Clarence Nash Movies

An American rancher--who doubles as an undercover agent--is needed in the rescue of a kidnapped senator in this animated adventure. Helping him is his horse Rebel and a good friend named Sorry. The film is distributed by United Screen Arts, the company formed by starring voice Dale Robertson. ~ John Bush, Rovi

Although advertised as a "premiere," the first episode of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color was actually a continuation of the ABC anthology series that had run under the titles Disneyland and Walt Disney Presents since 1959. The major changes in the "new" version were twofold: Disney was now seen on NBC, and (of course) his program was broadcast in "living color" (and in fact was sponsored by RCA, foremost manufacturer of color TVs). Episode one opened in black-and-white, with Walt Disney discussing his plans for the future, then magically switched over to a full rainbow of hues. Further emphasizing the advantages of color over black-and-white, Disney compared his 1927 Mickey Mouse cartoon vehicle Plane Crazy with his earliest Technicolor effort, the 1932 "Silly Symphony" Flowers and Trees. Walt also introduced the viewers to his latest cartoon creation -- a brilliant, erudite Viennese duck named Ludwig Von Drake, who happened to be the uncle of good ol' Donald Duck (Professor Von Drake was not so brilliant as to disbelieve Donald's claims that Disney worked for him, instead of the other way around!). The remainder of the episode consists of the 1959 animated theatrical short subject Donald in Mathmagic Land, an entertainng foray into the world of numbers, angles, and shapes. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

This animated spoof of the popular TV series This Is Your Life (the creator of which, Ralph Edwards, is given special acknowledgement in the closing credits) first aired on the Walt Disney Presents TV anthology. Jiminy Cricket is all set to give a testimonial to his cartoon comrade Donald Duck -- but alas, Donald is relaxing at home and has no intention of leaving. Literally dragged to the Disney studios by his nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie, an outraged Donald relaxes a bit when he realizes that he's the guest of honor. The rest of the episode combines newly animated footage with clips from vintage theatrical cartoons, as Donald's life is recounted by such colleagues as Daisy Duck (who explains why she and Donald never married), Chip 'n' Dale, Mickey Mouse, Pluto, and even a few guest stars who never made a picture with the Duck, including The Three Little Pigs, Lady and the Tramp, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. "This Is Your Life, Donald Duck was rebroadcast as a separate Disney special on February 22, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Although the 25th anniversary of the creation of Disney cartoon character Donald Duck actually occurred in 1959 (he'd made his first appearance in the 1934 Silly Symphony The Wise Little Hen), this 1960 episode of Walt Disney Presents commemorates Donald's first major role in the 1935 Mickey Mouse vehicle The Orphan's Benefit. After showing clips from that film, in which Donald struggles to deliver a recitation of "Mary Had a Little Lamb," the episode shows his progression to full-fledged star of his own cartoon series. Among the highlights is a sequence showing a Donald Duck cartoon translated into different languages. The episode closes as Walt Disney bestows the coveted "Duckstar" award on the irascible Mr. Duck. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Feeling that Walt Disney is working him too hard, temperamental cartoon star Donald Duck decides to take a vaction -- right in the middle of his shooting schedule. Just before hitting the road, Donald imperiously tells Walt to soldier on alone as best he can. As Donald experiences all manners of misadventures while trying to relax, Walt decides to teach the duck a lesson by pretending to groom a replacement. Another of Walt Disney Presents' compilation of classic Disney theatrical cartoons, this episode ends appropriately enough with a screening of the 1946 featurette Donald's Double Trouble, wherein our hero comes to grief by trying to pass off an erudite lookalike as himself. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

If Donald Duck had hoped to take it easy during the weekend, his hopes are dashed when his three mischievous neighbors Huey, Dewey and Louie pay him a visit. As a means of keeping the kids out of his hair (or feathers), Donald purchases some circus tickets, offering to give them to the nephews if they do some chores around the house. Alas, the kids' woodchopping session does not keep them from drifting off to play pirates, wreaking all manner of havoc on their irascible Unca Donald. Poised to give the kids a spanking, Donald is dissuaded by his conscience, who suggests that our hero apply a bit of child psychology. Guess what happens next. Just guess. This Disneyland episode cleverly links together several Disney theatrical cartoons into a single continuity with the use of some newly animated footage. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Walt Disney may have cause to regret his generous decision to turn the hosting reins of his Disneyland series over to the redoubtable Donald Duck. In his usual presumptive, take-charge fashoin, Donald announces plans for his new, original, never-seen-before TV anthology series, "The Duckland Four-in-One Show." A series of vignettes from Disney's theatrical cartoons quickly follows, with Donald allegedly making his way through "Adventureland", "Frontierland", "Tomorrowland" and, somewhat redundantly, "Fantasyland." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

On the verge of starvation, Chip and Dale want to get to an acorn-laden island in the middle of a river. Unfortunately, they can't swim, so they "borrow" a model ship from a bottle owned by (who else?) Donald Duck. To force the chipsters off the vessel, Donald tries everything from flooding the hold to faking a storm at sea. Finally, Donald attempts to give chase after C&D, but Dale has already sabotaged every available boat. By fadeout time, everyone has "gone nuts" in more ways than one. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the first of two safety-oriented Disney cartoons, we are introduced to J. Jonah Fate, eternal fall guy. Introducing an average citizen--Donald Duck!--who must duck and dodge all sorts of accidents when heading home at night, Fate reveals that Donald is his own worst enemy when it comes to household accidents--and worse, Donald never seems to catch on, blaming all his mishaps on "Fate." Since 5 million people have home accidents every year, Donald is in good company when passing the buck. The rest of the cartoon is a montage of accidents caused by gas stoves, faulty wiring, throw rugs, and household items left stranded on the stairs. Will Donald ever wise up? You'll have to stick around til the end to find out. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Lumberjack Donald Duck prepares to cut down a very tall tree, which is occupied by--you guessed it--Chip and Dale. Dale resigns himself to moving up, but Chip insists upon fighting for his home. And fight he does, sabotaging all of Donald's efforts to get his work done. But neither the duck nor the chipmunks will give up, and the result is a wild downhill ride on a log, with wide-eyed Donald heading directly into the teeth of a buzzsaw. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Park Ranger Donald Duck holds court over the bears in his jurisdiction, marching them into their cave for their winter hibernation. The only bear who doesn't enter into the spirit of things is good old Humphrey, who manages to make trouble even when he's asleep with his nocturnal twitching and heavy snory. Finally the other bears kick Humphrey out of the cave, forcing him to seek shelter elsewhere (that train tunner is definitely out!). Finally, Humphrey sneaks into Donald's cabin, pretending to be a sleepwalker--at which point the slapstick tomfoolery really begins to accellerate. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Donald Duck vacations at Brownstone National Park, where the effusive Ranger Woodlore greets the tourists with a "few rules"--foremost among them "Don't Molest the Bears". He then gives a similar pep talk to the park bears, warning the redoubtable Humprhey Bear not to go around stealing picnic baskets--or else (cue the "Dragnet" theme). But after seeing the other bears enjoying the hospitality of the friendly tourists, Humphrey can stand no more, and sets about to cadge a free meal from Donald--even if he has to resort to (gasp!) thievery. This leads to a wild slapstick contretemps between bear and duck, whereupon the Ranger must take a hand in matters. . .with ironically amusing results. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi