It is uncertain if Carl Barks on Thursday
the 3rd of January, 1952, made the long, 100 mile car trip from
his home in San Jacinto, California, to his publisher's branch
office in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, to deliver yet
another Donald Duck 10-pager personally, as he had frequently
done in the past. It is
certain, however, that - although accepted and paid for,
originally - the story was later vetoed by story editor Chase
Craig, and that it has been since lost to the chagrin of all his
fans, who missed the chance for another great story from their
Good Artist!
The story was supposed to be included in the September issue of WDCS144,
and it has since been known among Barksists as 'The
Golden Apples Story'. It was loosely based
on the Greek myth of The Apples of the
Hesperides, and took place during Duckburg's
annual apple festival at which Daisy appeared as a jealous and
crusty battleaxe - and that got it rejected.
In 1969 a dedicated, young fan by the name
of Robert E. Klein (see more HERE) visited Barks in
his home and they got to talking about the story. In the
following years Barks told additional details of what he could
remember from the plot, and Klein took upon himself to make his
own story version based on what little Barks had contributed.
Klein then finished the new script and made sketches for a 10-pager.
Despite the frustration of Barks' entire story being lost, this
account of Barks comments, and faithful attempt to capture the
spirit of his original story provides a glimpse of what it might
have been like.
Due to the Disney Corporation's publishing rules it is not
possible for this website to publish the entire story, so you are
confined to a synopsis plus a sketch of page 1.
The editor of this website wishes to express sincere gratitude to Klein for his willingness to share his material and for allowing the publishing of some of his version of The Lost Story. |
Here
follows Klein's own account of his firsthand experience
with Barks' story We also talked about The Golden Apple Story, which Malcolm had already told me had been rejected by Barks editors. He said that it was not only never printed, but the original art was lost. It had been planned for Walt Disneys Comics and Stories No. 144, in 1952. Carl told me that the story was about
Daisys jealousy over Donalds falling for a
beautiful Queen of Duckburgs Apple Festival. He
said that his editor (Chase Craig) thought that
Daisys fit of anger against Donald, in
which she threw everything at him but the kitchen
sink, was too unladylike. He added a few different details each time I asked him about it. But he apologized for not remembering much of the plot. However, he did tell me several more details than were printed in his published interviews. Knowing that, a few years ago, I wrote and storyboarded a new story, based on all he told me, and logical assumptions based on Barks typical storytelling methods. Unfortunately, it hasnt been bought by a Disney publisher, to this point. |
The Apples of the Hesperides The Greek myth tells about Hera who
received the golden apples - which secures immortality -
as a wedding gift from Zeus. The nymph Atalanta, a strong
athlete, was immensely popular among the young men for
her good looks, but she vowed that she would forever
maintain her independence. Thus she challenged all the
lovesick youngsters to races in which the losers were to
be killed. |
Synopsis for Queen of the Apple Festival Donald and the nephews participate
in Duckburg's annual apple festival, where Donald is in
charge of making candy apples using a large machine. At
the same time Daisy expects Donald to accompany her to
the Apple Pickers Ball that same night. Before she leaves
she asks Donald to place the fireworks for the event in a
safe place. |
http://www.cbarks.dk/THELOSTSTORY.htm | Date 2008-08-23 |