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Donald Duck and the Gorilla

  • 1944
  • Approved
  • 7m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
1.1K
YOUR RATING
Carl Barks, Bill Berg, Nick George, Jack Hannah, Jack King, James MacDonald, Jesse Marsh, Clarence Nash, Frank Tashlin, Bill de la Torre, Roy Williams, Ted Osborne, and Al Taliaferro in Donald Duck and the Gorilla (1944)
AnimationComedyFamilyShort

Ajax the killer gorilla had escaped from the zoo, As a prank, Donald and three nephews scared each other, But suddenly, the real Ajax appeared, So how can they subdue him?Ajax the killer gorilla had escaped from the zoo, As a prank, Donald and three nephews scared each other, But suddenly, the real Ajax appeared, So how can they subdue him?Ajax the killer gorilla had escaped from the zoo, As a prank, Donald and three nephews scared each other, But suddenly, the real Ajax appeared, So how can they subdue him?

  • Director
    • Jack King
  • Writers
    • Carl Barks
    • Bill Berg
    • Nick George
  • Stars
    • Billy Bletcher
    • James MacDonald
    • Clarence Nash
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    1.1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jack King
    • Writers
      • Carl Barks
      • Bill Berg
      • Nick George
    • Stars
      • Billy Bletcher
      • James MacDonald
      • Clarence Nash
    • 12User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos27

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    Top cast3

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    Billy Bletcher
    Billy Bletcher
    • Radio Announcer
    • (uncredited)
    James MacDonald
    • Ajax the Gorilla
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    Clarence Nash
    Clarence Nash
    • Donald Duck
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    • …
    • Director
      • Jack King
    • Writers
      • Carl Barks
      • Bill Berg
      • Nick George
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews12

    7.21.1K
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    Featured reviews

    10TheLittleSongbird

    Does for Donald Duck what Pluto's Judgement Day did for Pluto

    If I had to sum up Donald Duck and the Gorilla in one word, I have to say classic. It is a delightful Halloween cartoon, and one of my personal favourite Donald Duck cartoons. One that is both scary and funny.

    The animation for back then is of true beauty and the music really adds to the atmosphere. The story moves very fast and is well structured, while the dialogue and sight gags are delightful. In terms of characters, it is Donald's show all the way, voiced by the brilliant Clarence Nash who IS Donald Duck in my opinion, but he is almost upstaged by Ajax the Gorilla.

    Overall, a Halloween classic and a must see for fans of the cantankerous duck. 10/10 Bethany Cox
    9OllieSuave-007

    A good one for a funny scare.

    I first saw this cartoon in the Disney special video program, Halloween Treat, and it was a good one for a funny scare. Here, Donald and his nephews hear on the radio that a gorilla has escaped from the zoo and, as a result, they all scare each other with gorilla hands and costumes. This goes on until they all encounter the real gorilla, who has broken into their home.

    This cartoon has its creepy moments but it is mostly funny with plenty of gags and laugh-out-loud moments; I especially like the part where after the nephews accidentally burn Donald's tail and he turns around with an angry look - his face turning into a boiling pot kettle.

    The cat and mouse chase between the gorilla and Donald in his seemingly humongous house is entertaining from start to finish, with the nephews trying desperately to stop the mad animal.

    Overall, it's one of the best cartoon shorts featuring Donald and his nephews.

    Grade A
    10StreepFan126

    Classic Disney Halloween Cartoon

    Like "Lonesome Ghosts" and "Trick or Treat" this is part of the Disney Halloween Cartoon Trilogy. The story is simple as it is for most cartoons: Ajax, the killer gorilla has escaped from the city zoo and is in the area. You can guess where he turns up! Full of laughs!
    9m-86730

    Donald is not DEAD!

    This is a very thrilled and horrible film, when I first saw the title card, I couldn't help shivering, the background is probably the most terrible and horrid Donald Duck short I ever seen.

    It's a stormy night, probably mentioned something unexpected is going to happen, but sure enough, the radio announcer notify everyone a dangerous gorilla named Ajax is escaped, Donald and three nephews apparently unawared it and make fun each other, but when the real Ajax coming, Donald and nephews all in mortal danger, scared and hide each other, it's actually really thrilled, and I wonder why the delirious Ajax want to chased Donald and three nephews with no intent, Donald seen out of control also.Donald Duck almost get MURDERED by Ajax! Donald still have some funny moves,too, like when he open the doorknob(which his candle wax had made it hot), he screamed: OUCH! Then Donald's three nephews use a tear gas to stop Ajax, to make him cry with his evil conscience, but it also make Donald cried too, It's still funny when Donald and Ajax cried and console one another, I still wonder why Donald Duck and three nephews live in such a perish house, which contained gorilla suit and a tear gas, probably for the horror background for a dangerous gorilla to appeared.And Donald in the short seen rather insaned in the short, he never stop move and act fast, even when Ajax is chasing him throughout his house. That's thrilling! Ajax's roar and moves seen rather scary and made pepole stand on end, I think is similar to King Kong, though.

    I also wonder why is the idea about to make duck and gorilla mix together, and gorilla is not a predator, it almost never tried to eat human! If on my words, this short is very classical, especially when Ajax is chasing Donald, which Donald use nervous semi-intelligible voice to moaned, DONALD DUCK, Good escape!
    9travisimo

    Ducks and Gorillas Don't Mix!

    Donald is as funny as ever in this animated short. My favorite part of the cartoon is when Donald and his nephews are tiptoeing around the house with one of Donald's nephews holding a candle right behind Donald. This candles serves as a great comedy prop as hot wax is accidentally poured on Donald's poor tail. Angered, Donald takes the candle only to heat up a doorknob that he later grabs. Ouch!!!

    There are other great gags in this cartoon, just proving why Donald is my absolute favorite cartoon character. He never gets a break, even at the end of the cartoon. Although I do wonder why Donald and his nephews had some tear gas in their house. I guess they kept it around for just such an occasion. The only flaws to this short is that it may not be the most original plot or be considered a classic, but it's still hilarious. Way to go, Donald!

    My IMDb Rating: 9/10

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    Short

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      This cartoon was inspired by The Gorilla Mystery, an early 1930 Disney short film.
    • Quotes

      [repeated line]

      Radio Announcer: [closing statement] That is all. Breckenridge.

    • Connections
      Edited into The Magical World of Disney: The Donald Duck Story (1954)

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • March 31, 1944 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Gorillajakt
    • Production company
      • Walt Disney Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      • 7m
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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