Some things are just unpredictable. It was clear that The Wise Little Hen was going to be popular. Wilfred Jackson directed some of Disney’s best animators in telling the story of the very practical and hard-working Hen and her chicks as they planted, watered, grew, and ultimately ate their corn, and their neighbors who feigned sickness when asked to lend a hand (until it was time to eat, of course). Leigh Harline’s memorable soundtrack was made even more delightful by Florence Gill’s singing voice in the title role. One of her lazy neighbors, Peter Pig, was played by Disney mainstay Pinto Colvig, who had originated the role of Practical Pig a year before in Three Little Pigs. The other neighbor was created to highlight the vocal talents of Clarence Nash, a performer whose funny voices were appreciated by Walt. They gave Clarence the role of a duck called Donald. And history was made.
