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Darkly Dawns the Duck promo art

Promotional artwork used as the cover to the VHS release.

"Darkly Dawns the Duck" is the two-part pilot of Darkwing Duck. It was originally aired as an hour-length special in prime-time as part as a two-hour block with the one-shot special Back to School with the Mickey Mouse Club.[1]

Summary[]

Darkwing Duck is an up-and-coming superhero who wants to be famous but is stuck busting regular criminals in the bustling metropolis of St. Canard. Annoyed that he isn't getting enough attention from the press, Darkwing longs to fight a super-villain. He gets more than he bargained for however when he stumbles onto a fiendish plot by criminal mastermind Taurus Bulba to steal a top-secret weapon from the military: an anti-gravity beam cannon called the Ramrod.

Darkwing fails to stop Taurus Bulba's three henchmen, the hard-headed Hammerhead Hannigan and the clumsy Hoof and Mouth, from stealing the Ramrod, despite "help" from his biggest (and only) fan, accident-prone pilot Launchpad McQuack. Furious at having lost Bulba's henchmen, Darkwing turns down the hopeful Launchpad's request to be the hero's sidekick.

Meanwhile, Bulba discovers that although he has the Ramrod, he lacks the arming code. An earlier botched attempt to steal the weapon resulted in the accidental death of its inventor, Professor Waddlemeyer, before Bulba could learn the code. He sends Hammerhead, Hoof, and Mouth to kidnap the Professor's granddaughter, Gosalyn, from the St. Canard Orphanage, on the gamble that she knows the arming code. Darkwing, having discovered what Bulba's henchmen stole, races to the rescue and snatches Gosalyn out of the henchmen's grasp.

After a car chase, Darkwing returns to the safety of his hideout with Gosalyn, promising to protect her until Taurus Bulba is brought to justice. As he and the child bond, he discovers, inadvertently, that the arming code for the Ramrod is hidden in the lyrics of a lullaby taught to Gosalyn by her grandfather. But can he keep her safe from Bulba, who even now is hatching a plot to capture them both by exploiting Darkwing's desire to be a famous crimefighter?

Trivia[]

  • The shot in the opening chase sequence where Darkwing is hanging by his legs from two thugs' motorcycles and "walking" with his hands is a reference to a similar shot in The Aristocats.

Edits[]

A number of scenes were cut from the pilot film when it was edited to become two regular episodes of the TV series. These scenes were subsequently kept in when it was released uncut on VHS and Laserdisc in 1993, but they were unfortunately not reinstated for the Darkwing Duck: Volume 1 DVD set, which instead contains the edited version. These scenes include:

  • An opening chase sequence showing Darkwing capturing a gang of fleeing criminals while the theme song plays (the original broadcast did not include the usual intro sequence). Oddly enough, a shot of Darkwing ramping the Ratcatcher up and into the bed of a pickup truck, catapulting the criminals inside into some trashcans, is featured prominently in the show's opening sequence despite being absent from the later airings.
  • While following Taurus Bulba's pet condor Tantalus on the Ratcatcher, Darkwing almost has a head-on collision with a large truck and is yelled at by the driver.
  • A longer version of the scene where Hoof and Mouth are twirling their rifles around before Darkwing jumps them.
  • A scene showing Taurus Bulba wheeling a cart of dirty clothes to the prison laundromat, establishing that Hammerhead, Hoof, and Mouth are hiding inside it.
  • A commercial fade-out was added to the scene of Hammerhead, Hoof, and Mouth surrounding Gosalyn, allowing Part 1 to have the standard three acts.
  • Following the car chase, Mouth has a panic attack and begins screaming, "We're all gonna die! We're all gonna die!" until Hammerhead hits him.
  • A longer scene of Taurus Bulba ranting about Darkwing's ego, with him imitating Darkwing's mannerisms and poses: "His posing, his flamboyance, the mask and cape! Ha, ha! That hat! It all indicates an ego the size of a small planet!"
  • Darkwing asking Gosalyn if he should frame his memo pad.
  • While in his jail cell, the scene where Darkwing tries to get the biker pig to punch him is much longer.
  • A brief scene where Taurus Bulba comments that the design of the Thunderquack, Launchpad's fan-made jet, is ugly.

It should also be noted that in the uncut version, when Darkwing is pulling off his trademark entrance during the climax, his line "I am the chill that runs up your spine!", which he says off-camera, is dubbed in right as Taurus Bulba shouts "There! Shoot the smoke!", resulting in the latter line partially obscuring Darkwing's line. This is fixed in the edited version.

Title-DarkwingDuckPremiere

The title card used for the episode's prime-time premiere alongside Back to School with the Mickey Mouse Club.

