Donald Gets Drafted

Last updated
Donald Gets Drafted
Donald gets drafted-poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Jack King
Story by Carl Barks
Jack Hannah
Harry Reeves
Produced by Walt Disney
Starring Billy Bletcher
John McLeish
Clarence Nash
Music by Leigh Harline
Animation by Paul Allen
Jim Armstrong
Hal King
Ed Love
Ray Patin
Retta Scott
Judge Whitaker
Layouts byBill Herwig
Color process Technicolor
Production
company
Distributed by RKO Radio Pictures
Release dates
  • May 1, 1942 (1942-05-01)
(USA)
  • November 16, 1973 (1973-11-16)
(France)
Running time
8:55
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Donald Gets Drafted is a 1942 American animated short film produced by Walt Disney Productions and released by RKO Radio Pictures. [1] The cartoon has Donald Duck being drafted into the U. S. Army during World War II and follows his introduction to military life. The film was directed by Jack King and introduced the song "The Army's Not the Army Anymore" by Carl Barks and Leigh Harline. The voice cast includes Clarence Nash as Donald, John McLeish as an officer, and Billy Bletcher as Pete who is Donald's drill sergeant.

Contents

Donald Gets Drafted was the first of a six-part series, within the larger Donald Duck series, which shared a continuity of Donald serving in the army during World War II. The cartoon also revealed for the first time Donald's middle name - Fauntleroy - seen on his "Order to Report for Induction" form from the film's title screen. [2] [ citation needed ]

Plot

Filled with enthusiasm, Donald reports to his local draft board after receiving a draft notice. Along the way, he passes several recruiting posters that romanticize military life. Especially intrigued by one for the Air Force, featuring attractive women and the promise of escorting them around, Donald decides that he "wants to fly". After arriving at the draft board, Donald expresses his desire to join the Army Air Forces, adding excitedly, "I came from a family of aviators!" The desk officer directs Donald to a room where he is to undergo a physical examination.

Pete scolding Donald. Donald-drafted.jpg
Pete scolding Donald.

Inside the exam room, a team of white-coated doctors hurriedly pass Donald around, measuring him and testing his vital signs, vision, and hearing. Several gags during the scene emphasize the army's willingness to accept as many recruits as possible, such as a color vision test that Donald passes even after mistakenly identifying a green card as being blue. At the end of the exam Donald is issued a uniform - vastly oversized, but shrunk to fit thanks to a bucket of water dumped over his head - and has his rear end stamped with a large "OK".

During basic training, Donald's unit is marched around the field by the drill sergeant (Pete). Donald is distracted by some planes flying overhead, reminding him that he would rather be flying. His lack of concentration causes him to march out of step with the other soldiers and accidentally chop Pete's necktie in half with his rifle bayonet when he is ordered to turn "about face". Pete dismisses the other soldiers to drill Donald personally, but Donald's inability to understand Army jargon causes him to make a series of comical mistakes. Pete finally orders Donald to stand at attention, but Donald mistakenly stands over an anthill, and struggles to maintain his composure as the ants crawl all over him. Finally he snaps and scrabbles madly to get the ants off, accidentally firing his rifle several times and striking Pete as he climbs a tree to get away. Donald is later punished by being assigned to peel a roomful of potatoes, shaving off one peel to form his catchphrase "phooey" in response to the chorus' lyrics that describe the good conditions in the Army.

Voice cast

Background

The satirical humor in Donald Gets Drafted reflects an anti-military sentiment felt in particular by Carl Barks, one of the writers of the film. He had written the lyrics to the theme song, scripted the film, and also drew the recruitment posters which Donald passes on his way to the draft board. Barks himself was a pacifist who was against America's involvement in the war. He once said: "When I saw how little we accomplished with World War I, I thought, why in the devil kill off another whole generation of young men to accomplish the same result?" In Donald Gets Drafted Barks ridicules military recruitment, in particular its deceptive propaganda. The film is meant to draw a sharp distinction between the glamorous life presented in the posters outside the draft board compared to the reality Donald faces inside. Later, when Donald is at basic training, Barks pokes fun at military discipline, and even gives the sergeant a punishment of sorts by getting shot. This played well with audiences who were resentful of military strictness as America was mobilizing itself for war. [3]

