Huey, Dewey, Louie…you get none of this!!!
When Donald Duck decides to live his dream and travel the seas, he’s left with a sticky situation of what to do with his nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie. Donald decides to leave Huey, Dewey, and Louie with his wealthy Uncle Scrooge McDuck…but Scrooge isn’t used to a family. Hiring a housekeeper named Mrs. Beakley who brings a young granddaughter named Webby, Scrooge finds his family now heading off on adventures with him and his pilot Launchpad. Scrooge is learning the value of money and how having a family changes everything.
DuckTales—Season 1 was a syndicated program put out by Walt Disney Television Animation. The series adapted many of its stories from the Uncle Scrooge comic book by Carl Barks and had a popular following. The first season is composed of sixty-five episodes and with later series like Chip ’n Dale’s Rescue Rangers, TaleSpin, and Darkwing Duck helped create the Disney Afternoon syndication block. The first season of DuckTales has been collected in three volumes of DuckTales (with the premiere serial “The Treasures of the Golden Suns” as part of DuckTales—Volume 2).
Everyone loves Webby!
I love DuckTales and think the cartoon holds up well. Scrooge McDuck was always a favorite of mine (when I was little, I felt a kinship due to being part Scottish). The idea of the wealthy uncle who takes you all over the world for adventures also is appealing to kids…It’s like Johnny Quest without the danger.
One of the big tricks of the series is making a stingy, money-grubbing character like Scrooge likable. The bringing in of the nephews is a smart one to soften the character. Huey, Dewey, and Louie generally hang out with Donald in other Disney stories…their mother, Donald’s twin sister Della Duck, is out of the picture apparently. Scrooge is further softened by a nice bond to Beakley’s granddaughter Webby who sees him as a substitute grandfather. Scrooge is a great character and Alan Young (TV’s Wilbur from Mr. Ed) provides such a great voice for him.
I hate that little alien thing…
I do like the writers did go back to some of the original stories for inspiration. It gives the characters a bit more depth and real feel. Lots of even minor characters are from the comics…Gyro, Magica De Spell, the Beagle Boys, and Glomgold all made the jump to the series (though Glomgold was transformed into a Scottish duck when he started out as a South African). Webby, Mrs. Beakley, and Launchpad were created for the series.
DuckTales is worth checking out and enjoying for older viewers who grew up with it or to pass on to younger viewers. The first season is a big undertaking with so many episodes, but the second seas only ran ten episodes.
DuckTales—Season 1 Complete Episode Guide:
“Treasure of the Golden Suns: Don’t Give Up the Ship”
1.1 Treasure of the Golden Suns: Don’t Give Up the Ship Airdate: 09/18/87
Huey, Dewey, and Louie are forced to live with their stingy Uncle Scrooge McDuck when their uncle Donald heads into the Navy to see the world. As Scrooge adjust to his nephews, the Beagle Boys are busted out of jail again to go after Scrooge’s fortune. The Beagle Boys go after Scrooge’s old boat and Huey, Dewey, and Louie learn that it contains a secret map.
“Treasure of the Golden Suns: Wronguay in Ronguay”
1.2 Treasure of the Golden Suns: Wronguay in Ronguay Airdate: 09/18/87
Flintheart Glomgold learns he can surpass Scrooge as the richest duck if he can beat Scrooge to the sunken gold. With a race to earn money, Scrooge allows Huey, Dewey, and Louie go with him on the treasure hunt to Ronguay in South America. Teaming with his secret backer, Glomgold works to sabotage Scrooge and his search.
“Treasure of the Golden Suns: Three Ducks of the Condor”
1.3 Treasure of the Golden Suns: Three Ducks of the Condor Airdate: 09/18/87
Scrooge McDuck learns that the Legend of the Golden Sun might be tied to the ship and that he must travel to the Andes for the secret. Scrooge hires Mrs. Benita Beakley to watch Huey, Dewey, and Louie and Beakley brings her granddaughter Webbigail (Webby) Vanderquack. With a ship designed by Gyro Gearloose, Scrooge is forced to hire Launchpad McQuack to get to the Andes with Donald Duck. When Donald, Scrooge, and Launchpad reach the Andes, they find themselves facing a tyrant for the next clue to the mystery.
