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The Ducktators

 The Ducktators
type
TVTItem
 The Ducktators
label
The Ducktators
 The Ducktators
page
TheDucktators
 The Ducktators
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"The Ducktators" is a 1942 Wartime Cartoon released by Warner Bros. and directed by Norm McCabe, who would later direct "Tokio Jokio" (1943). It's notable for being a satirical allegory for World War II depicting Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Hideki Tojo (though some sources claim that the Japanese duck caricature is, in fact, Emperor Hirohito) as ducks and geese who take over a farm, while a peace dove (possibly based on U.S. President Roosevelt) feels powerless to stop them. Near the end, after being trampled in a failed attempt to end the Ducktators' reign of terror peacefully, he decides to muster up the courage to defeat them. The short ends with a propaganda message to buy war bonds.Since the end of World War II, it has been seldom seen on television due to its explicit ties to the era, though on the rare times it has been shown on TV, it has usually been shown edited, barring its sole appearance on the Cartoon Network program Toon Heads. As a result, it has fallen into Public Domain. It's mostly interesting for historians or people interested in wartime cartoons.
 The Ducktators
fetched
2024-03-16T17:33:14Z
 The Ducktators
parsed
2024-03-16T17:33:14Z
 The Ducktators
processingComment
Dropped link to Bowdlerize: Not a Feature - UNKNOWN
 The Ducktators
processingComment
Dropped link to GioachinoRossini: Not a Feature - IGNORE
 The Ducktators
processingComment
Dropped link to IronicNurseryRhyme: Not a Feature - UNKNOWN
 The Ducktators
processingComment
Dropped link to TheBarberOfSeville: Not a Feature - ITEM
 The Ducktators
processingUnknown
Bowdlerize
 The Ducktators
processingUnknown
IronicNurseryRhyme
 The Ducktators
isPartOf
DBTropes
 The Ducktators / int_120a6a29
type
ArtisticLicenceHistory
 The Ducktators / int_120a6a29
comment
Artistic Licence – History: Mussolini is depicted as getting his ideas from Hitler, when in reality it was Mussolini who invented fascism and inspired Hitler. Further, Hitler and Mussolini were not friends in real life even as allies (to be fair, the Axis was basically an alliance only in name whose only common aspects were illiberalism and anti-Communism). Mussolini viewed Hitler as a dangerous parvenue who was stealing his spotlight, and Hitler saw Mussolini as a buffoon who wasn't even "Aryan". The two also had conflicting territorial claims in Austria that almost had the two nations come to military blows. The main reason Mussolini entered Hitler's orbit was Italy's ejection from the League of Nations over his invasion of Ethiopia and the resulting international shunning Italy received for the invasion.
 The Ducktators / int_120a6a29
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_120a6a29
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1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_120a6a29
 The Ducktators / int_1e7487cd
type
Breaking the Fourth Wall
 The Ducktators / int_1e7487cd
comment
Breaking the Fourth Wall: The black ducknote Not Daffy claiming to be from "South Germany" winks to the audience after saying his line.
 The Ducktators / int_1e7487cd
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_1e7487cd
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1.0
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The Ducktators / int_1e7487cd
 The Ducktators / int_1e7c47ab
type
Stealth Pun
 The Ducktators / int_1e7c47ab
comment
Stealth Pun: goosestepping.
 The Ducktators / int_1e7c47ab
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_1e7c47ab
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_1e7c47ab
 The Ducktators / int_21718ffc
type
Deep South
 The Ducktators / int_21718ffc
comment
The black ducknote Again, not Daffy claiming to be from "South Germany" is an Afro-American man from the Deep South. This joke actually becomes 10 times funnier when South Germans in real life are ACTUALLY stereotyped to be rural hicks like their southern American counterparts. A German unfamiliar with American stereotypes would still find the joke funny for unintended reasons.
