| Donald's Dilemma | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Jack King |
| Story by | Roy Williams |
| Produced by | Walt Disney |
| Starring | Clarence Nash Gloria Blondell |
| Music by | Oliver Wallace |
| Animation by | Don Towsley Ed Aardal Emery Hawkins Sandy Strother |
| Layouts by | Don Griffith |
| Backgrounds by | Maurice Greenberg |
| Color process | Technicolor |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | RKO Radio Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 7 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Donald's Dilemma is aWalt Disney Studiosanimated cartoon directed byJack King[1] and starringDonald andDaisy Duck. It was originally released on July 11, 1947 in theUnited States.[2] The title of this short is amisnomer, as it is Daisy, rather than Donald, who confronts the story's central dilemma. The song "No One But Donald Duck", which became Donald Duck's official theme song, made its debut in this cartoon.[3]
Daisy recounts her story to an unseenpsychologist. Her troubles began when she was walking with Donald and aflowerpot fell on his head, causing him to lose his memory but gain a melodious singing voice. He became a well-known singer and his rendition of "When You Wish Upon a Star" became a huge success. Daisy was left heartbroken at the loss of Donald and grappled withinsomnia,anorexia, andsuicidal thoughts.[4][5] After an unsuccessful attempt to see Donald in concert atRadio City Music Hall, she sought the psychologist's help.
The psychologist hypothesizes that another flowerpot falling on Donald's head might restore his memory. He warns Daisy that this might also result in the loss of Donald's newfound singing talent, but Daisy is undeterred. She infiltrates one of Donald's concerts and drops a flowerpot on his head, restoring his memory and his original voice. Donald is booed off the stage but ultimately reunites with Daisy.
InThe Disney Films,Leonard Maltin says thatDonald's Dilemma is "perhaps the best Donald Duck of all... a sidesplitting satire of psychological dramas." Maltin provides a number of reasons why he considers this a great cartoon: "Foremost is the fact that it makes the characters and their situationreal, even while reminding you that this is a cartoon. The audience actually becomes involved with Daisy's predicament, and there are marvelous little touches to heighten the emotionalism (as when she is climbing to the catwalk near the end and almost loses her step). At the same time the cartoon is filled with hilarious visual exaggeration: when Daisy recalls that Donald gave her a cold icy stare, a long icicle emits from his eyes, and as she waits for Donald at the stage door of the theatre, the seasons change and she is covered with snow.Donald's Dilemma shows how much could be done within the framework of a seven-minute cartoon, using familiar characters; it is a gem."[6]
According to John Howard Reid inScience-Fiction & Fantasy Cinema: Classic Films of Horror, Sci-Fi & the Supernatural, Daisy displays "a ruthlessly self-centered neurotic streak", but maintains the audience's sympathy throughout the film.[3]
The short was released on December 11, 2007 onWalt Disney Treasures: The Chronological Donald, Volume Three: 1947-1950.[7]
Additional releases include:
