fredag 30. august 2024

"Mary Poppins" - The Live Action/Animation Hybrid Movie From Disney Who Became a Classic on It`s Own Right

Hi folks! Welcome to my My Own Personal Nerdy Disney and Animation Scrutinizing Analysis blog. A blog where I'm analyzing several Disney films, Disney or Animation in general! These entries are just meant to be my analyses. Not reviews or statements. Just fun analyses! Though I'll make some personal remarks now and then, the content of these entries are meant to be depicted objectively. They're made for entertainment purpose only and the pictures/clips are copyright Disney or other companies. 

Make sure to leave a comment if you like this site! And if there's something you think could be improved, please let me know. But in a constructive way, please. And just a note; I'm not a Native English writer, so my incorrect grammar may be notable.

And finally; If you haven't seen the films, beware of spoilers! And the funny lines aren't meant to be nothing than funny. So I hope you won't find them offensive. If so, I apologize

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
I know that we`re not Mrs.
Potts, but we`re not trying to
be her ;)
The 1960`s was a defining period for Walt Disney. It was the last decade that he lived, but it also was a decade where he was focused on various things besides animation. The 1960`s saw the releases of only three animated movies: One Houndred and One Dalmatians, The Sword in the Stone and The Jungle Book. And also the two Winnie the Pooh-shorts Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree and Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day. The 1960`s also saw the invention of the Xerox process, which made to the animation be produced more quickly, despite how animated scenes were reused. And while Walt himself was not particularly fond of the Xerox look, he still appoved it at the end.
Yes, I`m a opera penguin :)
And I`m going to win Idol :)

If we`re actually going to look at Walt`s list of pictures, there`s a clear delineation between the Full-Lenght Animated Features, who`ve managed to have a list of it`s own (and also, let`s face it, the studio is mostly known for). And the Live Action Movies, who`s mostly been perceived as second rate. However, there`s also those pictures who have blended the two mediums. And despite how the public have received them, they`ve still not been included in the list of Disney`s Canon list of Animated Features. However, if we`re actually looking for a picture who`s somewhat have managed to sneak into the list of animated pictures, despite being mostly live action, then it`s Mary Poppins















General Information About Mary Poppins
 
Released in August 1964, Mary Poppins was essentially, just as most of Walt`s properties, an adaptation of a well known piece of literature. Directed by Robert Stevenson and with songs written by regular Disney tunesmiths of the time, the Sherman Brothers (The Jungle Book, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, The Aristocats). Starring Julie Andrews in her feature film debut (after a successful stage career), alongside with Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson, and Glynis Johns. Poppins was a critical and commercial success, earning $44 million on its original run and over $103 million worldwide. It was the highest-grossing film of 1964 in the United States, and also became Disney's highest-grossing film. 
It received thirteen Academy Award nominations, a record for a film by Walt Disney Studios. Including Best Picture, and won five: Best Actress (for Andrews), Best Film Editing, Best Original Music Score, Best Visual Effects, and Best Original Song for Chim Chim Cher-ee. In 2013, it was preserved in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. For being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." And despite of how Poppins doesn`t techniqually belong to the animated canon-list, it`s still managed to become one of Disney`s most beloved and cherished properties, regardless. And it would be fair to say that it`s one of the most famous Live Action/Animation combo movies from Disney.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Behind the Scenes Information
 
