Donald Duck and the Gorilla

On a stormy night, a radio reporter in Breckenridge announces that Ajax, a fierce gorilla, has escaped from the city zoo. Donald uses black gloves that resemble gorilla hands to frighten his nephews, while the kids peek through a keyhole to catch him in the act. This announcement sets the looming danger that drives the night's mischief.

The triplets decide to prank Donald as revenge for the gloves. They don a gorilla suit and sneak up on him as he reads, nibbling on his lollipop. Donald is spooked and runs away in fright, prompting a chorus of giggles.

The real Ajax appears at the front window and breaks into the house, roaring at the nephews who flee. Donald, now sure the nephews are in disguise, chases them and grabs the mask, only to realize there are two gorillas.

The radio announcer's tip to look animals straight in the eye prompts Donald to stare into Ajax's gaze. In that moment he imagines a tombstone marked for him, heightening his fear. The moment underscores the peril and his determination to escape.

Donald shoves an umbrella into Ajax's mouth as the gorilla is about to bite him, creating a distraction and a chance to flee. The triplets tiptoe around the house, and the nephews spill melted candle wax on Ajax's tail, burning his butt in retaliation. The chaos continues as everyone scrambles to stay ahead.

The candle boils the doorknob and burns Donald's hand as he tries to escape, a painful reminder of the growing chaos. He then crosses paths with Ajax swinging from rafts, and the chase resumes through the house. The intensity escalates as doors and furniture become obstacles.

Ajax searches for Donald, who hides behind a door as the tension peaks. The ape tries to pry the door open, breaking it in the process.

Donald stages a trick on Ajax by using a ladder, sending the gorilla crashing through ceilings and ending up in the attic. Ajax retaliates by swiping the ladder away, while Donald uses the still-standing ladder as stilts to keep ahead. The chase moves upward through the house, heightening the danger.

The chase continues across the dining room as Donald slides along the table and wooden boards fly into Ajax's hands. The halves of the board separate, and one smaller half slides toward Donald, who narrowly avoids being flattened. Ajax threatens to bite Donald's tail.

Ajax tries to bite Donald's tail, but the tail ends up poking Ajax in the eyes, momentarily blinding the gorilla. The radio's advice echoes in the chaos, prompting the nephews to retrieve tear gas. The accidental exposure to tear gas binds the chaos into a common danger.

The nephews deploy tear gas to subdue Ajax, who starts crying as the gas takes effect. Donald laughs at the cowering gorilla, but he breathes in the gas too and begins to cry with him. The brief moment of shared vulnerability hints at a surprising resolution.

With Ajax subdued and the air clearing, Donald and the nephews share a quiet moment, consoling each other after the chaos. The cartoon ends on a note of childish bonding rather than fear, as they tiptoe away together.