Clara Cluck

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Eyes: Black
Hair: Brown feathers
Race: Chicken


Legal status: U.S. citizen
Marital Status: Single
Identity: Publicly known
Base of operations: Duckburg, USA


Story: Clara Cluck is one of the nice ladies in Duckburg.


Continuity: Disney
Publisher(s): Disney
First app.: Cartoons: Mickey's Mellerdrammer (March 18, 1933)/Orphan's Benefit (August 11, 1934)
Creator(s): Walt Disney
Country of origin: USA


Background notes: Clara Cluck's first appearance is to some extent a matter of where to draw the line. Like other characters, she first in the background, in this case the cartoon Mickey's Mellerdrammer from 1933 where she was a part of the audience. It wasn't the character per se, but the basics like the stature and the characteristic hat was there, and the visuals are close enough for the acceptance as a first appearance. Clara Cluck as we know her today was seen the following year in Orphan's Benefit, where she was one of the performers at the show (voice by Florence Gill). In the following years until 1942 she was seen in another six cartoons, after which she wasn't seen in cartoons until Mickey's Christmas Carol in 1983. When House of Mouse started in 2001, she was used in three episodes the first year (voice by Russi Taylor).

In comics the first appearance of the character is also a matter of what to consider an appearance. The first appearance in print was a commercial for the cartoon Orphan's Benefit March 17, 1935. The next type of appearance which some might consider a first appearance is the Mickey Mouse newspaper strip from April 25th, 1937, where she appears on a poster for a show that Mickey and Goofy has just seen. The first appearance of the type usually considered a first appearance, i.e. as a character in a story, is Walt Disney's Comics & Stories #34 from 1943. It should be noted that up to that point Clara Cluck did appear on a number of covers and illustrations telling a story, so while she did not appear in comics until 1943, she was seen on a regular basis in the comics from 1936 onwards. While not a very popular character, stories with her has been produced every year since 1943, and she is still seen in a couple of new stories every year.

The creators of the character appears to be forgotten. Walt Disney and John Sutherland being the producers on the cartoons were certainly a part of it, but in regards to creating the visuals, no records has been available.

Outside comics and cartoons, Clara Cluck has appeared on a number of merchandise over the years. Several pictures also show her as a part of the shows at Disney, so she has appeared in theater/cabaret more than once.


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