Donald's Crime
Encyclopedia
Donald's Crime is a 1945 American animated
short film produced by Walt Disney Productions and released by RKO Radio Pictures
. The cartoon, which parodies film noir
crime dramas popular at 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; Gloria Blondell
as Daisy Duck
, and an uncredited narrator. This was Blondell's first performance as Daisy and marks the debut of the character's "normal" voice. Her last speaking role had been in Mr. Duck Steps Out
where she was voiced by Nash and had a duck voice like Donald.
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!, an MGM Tom and Jerry film. It was the fourth such nomination for the Donald Duck film series.
, Donald Duck
realizes he doesn't have any money. "I'm financially embarrassed!" he moans while pondering what to do. Then he sees Huey, Duey, and Louie's piggy bank
, and following a brief battle with his conscience, takes it. After sending the nephews to bed Donald breaks open the piggy bank, takes the money (totaling $1.25), and goes on to have a wonderful time with Daisy.
Later that evening Donald drops Daisy off at her house. She kisses him and calls him a "big shot." As Donald starts walking home, his conscience tells him "Yes sir, she thinks you're a 'big shot!' You probably look like a millionaire to her... but you're NOT!" His conscience then points out that bank robbery is a federal offense. Donald starts to feel guilty for having stolen the money and starts to run, imagining that federal agents are chasing him. As the film continues his visions become even more disturbed and nightmarish.
At last Donald corners himself in a dark alley and thinks he is in jail. He frantically grabs the bars of a door window and shakes it. "Let me out of here! Let me out!" A sign falls off and hits him in the head. It's a 'help wanted' sign, and Donald discovers the door is just the service entrance of an all night cafe. Donald works through the night and pays the boys back, "and a nickel besides." However, when the nephews wake up, they see Donald trying to take the extra nickel from the rebuilt piggy bank and think he is stealing. Donald's conscience says "You see, chum? Crime doesn't pay."
.
Animated cartoon
An animated cartoon is a short, hand-drawn film for the cinema, television or computer screen, featuring some kind of story or plot...
short film produced by Walt Disney Productions and released by RKO Radio Pictures
RKO Pictures
RKO Pictures is an American film production and distribution company. As RKO Radio Pictures Inc., it was one of the Big Five studios of Hollywood's Golden Age. The business was formed after the Keith-Albee-Orpheum theater chains and Joseph P...
. The cartoon, which parodies film noir
Film noir
Film noir is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and sexual motivations. Hollywood's classic film noir period is generally regarded as extending from the early 1940s to the late 1950s...
crime dramas popular at the time, follows Donald Duck
Donald Duck
Donald Fauntleroy Duck is a cartoon character created in 1934 at Walt Disney Productions and licensed by The Walt Disney Company. Donald is an anthropomorphic white duck with a yellow-orange bill, legs, and feet. He typically wears a sailor suit with a cap and a black or red bow tie. Donald is most...
as he struggles with guilt after stealing $1.25 from his nephews. The film was directed by Jack King
Jack King (animator)
James Patton "Jack" King was an American comics artist and animator best known for his work at Walt Disney Productions.Born in Alabama, King began his animation career in the silent era in 1920 working at Bray Productions animation studio...
and features original music by Edward H. Plumb
Edward H. Plumb
Edward Holcomb Plumb was a film composer best known for his work at Walt Disney Studios...
. The voice cast includes Clarence Nash
Clarence Nash
Clarence Charles "Ducky" Nash was an American voice actor, best known for providing the voice of Donald Duck for the Walt Disney Studios...
as Donald, Huey, Dewey, and Louie; Gloria Blondell
Gloria Blondell
Gloria Blondell is the younger sister of Joan Blondell. She was an actress and voice actor between 1938 and 1962. In 1935 she appeared in the Broadway production of Three Men on a Horse at the Playhouse in New York City. She is probably best remembered for her role as Honeybee Gillis in the 1950s...
as Daisy Duck
Daisy Duck
Daisy Duck is a cartoon character created in 1940 by Walt Disney Productions as the girlfriend of Donald Duck. Like Donald, Daisy is an anthropomorphic white duck, but has large eyelashes and ruffled tail feathers to suggest a skirt. She is often seen wearing a hair bow, blouse, and shoes...