Right after the episode ended in the original broadcast, there was a brief segue providing a transition to Back to School with the Mickey Mouse Club, in which Darkwing (depicted in recycled animation from "Comic Book Capers") confronts Fred Newman, the then-current host of The Mickey Mouse Club, and demands that they include his new music video as part of the show. The "Kickin' in the Groove" music video was shown at the end of Back to School with the Mickey Mouse Club, prefaced by an introduction from Darkwing (dubbed over the opening scene from "That Sinking Feeling"). Since these sequences were made entirely for Back to School with the Mickey Mouse Club, they have not appeared in any subsequent release for "Darkly Dawns the Duck" (though the "Kickin' in the Groove" music video did appear at the end of the Darkwing Duck VHS tapes).

Memorable quotes[]

"This is the city of St. Canard. Like any other major metropolis, it has its problems with the criminal element."
—Darkwing narrating the first line of the series

"Another order of dastardly delinquents delivered on your doorstep, courtesy of Darkwing Duck! That's two words, not three; both D's capitalized. Here's my photo. If the papers need more glossies my number's on the card."
—Darkwing to the police officer

"So where's the press!? I thought this was the age of media glut! Where's the Action News van when you need them? ...and I spent all afternoon ironing this cape."
—Darkwing

Taurus Bulba: Let me understand this, Hammerhead... you and your "associates" are questioning my plan?
Hammerhead: Gee, boss, no... well, sorta. The boys and I were wondering if we couldn't wait until the train stops before we steal the Ramrod!
Taurus Bulba: Ohhhhhhhh, you mean after the army takes control of the weapon with its TANKS AND JEEPS AND HUNDREDS OF GUARDS!
Hammerhead: I guess we didn't think of that! [to Hoof and Mouth] Why didn't you guys think of that?!
Taurus Bulba: [grabs Hammerhead by the neck] It's because I am the brains and you are the stooge!
Hammerhead: [wheezing] That's it, boss. I'm a stooge. Just call me Curly!
Darkwing: I am the terror that flaps in the night! I am the switch that derails your train! I am Darkwing Duck-- [Hoof and Mouth shoot at him]
Mouth: You think he's dead? He must be dead! I think he's--
Darkwing: [pops up behind them] Sorry, I'm fine! But you two are taking a turn for the worst.

"Bruised, battered, but never defeated, Darkwing Duck springs back into action! Clever of me to use my spine to break my fall like that."
—Darkwing after crashing through the roof of Launchpad's hanger

"All right, beak-face, this is getting monotonous! You'd better-- [Tantalus drops him] Aaaaaaahh! Y-you don't understand! I like monotonyyyyyyy!"
—Darkwing after Tantalus grabs him the second time

Darkwing: [whines] They got away...
Launchpad: [laughs] Can't argue that point, DW! So what do we do next?
Darkwing: "We"? "We" do nothing. I work alone.
Launchpad: But I could be your sidekick.
Darkwing: Singing cowboys have sidekicks! I rely on me, nobody but me, got that?
Launchpad: [grabs Darkwing's leg] Please, please, please, please, please...
Darkwing: [pulls away] Let me make this clear to you: I never want to see you again!
Launchpad: Okay... so do you want my phone number?
Gosalyn: Wow! A police chase with bullets, crooks, and everything! Sure beats study hall at the orphanage. Are all your days like this?
Darkwing: No, because I'm usually sleeping, but when I learned Professor Waddlemeyer had raised a granddaughter, I knew I had to get to you before Taurus Bulba.
Gosalyn: Who is he, anyway?
Darkwing: A deviously clever criminal mastermind who I'm convinced is still operating his gang from inside prison.
Gosalyn: Just like in the comics! I bet you guys are eternal enemies, right?
Darkwing: [clears throat] Well, uh... heh, heh, actually he doesn't even know I exist - but he soon will. Mark my words!
Darkwing: Where's my phonebook? I'll just find you a hotel or something. [under breath] Maybe the animal shelter has an opening.
Gosalyn: Well, I suppose I could leave, but then I might let it slip where a certain masked avenger hangs out.
Darkwing: You wouldn't!
Gosalyn: [shrugs] Hey, I'm a kid. I'm supposed to be irresponsible.
Darkwing: A desperate criminal is at large, and terror runs through the streets like a pair of cheap stockings. But it's hopeless! No one gets the drop on Da--
Gosalyn: [jumps on him] Gosalyn Waddlemeyer! Boy, Darkwing, you gotta work on your narration. They write better stuff on Saturday morning cartoons.
Gosalyn: How come you wear a mask?
Darkwing: Because... there is nothing so terrifying to the criminal mind as the unknown... I am the thing that goes bump in the night! I am the neurosis that requires a five-hundred-dollar-an-hour shrink!
Gosalyn: You mean you don't take off your mask for anyone?
Darkwing: That's right. Not no one, not never.
Gosalyn: What about a really, really, really close friend?
Darkwing: Well, uh... maybe. Someday.