 The Ducktators / int_21718ffc
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_21718ffc
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_21718ffc
 The Ducktators / int_22b3deaf
type
Toothy Bird
 The Ducktators / int_22b3deaf
comment
Toothy Bird: Hitler, Mussolini, and Tojo.
 The Ducktators / int_22b3deaf
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_22b3deaf
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_22b3deaf
 The Ducktators / int_255608b2
type
Public Domain Animation
 The Ducktators / int_255608b2
comment
Public Domain Animation: The cartoon has fallen into the public domain.
 The Ducktators / int_255608b2
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_255608b2
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
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The Ducktators / int_255608b2
 The Ducktators / int_26ce6cfe
type
Wartime Cartoon
 The Ducktators / int_26ce6cfe
comment
War Time Cartoon: One of the most famous for its' particularly biting satire of the war.
 The Ducktators / int_26ce6cfe
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_26ce6cfe
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_26ce6cfe
 The Ducktators / int_2937826d
type
Hurricane of Puns
 The Ducktators / int_2937826d
comment
Hurricane of Puns: The title. The storm troopers walk in an actual storm cloud. One of them even gets hit by lightning. When Hitler orders everybody to "Sieg Heil", one soldier claims "I'm a sick heiler too!", while coughing and looking delirious. The Tojo duck is introduced as "making a silly Axis of himself". The Gestapo headquarters has the title Gestinko Gestapo. Goosestepping.
 The Ducktators / int_2937826d
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_2937826d
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_2937826d
 The Ducktators / int_2973a4d6
type
Turtle Island
 The Ducktators / int_2973a4d6
comment
Turtle Island: The Tojo duck mistakes a turtle for an island.
 The Ducktators / int_2973a4d6
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_2973a4d6
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_2973a4d6
 The Ducktators / int_2e52839c
type
Proud Papa Passes Out the Cigars
 The Ducktators / int_2e52839c
comment
Proud Papa Passes Out the Cigars: Aduck Hitler's father displays the trope in the opening scene.
 The Ducktators / int_2e52839c
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_2e52839c
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_2e52839c
 The Ducktators / int_31e92640
type
Japan Takes Over the World
 The Ducktators / int_31e92640
comment
Japan Takes Over the World: The Japanese duck puts a sign reading "Japanese Mandate Island" on the back of a turtle.
 The Ducktators / int_31e92640
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_31e92640
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_31e92640
 The Ducktators / int_35fb9016
type
Gratuitous German
 The Ducktators / int_35fb9016
comment
Gratuitous German: While all other languages in this cartoon are mostly gibberish, Hitler's father does speak one actual German line: "Ach, mama, was ist los?" (translation: "Oh, mother, what's the matter?")
 The Ducktators / int_35fb9016
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_35fb9016
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_35fb9016
 The Ducktators / int_3b4f620a
type
No Fourth Wall
 The Ducktators / int_3b4f620a
comment
No Fourth Wall: A title card comes up with the note "Apologies to all the NICE DUCKS and GEESE who may be in the audience", an acknowledgment on the part of the writers and animators of the many innocent German and Italian citizens suffering under the regime of these tyrants.
 The Ducktators / int_3b4f620a
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_3b4f620a
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_3b4f620a
 The Ducktators / int_3d699462
type
Curb-Stomp Battle
 The Ducktators / int_3d699462
comment
Curb-Stomp Battle: The Axis are defeated extremely easily in the end. They all patiently wait until the dove comes to beat them up and they all fall down after only one good punch.
 The Ducktators / int_3d699462
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_3d699462
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_3d699462
 The Ducktators / int_3eb0f889
type
Pun-Based Title
 The Ducktators / int_3eb0f889
comment
Pun-Based Title: "The Ducktators" instead of "The Dictators".
 The Ducktators / int_3eb0f889
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_3eb0f889
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_3eb0f889
 The Ducktators / int_44cdd259
type
War Is Glorious
 The Ducktators / int_44cdd259
comment
War Is Glorious: The cartoon tells the audience to buy war bonds to make the defeat of the Axis come true.
