cel from Disney cartoon Mickey's Parrot

Mickey’s Parrot Premieres

In Mickey’s Parrot, a talking parrot shows up at the home of Mickey Mouse and Pluto just as the two hear a radio report of an escaped killer. Hearing the parrot’s voice, the dashing duo assumes it is the criminal’s voice they are hearing. It isn’t until the cartoon ends that they realize it was …

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Walt and Roy Disney Purchase 51 Acres for Burbank Studio

After the success of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Walt Disney likely whistled while he worked at the Hyperion Studio where the film was made, but also realized that more space was needed to increase production. With the profits from the film’s success, and perhaps with a Heigh Ho, on this day in 1938, …

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The Whalers is Released

With Mickey, Donald, and Goofy at sea aboard a whaling ship, hilarious monstrous mishaps are a certainty. Just a year and a half before Pinocchio and Geppetto found themselves inside a whale, Donald and Goofy beat them to it, ending up there when harpooning attempts went awry in the cartoon short The Whalers, which dove …

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Good Scouts

Good Scouts is Released

Over one hundred years ago the Boy Scouts of America was incorporated, bringing together enthusiastic boys and patient, even-tempered men who, through clear thinking and mature decision making, would guide the boys toward the best possible outcome of any situation, particularly on campouts. Nevertheless, it is Donald Duck who supervises his troop of nephews on …

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Luana Patten

Luana Patten is Born

On this day in 1938, actress Luana Patten was born. It’s the truth! It’s actual! And her first starring role was in Walt Disney’s Song of the South, where she got to sing “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” with co-star Bobby Driscoll. Luana’s movie career soared like Mr. Bluebird after that, and included a number of Disney films such …

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Walt Disney's first honorary degree

Walt Disney Receives First Honorary Degree

Walt Disney had been winning the hearts of Americans for more than a decade before Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was released, but with that film’s success the country wanted to reward him. On this day in 1938, Walt was awarded his first honorary degree, a Master of Science degree from the University of …

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Mickey's Trailer

Mickey’s Trailer is Released

In 1938, Mickey, Donald, and Goofy decided to take to the great outdoors aboard their fully loaded RV. The trio’s trailer comes equipped with all the amenities of home, including a full-size bath, kitchen, front lawn, and even a complete backdrop setting to make any locale an optimal spot for a vacation…even the city dump. …

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Donald's Nephews

Donald’s Nephews is Released

Duckling nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie make their debut in this film, and we learn on a postcard sent to Donald that the “angelic” trio belongs to Donald’s sister, Dumbella. In Donald’s Nephews, the havoc-wreaking trio, who were first introduced to the world just six months earlier in print on the Donald Duck Sunday comic …

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Donald's Better Self

Donald’s Better Self Premieres

In this hilarious eight-minute short, Donald’s Evil Self attempts to persuade Donald, not exactly the teacher’s-pet type to begin with, to skip school, go swimming and smoke a corncob pipe. Donald’s Good Self prevails over all. In honor of the feathered fella himself, here are some Donald Duck fun facts: The first cartoon Donald appeared …

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The Old Mill

The Old Mill Wins Academy Award® for Best Short Subject Cartoons

A testament to the early breakthroughs in animation technology at Walt Disney Studios, The Old Mill marked the first animated film to use the multiplane camera. The technology created a remarkable depth to the film that added a new perspective and artistic approach to animation. This 68th Silly Symphony garnered Walt Disney two Academy Awards® …

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