“Treasure of the Golden Suns” Cold Ducks”
1.4 Treasure of the Golden Suns: Cold Duck Airdate: 09/18/87
Huey, Dewey, and Louie try to avoid Webby and all four of them end up on Launchpad’s plane to the Antarctic along with Mrs. Beakley. Meeting a penguin named Skiddles, Webby and Mrs. Beakley must rescue Launchpad, Scrooge, Huey, Dewey, and Louie from a penguin society desperate to steal their colors.
“Treasure of the Golden Suns: Too Much of a Gold Thing”
1.5 Treasure of the Golden Suns: Too Much of a Gold Thing Airdate: 09/18/87
Scrooge is suffering from Gold Fever as he gets closer to the Valley of the Golden Suns. Now discovering the hidden treasure, Scrooge refuses to leave the gold he has sought despite the cost and faces the man who sent him on the adventure.
“Send in the Clones”
1.6 Send in the Clones Airdate: 09/21/87
Magica De Spell springs the Beagle Boys from jail to steal Scrooge’s Number One Dime and disguises them as Huey, Dewey, and Louie to do it.
“Sphinx for the Memories”
1.7 Sphinx for the Memories Airdate: 09/22/87
Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Scrooge head to Egypt to meet up with Donald’s shore leave but find Donald has been kidnapped by a cult who believes them to be the reincarnation of their ancient ruler.
“Where No Duck Has Gone Before”
1.8 Where No Duck Has Gone Before Airdate: 09/23/87
When Scrooge gets control of the Duckburg Studio, he gets control of Huey, Louie, Dewey, and Doofus’ favorite TV show Courage of the Cosmos. Scrooge orders Gyro to make Courage of the Cosmos more realistic which includes a working spaceship. Major Courage, Huey, Dewey, Louie, Doofus, and Launchpad are accidentally sent into space where they encounter alien invaders.
“Armstrong”
1.9 Armstrong Airdate: 09/24/87
Gyro Gearloose creates a robot called Armstrong, and Launchpad finds himself threatened for unemployment. When Armstrong turns against its creators, the only hope is Launchpad.
“Robot Robbers”
1.10 Robot Robbers Airdate: 09/25/87
Scrooge wonders if he’s losing his edge when Glomgold begins to take big business deals all over Duckburg. Scrooge learns that Gyro has created giant robots to do Glomgold’s construction and the Beagle Boy cause havoc when they take control of the robots.
“Magica’s Shadow War”
1.11 Magica’s Shadow War Airdate: 09/28/87
Magica De Spell gives life to her shadow in order to steal Scrooge’s Number One Dime but finds her shadow has a mind of its own. When De Spell’s shadow becomes too strong, Scrooge and Magica must team-up to defeat it.
“Master of Djinni”
1.12 Master of the Djinni Airdate: 09/29/87
Scrooge discovers a map to the hidden tomb of Aladdin and finds himself in a race against G to find it. When Glomgold and Scrooge both find Aladdin’s lamp, they have a race over who is the genie’s master…but the genie has other plans.
“Hotel Strangeduck”
1.13 Hotel Strangeduck Airdate: 09/30/87
Scrooge buys the haunted hotel of Hotel Strangeduck and teaches Huey, Dewey, Louie, and the others to run it as he searches for Strangeduck’s secret tomb. When mysterious events begin happening at the hotel, Scrooge and his nephews set out to see if it is really haunted.
“Lost Crown of Genghis Khan”
1.14 Lost Crown of Genghis Khan Airdate: 10/01/87
Scrooge sets off a quest to find the crown of Genghis Khan and finds himself facing off against the Abominable Snowman for the prize.
“Duckman of Aquatraz”
1.15 Duckman of Aquatraz Airdate: 10/02/87
Scrooge McDuck is accused of stealing Glomgold’s painting. When Scrooge is sent to jail, it is up to Huey, Dewey, and Louie to prove his innocence. Scrooge is sentenced to Aquatraz and finds himself befriending his cellmate Maddog McGurk who’s staging a dangerous escape.
