Year: 1944
Runtime: 7 mins
Language: English
Director: Jack King
When the dangerous gorilla Ajax escapes from the zoo, Donald’s nephews disguise themselves as a gorilla to help, but Donald soon confronts the real beast. A chaotic chase ensues until a radio broadcast provides instructions for safely subduing Ajax.
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Read the complete plot breakdown of Donald Duck and the Gorilla (1944), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
On a stormy night, Donald Duck and his nephews hear a radio report that a fierce gorilla named Ajax has escaped from the city zoo. To taunt them, Donald wears black gloves that look like gorilla hands, and the nephews catch him at it by peering through a keyhole to see their uncle laughing. They retaliate with mischief of their own, slipping into a gorilla suit and sneaking up on him as he reads, snatching a lick from his lollipop. The real Ajax then appears in a front window, breaks into the house, and roars at the nephews, who scatter in alarm. Donald, realizing the prank has backfired on him, chases the trio in anger and crashes straight into Ajax. Believing the gorilla is the nephews in disguise, he yanks on the “mask,” only to discover there are two gorillas in the house, which shocks him to the core. He peels open Ajax’s mouth and calls for the nephews, but all he hears is an echo as Ajax roars again.
A radio announcer’s sly tip—“look at animals straight in the eye”—becomes a tense turning point. Donald stares down the gorilla, and for a moment he imagines a tombstone bearing his fate. In a desperate bid to survive, he shoves an umbrella into Ajax’s mouth just as the creature lunges and then bolts for safety. The trio tiptoes through the house, yet chaos continues: the nephews spill melted candle wax on Ajax’s tail, giving the gorilla a comical burn on his rear. In a fit of rage, Donald hobbles after them and even burns his hand on a superheated doorknob as he tries to outsmart his pursuers.
The chase sweeps into a chaotic choreography: Ajax swings from rafts, Donald meets him with a stare-down, and the tail’s prompting nervy moves sends the two into a wild pursuit. Behind a broken door, Ajax tests his strength by forcing his way through a hole; as the ruined piece lands, Donald is momentarily exposed and the pursuit resumes. A clever gambit sees Donald using a ladder as improvised stilts, only for Ajax to swipe the stilts away, sending Donald sliding along the dining room table toward a dramatic standoff at the edge. In a burst of reckless debris, the boards crack and fly into Ajax’s hands, dropping to the floor in two halves. Ajax lunges to bite Donald’s tail, but the tail ends up striking Ajax in the eyes, buying Donald a fleeting window of relief.
At last, the nephews intervene with tear gas to subdue Ajax, and the gorilla begins to cry. Donald, briefly overwhelmed, inhales the tear gas as well, and the two finally find a moment of relief. The night ends with a quiet, uneasy reconciliation as the two unlikely allies—one duck and one distressed gorilla—settle into a shared, soothing closeness, closing the cartoon on a note of reluctant camaraderie.
Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 10:52
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Stories where a simple prank spirals into a frantic, high-speed pursuit.If you enjoyed the chaotic energy of Donald Duck and the Gorilla, you'll love these movies. This thread gathers comedies and animations where mischievous pranks escalate into frantic pursuits and slapstick chaos. Find similar films with fast pacing, playful tension, and happy endings.
The narrative pattern follows a simple catalyst—often a prank or misunderstanding—that rapidly escalates the situation, turning a normal day into a non-stop series of obstacles and chases. The conflict is physical and external, resolved through cleverness or pure luck rather than deep emotional resolution.
Movies are grouped here for their shared reliance on physical comedy, frantic energy, and a cause-and-effect structure that prioritizes laughs over stakes. They deliver a consistent experience of joyful chaos where the fun is in the chase itself.
Mischievous antics create comedic tension that turns into a shared adventure.Find more hilarious movies like Donald Duck and the Gorilla where a prank leads to unexpected chaos. These comedies and family films share a vibe of mischievous fun, fake scares turning into real adventures, and a lighthearted tone perfect for viewers who enjoy playful narratives.
The journey typically starts with a character trying to pull a fast one, only for the situation to be upended by a real complication. This creates a blend of manufactured and genuine peril, leading to a climactic confrontation where characters must work together, often learning a small lesson about hubris or teamwork amidst the comedy.
These films are united by their core mechanic: a prank as the inciting incident. They share a specific emotional mix of playful setup, anxious escalation, and cathartic resolution, focusing on the fun of getting into and out of trouble.
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Track the full timeline of Donald Duck and the Gorilla with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Donald Duck and the Gorilla. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Donald Duck and the Gorilla that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Donald Duck and the Gorilla: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
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