephews wave goodbye to Hazel as she flies away.
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