While there are many speculations of how Walt heard about the Mary Poppins stories, it was Disney's daughters and wife fell in love with the books. And made Disney promise to make a film based on them. He first attempted to purchase the rights from P. L. Travers as early as 1938, but Travers repeatedly refused. As she didn`t believe a film would suit her books, nor did she like Disney`s works (besides Mickey Mouse). For more than 20 years, Walt made periodic efforts to convince Travers to give the rights, and visiting her home in Chelsea, London. Meanwhile, he gave the book to the Sherman`s to see what they could do with it. As they selected chapters and made songsHowever, Walt was not the only one who wanted to make Mary Poppins, as Sam Goldwyn wanted it, too. CBS made a TV show starring Mary Wickes (The Hunchback of Notre Dame) in 1949. And Stephen Sondheim wanted a stage version. 
Walt finally got the rights in 1961, despite how Travers demanded script-approval rights, something Walt had never done with an author before. Her lawyer pushed Walt to a down payment to $ 100,000 against 5% of the film receipts. But since contract stipulations gave Walt the final cut privilege on the film, he overruled Travis. However, she disapproved the dilution of Poppins' harsh sides and was torn about the music. As she wanted it to reflect the time period. She objected many elements of the film. The success of the movie made Travers` books more famous. But overall, she disliked the film. Walt`s and Travis`relationship was dramatized in the 2013 Disney film Saving Mr. Banks. However, Travers approved the songs and story for the stage show. 
In March 1961, Disney announced that Hayley Mills and Mary Martin would might be casted Walt`s first choice as Mrs. Banks was Glynis Johns. While she thought she was playing Poppins herself, she was convinced when the Sherman`s wrote a song for Mrs. Banks. Julie Harris, Angela Lansbury, and Bette Davis were considered for Mary. Andrews was three months pregnant when she got the part, but Walt assured her that they could postpone filming until she had given birth. The film was shot entirely at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California. Using painted London background scenes.
The Sherman`s wrote 35 songs (where 14 made it into the film). However, the deleted songs survived in form of other movies. As The Land of Sand became Trust in Me in The Jungle Book. The West Wind Song survived as Mon Amor Perdu for Big Red. And Strengthen the Dwelling appeared in The Happiest Millionaire. Poppins was going to sing a lullaby for the children, but became discarded. Andrews also did the whistling harmony for the robin in A Spoonful of Sugar and she was also one of the Pearly singers in Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. David Tomlinson, besides playing Mr. Banks, were the voices of Mary's talking umbrella, Admiral Boom's first mate, and other voice-over parts. Walt cast Dick Van Dyke after his work on The Dick Van Dyke Show. Van Dyke lobbied to also play the senior Mr. Dawes. And while Walt felt he was too young for the part, Van Dyke won him over in a screen test. Pre-production and music creation took about two years. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 



 
 
The Original Author, Her Books and Changes From the First Novel
 
As for the original books, Mary Poppins is a series of eight children's books written by Australian-British writer P. L. Travers (9 August 1899-23 April 1996). They were published over the period 1934 to 1988. Travers wrote Poppins while she was recovering from illness. While she had written stories and poems to magazines priorly, it was Poppins that became her first book. But Travers didn`t like to take credit for that she had made Poppins, nor where she came from. Mary Shepard, the daugther of E.H. Shepard, who illustrated the original Winnie the Pooh books, was the illustrator on the series. Shepard based Poppins on a Dutch doll that Travers had when she was a child. Travers said that Mary just came to her, as opposed to inventing her. And didn`t knew all the answers to Poppins` abilities.  
But Poppins was inspired from her own life and chilhood. Poppins`own attitude was taken from Travers great-aunt, Ellie. Since Traver`s own father passed away early, she gave Mr. Banks all of his good qualities. As Traver`s father, just like Mr. Banks, worked in a bank and was her. As for changes to the original novel, while the changes weren`t that huge, it discarded Jane and Michael`s twin siblings, some of Mary Poppins adventures and the name of her uncle. And the ending. But Walt deliberately got rid of the magic compass, as he found it outrageous. But since the first novel had little story, Walt suggested that Mr. Banks would be absent with his kids, to give it a drive. Walt also expanded the role of Bert, to make him a more active character.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
The Use of Animation and the Iconic Moments of Mary Poppins

While Mary Poppins is first and foremost a live action movie and just have one animated sequence where the animated characters interacts with the live action cast, it`s remarkable that it could`ve been otherwise. Cause P. L. Travers herself hated the use of animation so much that she ruled out any further adaptations of the later Mary Poppins novels. During the 1930`s, Disney was then known primarily as a producer of animated films, and had yet to produce a major live-action work. It was Walt`s brother, Roy Disney himself, who suggested the live action/animation combination. Originally the Jolly Holiday was conceived with only actors, but Walt suggested that they would be penguins.

