The Million Dollar Duck facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Million Dollar Duck
Theatrical release poster by Ward Kimball and Ted Berman
Directed by	Vincent McEveety
Produced by	Bill Anderson
Screenplay by	Roswell Rogers
Story by	Ted Key
Starring	Dean Jones Sandy Duncan Joe Flynn Tony Roberts James Gregory Lee Montgomery
Music by	Buddy Baker
Cinematography	William E. Snyder
Editing by	Lloyd L. Richardson
Studio	Walt Disney Productions
Distributed by	Buena Vista Distribution
Release date(s)	June 30, 1971 (1971-06-30)
Running time	89 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Money made	$5.1 million (North America) (rentals)

The Million Dollar Duck is a fun comedy film from 1971 made by Walt Disney Productions. It's all about a duck that can lay eggs with golden yolks, just like the famous story of 'The Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs'! The movie was directed by Vincent McEveety and stars Dean Jones, Sandy Duncan, and Joe Flynn. It came out on June 30, 1971.

The Golden Egg Mystery

The story begins with Albert Dooley (Dean Jones), a scientist who is having trouble paying his bills. His wife, Katie (Sandy Duncan), tries to help save money by making applesauce for his lunch. But she gets the recipe wrong!

One day, a duck Albert is studying steals the bad applesauce. The duck then wanders into a special lab and gets exposed to radiation. Albert is told to get rid of the duck. So, he decides to give it to his son, Jimmy (Lee Montgomery), who really wants a pet.

Soon, they discover something amazing: the duck, named Charley (even though she's a girl!), can lay eggs with solid gold yolks!

A Secret and a Spy

Charley lays a golden egg whenever a dog barks. At first, only Albert, Katie, Jimmy, and Albert's friend Fred know about the golden eggs. As they start selling the gold yolks, they catch the eye of a nosy neighbor, Mr. Hooper (Joe Flynn).

Mr. Hooper works for the United States Department of the Treasury, a government group that deals with money. He starts spying on the Dooley family. He often has funny accidents, like falling out of a tree! But one day, he sees Charley lay a golden egg with his own eyes.

Government Trouble

Mr. Hooper tells his boss, Rutledge (James Gregory), about the golden duck. Rutledge doesn't believe him at first. But soon, rumors spread across the country, and even President Nixon hears about it! The President orders Rutledge to capture the duck.

Albert starts to get very focused on the money. He doesn't pay as much attention to his son, Jimmy, which makes Jimmy sad. Soon, government officials, including Mr. Hooper, arrive at the Dooley house to take Charley.

The Chase and Court Case

Jimmy sees the officials from his window. He quickly climbs out with Charley and escapes with some teenage boys in their fast car. The government agents chase after them!

During the chase, Jimmy gets stuck on a ladder between two parking garages. Albert tries to save him. Jimmy is scared and thinks his dad only wants the duck. But as the ladder breaks, he realizes his dad is there to help him. Albert saves Jimmy just before the ladder falls.

Right after the rescue, Albert is arrested for owning gold. Back then, there were rules about private citizens owning gold. The family goes to court. The judge asks Mr. Hooper to make the duck lay an egg, but he fails. Then Albert barks, and Charley lays an egg. But this time, it's a normal egg yolk! The radiation effects had worn off.

The judge drops all the charges because there's no proof of golden eggs. Albert tells his family that the golden duck was fun while it lasted. He realizes that his family is much more important than wealth. The judge gives Jimmy some advice: "If that duck ever lays another golden egg...bury it quick!"

Cast

See also

In Spanish: The Million Dollar Duck para niños