“The Money Vanishes”
1.16 The Money Vanishes Airdate: 10/05/87
The Beagle Boys are on the loose again. When they discover Gyro Gearloose has created a teleportation device, the Beagle Boys plot to trick Scrooge into teleporting his money away.
“Sir Gyro de Gearloose”
1.17 Sir Gyro de Gearloose Airdate: 10/06/87
Gyro feels underappreciated and transports himself to the past with Huey, Dewey, and Louie to find a time where his inventions will matter. When Gyro doesn’t plan to return home, Huey, Dewey, and Louie must change his mind.
“Dinosaur Ducks”
1.18 Dinosaur Ducks Airdate: 10/07/87
Launchpad uncovers the Lost World while searching for one of Scrooge’s treasures. Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Webby stow away when Scrooge and Launchpad set out to explore the world of dinosaurs. When Webby, Huey, Dewey, and Louie get separated in the Lost World, Launchpad and Scrooge must find them.
“Hero for Hire”
1.19 Hero for Hire Airdate: 10/08/87
When Launchpad destroys Scrooge’s new bank, Scrooge fires him. With no job, Launchpad feels lost and at the suggestion of Doofus, he sets out to be a hero. When Ma Beagle realizes Launchpad can get past Scrooge’s anti-Beagle alarm, Ma tricks Launchpad into being a thief.
“Superdoo”
1.20 Superdoo! Airdate: 10/09/87
Doofus finds he can’t win any Junior Woodchuck merit badges and is a joke with the troop. When he discovers a space crystal that gives him special abilities, Doofus becomes a super Junior Woodchuck but doesn’t realize that the space crystal is being hunted by aliens. When Doofus becomes a superhero, he finds he’s alienating all his friends.
“Maid of the Myth”
1.21 Maid of the Myth Airdate: 10/12/87
A group of Vikings attack Duckburg. When they hear Mrs. Beakley in an opera, the Vikings from a cut off society kidnap her, and Scrooge, his nephews, Launchpad, and Webby must go to the rescue.
“Down and Out in Duckburg”
1.22 Down & Out in Duckburg Airdate: 10/13/87
Scrooge learns that his fortune might really belong to Fritter O’Way who ancestor dealt with his old ancestor. As Fritter O’Way begins to spend Scrooge’s cash, Scrooge and his family find themselves penniless and homeless.
“Much Ado about Scrooge”
1.23 Much Ado About Scrooge Airdate: 10/14/87
A purchase of an old William Drakespeare book from Filler Brushbill leads Scrooge to discover the location of a possible original work by William Drakespeare. With Brushbill in hot pursuit, Scrooge is forced to team with Brushbill when he discovers Drakespeare’s plays coming to life.
“Top Duck”
1.24 Top Duck Airdate: 10/15/87
Launchpad’s airshow family The Flying McQuacks are coming to town, and Launchpad reveals he’s a disgrace to his family. When the Beagle Boys wreck Launchpad’s chances to impress them, they steal Scrooge’s experimental jet the Mc-X to rob Scrooge’s money bin…and only Launchpad can stop them.
“Pearl of Wisdom”
1.25 Pearl of Wisdom Airdate: 10/16/87
Sharkey steals the Magical Pearl of Wisdom from Banana Island and secretly sells it to Scrooge. When Webby accidentally takes the Pearl of Wisdom for a marble contest, both Scrooge and Sharkey try to get it back to gain its power.
“The Curse of Castle McDuck”
1.26 The Curse of Castle McDuck Airdate: 10/19/87
Huey, Dewey, Louie, Webby, and Scrooge make a trip to Scotland and learn the legend of the cursed Castle McDuck. When they discover the hound of Castle McDuck, they learn that a cult of Druids might be behind the mystery.
“Launchpad’s Civil War”
1.27 Launchpad’s Civil War Airdate: 10/20/87
Launchpad is asked to fill in for his ancestor Rhubarb McQuack a Civil War reenactment of the Battle of Duck Ridge. When Launchpad learns that his relative lost the battle, he decides to change history when he discovers the surviving members of Rhubarb’s army.
