Donald Duck and the Gorilla

Donald Duck and the Gorilla

Year: 1944

Runtime: 7 mins

Language: English

Director: Jack King

AnimationComedy

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.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Donald Duck and the Gorilla yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Donald Duck and the Gorilla (1944)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Donald Duck and the Gorilla (1944). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Breckenridge, Donald Duck's House

The action centers in Breckenridge on a stormy night, focusing on the Duck family home. Ajax the gorilla's escape from the city zoo brings a wild intruder into the domestic setting, turning the house into a chaotic playground of chase and pratfalls. The setting contrasts cozy interiors with unexpected danger, driving the comedy and suspense.

🏙️ Breckenridge 🏠 Donald Duck's House 🦍 Zoo 🌩️ Stormy Night

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:55

Main Characters – Donald Duck and the Gorilla (1944)

Meet the key characters of Donald Duck and the Gorilla (1944), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Ajax the Gorilla

A powerful, intelligent gorilla who escapes the city zoo and infiltrates the Duck family home, provoking fear and Mayhem. He roars and stalks through the house, challenging Donald and the nephews, and is ultimately subdued after the nephews deploy tear gas and he cries.

🦍 Gorilla 🗝️ Intruder ⚡ Threat

Donald Duck

Hot-tempered and easily frightened, Donald initially misreads the danger and reacts impulsively. Throughout the chase, he gradually demonstrates stubborn courage and resourcefulness as he tries to outsmart the gorilla to protect his nephews.

🦆 Duck 🔥 Hot-tempered 🧭 Strategist

Huey, Dewey & Louie

Donald’s mischievous nephews who initiate the chaos by disguising themselves in a gorilla suit and provoking Ajax. Their curiosity and love of pranks fuel the comedy and complicate the danger.

👶 Kids 🎭 Pranksters 🐵 Gorilla curiosity

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:55

Major Themes – Donald Duck and the Gorilla (1944)

Explore the central themes of Donald Duck and the Gorilla (1944), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎭 Pranks & Consequences

What begins as a playful prank by the nephews escalates into genuine danger when the real gorilla appears and targets Donald. The deception blurs with reality, creating a tense chase filled with slapstick misfires. The sequence examines how humorous deception can backfire when it meets a real threat, forcing characters to rethink their actions.

🧭 Fear & Resilience

The characters must navigate fear and adapt quickly to outsmart the intruding animal. Donald's bravado shifts to frantic problem-solving as he and the nephews find clever ways to subdue Ajax. The resolution hinges on a mix of observation, improvisation, and a surprising empathy that emerges after the danger passes.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:55

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Slapstick Chase Movies like Donald Duck and the Gorilla

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.

slapstickchaoticmischievousfast-pacedanxiousplayfulrelieved

Narrative Summary

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.

Why These Movies?

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.

Prank Comedy Stories like Donald Duck and the Gorilla

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.

mischievousprankfamilytenseplayfulanxiousrelievedslapstick

Narrative Summary

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.

Why These Movies?

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.

Unlock the Full Story of Donald Duck and the Gorilla

Don't stop at just watching — explore Donald Duck and the Gorilla in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Donald Duck and the Gorilla is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Donald Duck and the Gorilla Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Donald Duck and the Gorilla, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Donald Duck and the Gorilla Summary

Donald Duck and the Gorilla Timeline

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.

Donald Duck and the Gorilla Timeline

Donald Duck and the Gorilla Spoiler-Free Summary

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.

Donald Duck and the Gorilla Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Donald Duck and the Gorilla

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.

More About Donald Duck and the Gorilla

Similar Movies to Donald Duck and the Gorilla

Discover movies like Donald Duck and the Gorilla that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.