 The Ducktators / int_44cdd259
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_44cdd259
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_44cdd259
 The Ducktators / int_52fbbe7
type
Yellow Peril
 The Ducktators / int_52fbbe7
comment
Yellow Peril: Implied. Hitler and Mussolini, who are very obviously caricatured as themselves, are followed up by a card that says "we like to apologize to all the nice ducks and geese in the audience", which shows the audience that they are not representative of all Germans and Italians. The Tojo duck arrives only after the apology and, unlike the other two, is presented as a racial caricature that just happens to be wearing his real life counterpart's military hat.
 The Ducktators / int_52fbbe7
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_52fbbe7
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_52fbbe7
 The Ducktators / int_62b65869
type
And I'm the Queen of Sheba
 The Ducktators / int_62b65869
comment
And I'm the Queen of Sheba: When the Japanese duck tries to tell a turtle he's not Japanese by showing him a badge that says "I am Chinese"note with a Made in Japan mark on the bottom, the turtle doesn't fall for it and keeps hitting him, saying "Yeah, and I'm mock turtle soup!".
 The Ducktators / int_62b65869
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_62b65869
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_62b65869
 The Ducktators / int_697b5232
type
Those Wacky Nazis
 The Ducktators / int_697b5232
comment
Those Wacky Nazis: The Axis are depicted as barnyard ducks and geese.
 The Ducktators / int_697b5232
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_697b5232
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_697b5232
 The Ducktators / int_6d57a234
type
Lemony Narrator
 The Ducktators / int_6d57a234
comment
Lemony Narrator: The narrator has a very dry, sarcastic tone.
 The Ducktators / int_6d57a234
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_6d57a234
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_6d57a234
 The Ducktators / int_71105dfc
type
Everybody Smokes
 The Ducktators / int_71105dfc
comment
Everybody Smokes: The father duck hands out cigars to celebrate the birth of his child.
 The Ducktators / int_71105dfc
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_71105dfc
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_71105dfc
 The Ducktators / int_8a336276
type
Propaganda Piece
 The Ducktators / int_8a336276
comment
Propaganda Piece: This is a straight out US propaganda cartoon.
 The Ducktators / int_8a336276
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_8a336276
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_8a336276
 The Ducktators / int_8e3980c7
type
Mistaken Nationality
 The Ducktators / int_8e3980c7
comment
Mistaken Nationality: To avoid being beaten up, Hideki Tojo tries to invoke this trope by claiming he is Chinese instead of Japanese, presenting an "I am Chinese" badge, but the badge has a subtitle Made in Japan label, which prevents the turtle from buying the ruse.
 The Ducktators / int_8e3980c7
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_8e3980c7
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_8e3980c7
 The Ducktators / int_8f7f2c6a
type
National Stereotypes
 The Ducktators / int_8f7f2c6a
comment
National Stereotypes: The black ducknote Again, not Daffy claiming to be from "South Germany" is an Afro-American man from the Deep South. This joke actually becomes 10 times funnier when South Germans in real life are ACTUALLY stereotyped to be rural hicks like their southern American counterparts. A German unfamiliar with American stereotypes would still find the joke funny for unintended reasons. The Mussolini goose gives a speech with "a lotsa Italian-a accentuations" and lists things like "tutti frutti", while the aria from Gioachino Rossini's The Barber of Seville plays in the background. The Tojo duck is caricatured as a small pathetic wimp with rounded glasses, Asian Buck Teeth and an Asian Speekee Engrish accent. He sings "I'm The Japanese Sandman", apologizes insincerely for infuriating the turtle and rubs his hands wickedly.
 The Ducktators / int_8f7f2c6a
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_8f7f2c6a
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_8f7f2c6a
 The Ducktators / int_9bcd82c0
type
Took a Level in Badass
 The Ducktators / int_9bcd82c0
comment
Took a Level in Badass: The peace dove once he musters the courage to take on the Hitler, Mussolini and Tojo birds head-on.