“Sweet Duck of Youth”
1.28 Sweet Duck of Youth Airdate: 10/21/87
When Scrooge worries he’s getting too old, he sets out to find the lost Fountain of Youth to regain his youth.
“Earth Quack”
1.29 Earth Quack Airdate: 10/22/87
Scrooge learns that his money bin is built over Futterman’s Fault and that a big earthquake could cause Scrooge to lose his money. Travelling under the earth, Scrooge finds a secret society of Terra-Firmians responsible for the quakes.
“Home Sweet Homer”
1.30 Home Sweet Homer Airdate: 10/23/87When Donald sends Scrooge a picture that indicates the location of the legendary Ithaquack, Scrooge, Huey, Dewey, and Louie head there to uncover the treasure. Circe accidentally pulls Scrooge, Huey, Dewey, and Louie to the past, and Scrooge finds himself teamed with Ulysses’ nephew Homer to try to reach Ithaquack.
“Bermuda Triangle Tangle”
1.31 Bermuda Triangle Tangle Airdate: 10/26/87
Scrooge investigates the disappearance of his ships in the Bermuda Triangle and takes Huey, Dewey, and Louie with him. When Captain Foghorn leads the ship into a storm, the crew finds themselves on an island of seaweed with trapped sailors from all over time.
“Microducks from Outer Space”
1.32 Microducks from Outer Space Airdate: 10/27/87
Scrooge has a wheat surplus and looking to unload it. When Gyro is contacted by aliens, Scrooge sees a way to sell. When the aliens arrive, they are smaller than Scrooge expected. When Scrooge finds that the aliens enlarging machine has been left behind, Scrooge accidentally shrinks himself, Webby, Huey, Dewey, and Louie.
“Back to the Klondike”
1.33 Back to the Klondike Airdate: 10/28/87
It’s Valentine’s Day and Scrooge recalls his time in the Klondike and Goldie. Scrooge recalls being conned by Goldie but joining her in searching his claim for gold. When Goldie and the gold disappeared, Scrooge believed he was tricked again. Returning to his camp with Huey, Dewey, and Louie, Scrooge is reunited with Goldie in an attempt to find the missing gold.
“Horse Scents”
1.34 Horse Scents Airdate: 10/29/87
A show horse named My Lady is targeted for sale, but Webby, Huey, Dewey, and Louie find that My Lady has racing potential. When Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Webby realize that My Lady must be chased to be a powerhouse, they try to set-up a way to win the race.
“Scrooge’s Pet”
1.35 Scrooge’s Pet Airdate: 10/30/87
Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Webby give Scrooge a pet lemming named Lucky. When Lucky accidentally gets the locket containing the only combination to Scrooge’s vault, Lucky must be captured.
“Catch As Cash Can: A Drain on the Economy”
1.36 Catch as Cash Can: A Drain on the Economy Airdate: 11/02/87
Glomgold and Scrooge compete for a business deal and learn that whoever has the heaviest fortune will win the account. Glomgold busts the Beagle Boys out of jail to rob Scrooge and Scrooge finds himself defending his fortune against an army of Beagle Boys. When Scrooge’s money falls into the sewer system, Scrooge finds himself in a race against time to locate the missing money.
“Catch as Cash Can: A Whale of a Bad Time”
1.37 Catch as Cash Can: A Whale of a Bad Time Airdate: 11/03/87
Scrooge works to beat Glomgold as richest duck, and Huey, Dewey, and Louie discover Scrooge smuggling the money out of Duckburg within ice cream trucks. When the boat transporting the money sinks, Scrooge sets out to find the sea monster responsible for the attack to get his fortune back. When Scrooge learns the “monster”is a high tech stolen Navy sub and works to stop it with Donald.
