Clara Cluck in her first appearance,Orphan's Benefit.
It is possible that Clara Cluck played the title role inThe Wise Little Hen (June 9,1934), as both characters were voiced by the same person,Florence Gill, and there is more than just a passing physical resemblance. However, by the time she made her big debut in the original version ofOrphan's Benefit, she had changed into an over-sized operatic diva; a role that she would continue throughout the rest of her appearances. Clara's singing is meant to be a caricature of the Bel Canto style of Opera singing popular at the time of her appearance. Some of her arias are clearly modeled on those of Tosca. Her last major appearance was as one of the musicians inSymphony Hour. Curiously, although she is seen in the rehearsal scenes at the beginning, she is not seen in the performance scenes at the end.
Although she did not make a physical appearance in the film, one segment inThe Reluctant Dragon showed a voice recording session for Clara (Florence Gill), singing with Donald (Clarence Nash).
1980s-present[]
Clara makes a non-speaking cameo at the end ofWho Framed Roger Rabbit along with the other classic cartoon characters joining in singing "Smile Darn Ya Smile", celebratingRoger's innocence as they parade back toToontown.
Clara made various appearances inMickey Mouse Works, where she is presented asDaisy Duck's neighbor, and develops a crush on Donald. She also made occasional appearances among the guests at theHouse of Mouse.
In the newMickey Mouse shorts, Clara appears during the theater performance that Mickey and Minnie attend at the end of "Bad Ear Day", resuming her classic role as an opera singer (although her feathers are colored white instead of their usual brown). She later appeared in the final segment of the series' Halloween special, "The Scariest Story Ever: A Mickey Mouse Halloween Spooktacular".
Clara made several appearances inHouse of Mouse as a guest at Mickey's club. In the episode "Everybody loves Mickey", she is seen seated at a table with Mickey and several other female Characters.
Printed media[]
Comics[]
Despite Clara's departure from most other Disney media, Clara has remained a major supporting character in the Disney comic stories, among the other classic animated Disney characters. In most adaptations, she is seen speaking properly rather than her usual clucks from her appearance in Disney cartoons. She has been seen datingPanchito Pistoles in onestory, printed inWalt Disney's Comics and Stories#38. She also appeared in a couple of Disney comics byCarl Barks, most notably inThe Double Date, where she invites her pen pal,Rockhead Rooster to accompany her on a double date with Donald and Daisy. Rockhead later appeared as Clara's boyfriend in a number of more recent Disney comics.
Clara made a cameo appearance in theTimeless River world ofKingdom Hearts II with many other classic Disney characters, likeClarabelle Cow andHorace Horsecollar, as one of the world's citizens.
During theDisney California Adventure expansion, Clara was seen as a construction worker on a mural with other Disney characters.
InMickey's Boo-to-You Halloween Parade, Clara can be seen with all the original Disney characters in this parade. In it, she sings from the top of the barn float window in theFrontierland unit and waves to the guests.
Clara can be seen twice inOne Man's Dream II: The Magic Lives On!. The first is during Donald's segment. She was one of the actors and actresses for Donald's film.
Trivia[]
Aside from voicing her in all of her classic animated appearances, Florence Gill also provided Clara's voice in the short-lived radio showThe Mickey Mouse Theater of the Air.
