Original release date: June 7, 1940

Rating: TV-G. “It may contain outdated cultural depictions.”

Length: eight steppin’ minutes

Background: Donald Duck continued his rise as secret top star in 1940 with “Mr. Duck Steps Out.” Oh, you’re fancy with “Mr. Duck” now, huh?

Donald isn’t the focus here, however. Mickey had a love interest in Minnie. Donald had nobody… until “Mr. Duck Steps Out.”

Daisy Duck made her grand entrance in this short and has stuck around since, appearing in shorts and movies and greeting guests at Disney parks around the world.

Review:

Daisy is the immediate focus as we start, zooming out from a signed picture of her. Donald is getting in his dapper best (minus pants, the duck will not wear pants). The nephews – Huey, Dewey, and Louie – join in as well, trying to dance out the door with Donald. He’s not having it. This is his big date.

Donald clarifies that it is an adult-only date, marching the boys back into their room and LOCKING THEM IN WHILE HE LEAVES. Where are their parents?

Donald dances on out and the boys, having a saw in the room, saw right through the wall and follow.

Donald rings Daisy’s doorbell… and out pop the nephews. He’s not happy… until the beautiful Daisy appears from behind a curtain. The boys also seem to have an interest in Daisy, because why wouldn’t Donald have to compete with his own nephews.

Donald does the classic “arm stretch” cuddle move, which Daisy rejects only to alluringly and literally shake her tail feathers at him. Hide the kids!

The radio comes on and Donald and Daisy dance, only for the boys to tag themselves in one-by-one. The boys then decide to make popcorn on the stove, accidentally shooting it right into Donald’s mouth.

As it pops in his stomach, it gives him all kinds of dance moves that makes Daisy swoon. She’s clearly sold on Donald, popping away, and the boys decide to use her piano and other household items to play some big band music for them instead of trying to win her heart.

The popcorn continues to pop in Donald minutes later, which seems like something he should get checked, but leads to a spinning grand finale of the dance. Daisy is immediately in love and showers Donald with kisses.

One thing to notice – Daisy doesn’t have the sweet, somewhat regular voice we hear today. She’s as ducky-sounding as Donald.

I noticed no cultural depictions.

Extras:

Nothing.

Should you watch it?

Absolutely watch it. It’s a good short, Donald is almost always fun, and Daisy had quite the introduction here.