The Unknown Rise of Daisy Duck

In the entertainment business, cartoon characters are treated as real celebrities and public figures with full careers and accolades to match.

Daisy Duck is a beloved Disney character who holds significant influence in both pop culture and Disney history. She became an iconic figure in popular culture by transcending her roots as a Disney character and has become a recognizable symbol in various forms of media, including television, films, comics, merchandise, and theme park attractions. Her likeness is often featured in advertising campaigns and promotional materials, making her an important character for Disney's marketing strategies. She, like many fictional characters have accomplished much more than many ordinary beings will ever see.

However, her long-standing presence and rise into animation history and pop culture might not have been as clear cut as you originally thought.

Donna Duck, Donald's ex-girlfriend

Daisy was NOT Donald's original love interest. It was Donna Duck. Donna, a latin female, made her sole animated appearance in the short film Don Donald (1937), directed by Ben Sharpsteen. It was the first installment of the Donald Duck film series and was also the first time Donald was shown with a love interest (which it is significant for).

Don Donald promotional poster

After Donna made her one and only appearance on screen, Daisy entered with her first appearance several years later as Donald's new love interest in Mr. Duck Steps Out (June 7, 1940) directed by Jack King.

Promotional poster for Mr. Duck Steps Out

After this, in Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #1 (published in October 1940), Daisy Duck is named Donna in an image that appears based on Mr. Duck Steps Out.

Image from Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #1

The image contains Donald and Daisy, with the text "Donald's got a girl! —and Donna thinks that HE'S just dandy. Because his heart is full of—candy!"

Daisy continued to appear in Disney shorts from 1941 to 1947. Her appearances became significant to her career such as her cameo in The Nifty Nineties (1941), which cemented her as a recurring character. Her appearance in Donald's Crime (1945) marked the first time Daisy appeared in an Academy Award nominated film (Best Animated Short). The ceremony was held as the 18th Academy Awards on March 7, 1946 at Grauman's Chinese Theatre.

She had her first starring role as the protagonist in Donald's Dilemma (July 11, 1947). In 1950, the 88th short film in Donald's series, Crazy Over Daisy, was titled after Daisy.

Other Disney characters, such as Goofy, were introduced under various names including ones like Dippy Dawg.

Facts like this caused some historians to conclude that Donna and Daisy are the same character.

1951 comic featuring both Donna and Daisy

Donna returned in Bob Karp's Donald Duck daily strips from 1951, where she's moving in as Donald's neighbor, causing Daisy to be jealous. This establishes the two as separate characters and marks the first time they appear together in a story.

Cel from 2012 comic, Too Many Donalds

Donna and Daisy are clearly rivals and not just over Donald's love. It seems that Daisy got the rising star that was somehow originally meant for Donna and became a star in her own right. Although Donna was not intended to be a recurring character in the Donald Duck series. Donna has only made one current appearance in a 2012 comic by Lars Jensen and Carlos Mota, called Too Many Donalds. Other than that, Donna is all but forgotten.

Confusingly, in spite of the above-mentioned comics showing Donna to be a separate character from Daisy, various other Disney products, such as the book Disney Dossiers: Files of Characters From the Walt Disney Studios and the Walt Disney Cartoon Classics: Starring Donald and Daisy VHS, refer to Donna and Daisy as being one and the same.

These public misunderstandings resulted in Daisy erroneously being given credit for Donna's appearance in Don Donald, with some marking it as Daisy's official debut instead of Mr. Duck Steps Out. All this taking place during what is known as the Golden Age of American animation.

Not only did Don Donald and Mr. Duck Steps Out have different directers but they also had a set of different writers. Yet, the decision to replace Donna with Daisy came from Carl Barks, the screenwriter and lead Storyboard artist for Mr. Duck Steps Out. He was inspired by Don Donald, to revive the concept of a female counterpart for Donald. Just like that, Daisy was there. Regardless of the behind the scenes drama, confusion and competition, Daisy emerged from the scandal a star.

Since then Daisy has appeared in several different theatrical films including: Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) and Fantasia 2000 (1999). Direct to video classics like, Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas (1999), Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas (2004), and Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers (2004). As well as television series: Quack Pack (1996), House of Mouse (3 seasons), the main cast of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and its successful spin-off Mickey Mouse Funhouse. Not to mention many comics.

Although never married, Daisy and Donald have been a couple for eighty-plus years as of 2023. Daisy's relationship with Donald Duck is one of the most iconic romantic partnerships in Disney's extensive history. Their on-screen chemistry and comedic interactions have endeared them to audiences for generations.

Daisy has spent eight decades in the public eye as a superstar. Her enduring popularity has made her recognizable to audiences of all ages.

Despite her relationship with Donald, she remains a feminist. Often being depicted as an independent and strong-willed female, breaking away from traditional gender roles. She challenges gender stereotypes, often taking charge and demonstrating confidence. Her characteristics has helped progress the representation of women in Disney and has inspired young girls worldwide.