 The Ducktators / int_9bcd82c0
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_9bcd82c0
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_9bcd82c0
 The Ducktators / int_a0417b74
type
Pacifism Breaking Point
 The Ducktators / int_a0417b74
comment
Pacifism Breaking Point: The dove reaches this point after his attempts to compromise with the ducks fail (and gets literally trod on by them). After this, he decides enough is enough and leads a violent revolt against them.
 The Ducktators / int_a0417b74
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_a0417b74
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_a0417b74
 The Ducktators / int_a3f1531b
type
Standard Snippet
 The Ducktators / int_a3f1531b
comment
Standard Snippet: The title music is "Oh, du Lieber Augustin", often played whenever Germans are around in old cartoons. When Mussolini speeches the "Figaro" chorus from The Barber of Seville can be heard. The Tojo duck sings "I'm The Japanese Sandman".
 The Ducktators / int_a3f1531b
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_a3f1531b
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_a3f1531b
 The Ducktators / int_a7c904c3
type
America Won World War II
 The Ducktators / int_a7c904c3
comment
America Won World War II: The cartoon is obviously aimed at a U.S. audience, even with shouts like "Give 'em one for Pearl Harbor!" near the end. The Japanese are also the first ones to be beaten up.
 The Ducktators / int_a7c904c3
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_a7c904c3
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_a7c904c3
 The Ducktators / int_b3a49cdb
type
Satire
 The Ducktators / int_b3a49cdb
comment
Satire: The cartoon is a satirical allegory of World War Two.
 The Ducktators / int_b3a49cdb
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_b3a49cdb
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_b3a49cdb
 The Ducktators / int_b42e16fb
type
Feathered Fiend
 The Ducktators / int_b42e16fb
comment
Feathered Fiend: Hitler duck, Mussolini goose and Tojo duck, the titular "Ducktators".
 The Ducktators / int_b42e16fb
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_b42e16fb
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_b42e16fb
 The Ducktators / int_ba0d9b95
type
Doves Mean Peace
 The Ducktators / int_ba0d9b95
comment
Doves Mean Peace: While the ducks and geese start a war, the Dove of Peace tries to end it. Subverted when the Ducktators ignore the Dove of Peace and walk right over him. The Dove is furious and beats them up, which encourages the other animals to fight back as well.
 The Ducktators / int_ba0d9b95
featureApplicability
-0.3
 The Ducktators / int_ba0d9b95
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_ba0d9b95
 The Ducktators / int_bb40e7e0
type
Failed Future Forecast
 The Ducktators / int_bb40e7e0
comment
Failed Future Forecast: Although the defeat of the Axis powers is predicted almost correctly, the Allied forces had a lot more trouble defeating them in real life. Here, Japan is defeated first and in one good blow, but in reality it was the last of the Axis countries to surrender.
 The Ducktators / int_bb40e7e0
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_bb40e7e0
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_bb40e7e0
 The Ducktators / int_c3245c20
type
I Lied
 The Ducktators / int_c3245c20
comment
I Lied: Hitler signs peace treaties, but puts them in a shredder, then beats up everybody in the room.
 The Ducktators / int_c3245c20
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_c3245c20
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_c3245c20
 The Ducktators / int_c75df49a
type
Shout-Out
 The Ducktators / int_c75df49a
comment
Shout-Out: The rabbit with a moustache who says "Busy little bee, aren't I?" is a caricature of comedian Jerry Colonna.
 The Ducktators / int_c75df49a
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_c75df49a
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_c75df49a
 The Ducktators / int_ce60aef3
type
Heroic Resolve
 The Ducktators / int_ce60aef3
comment
Heroic Resolve: Only when the peace dove is trampled by Hitler, Mussolini, Tojo and their soldiers does he finally snap and fight back.
