Donald's Crime

Donald's Crime
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJack King
Story byRalph Wright
Produced byWalt Disney
StarringClarence Nash
Ruth Clifford
Harry E. Lang
Music byEdward H. Plumb
Animation byPaul Allen
Joshua Meador
Harvey Toombs
Don Towsley
Layouts byErnie Nordli
Backgrounds byMerle Cox
Color processTechnicolor
Production
company
Distributed byRKO Radio Pictures
Release date
  • June 29, 1945 (1945-06-29)
Running time
8 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Donald's Crime is a 1945 American animated short film produced by Walt Disney Productions and released by RKO Radio Pictures.[1] The cartoon, which parodies film noir crime dramas of the time, follows Donald Duck as he struggles with guilt after stealing $1.25 from his nephews. The film was directed by Jack King and features original music by Edward H. Plumb. The voice cast includes Clarence Nash as Donald, Huey, Dewey, and Louie, Ruth Clifford as Daisy Duck, and Harry E. Lang as the off-stage voice of Donald's conscience. This was Blondell's first performance as Daisy and marks the debut of the character's "normal" voice. Previously in Mr. Duck Steps Out, Daisy had been voiced by Nash using a voice similar to Donald's.

Donald's Crime was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film at the 18th Academy Awards in 1946, but lost to Quiet Please!, a Tom and Jerry short produced by MGM. It was the fourth such nomination for the Donald Duck film series.[2][3][4]

Plot

While preparing for a date with Daisy, Donald discovers he is short on cash. Spotting Huey, Dewey, and Louie's piggy bank, he wrestles with his conscience before deciding to take the money inside. After sending his nephews to bed, Donald breaks the piggy bank open and uses the money to treat Daisy to a wonderful evening at a local nightclub.

After Donald drops Daisy off at her house, his conscience returns, telling him that bank robbery is a federal crime. Donald imagines himself being pursued by federal agents and races across town, ending up in a dark alley that he thinks is a prison cell. A "help wanted" sign falls and hits him on the head, revealing he is actually outside an all-night café. Donald works through the night and earns enough money to repay his nephews, but accidentally overpays by a nickel. When the nephews wake up, they catch Donald trying to retrieve the extra nickel and begin to complain.

Voice cast

  • Donald Duck and nephews: Clarence Nash
  • Daisy Duck: Ruth Clifford
  • Donald's Conscience: Harry E. Lang[5]
Daisy kissing Donald

Home media

The short was released on December 6, 2005 on Walt Disney Treasures: The Chronological Donald, Volume Two: 1942-1946.[6]

Additional releases include:

  • 1984 - "Cartoon Classics: More of Disney's Best: 1932-1946" (VHS)
  • 2002 - bonus on DVD of The Great Mouse Detective (DVD)
  • 2006 - Classic Cartoon Favorites: Best Pals: Donald and Daisy (DVD)
  • 2010 - iTunes download

References

  1. ^ Lenburg, Jeff (1999). The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons. Checkmark Books. pp. 74–76. ISBN 0-8160-3831-7. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  2. ^ Donald's Crime at IMDb
  3. ^ Donald's Crime Archived March 30, 2012, at the Wayback Machine at The Encyclopedia of Animated Disney Shorts
  4. ^ "Donald's Crime (Walt Disney Studios)".
  5. ^ Scott, Keith (October 3, 2022). Cartoon Voices of the Golden Age, Vol. 2. BearManor Media. p. 558.
  6. ^ "The Chronological Donald Volume 2 DVD Review". DVD Dizzy. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
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