Franklin Armstrong: A Trailblazer For Diversity

In the entertainment business, cartoon characters are treated as real celebrities and public figures with full careers and accolades to match.

Franklin Armstrong is a fictional character in the comic strip Peanuts, created by the legendary Charles M. Schulz. Introduced on July 31, 1968, Franklin was the first African American character in the strip.

His creation came about when a Los Angeles schoolteacher named Harriet Glickman wrote to Schulz on April 15, 1968. This was eleven days after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. to be specific. Glickman urged Schulz to introduce a black character into Peanuts.

Letter to Glukman from Schulz

Schulz wrote back eleven days on April 26.
He stated that he had thought about this, but was afraid of "patronizing our Negro friends". This account was documented in the 2014 book, American Comic Book Chronicles: 1965 - 1969, written by John Wells. However, he wrote her on July 1, 1968 and told her that he had taken the first step towards presenting a negro character.

Newspaper clippings of Franklin's debut

Franklin made his debut less than two months later in the Peanuts comic strip of July 31, 1968. Schulz included Franklin as one of the first African-American characters in mainstream comics, thus breaking racial barriers and promoting racial integration. By giving Franklin a prominent role and treating him as an equal friend and peer to the other characters, Schulz challenged racial stereotypes and contributed to the representation of diversity in popular culture.

"Peanuts" Storyboard including Franklin

Reflecting societal changes, Franklin's inclusion into the comic strip promoted tolerance and understanding among children and adults alike. Schulz recognized the importance of social progress and used his comics as a platform to reflect and support the changing societal attitudes of the time.

Significantly at a time when the United States was struggling with desegregation, and while the country had taken several steps to integrate the population, issues about having black and white people attend the same schools, or even appear in the same comic strips were still matters of substantial controversy.

This was no small thing for a nationally syndicated comic strip, especially at the peak of the United States' race-related civil unrest of 1968 and 1969.

However, Schulz's decision to add a black character to Peanuts did meet with resistance from some quarters. The comic book artist said in a 1988 interview that his editors continually wanted to change the comics in which Franklin appeared.

While some have applauded Schulz for including a black character in his comic strip, others have criticized him for how the character was handled. Nat Gertler, the author of "The Peanuts Collection: Treasures from the World's Most Beloved Comic Strip," wrote that while Charles M. Schulz' inclusion of a black character was controversial, he was also overly cautious with how the character was used.

A Franklin Figurine

Franklin's character was portrayed as just another member of the Peanuts gang, participating in the same activities, facing similar challenges, and expressing the same emotions as his peers. By treating Franklin as an ordinary character, Schulz aimed to normalize diversity, showing that individuals of different races can coexist and share experiences harmoniously. Franklin's presence in the comic strip played a small yet significant role in promoting inclusivity and acceptance among both children and adults who read the Peanuts comics.

Franklin television collage

2015 CGI animated "Peanuts" movie 

Although, Franklin made his last appearance in the comic strip on November 5, 1999, he is still a permanent fixure of the comic strip and an important part of the franchise. The comic strip officially ended the next year although it remains in syndication as of 2023.

Franklin has also been a frequent character in other Peanuts media such as various animated Peanuts television specials and movies.

Mr. Armstrong celebrated his 50th Anniversary in 2018.

Franklin's historical significance has inspired the creation of “The Armstrong Project,” a Peanuts Worldwide initiative and four-year endowed scholarship aimed to support the work of up-and-coming Black animators in 2022. Several Historically Black College and University (HBCU) students have been selected for participation. In the centennial year of Peanuts creator Charles Schulz, an $100,000 endowment initiative was revealed at pop-up exhibition at Comic-Con in San Diego, according to a Peanuts Worldwide press release.

Peanuts Worldwide and Harlem’s Fashion Row have also teamed up to open doors for designers of color to introduce their authentic and unique perspectives as they create pieces that marry clothing and art. The collection, inspired by Franklin, will embody the love and appreciation we all feel for our friends, family, and community who are with us on our individual journeys.

To add, just two weeks before Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2023, a statue of Franklin was installed at Piner High School of Santa Rosa, California in his honor.

In 2024, Franklin will star in his own special entitled, Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin. This will mark the first time Franklin has been the focus point of any Peanuts special or any special in general. The special will be an origin story for the beloved Peanuts character and will premiere on Apple TV+.

Overall, Franklin's significance lies in his role as a trailblazing character who broke racial barriers, reflected societal changes, and promoted acceptance and diversity within popular culture while in some ways helping push the Civil Rights Movement forward after the death of one its most prolific leaders and helped shape the world as we know it today.

Listen to the Audio Companion Here: https://youtu.be/hleeMFVedko?si=TjbDzFSMXiPjDGbF