HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DONALDO EL DUCKO

When I was growing up, my favorite Disney cartoon character was Donald Duck (known south of the border as Donaldo El Ducko). South of what border, you ask? It’s a borderline call. Anyway, back then, if you played word association and said “Donald,” chances are you’d get “Duck” in response. Today, if you said “Donald,” you’d probably get “Trump” in response (known without borders as Donaldo El Ego).

Good, old, irascible Donald Duck. None of that Mickey Mouse stuff for him. Donald has an attitude. He also has a “birthday” today. Quoting Wikipedia: Donald Duck first appeared in the 1934 cartoon The Wise Little Hen which was part of the Silly Symphonies series of theatrical cartoon shorts. The film’s release date of June 9 is officially recognized by the Walt Disney Company as Donald’s birthday.

To celebrate, here’s a 1949 cartoon marking Donald’s 15th birthday. I don’t know that it stands the test of time as well as some other animated cartoons of the period, perhaps partly due to it not being one of his best. In any event, it’s the most appropriate one for the occasion. Happy Birthday, Donald(o) (El) Duck(o)!