, and an uncredited narrator. This was Blondell's first performance as Daisy and marks the debut of the character's "normal" voice. Her last speaking role had been in Mr. Duck Steps Out
Mr. Duck Steps Out
Mr. Duck Steps Out is a Donald Duck cartoon made by The Walt Disney Company. The film was released on June 7, 1940 and featured the debut of Daisy Duck. The short was directed by Jack King and scripted by Carl Barks.-Synopsis:...
where she was voiced by Nash and had a duck voice like Donald.
Donald's Crime was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film at the 18th Academy Awards
18th Academy Awards
The 18th Academy Awards was the first such ceremony after World War II. As a result, the ceremony featured more glamour than had been present during the war. Plaster statuettes that had been given out during the war years were replaced with bronze statuettes with gold plating...
in 1946 but lost to Quiet Please!, an MGM Tom and Jerry film. It was the fourth such nomination for the Donald Duck film series.
Synopsis
One evening while eagerly awaiting a date with DaisyDaisy Duck
Daisy Duck is a cartoon character created in 1940 by Walt Disney Productions as the girlfriend of Donald Duck. Like Donald, Daisy is an anthropomorphic white duck, but has large eyelashes and ruffled tail feathers to suggest a skirt. She is often seen wearing a hair bow, blouse, and shoes...
, Donald Duck
Donald Duck
Donald Fauntleroy Duck is a cartoon character created in 1934 at Walt Disney Productions and licensed by The Walt Disney Company. Donald is an anthropomorphic white duck with a yellow-orange bill, legs, and feet. He typically wears a sailor suit with a cap and a black or red bow tie. Donald is most...
realizes he doesn't have any money. "I'm financially embarrassed!" he moans while pondering what to do. Then he sees Huey, Duey, and Louie's piggy bank
Piggy bank
Piggy bank is the traditional name of a coin accumulation and storage receptacle; it is most often, but not exclusively, used by children. The piggy bank is known to collectors as a "still bank" as opposed to the "mechanical banks" popular in the early 20th century. These items are also often used...
, and following a brief battle with his conscience, takes it. After sending the nephews to bed Donald breaks open the piggy bank, takes the money (totaling $1.25), and goes on to have a wonderful time with Daisy.
Later that evening Donald drops Daisy off at her house. She kisses him and calls him a "big shot." As Donald starts walking home, his conscience tells him "Yes sir, she thinks you're a 'big shot!' You probably look like a millionaire to her... but you're NOT!" His conscience then points out that bank robbery is a federal offense. Donald starts to feel guilty for having stolen the money and starts to run, imagining that federal agents are chasing him. As the film continues his visions become even more disturbed and nightmarish.
At last Donald corners himself in a dark alley and thinks he is in jail. He frantically grabs the bars of a door window and shakes it. "Let me out of here! Let me out!" A sign falls off and hits him in the head. It's a 'help wanted' sign, and Donald discovers the door is just the service entrance of an all night cafe. Donald works through the night and pays the boys back, "and a nickel besides." However, when the nephews wake up, they see Donald trying to take the extra nickel from the rebuilt piggy bank and think he is stealing. Donald's conscience says "You see, chum? Crime doesn't pay."
Releases
Some recent releases of the film omitted scenes in which the nephews play with toy guns and Donald smokes a cigar. The 2005 release of the film on the Disney Treasures collection featured the original version, but preceded it with a disclaimer by film historian Leonard MaltinLeonard Maltin
Leonard Maltin is an American film and animated film critic and historian, author of several mainstream books on cinema, focusing on nostalgic, celebratory narratives.-Personal life:...
.
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