This is a short in the Silly Symphonies series produced by Disney. There will be spoilers ahead:
This is the first of two Ugly Duckling cartoons done by Disney. The 1939 version is a masterpiece and one of the finest shorts Disney ever did. This one is no slouch and is one of the better early Silly Symphonies.
The basic plot is more plot than a lot of the early Silly Symphonies had and also a moral of sorts. The short starts with eggs hatching and a nervous hen awaiting the results. Six chicks and one duck come out of their shells. The hen immediately shuns the duckling as different and unacceptable.
The early part of the short has the duckling trying for acceptance and being rejected repeatedly. There are some nice interludes with a cow, a dog and a frog. Then comes a tornado, with some excellent gags with the tornado and its aftermath.
The duckling manages to warn the hen and her chicks of the tornado, they make for shelter, with the duckling once again an afterthought. Naturally, problems occur, with the chicks placed in danger and the hen helpless. The duckling is not helpless and jumps into action. He saves the chicks and is finally accepted.
This short is available on the Disney Treasures Silly Symphonies DVD set and it and the set are well worth tracking down. Most recommended.
This is the first of two Ugly Duckling cartoons done by Disney. The 1939 version is a masterpiece and one of the finest shorts Disney ever did. This one is no slouch and is one of the better early Silly Symphonies.
The basic plot is more plot than a lot of the early Silly Symphonies had and also a moral of sorts. The short starts with eggs hatching and a nervous hen awaiting the results. Six chicks and one duck come out of their shells. The hen immediately shuns the duckling as different and unacceptable.
The early part of the short has the duckling trying for acceptance and being rejected repeatedly. There are some nice interludes with a cow, a dog and a frog. Then comes a tornado, with some excellent gags with the tornado and its aftermath.
The duckling manages to warn the hen and her chicks of the tornado, they make for shelter, with the duckling once again an afterthought. Naturally, problems occur, with the chicks placed in danger and the hen helpless. The duckling is not helpless and jumps into action. He saves the chicks and is finally accepted.
This short is available on the Disney Treasures Silly Symphonies DVD set and it and the set are well worth tracking down. Most recommended.