Donald's Crime is a short from Walt Disney Productions starring Donald Duck, Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Daisy Duck. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Cartoon in 1945.
One evening while eagerly awaiting a date with Daisy, Donald realizes he doesn't have any money. When he sees Huey, Duey, and Louie's piggy bank, and following a brief battle with his gangster-speaking conscience, he takes it. After sending the nephews to bed, and trying to hide the uneasy feelings, Donald breaks open the piggy bank, takes the money (totaling $1.25), and goes on to have a fun time with Daisy at a local dance club.
Later that evening, Donald drops Daisy off at her house. She kisses him and calls him a "big shot." Donald at first feels prideful as he starts to walk home, but soon he begins to feel guilty. His conscience calls him a gangster and reminds him that bank robbery is a federal crime. Donald starts to imagine that federal agents are chasing him and he starts to run. As the film continues, his visions become more nightmarish and desperate. At last Donald corners himself in a dark alley and believes he is in jail. He frantically grabs the bars of a door window and shakes it. A sign falls off and hits him in the head. It's a 'help wanted' sign, and Donald discovers the door is the service entrance of an all night cafe.
Donald works through the night and earns enough money to pay back his nephews, except when he returns the money to the piggy bank, he accidentally returns $1.30 of the original $1.25. When the nephews wake up, they see Donald trying to take a nickel from the piggy bank and begin to complain. Donald's conscience reminds him, "You see, chum? Crime doesn't pay."
The Great Mouse Detective (bonus on Gold Collection DVD)
Walt Disney Treasures: The Chronological Donald, Volume 2
Walt Disney's Classic Cartoon Favorites: Best Pals - Donald and Daisy
Trivia[]
This was Gloria Blondell's first performance as Daisy and marks the debut of Daisy's "normal" voice. Her last speaking role in Mr. Duck Steps Out was voiced by Clarence Nash and had a duck voice like Donald's.
The inflation conversion of $1.25 back in 1945 translates to $18.25 in the year 2020.
In airings on The Ink and Paint Club, the scene that shows Donald's nephews playing with toy guns was deemed too violent and deleted. Another scene that shows Donald smoking was also deleted.
This is the only animated Disney production released in 1945 to have Huey, Dewey, and Louie appearing.
The Wise Little Hen • Donald and Pluto • Don Donald • Modern Inventions • Donald's Ostrich • Self Control • Donald's Better Self • Donald's Nephews • Good Scouts • Donald's Golf Game • Mother Goose Goes Hollywood • Donald's Lucky Day • The Hockey Champ • Donald's Cousin Gus • Beach Picnic • Sea Scouts • Donald's Penguin • The Autograph Hound • Officer Duck • The Fox Hunt (co-starring Goofy) • Polar Trappers (co-starring Goofy)
Lion Around • Crazy Over Daisy • Trailer Horn • Hook, Lion and Sinker • Bee at the Beach • Out on a Limb • Dude Duck • Corn Chips • Test Pilot Donald • Lucky Number • Out of Scale • Bee on Guard • Donald Applecore • Let's Stick Together • Uncle Donald's Ants • Trick or Treat • Don's Fountain of Youth • The New Neighbor • Rugged Bear • Working for Peanuts • Canvas Back Duck • Spare the Rod • Donald's Diary • Dragon Around • Grin and Bear It • The Flying Squirrel • Grand Canyonscope • No Hunting • Bearly Asleep • Beezy Bear • Up a Tree • Chips Ahoy
1960s
The Litterbug
Educational Shorts
How to Have an Accident in the Home • How to Have an Accident at Work • Donald in Mathmagic Land • Donald and the Wheel • Steel and America • Donald's Fire Survival Plan • Family Planning