But just as with Walt`s Hand Drawn properties, Mary Poppins is known for it`s iconic moments. Especially known for it`s song numbers, like A Spoonful of Sugar, Chim Chim Cher-ee, Let's Go Fly a Kite and Feed the Birds. But there`s no doubt that Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious is the stand out song from the movie. The song is essentially a classic Disney song in every sense of the word, being both catchy, fun and magical. But sure, it`s completed expected, as it was penned by the Sherman`s. But what makes Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious remarkable is also for being in the tradition of nonsense Disney words. Who doesn`t mean a thing, like Biddidi-Boddidi-Boo (Cinderella), Hi Diddle Dee Dee (Pinocchio), Zip-a-Dee Doo-Dah (Song of the South) and many more. Which was something that Walt liked. However, while Feed the Birds is indeed the most poignant song, it was Walt`s favorite song of the movie. 












 
 
 
The Innovations and Different Turns of Mary Poppins
 
As for the story of 
I`m glad that I`m only
here temporarily :)
Mary Poppins, it`s a slight and conventional story
about change and appreciation (especially for Mr. Banks, who is the character with the greatest arc). And while it by today standards might be too conventional and predictable (no offense), it`s still well executed. However, it does do at least two things refreshingly and surprisingly with it`s story: One, it doesn`t make a couple of Mary and Bert (who`s goofy and pleasing for the children, and also gives the movie a meta-angle with having him talking directly to the audience. Just as Jiminy Cricket did in Pinocchio)
Yes, even a
chimney
sweeper can get
a girl :)

It would`ve been tempting to speculate that there were some small indications about an attraction between them (since the ending is somewhat ambiguous enough to speculate it). But surprisingly enough, Poppins manages to overtly not showing it. The lack of romance was a deliberate choice, especially since Travers herself denied there was one in the novels. Secondly, it doesn`t make Mary herself stay with the Banks. Which also could`ve been another temptation to have the story fall into, as it could`ve made an arc for Mary herself. But surprisingly enough, the movie doesn`t.










 
 
The Similarities to Peter Pan
 
Don`t be fooled, it`s
not far below the
window :)

Mary Poppins is not only based on a well-known English litterature. But it`s also essentially among the Disney stories that it set in England (as there were many of them during Walt`s time). But in that regard, it would be tempting to compare Poppins to Peter Pan. Because the similarities are strikingly similar: Both stories are not only from English authors, but takes place in the same capital and time period (the Sherman`s suggested that the setting should be changed from the 1930`s to the Edwardian era). Both are about magical, flying leads from a fantasy world, who visits children in a strict home. And introduces them to the wonders of a whimsical life. But just as with Pan, it`s the stern and bigoted father who has the biggest character arc and frankly the story hinges on his arc. And yes, Mary herself does have her own impact, as she somewhat learns Jane and Michael about goodness. 
The red is my way
of resembling
Christmas. Sort of
:)

But despite how Mary isn`t a Princess (an archetype that has been used to the Disney heroine), she does embody some of the traits of a Disney Princess: Happy, perky, optimistic and the ability to talking to the animals. While she`s being strict, regal and also mysterious and ambiguous, she`s still has her good values at the end. As she does what she does for good, noble reasons. It would`ve been tempting to scrutinize Poppins` characterization for these faults, especially since she`s a a female character (since let`s face it, they get more scrutiny). But let`s remember that even Peter Pan had his own ambiguity and frankly, did the right thing at the end. Still, her attitude was toned down from the book. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mary Poppins Returns

