The Wise Little Hen (1934)

About The Wise Little Hen

'The Wise Little Hen' is a 1934 American animated short subject produced by Walt Disney Productions and released by United Artists. This movie is an adaptation of a fairy tale 'The Little Red Hen.' The plot revolves around a mother hen who is on the search for someone who will help her plant her corn. Peter Pig and Donald Duck both avoid this task by pretending to have a stomach ache. However, in the end, they are taught a valuable lesson by the cunning hen.

Making/Production

The film is directed by Wilfred Jackson, one of Disney's leading talents of the time. It was produced by Walt Disney himself and animated by a team of the studio's in-house animators. The music was handled by Bert Spencer Leigh Harline, devoted previously to music for silent films.

Actors

• Clarence Nash as Donald Duck - He played the role of a lazy duck who pretends to be sick to avoid work. His character introduction is particularly memorable since it marks Donald Duck's first appearance.
• Florence Gill as The Wise Little Hen - She played the role with a wisdom and tenacity that sets the moral of the story.
• Pinto Colvig as Peter Pig - He played the role of the pig who like the duck feigns illness to shirk work, providing comic relief alongside Nash.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• This movie is famously known for being the debut appearance of Donald Duck.
• The short film was part of the Walt Disney's 'Silly Symphonies' series.
• Although Donald Duck became a significant character, Peter Pig did not achieve such fame.

Quotes

• "Who's going to help me plant the corn?" - Wise Little Hen
• "Who's got the stomach ache now, huh?" - Wise Little Hen

Music, Soundtrack

• The film features a lively musical score which was arranged by Leigh Harline.
• The background music and songs are performed by the voices of the characters themselves.