Postwar Donald
After World War II, the Donald Duck cartoons rolled on uninterrupted, reflecting the new reality in which the artists—and humanity at large—found themselves.
Category Archives: The Other Disney Cartoons
The Unlucky Duck
The Disney writers saddled Donald with a particular affliction: he was prone to bad luck. In fact, Bill Cottrell suggested to Walt Disney that Donald’s “birthday” could be celebrated on Friday the 13th.
The Forgotten “Duck Man”
What Fred Moore was to Mickey Mouse, what Norm Ferguson was to Pluto, what Art Babbitt was to Goofy – Fred Spencer was to Donald Duck.
Origins of the Duck
Donald’s story is well known, but as we delve into it, we find new, unsuspected, and rich territory to explore. One example is his origin story.
The Mickey Mouse “Rambler” Commercial
The commercials were produced by Walt’s niece Phyllis Bounds and her husband George Hurrell, whose company, Hurrell Productions was a separate entity from the Disney studio.
The Other Disney Cartoons: “Squatter’s Rights” (1946)
The Mickey animation in this film is notable in itself: it’s almost entirely the work of Paul Murry, who is remembered today for his work in Disney comic books.
Out of the Frying Pan into the Firing Line (1942)
Out of the Frying Pan offered a sight that was rare even during the war years: Mickey Mouse in a military uniform!
The Other Disney Cartoons: “Mickey’s Surprise Party”
Here’s the story of Mickey’s Surprise Party, the commercial short advertising Nabisco products, which was shown at the New York World’s Fair in 1939–40.
The Other Disney Cartoons: “Minnie’s Yoo Hoo”
Composed by Carl Stalling for the 1929 short Mickey’s Follies – “Minnie’s Yoo Hoo” was the Disney studio’s first original song.
Disney’s “Servants’ Entrance” Sequence
The Disney studio produced another animated insert, for a Fox feature titled Servants’ Entrance. A thoroughly charming little picture—but quickly fell into obscurity after its initial release.