While many decades have passed since Mary Poppins, there never was an official sequel to the movie before Mary Poppins Returns. Released in 2018 and directed by Rob Marshall. And starring Emily Blunt as Poppins, with Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Whishaw, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Dick Van Dyke, Angela Lansbury, Colin Firth, Meryl Streep, and David Warner in his final film. To have a sequel released 54 years after it`s predecessor, is of course remarkable. Especially due to that we live in a different World that has changed completely. Walt wanted to make a sequel a year later, but was rejected by Travers. In the late 1980s, Jeffrey Katzenberg approached Travers with a pitch set years after the first film, with the Banks children as adults and Julie Andrews returning as an older Poppins. Travers again rejected the concept, except for Andrews' return, suggesting a idea set one year after the first film. But it was never made, because Travers wouldn`t go ahead without some demands that the company wouldn`t agree with.
In the 1980s, Travers and Disney historian Brian Sibley (who was a good friend), wrote a screenplay for a sequel named Mary Poppins Comes Back, based on parts from Travers' second Poppins book. Sibley wrote a letter to Roy E. Disney about the film, to which Disney agreed with. Four months later, Andrews temporarily retired from making films. And yes, Michael Jackson was suggested as Bert's brother. The sequel was cancelled for casting problems and executives changes. But it was Sean Bailey pitched a new Poppins film to Marshall, based on the success of Into the Woods. The animation was done by Ken Duncan's animation studio, Duncan Studio. Animator James Baxter redesigned the penguins.  
The story takes place 25 years after the first feature. Featuring Jane and Michael as adults and Michael`s children knowing Poppins. While it would`ve been tempting to call it a remake, let`s remember that the story is a sequel to the book series. But Returns is still pretty much structured in the same way as it`s predecessor. And sure, it includes Hand Drawn Animation, which is a rarity nowadays. Landsbury`s part was written as a cameo for Andrews, who turned it down as she felt it would unfairly take attention from Blunt. As for myself, did I like it? Yes. Sure, it felt like a rehash of it`s predecessor, as it had a similar tone and feel. But it was still a delight, nonetheless. Despite how the animation in the movie is completely lackluster (sorry, animators). While the critics have embraced the sequel, the reception of the audiences has been otherwise. As the public have rated it lower. The film overall grossed $349 million Worldwide.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 


Epilogue

We wanted to show that Mary
and Bert can be mouses :)

At the end, Mary Poppins remains one of Disney`s most worshipped and
cherished properties, regardless of being Live Action or not. And it`s right to say that it`s deservedly so. And it`s always going to be one of Disney`s most beloved properties, no matter how old it gets. As for my own personal experience with Mary Poppins, I do remember seeing it once in my childhood as a toddler. Randomly on TV. However, my memories of it were still fairly vague, as I mostly remembered the penguin dance.
Despite how they captured me
on various sides, I still have
the same expression. Because
I craved it ;)


And despite how I saw the ending randomly on TV as a teenager, I never saw it again until the occasion of this entry (yes, I admit it). Sure, Mary Poppins is a product of it`s time, with dated special effects and where the animation doesn`t blend smoothly with the live action (sorry, creators). But Mary Poppins is a delight, nonetheless. It`s cute, charming and captivating. And since this entry was meant to synergize with it`s 60th Anniversary (yes, it`s hard to believe, which means that this movie has been around longer than most of us were even born), there`s nothing left to wish Mary Poppins Happy 60th Anniversary and may you continue to have many more.











References:
Mary Poppins: Anything Can Happen If You Let It (Brian Sibley, Michael Lassell)
Mouse Under Glass (David Koenig)
The Jungle Book Platinum Edition

fredag 2. august 2024

Donald Duck - The Famous and Cranky Disney Duck Who`s Become Iconic in Disney History

Hi folks! Welcome to my My Own Personal Nerdy Disney and Animation Scrutinizing Analysis blog. A blog where I'm analyzing several Disney films, Disney or Animation in general! These entries are just meant to be my analyses. Not reviews or statements. Just fun analyses! Though I'll make some personal remarks now and then, the content of these entries are meant to be depicted objectively. They're made for entertainment purpose only and the pictures/clips are copyright Disney or other companies. 

Make sure to leave a comment if you like this site! And if there's something you think could be improved, please let me know. But in a constructive way, please. And just a note; I'm not a Native English writer, so my incorrect grammar may be notable.

