“Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!”, Today is our great pal, Donald Duck’s birthday, so in honor of this good hearted but ill tempered feathered fellow, let’s take a walk down memory lane for a glimpse of Donald’s beginnings.
Donald Fauntleroy Duck was created by the Walt Disney Company and made his first on screen debut in the 1934 Silly Symphony cartoon, The Wise Little Hen. It was his second performance in Orphans Benefit that began his career as the temperamental humorous thwart to Mickey.
Donald was so loved by his fans; he was included in TV Guide’s list of the 50 greatest cartoon characters of all time in 2002 as well as being honored as the third most popular cartoon character of all time, after Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny. He has appeared in more films than any other Disney character, approximately 178 theatrical films in the 1940s.
Despite his short temper, Donald Duck has a good heart and sincere intentions. Though his trials usually end in humiliation, he battles on to the very end – win or lose, ending with an, “Aw phooey!” We may not always understand what Donald is trying to say but never the less, he remains an authority of his language and always gets his point across – “Nothin’ to it!” His true love Daisy Duck seems a calming oasis for him and soothes his quacking bill, putting a smile where there once was blowing steam.
One thing is for sure, I know he is undoubtedly aware that he is the TOP DUCK, just by his autograph as it reads … Donald Duck #1 ~
Fun Fact~ Donald’s species is an American Peking Duck 🙂
~Maureen