This June 9 marks the 90th anniversary of the birth of the Donald Duck (Donald Duck), the charismatic character of disney Known for his distinctive voice and trademark sailor suit. Since his debut in 1934 in the short film The wise little hen, Donald has starred in more than 150 short films and movies, becoming an icon of popular culture.
donaldcreated by Walt Disney and famous for his temperamental personality, has maintained his relevance over the decades thanks to his presence on various platforms and products. According to historical records, the character was conceived when Clarence Nashwell-known voice actor, surprised Disney by performing the song Mary had a little lamb with a special voice, thus triggering the creation of this talking duck. Walt declared, “That’s our talking duck!” “Nash provided Donald’s distinctive voice from the character’s creation until his death in 1985,” reports the statement issued by Disney Plus.
In terms of his career, Donald has been featured in multiple ways, most notably his role as co-host of the Oscar awards in 1958, along with renowned figures such as Bob Hope and Jack Lemmon. Furthermore, his adventures have transcended borders, as evidenced in the short films Greetings friends and The three knights, where the character travels through various South American countries.
The characters Mickey Mouse and Donald were present at the official opening of Disneyland on July 17, 1955, but not in the form we know them today. “For the occasion, the costumes were borrowed from the renowned ice skating show Ice Capades. Disney legend Bill Justice, one of the Imagineers “who played a decisive role in the design of the park’s characters, recalled that Walt insisted that the beloved characters be present,” they reported in a statement issued by the company.
Another interesting aspect of donald is his family interaction, particularly with his sister Della and his nephews Hugo, Paco and Luiswho first appeared in the short film Donald’s nephews (you can see it on Disney Plus) 1938. His versatility is also reflected in the different roles he has played in various stories, from gardener (Donald’s Garden, 1942) to mathematics teacher (Donald in the Land of Mathematics, 1959), through his skills as chef (Chef Donald, 1941), golfer (Donald’s Golf Game, 1938) and also as a beekeeper (Honey Harvester, 1949) and window cleaner (Window Cleaners, 1940).
Donald Duck’s legacy is such that he was even immortalized in the Hollywood walk of fame on August 9, 2004, being one of eight Disney characters to obtain this distinction. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, Tinker Bell, Kermit the Frog, The Muppets and Snow White are other characters who share this honor.
To commemorate his birthday, Disney+ will add two classic short films to the catalog, Who laughs last and Crazy about Daisy, both from 1950 and completely restored. In addition, product offers in physical and digital stores inspired by the character are highlighted, giving fans the opportunity to celebrate this milestone in their homes.
Source: Infobae