And finally; If you haven't seen the films, beware of spoilers! And the funny lines aren't meant to be nothing than funny. So I hope you won't find them offensive. If so, I apologize

 
 
 
I`ve managed to escape the supernova behind me! :) Yay! :)

 
 
 
 
Yay! I`m 90 years old and I
can stand on one toe! :)

If you`re going to mention Disney characters who are essentially Disney icons, the irony is that most of them doesn`t come from their movies. While it may be somewhat of an irony, due to how Disney are mostly known and labeled for their Full-Length Animated Movies, the truth is that these characters are known for the shorts released during Walt`s time. Sure, it`s not strange that these characters are synonymous with Walt, since he started it all (pardon my intended pun). But these characters have become an unoffical squad. The most cherished of this squad is of course Mickey Mouse. For having a position of being the most important Disney character, for having the credit of starting Walt`s Pantheon of characters (despite how he wasn`t technically the first). However, if we`re going to discuss Mickey`s true successor, who`s essentially having a similar and perhaps equal position, then it`s Donald Duck. 
Yeah, I wanted to fight, despite
my heart below my foot :)
The heart stands for my love of
fighting :)

Created in 1934, Donald has managed to become one of Disney`s most popular and iconic characters. Most people, regardless of being Disney fans or not, has been introduced to Donald in one way or antoher. And frankly, Donald has rivaled Mickey`s position of being a famous Disney icon from a similar short. The anthrophomorphic duck with his signature Sailor Shirt and Cap with a Bow Tie is known for his characteristic, duck-like voice and his short temper. Of course Donald has been frequently featured a lot in merchandise and various forms for entertainment. As shorts, movies and merchandise (despite how he`s mostly labeled for the shorts). But the main reason for even writing an entry about this famous duck, is due to how he has his own anniversary last June. For finally turning 90 years old (yes, it`s truly hard to believe that he`s been with us as long).














The Origins of Donald Duck
 
Donald
Fauntleroy Duck (his full name confirmed in Donald Gets Drafted, 1942) first appeared in The Wise Little Hen in 1934 (based on the same fable). Despite how it was cited to be released June 9th, historian J.B. Kaufman rediscovered that the short was first shown May 3rd. Before the short was released, the score was performed on radio by Three Rhythm Kings, Clarence Nash and Florence Gill. But it was Donald`s second appearance in Orphan's Benefit that same year that introduced him with Mickey Mouse and established his personality. But Donald became a hit with audiences. In the 1930s, he appeared in many Mickey shorts with Mickey and Goofy and was given his own shorts series starting with Donald and Pluto. And Donald has lived his long time ever since. 
Walt came up with Donald's iconic attributes, as his short temper and sailor suit (based on ducks and sailors, for both being associated with water). But as for his name and personality, it`s been rumored that it came from the 1886 book Little Lord Fauntleroy by Frances Hodgson Burnett. As the lead had the same costume and personality. But Walt wanted Donald's middle name to be silly and dopey name. While Dick Huemer and Art Babbit were his first animators, Dick Lundy is credited for developing his character. As for Donald`s designs, in 1936, he`s of course developed during the years. But he was redrawn more fuller, rounder, and cuter in Moving Day.

Donald's original performer was Clarence Nash, who auditioned for Disney when Disney looked for voice actors to make animal sounds to the characters. Nash developed the voice as a "nervous baby goat" before Walt made it sounding like a duck. Which impressed Walt. Nash appeared with Donald just once on the Disneyland TV show. Nash voiced him for 50 years, until his death in 1985. Jack Wagner took over Donald`s voice for the parks, Disney on Ice shows and live-action clips for TV, until Disney animator Tony Anselmo took over in 1985. Anselmo revealed that it wasn`t done by squeezing air through the cheek, as most people think. With the exception of Mickey and the Roadster Racers, where he was voiced by Daniel Ross. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Donald`s Personality, Criticism and Relationship To Mickey Mouse
 