Releases

Home media

The short was released on May 18, 2004 on Walt Disney Treasures: Walt Disney on the Front Lines . [4] and on December 6, 2005 on Walt Disney Treasures: The Chronological Donald, Volume Two: 1942-1946 . [5]

Additional releases include:

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pete (Disney)</span> Disney cartoon character, antagonist of Mickey Mouse

Pete is a cartoon character created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks of The Walt Disney Company. Pete is traditionally depicted as the villainous arch-nemesis of Mickey Mouse, and was made notorious for his repeated attempts to kidnap Minnie Mouse. Pete is the oldest continuing Disney character, having debuted in the cartoon Alice Solves the Puzzle in 1925. He originally bore the appearance of an anthropomorphic bear, but with the advent of Mickey in 1928, he was defined as a cat.

<i>Modern Inventions</i> 1937 Donald Duck cartoon

Modern Inventions is a 1937 American comic science fiction animated short film produced by Walt Disney Productions and released by United Artists. The cartoon follows Donald Duck as he tours the fictional Museum of Modern Marvels. It was directed by Jack King, his Directional debut at Disney, and features original music by Oliver Wallace. The voice cast includes Clarence Nash as Donald, Billy Bletcher as the Robot Butler, Elvia Allman as the Robot Baby Carriage and Don Brodie as the Robot Barber.

<i>Symphony Hour</i> 1942 Mickey Mouse cartoon

Symphony Hour is a 1942 American animated short film produced by Walt Disney Productions and released by RKO Radio Pictures. The cartoon depicts Mickey Mouse conducting a symphony orchestra sponsored by Pete. The film was directed by Riley Thomson and features music adapted from the "Light Cavalry Overture" by Franz von Suppé. The voice cast includes Walt Disney as Mickey, Billy Bletcher as Pete, and John McLeish as a radio announcer. It was the 117th short in the Mickey Mouse film series to be released, and the second for that year.

<i>Timber</i> (1941 film) 1941 Donald Duck cartoon

Timber is a 1941 animated short film by Walt Disney Productions featuring Donald Duck and Pete.

The third wave of Walt Disney Treasures was released on May 18, 2004. It was originally planned to be released in December 2003, but was delayed for almost half a year in order to meet an increased demand with a higher number of tins produced. This wave was the first to have a certificate of authenticity with the individual number of the tin on it, replacing the number embossed on the tin. This was the final wave released with side straps.

<i>Trombone Trouble</i> 1944 Donald Duck cartoon

Trombone Trouble is a Walt Disney cartoon that was released on February 18, 1944. It is the only Donald Duck cartoon where Roman/Greek gods play a role.

<i>The Vanishing Private</i> 1942 Donald Duck cartoon

The Vanishing Private is a 1942 animated cartoon directed by Jack King and produced by Walt Disney. In the cartoon, Donald Duck is ordered to paint a cannon with experimental invisible paint while serving as a private in the United States Army during World War II.

<i>Sky Trooper</i> 1942 Donald Duck cartoon

Sky Trooper is a 1942 animated cartoon by Walt Disney Studios starring Donald Duck during the World War II years. It was directed by Jack King based on a script by Carl Barks.

<i>Canvas Back Duck</i> 1953 Donald Duck cartoon

Canvas Back Duck is a 1953 Walt Disney animated short film starring Donald Duck, his nephews, and Pete.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donald Duck</span> Disney cartoon character

Donald Duck is a cartoon character created by The Walt Disney Company. Donald is an anthropomorphic white duck with a yellow-orange bill, legs, and feet. He typically wears a sailor shirt and cap with a bow tie. Donald is known for his semi-intelligible speech and his mischievous, temperamental, and pompous personality. Along with his friend Mickey Mouse, Donald was included in TV Guide's list of the 50 greatest cartoon characters of all time in 2002, and has earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He has appeared in more films than any other Disney character.

<i>The Old Army Game</i> 1943 Donald Duck cartoon

The Old Army Game is a 1943 World War II cartoon starring Donald Duck that was produced by Walt Disney and distributed by RKO Radio Pictures.

