Watch The Million Dollar Duck

In the 1971 Disney film The Million Dollar Duck, Dean Jones plays a scientific researcher named Peter. He is studying animal reflexes and decides to test his latest theory on a duck named Charley. Unbeknownst to Peter, Charley has been exposed to radiation and has developed the ability to lay eggs with solid gold yolks. Peter realizes the potential riches that could come from exploiting Charley’s unique talent, and decides to hide the duck from the rest of the world. But soon, the news of the golden egg-laying duck spreads and Peter finds himself in a race against time to keep Charley safe and keep his discovery a secret from his greedy boss.

Along the way, he enlists the help of his neighbor, played by Sandy Duncan, and a bumbling government agent, played by Joe Flynn. As they try to keep Charley hidden, they encounter various mishaps and hilarious situations.

The Million Dollar Duck is a fun and lighthearted comedy that showcases the talents of its main cast. Dean Jones delivers a solid performance as Peter, the misguided scientist who learns to value the importance of honesty and integrity over financial gain. Sandy Duncan is charming as Gloria, the animal-loving neighbor who helps Peter hide Charley. And Joe Flynn provides plenty of laughs as the oafish government agent who is more interested in getting a promotion than in solving the mystery of the golden egg-laying duck.

The film works well as a family-friendly comedy, with plenty of slapstick humor and silly situations that will appeal to both kids and adults. It also manages to touch on themes of greed and the ethics of scientific research without becoming too heavy-handed or didactic.

One of the biggest strengths of The Million Dollar Duck is its use of real animals. Charley the duck is a believable, expressive character who steals every scene he’s in. The film also features other live animals, including a pair of mischievous monkeys and a playful dog, that add to the overall charm and warmth of the movie.

Another standout element is the film’s score, composed by Robert F. Brunner. The music adds to the whimsical and humorous nature of the film, and is especially effective in the scenes featuring Charley and his golden eggs.

Overall, The Million Dollar Duck is a delightful and engaging family comedy that has stood the test of time. Its themes of honesty and integrity still resonate, and its use of live animals and catchy music make it a memorable and enjoyable viewing experience.

The Million Dollar Duck is a 1971 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7 and a MetaScore of 45.