Monthly Archives: April 2013

April 16, 1948 – The Donald Duck Short Film Daddy Duck is Released to Theaters

“You big, bad, nasty bear! Scaring my little baby! I gotcha!”

On April 16, 1948, the Donald Duck short film Daddy Duck was released to theaters. It was directed by Jack Hannah, with story by Jack Cosgiff and Bob McCormick.

Donald is at an adoption agency, ready to adopt a baby. He signs the paperwork, and is given a baby kangaroo named Joey, who takes to Donald immediately. The two hop home, and right off the bat, Donald has a hard time controlling Joey. Donald immediately tries to show that he’s the boss, and the adoption agency keeps calling to remind Donald what he should be doing, like giving Joey a bath. Donald tries to give Joey a bath, but Joey refuses, until he spies the pouch in Donald’s apron. He quickly tucks himself into the pouch, as Donald tries to coerce him into taking a bath. At the end of it all, Donald’s the one that ends up in the tub.

Joey is terrified after coming across Donald’s bearskin rug

The phone rings again, and Donald is given his next assignment. Joey, however, is having more fun with the waxed floor, when he runs across a bearskin rug. Terrified, he dives back into the apron pouch, and Donald tries to reassure him that the bear rug is no threat by pretending to beat it up. Donald then pretends to be eaten by the bear, and desperate to save his new father, Joey hops into action, grabbing a poker from the fireplace and poking the bear, then chasing after him with a baseball bat. Joey uses a chair to knock Donald out of the bear rug, sending the duck flying into Joey’s rocker. Joey then hugs Donald affectionately, glad that his dad is safe.

April 15, 1938 – The Donald Duck Short Film Donald’s Nephews is Released to Theaters

“Dear Brother, I am sending your angel nephews to visit you.”

On April 15, 1938, the Donald Duck short film Donald’s Nephews was released to theaters. This short marks the first on screen performance of Huey, Dewey, and Louie, sent to Donald by his sister Dumbella. The trio were created by Ted Osborne and Al Taliaferro, with their first appearance in a newspaper comic strip on October 17, 1937. The short was directed by Jack King.

Donald reads the message from his sister that his nephews are visiting, with his sister “misinforming” him that they are three angels. The moment they arrive, however, they cause nothing but trouble, from sending Donald flying into a wall and riding their tricycles all over the house in a game of tricycle polo. Through their efforts of destroying the house, Donald comes across a book called Modern Child Training, and decides to use the lessons inside to tame his nephews. The first exercise is that music will tame them, and he goes over to his piano to play. The nephews pick up some other instruments and begin to play “Pop Goes the Weasel” along with Donald, but the joy is short lived, as they use the instruments to harass Donald further.

Donald attempts to regain control over his nephews at mealtime

The book advises Donald to never lose his temper, much to their confusion. When Donald goes back to the piano, they continue to play their pranks on their uncle. He reads another lesson in the book that if the kids are quarreling, they must be hungry, and has them sit down for a meal. As he tries to say grace, the three nephews try to steal the food, with Donald getting more and more agitated. The book tells him that “if all else fails, arouse their sympathy.” Donald decides to do just that, and the nephews are alarmed to see their uncle cry. They apologize, and promise to be good boys, although they play another prank on him, replacing the filling of a pie with hot mustard. Donald cries out for water after eating the mustard pie, and the trio delights in soaking him in water and using the fire extinguisher before leaving his house. Dazed, Donald looks down at the book, with the page reading, “After all, little children are only angels without wings.” Donald throws a tantrum and rips the book into pieces.