Mr. Duck Steps Out

'Mr. Duck Steps Out (1940)' is essentially one long dance number, as Donald boogies his way over to Daisy's house for a date. However, his three nephews seem determined to mess with him, so it isn't long before trouble ensues. There isn't much to the piece in terms of story. Thankfully, though, the piece is well-paced and lively, with generally impressive animation and a few chucklesome sight-gags. It's typically rather enjoyable and it comes together nicely in the end. 6/10

Donald Duck is heading out for a date night with Daisy, but he didn't anticipate that his nephews, Huey, Dewey and Louie, will be going along on the date as well. The nephews beat Donald to get to Daisy's house first. Donald sends the kids off to get ice-cream while he and Daisy do some off-the-chart dancing, set to the background of wonderfully jazz and bandstand-type music. It was really clever how the cartoon writers were able to incorporate the music and sound effects into the characters - such as the sounds of drums to popcorn popping.

The popcorn popping in Donald's tummy, causing him to dance wildly with Daisy while the nephews play on instruments is definitely the highlight of the cartoon. There's toe-tapping music and non-stop dancing from start to finish - great fun here!

Grade A

Mr Duck Steps Out has to be one of my favourite Donald Duck cartoons ever. As an avid Disney and Donald fan, I thought choosing absolute favourite would be difficult, but Mr Duck Steps Out I've always loved and sure is one of them. The animation is as colourful and smooth as some of the best animation of the best cartoons of the 30s and 40s, the music is some of the catchiest ever I've heard for any cartoon and the dancing is full of energy, reminding one fondly of the dancing of that particular era. The gags are fun and very imaginative, the gag where Donald's nephews Huey Duey and Louie put an ear of corn on the stove and knock it into Donald which causes him to shake uncontrollably and throw popcorn everywhere is hilarious especially and has endless and timeless replay value. The story is a very light-hearted one in tone, yet delicately balances also Donald's frustration, and the characters from the temperamental but likable Donald, lovely Daisy to the cheeky yet cute rascals that are Huey, Duey and Louie. Clarence Nash's vocals for all five characters are bravura in every sense of the word. In conclusion, fantastic, a must-watch. 10/10 Bethany Cox

This short is the first actual appearance of Daisy Duck because the earlier short Don Donald(1937) introduced a very different in appearance and voice Donna Duck.Donald is at his best in this film.He proves to be a fun-loving young man and he doesn't have to be jumping up and down to attract the audiences.He gets the most out of the situation in this one and at the end has earned Daisy's affection.Daisy proves to be a hell of a dancer and a seductive little devil.Her first role is actualy one of the best she ever had.The nephews need for attention ant their interest in Daisy is a good enough motivation for them.They prove themselves inventive and capable.This short has all five Ducks in one of their most interesting appearances ever.Worth watching.

Donald has woken up on the right side of the bed for a change is seriously in a great groove and plans to romance Daisy with a box of chocolates. He dances everywhere in perfect timing with a tune that we can all hear. It's one of those cartoons where actions correspond to the way the music is played and it's done very well.

Donald's trip to Daisy's house is spoiled when his nephews insist on tagging along. He tries, and fails, to rid them with an ice cream bribe. Instead they manage to make him swallow a load of corn that is in the middle of popping which sends him on a wild, spastic jitterbug dance around the living room, which Daisy mistakes for genuine dancing talent.

At least he ends up impressing her and getting kisses.