"Somewhere down there is this Darkwing Duck. I've watched him. I know his weakness. His posing, his flamboyance, the mask and cape! Ha, ha! That hat! It all indicates an ego the size of a small planet!"
—Taurus Bulba figuring out Darkwing's weakness (but only in the full-length version)

Darkwing: I am the terror that flaps in the night! I am the jailer who throws away the key! I AM-- [notices he is alone] feeling really stupid. Boy, I hate it when I'm early. You'd think criminal masterminds would be more punctual.
Taurus Bulba: [coming up behind him] Please accept my apologies.
Darkwing: Well okay, but next time you'd better-- [realizes] Taurus Bulba! How did you-- Weren't-- Uh, I am the terror that flaps in the night. I am, I am the-th-the surprise in your cereal box. I'm, I'm...
Taurus Bulba: Yes yes, I heard, I know. You're Darkwing Duck.
Launchpad: I don't know, DW. That looks kind of dangerous.
Darkwing: Oh yeah? Well then. Let's get dangerous.
Gosalyn: I'm sorry, Darkwing. If they hadn't caught me, you wouldn't have risked your life.
Darkwing: Gos, before I met you I didn't have a life worth risking.
Taurus Bulba: Where is he?
Hammerhead: He was right here a second ago!
Darkwing: I am the terror that flaps in the night!
Taurus Bulba: There! Shoot the smoke! [Hammerhead does so]
Darkwing: I am the chill that runs up your spine! I am DARKWING DUCK!

"Mom was right. I should've been a dental hygienist."
—Clovis after escaping Bulba's now-exploded hideout

"I underestimated you once, Darkwing Duck! This time you simply DIE!"
—Taurus Bulba's last words before the Ramrod explodes

Gosalyn: I thought you were-
Drake: Ha! Nobody can hurt Dark- uh, Drake Mallard. Besides, I've got to take care of myself, now that I've going to have an adopted daughter to worry about.

Voice cast[]

References[]

  1. The Wonderful World of Disney Television: A Complete History, by Bill Kotter. 1997, Hyperion.

External links[]

Darkwing Duck episodes
Disney Channel Preview "That Sinking Feeling" • "Hush, Hush Sweet Charlatan" • "Dirty Money" • "Beauty and the Beet" • "Can't Bayou Love" • "Apes of Wrath" • "You Sweat Your Life" • "Trading Faces" • "Battle of the Brainteasers" • "Night of the Living Spud" • "Getting Antsy" • "Aduckyphobia" • "Negaduck"
Syndication "Darkly Dawns the Duck" • "Duck Blind" • "Comic Book Capers" • "Water Way to Go" • "Paraducks" • "Easy Come, Easy Grows" • "A Revolution in Home Appliances" • "Bearskin Thug" • "Days of Blunder" • "Just Us Justice Ducks" • "Double Darkwings" • "When Aliens Collide" • "Jurassic Jumble" • "Cleanliness is Next to Badliness" • "Smarter Than a Speeding Bullet" • "All's Fahrenheit in Love and War" • "Whiffle While You Work" • "Ghoul of My Dreams" • "Adopt-a-Con" • "Toys Czar Us" • "The Secret Origins of Darkwing Duck" • "Up, Up and Awry" • "Life, the Negaverse and Everything" • "Dry Hard" • "Heavy Mental" • "Disguise the Limit" • "Planet of the Capes" • "Darkwing Doubloon" • "It's a Wonderful Leaf" • "Twitching Channels" • "Dances with Bigfoot" • "Twin Beaks" • "The Incredible Bulk" • "My Valentine Ghoul" • "Dead Duck" • "A Duck By Any Other Name" • "Let's Get Respectable" • "In Like Blunt" • "Quack of Ages" • "Time and Punishment" • "Stressed to Kill" • "The Darkwing Squad" • "Inside Binkie's Brain" • "The Haunting of Mr. Banana Brain" • "Slime OK, You're OK" • "Whirled History" • "U.F. Foe" • "A Star is Scorned" • "The Quiverwing Quack" • "Jail Bird" • "Dirtysomething" • "Kung Fooled" • "Bad Luck Duck"
ABC Season 1 "Film Flam" • "Fungus Amongus" • "Slaves to Fashion" • "Something Fishy" • "Tiff of the Titans" • "Calm a Chameleon" • "Bad Tidings" • "Going Nowhere Fast" • "A Brush With Oblivion" • "The Merchant of Menace"
ABC Season 2 "Monsters R Us" • "Inherit the Wimp" • "The Revenge of the Return of the Brainteasers, Too!" • "Star Crossed Circuits" • "Steerminator" • "The Frequency Fiends" • "Paint Misbehavin'" • "Hot Spells" • "Fraudcast News" • "Clash Reunion" • "Mutantcy on the Bouncy" • "Malice's Restaurant" • "Extinct Possibility"
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