 The Ducktators / int_ce60aef3
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_ce60aef3
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_ce60aef3
 The Ducktators / int_ceabe589
type
Incoming Ham
 The Ducktators / int_ceabe589
comment
Incoming Ham: Hitler is born screaming the words "SIEG HEIL!" at the top of his lungs.
 The Ducktators / int_ceabe589
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_ceabe589
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_ceabe589
 The Ducktators / int_d028ca10
type
Deliberately Monochrome
 The Ducktators / int_d028ca10
comment
Deliberately Monochrome: The cartoon is in black-and-white, just like all of Norm McCabe's cartoons.
 The Ducktators / int_d028ca10
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_d028ca10
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_d028ca10
 The Ducktators / int_d58156ee
type
Asian Buck Teeth
 The Ducktators / int_d58156ee
comment
The Tojo duck is caricatured as a small pathetic wimp with rounded glasses, Asian Buck Teeth and an Asian Speekee Engrish accent. He sings "I'm The Japanese Sandman", apologizes insincerely for infuriating the turtle and rubs his hands wickedly.
 The Ducktators / int_d58156ee
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_d58156ee
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_d58156ee
 The Ducktators / int_db7efdaf
type
Adolf Hitlarious
 The Ducktators / int_db7efdaf
comment
Adolf Hitlarious: Hitler is shown as an angry duck who makes a fool of himself.
 The Ducktators / int_db7efdaf
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_db7efdaf
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_db7efdaf
 The Ducktators / int_e07d3d72
type
Uncle Tomfoolery
 The Ducktators / int_e07d3d72
comment
Uncle Tomfoolery: The "I'm from South Germany" duck may be this, depending on whether you interpret him as intending to be a parody of black people, southern people, or both.
 The Ducktators / int_e07d3d72
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_e07d3d72
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1.0
 The Ducktators
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The Ducktators / int_e07d3d72
 The Ducktators / int_e8b0f099
type
Dark Is Evil
 The Ducktators / int_e8b0f099
comment
Dark Is Evil: Hitler duck hatches from a black egg.
 The Ducktators / int_e8b0f099
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_e8b0f099
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
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The Ducktators / int_e8b0f099
 The Ducktators / int_ea0c6ff0
type
Foul Waterfowl
 The Ducktators / int_ea0c6ff0
comment
Foul Waterfowl: The three dictator ducks and geese.
 The Ducktators / int_ea0c6ff0
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_ea0c6ff0
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_ea0c6ff0
 The Ducktators / int_eb93f774
type
Human Head on the Wall
 The Ducktators / int_eb93f774
comment
Human Head on the Wall: Hitler, Mussolini and Tojo are subjected to the avian equivalent of this trope, and this is presented as good triumphing over evil.
 The Ducktators / int_eb93f774
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_eb93f774
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
The Ducktators / int_eb93f774
 The Ducktators / int_fb2136ec
type
Big, Thin, Short Trio
 The Ducktators / int_fb2136ec
comment
Big, Thin, Short Trio: Mussolini goose is big, Hitler duck is thin, and Tojo duck is short.
 The Ducktators / int_fb2136ec
featureApplicability
1.0
 The Ducktators / int_fb2136ec
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 The Ducktators
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The Ducktators / int_fb2136ec
 The Ducktators / int_name
type
ItemName
 The Ducktators / int_name
comment
 The Ducktators / int_name
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The Ducktators / int_name
 The Ducktators / int_name
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The Ducktators

The following is a list of statements referring to the current page from other pages.

 The Ducktators
hasFeature
Adolf Hitlarious / int_9dbd2cc7
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
Doves Mean Peace / int_9dbd2cc7
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
Foul Waterfowl / int_9dbd2cc7
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
Human Head on the Wall / int_9dbd2cc7
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
Public Domain Animation / int_9dbd2cc7
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
Public Domain Character / int_9dbd2cc7
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
Taxidermy Terror / int_9dbd2cc7
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
Those Wacky Nazis / int_9dbd2cc7
 The Ducktators
hasFeature
Toothy Bird / int_9dbd2cc7