I`m fighting in the dark...
Sorry, Bruce :)

If we`re going to summarize Donald`s characterization, the truth is that Disney characters are usually labeled for being one-dimensional Archetypes. But in that case, Donald`s personality is truly interesting to examinate. As he`s essentially the opposite of what a Disney hero usually embodies. If Mickey Mouse is essentially a hero, then Donald comes across as a anti-hero. For being tenacious, short-tempered and cranky, In fact, Donald also comes across as being callous, mean and frankly vindictive. And also a bit of a bragger. But frankly, it was a deliberate choice, in order to give Mickey a counterpart who was his opposite. And it makes Donald a well-rounded character. However,  despite his bad parts, he still has his good sides, as he does have his moments where he shows genuine kindness and concern. While Donald`s traits may be a headscratcher, we`ll have to remember other characters who`s also been regarded as Disney Icons, despite being well-rounded (cough, Tinker Bell, cough). And frankly, many people like him for those reasons. For making him relatable and finding his antics funny. Despite how there are also some people who hates Donald for his flaws. 
Yes, I thought my son was
from the same species :) Thus
I`m shocked :)

However, regarding actual critcism of Donald`s moral and values, in 1978 in Finland there was a debate over his morality. However As Matti Holopainen jokingly criticized Donald for living with Daisy, despite not being married to her. And for not wearing trousers and for being too bourgeois, Donald comics were banned in Finland for a short time, but only for financial reasons. But he was banned a short time for not wearing pants. But as for Finland`s relationship with Donald, a Finnish author, Hannu Raittila, said that Finnish people recognize an aspect of themselves in Donald. For trying to retrieve himself from all unexpected and unreasonable scrapes, using only his wits and the slim resources he has. Regarding his relationship with Mickey, it`s been rocky, to say it least. In most shorts, Mickey and Donald are friends with no rivalry (exceptions being The Band Concert, Magician Mickey and near the end of Symphony Hour). However, with The Mickey Mouse ClubDonald is jealous of Mickey and wants his job as Disney's biggest Star (similar to the rivalry between Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck). And it`s been rocky ever since.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Donald`s Family, Squad and Enemies

Just hang on more, guys :)
Your salary is waiting after a
few hours more :)

By discussing Donald, it`s impossible to not mention his family. His girlfriend Daisy and his three nephews, Huey, Dewey and Louie. While Don Donald originally introduced Donna Duck, she evolved into Daisy. Who appeared in Mr. Duck Steps Out in 1940. Donald's nephews first appeared in the 1938`s Donald's Nephews, directed by Jack King. Despite how they appeared earlier in the Donald-comic strip by Al Taliaferro. But unlike Mickey`s relatives, it would be fair to say that Donald`s relatives are mostly more famous than Mickey`s, especially his nephews. But at least Donald`s kin are very pretty much like him. Daisy may not be as callous and mean, but still has her own temper. His nephews are miscevious in their own way and has their own tricks, despite how they also have their good sides. But they still love their uncle, regardless. Other relatives are of course Scrooge McDuck, created by Carl Barks. Who`s never interacted with Donald outside the comics, before Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983) and DuckTales (1990).
I`m the ursine version of
Goofy :)

For Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color, Donald's uncle Ludwig von Drake was created in 1961. Taliaferro also created a St. Bernard named Bolivar. And Donald`s family grew to cousin Gus Goose and Elvira Coot. Donna also returned in the comics. But regarding the other characters in Donald`s universe: While he often interacts with Mickey and Goofy, he also interacts with Chip and Dale. Who often teases him and mocks him and vice versa. And they always creates huge havoc for each other. However, regarding Donald`s other enemies, who ranges from comical to annoying, we should mention Pete, Humphrey the Bear, Spike the Bee, Mountain Lion Louie, Bootle Beetle, Witch Hazel (in Trick or Treat), Aracuan Bird and Baby Shelby (in Mickey Mouse Works). During the Second World War, Donald was often set against Adolf Hitler.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 





 