<i>Moving Day</i> (1936 film) 1936 Mickey Mouse cartoon

Moving Day is a 1936 American animated short film produced by Walt Disney Productions and released by United Artists. The cartoon, set during the contemporary Great Depression, follows the antics of Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy as they frantically pack their belongings after being dispossessed from their home. The film was directed by Ben Sharpsteen and includes the voices of Walt Disney as Mickey, Clarence Nash as Donald, Pinto Colvig as Goofy, and Billy Bletcher as Sheriff Pete. It was the 85th Mickey Mouse short to be released, and the eighth of that year.

<i>Mr. Mouse Takes a Trip</i> 1940 Mickey Mouse cartoon

Mr. Mouse Takes a Trip is a 1940 American animated short film produced by Walt Disney Productions and released by RKO Radio Pictures. The film was directed by Clyde Geronimi and features original music by Leigh Harline and Oliver Wallace. The film was animated by Clyde Geronimi, Ken Muse, Ed Love, and Marvin Woodward. The voice cast includes Walt Disney as Mickey, Lee Millar as Pluto, and Billy Bletcher as Pete. It was the 109th short in the Mickey Mouse film series to be released, and the third for that year.

<i>The Dognapper</i> 1934 Mickey Mouse cartoon

The Dognapper is a 1934 animated short film produced by Walt Disney Productions and released by United Artists. The cartoon stars Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck as police officers who chase Pegleg Pete after he dognaps Fifi, Minnie Mouse's pet Pekingese. The film was directed by David Hand and features the voices of Clarence Nash as Mickey and Donald. Pinto Colvig as Pete and Melvin J. Gibby as Fifi. It was the 70th Mickey Mouse short film to be released, and the eighth of that year. This was the first and only time that Mickey was voiced by Nash; Walt was in Europe at the time and was unavailable to record his lines for Mickey, thus, Nash took over.

<i>Commando Duck</i> 1944 Donald Duck cartoon

Commando Duck is a Walt Disney anti-Japanese propaganda cartoon starring Donald Duck. It was released on June 2, 1944.

<i>Mickeys Service Station</i> 1935 Mickey Mouse cartoon

Mickey's Service Station is a 1935 animated short film produced by Walt Disney Productions and released by United Artists. The film, which stars Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy as car mechanics, was also the final black-and-white appearance of Donald, Goofy, and Pete and the penultimate animated black-and-white film produced by Disney after Mickey's Kangaroo which was released later the same year. It was also the first team-up of the classic trio of Mickey, Donald, and Goofy. Mickey's Service Station was directed by Ben Sharpsteen, who at the time had directed only Silly Symphony shorts, and starred the voices of Walt Disney, Clarence Nash, Pinto Colvig, and Billy Bletcher. It was the 74th Mickey Mouse short film to be released, and the third of that year.

<i>Bellboy Donald</i> 1942 Donald Duck cartoon

Bellboy Donald is a 1942 Donald Duck animated short film, produced in Technicolor by Walt Disney Productions, distributed by RKO Radio Pictures. This cartoon made the debut of Pete's son Pete Junior.

<i>Officer Duck</i> 1939 Donald Duck cartoon

Officer Duck is a Donald Duck short film which is produced in Technicolor and released September 22, 1939 by RKO Radio Pictures. This cartoon marked the first appearance of Pete in a Donald Duck series cartoon.

<i>The New Neighbor</i> 1953 Donald Duck cartoon

The New Neighbor is a 1953 American animated short film directed by Jack Hannah and produced by Walt Disney, featuring Donald Duck. In the short film, Donald moves to a new place and gets along with his new next-door neighbor, Pete.

The Riveter is a 1940 American Donald Duck short film directed by Dick Lundy and produced by Walt Disney. In the short film, Donald lands a job working high steel as a riveter for construction foreman Pete.

References

  1. Lenburg, Jeff (1999). The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons. Checkmark Books. pp. 74–76. ISBN   0-8160-3831-7 . Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  2. Donald Gets Drafted Archived 2012-03-30 at the Wayback Machine from The Encyclopedia of Animated Disney Shorts
  3. Andrae, Tom (2006). Carl Barks and the Disney Comic Book. Jackson, Mississippi: Univ. Press of Mississippi. pp. 56–57. ISBN   1-57806-858-4.
  4. "Walt Disney on the Front Lines DVD Review". DVD Dizzy. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  5. "The Chronological Donald Volume 2 DVD Review". DVD Dizzy. Retrieved 13 February 2021.