This anthrophomorphic duck, know for his bad temper and semi-intelligible speech pattern, has been a huge success with the public, being ranked 3rd best cartoon character of all time (right after Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny).
He first appeared in "The Little Wise Hen" in 1934:
His first bouts of anger were portrayed in the Mickey Mouse cartoon " Orphans Benefit" :
He continued to feature in Mickey Mouse cartoons, his first headliner short coming in 1937 with Ben Sharpsteen's cartoon "Don Donald" :
In 1942, Disney won an Academy Award for " Der Fuehrer's Face", a Donald propaganda cartoon:
Donald's popularity spurred the creation of associated characters such as Donald's nephews.
Donald Duck is more popular than Mickey Mouse in Scandinavian countries. The problematic of his morality has even been debated in Finland. Some citing his lack of pants and him living with Daisy, while not being married, as being "too bourgeois" while others regard him as a "genuine proletarian.
His design has remained mostly the same as time's gone by.
his original design :
had him wearing his trademark cap, sailor suit and color palette.
His subsequent design:
retained the same clothes, but made him "cuter" with larger eyes, a slimmer body, a rounder head and bigger feet.
Donald is one of the most popular Disney character, and , in my opinion, one of the most lovable ones. His character flaws and quirky personality make him more believable and likeable and his lack of pants is hilarious.
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