Donald`s Popularity and Awards

No, we`re not fighting against
each other. We`re blocking out
the sun :)


Regarding the comparison between Donald and Mickey, it would`ve been tempting to wonder who`s the most popular of the two characters. Despite how Mickey is mostly promoted by Disney as the most important, the truth is that Donald stole his popularity. By 1938, polls showed that Donald was more popular, which contiuned the following decade. His peak was from 1941 to 1945 and while his star power declined after the War, he was still at the top of his game. His popularity continued into the 1950s. As for awards, along with Mickey, Donald was included in TV Guide's list of the 50 greatest cartoon characters of all time in 2002. He also got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He won an Academy Award® for Best Short Subject Cartoon in the 1940`s. Donald has even been in more attractions and shows at the parks than Mickey. Donald is the only significant cartoon character to be a mascot for a major American university.  
Never be in jail. It does things
to ya :)

A Gallup poll said that 37% of filmgoers were affected by Donald’s performance to pay taxes after The New Spirit (1942). Walt authorized Donald to be used as a mascot for the U.S. Coast Guard. Which was made for the U.S. Treasury Department. Donald also appears as a mascot in the U.S. Army Air Forces' 309th Fighter Squadron and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. He also was a mascot emblem for the 415th Fighter Squadron, 438th Fighter Squadron; 479th Bombardment Squadron; and 531st Bombardment Squadron. And he also was a mascot for the Fire Department at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, and the Army Air Forces (now U.S. Air Force) 319 Aircraft Maintenance Unit at Luke Air Force Base. Donald's most famous appearance was on the North American Aviation B-25B Mitchell medium bomber (S/N 40-2261) piloted by Lt. Ted W. Lawson of the 95th Bombardment Squadron, USAAF. Asteroid 12410 was named after Donald. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



 
 
 
 
 
 
List of Donald`s Franchise
  
Except Melody from 
Mermaid II is missing.
Don`t ask us why :)

While it would be fair to say that Donald is known for his shorts, the truth is that he`s appeared in many forms of media. But he appeared in more films than any other Disney character. While he`s appeared in many shorts, it`s worth to mention his shorts from World War II. Which was a six film mini-series that follows Donald in the U.S. Army. Which were Donald Gets Drafted (May 1, 1942), The Vanishing Private (September 25, 1942), Sky Trooper (November 8, 1942), Fall Out Fall In (April 23, 1943), The Old Army Game (November 5, 1943) and Commando Duck (June 2, 1944). Donald appeared in some propaganda films, as 1943`s Der Fuehrer's Face. Who was the first of two animated short during the War to win an Oscar. However, Donald also starred in the package films between Bambi and Cinderella. As Saludos Amigos (1942), The Three Caballeros (1944), Fun and Fancy Free (1947) and Melody Time (1948). He also starred in The Reluctant Dragon (1941).
We`re trying to be
Uncle Donald`s
decoration :)


After Chips Ahoy (1956), Donald appeared in educational films, such as Donald in Mathmagic Land and How to Have an Accident at Work (both 1959) and the Disneyland television show (1959). Donald Duck's 50th Birthday was a TV special broadcast on The Magical World of Disney n November 13, 1984. Donald also was in Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983) and a cameo in Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), where he had a piano duel scene with Daffy Duck. Donald had a small part in DuckTales (1987), starred in Mickey's 60th Birthday (1988) and in The Prince and the Pauper (1990). He made a cameo in Bonkers (1993) and A Goofy Movie (1995). However, if there was a spinoff-franchise where he truly was prominent character, then it`s 1996`s TV show Quack Pack. A modernseries, this show actually featured Donald and his squad as modernized, where his nephews were teenagers and both Donald and Daisy working for a TV show (What In the World). 
I`m Santa`s for the
moment :)

Donald also played an important role in Mickey Mouse Works (1999), Fantasia 2000 to a Noah's Ark segment to Edward Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance Marches 1–4 (similar to Mickey`s role in Fantasia) and Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas (1999). In the new Millenium, he was in House of Mouse as the co-owner of Mickey's nightclub. He also was in Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse (2001), Mickey's House of Villains (2002), Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas (2004) and Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers (2004). He`s also a part of the cast of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (2006) as well. 
Yes, even a Disney
character can be a
badass racer :)

