August 11, 1934 – The Mickey Mouse Short Film Orphan’s Benefit is Released to Theaters
“Introducing Donald Duck reciting ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb.’”
On August 11, 1934, the Mickey Mouse short film Orphan’s Benefit was released to theaters. This short was the first time that Donald and Goofy were featured together and with Mickey Mouse. It was later remade in 1941 in color and with updated animation. The original version was directed by Burt Gillett.
The short begins with the orphans arriving in droves to a free showing of Mickey’s Big Show. Inside, the orphans are causing all sorts of mischief, which is quelled only when Mickey enters onstage, followed closely by Donald Duck. Mickey introduces Donald, who will recite the poem “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” While Donald is a hit, when he starts to recite “Little Boy Blue,” one of the orphans mocks him by blowing his nose. Donald tries again, but when he is mocked again, he throws a tantrum, and is swiftly pulled off stage by a giant hook. Next to perform is Clarabelle Cow with a ballet act, alongside Goofy and Horace Horsecollar. The show begins with Goofy nearly falling, but he is able to catch himself without dropping Clarabelle. Horace at one point picks her up and spins her wildly. He throws her to Goofy, who ends up spinning out of control and falls to the ground. He then picks her up once again and attempts some acrobatics, but fails once she falls on his head. The spinning and throwing of Clarabelle continues between the two, until Goofy manages to pull off her leotard instead of catching her.
Donald throws his famous tantrum after being mocked by the orphans, who have another surprise waiting for him
Donald returns to the stage, eager to get even, but instead has an ice cream thrown in his face, and is then treated like a punching bag before being pulled off again. After Donald, Clara Cluck comes onstage to perform a song, with Mickey accompanying her on the piano. Clara hits the high note with the “help” of an orphan and his slingshot, but she and Mickey accept this gracefully and take a bow. After they take several bows, Donald is onstage yet again, and recites his poem, waiting for a reaction. Hearing none, he discards his brick, and recites his poem. Unfortunately, the orphans mock him at the right moment, inciting a tantrum, and the orphans use balloons to propel bricks and other items to the stage, popping them with a slingshot right over his head.
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