Donald Duck's 50th Birthday

Donald Duck's 50th Birthday
Logo used by Disney in the birthday tour and the CBS television special
Written by	Peter Elbling, Andrew Solt
Directed by	Andrew Solt, Phil Savenick
Starring	Dick Van Dyke, Clarence Nash, John Harlan
Country of origin	United States
Original language(s)	English
Production
Producer(s)	Walt Disney Productions
Production company(s)	Walt Disney Pictures Television
Distributor	Walt Disney Domestic Television Distribution
Release
Original network	CBS
Original release	November 13, 1984 (1984-11-13)
Chronology
Followed by	Mickey's 60th Birthday

Donald Duck's 50th Birthday is the 1984 television special broadcast on The Magical World of Disney on November 13, 1984 on CBS. As the title suggests, it was produced for the 50th anniversary of the Donald Duck character. Donald is shown in both animated and costumed form, interacting with emcee Dick Van Dyke and other cast members. The film not only shows Donald's life, but also depicts an extensive international tour that Donald went on in 1984 as well as showing various celebrities of the day wishing Donald happy birthday. The tour culminates in a parade in Donald's honor at Disneyland. It was rebroadcast on Disney Channel Europe on November 13, 2004 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the special plus at the end of the special, it has the sign: "Walt Disney 1901-1966 Clarence Nash 1904-1985".

In 1984 Donald Duck (in costumed form) went on an international tour through Europe, Japan and parts of the United States. Some of these stops on his tour actual stage performances attended by other (costumed) Disney characters. Donald's arrival at airports (on his own plane depicting Donald in flight on the tailfin) was met with colossal crowds that kept getting bigger. There were also several parades for Donald, and not just at the Disney theme parks. In one, Donald sat in a staff car in his military uniform and was promoted to the rank of sergeant. This scene was also when he was discharged from the US Army. Donald is also shown having his footprints cast in cement at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in May 1984.

In the film, Donald's tour is shown with music as well as dialogue, assumedly added later by Clarence Nash.

Also featured is Walt Disney in several clips (Disney himself having died in 1966).