He`s also starred in Mickey Mouse (2013–2019), Mickey and the Roadster Racers/Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures (2017), DuckTales (2017–2021) where he`s a main character, Legend of the Three Caballeros (2018), The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse (2020–2023) and Mickey Mouse Funhouse (2021–present), Chip 'n' Dale: Park Life (2021), Mickey's Tale of Two Witches (2021), Mickey and Minnie Wish Upon a Christmas (2021), Mickey Saves Christmas (2022), Mickey and Friends Trick or Treats (2023) and Mickey's Christmas Tales (2023). However, as for his 90th Annniversary, Donald`s recently starred in an all-new short called D.I.Y. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Donald`s Life as a Comic Book Character
 
This is what it looks like when
you`ve been sleepwalking :)

While Donald has lived on the screen, he`s also lived a huge life on Comics. He first appeared in graphic novel strip in 1934, based on The Wise Little Hen. For the next years, Donald made more appearances in Disney strips. And in 1936, he was a regular in the Silly Symphony strip. In 1937, an Italian publisher Mondadori made the first Donald story for comic books. In 1942, Western Publishing fulfilled the task of making graphic novels about Donald. Barks soon took over and made Donald more adventurous, eloquent and less temperamental. Pete was the only character from the Mickey Mouse comics to be in Barks' Donald universe. Barks made the city of Duckburg and many supporting players. As Neighbor Jones (1944), Scrooge McDuck (1947), Gladstone Gander (1948), the Beagle Boys (1951), Gyro Gearloose (1952), April, May and June (1953), Flintheart Glomgold (1956), Magica de Spell (1961), and John D. Rockerduck (1961). Scrooge became a favorite of Barks` to pair up with Donald. Dick Kinney and Al Hubbard created Donald's cousin Fethry Duck. Al Taliaferro gave Donald his own car, a 1934 Belchfire Runabout.
We`ll have to figure out which
perfume we`re giving Uncle
Scrooge tomorrow :) So he`ll
smell better :)

Donald was famously drawn by Barks, Taliaferro and Don Rosa. But perhaps Rosa is best known of them. Donald`s comics has been popular in Europe, particularly in Nordic countries where his weekly magazine had the highest circulation from 1950s to 2009 in Sweden. But they are also popular in Germany, the Netherlands, Greece and Italy. Where Donald stars in a juvenile version named Paperino Paperotto, and a superhero alter ego called Paperinik (Duck Avenger in the US and Superduck in the UK). And European publishers have been making their own Donald adventures for decades.
 















Epilogue
 
I`m the duck version of Dr.
Jekyll and Mr. Hyde :)

At the end, Donald Duck has always been and will for always be one of Disney`s most everlasting icons. And yes, it`s hard to be believe that he`s been with us so long. Which technically means that he`s been a part of pop culture before many of us were even born. Of course Donald has changed and evolved through the years, both in character and design-wise, but his spirit has usually stayed the same. And despite how he`s both beloved and hated, he`s still going to be one of Disney`s most exposed and well-known icons for many years to come. And he`s always going to be associated with both Walt and beyond Walt`s timeline, no matter what. 
Look at this, Nelly, Diddy and
Murphy Lee :)

As for my own personal expierience with Donald, while he`s perhaps never been my ultimate favorite Disney character, I still used to watch his shorts as a child. And yes, I did enjoy them and found them funny, despite how they weren`t my favorite shorts from Walt (for some reason, I liked Mickey`s shorts better). I remember watching Donald`s shorts on my local Disney Afternoon and even getting some compilation videos on VHS (who were about his anniversaries). But while that being said, since this entry was meant to synergize his 90th Anniversary, there`s nothing else to wish Donald Duck Happy 90th Anniversary and may you continue to have many more.
 
 
 


Yes, even a duck can paint :)






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