“Catch as Cash Can: Aqua Ducks
1.38 Catch as Cash Can: Aqua Ducks Airdate: 11/04/87
Scrooge must retrieve his money from the Marinara Trench to beat Glomgold in richest duck competition. When Scrooge, Launchpad, Gyro, and Doofus find an underwater society, they are accused of littering and sentenced to clean the trash from the ocean floor.
“Catch as Cash Can: Working for Scales”
1.39 Catch as Cash Can: Working for Scales Airdate: 11/05/87
The final weigh in is coming in Scrooge’s competition with Glomgold to prove who is the richest duck. Scrooge must get his fortune (which now includes Atlantis) to the competition in time, but is facing Glomgold and the Beagle Boys trying to stop them.
“Merit-Time Adventure”
1.40 Merit-Time Adventure Airdate: 11/06/87
Huey, Dewey, Louie, Webby, and Launchpad set out on a Junior Woodchucks adventure as the hunt for a sea serpent begins. Scrooge learns that his fortune from his wrecked ship is being salvaged by Dogface Pete. When Scrooge is taken by the sea serpent while investigating Dogface Pete, the Junior Woodchucks set out to find Uncle Scrooge and stop the sea serpent.
“The Golden Fleecing”
1.41 The Golden Fleecing Airdate: 11/16/87
Launchpad is attacked by harpies, and Scrooge realizes that the Golden Fleece might be real. Setting out with Huey, Dewey, and Louie, Scrooge and Launchpad search for the Golden Fleece and face harpies and dragons.
“Ducks of the West”
1.42 Ducks of the West Airdate: 11/17/87
Scrooge finds that his oil fields are drying up and heads to Texas to find out why. Scrooge finds a cover-up and ring of oil thieves in a ghost town.
“Time Teasers”
1.43 Time Teasers Airdate: 11/18/87
Huey, Dewey, and Louie find they never have time enough and find Gyro’s invention that allows them to move at superhuman speeds. Freezing time has its advantages, but when the Beagle Boys get ahold of the invention, Scrooge’s fortune could be lost. When the Beagle Boys break the time device, they find themselves trapped in the past.
“Back Out in the Outback”
1.44 Back Out in the Outback Airdate: 11/19/87
Scrooge’s Australian sheep ranch is facing attacks from strange unearthly willie wisps which are stealing sheep. When Webby becomes lost in the Outback, Scrooge’s search might lead him to the sheep thieves.
“Raiders of the Lost Harp”
1.45 Raiders of the Lost Harp Airdate: 11/20/87
Scrooge, Huey, Dewey, and Louie investigate a hidden Trojan temple and discover riches. When Scrooge finds the magic singing harp of Helen of Troy which allows him to know if someone is telling the truth, he awakens a giant stone minotaur and the envy of Magica de Spell.
“The Right Duck”
1.46 The Right Duck Airdate: 11/23/87
When Scrooge fires Launchpad, Launchpad finds himself as a test subject for space flights. Launchpad and Doofus are accidentally sent to Mars and are imprisoned by Martians. With war with Earth imminent, Launchpad and Doofus find they must make a daring escape and stop the missile.
“Scroogerella”
1.47 Scroogerello Airdate: 11/24/87
Scrooge is sick and forced to bed rest. When Webby reads Scrooge a story about Cinderella, Scrooge finds him trapped in a fairytale with the Beagle Boys as his step-brothers and Glomgold as his step-father. When his fairy godmother allows him to meet Princess Goldie, Scroogerello must rescue her.
“Double-O Duck”
1.48 Double-O-Duck Airdate: 11/25/87
When a D.I.A. spy named Bruno who resembles Launchpad is captured, Launchpad must go undercover as Double-O Duck to replace him to stop Doctor No-Good.
“Luck ‘o the Ducks”
1.49 Luck o’ the Ducks Airdate: 11/26/87
A leprechaun arrives in Duckburg, and Scrooge fears he has come to steal from him. When Scrooge saves the leprechaun’s life, Scrooge vows to get the leprechaun’s family gold with his wish.
“Duckworth’s Revolt”
1.50 Duckworth’s Revolt Airdate: 11/27/87
When Huey, Dewey, and Louie believe Duckworth could be rich, Scrooge fires Duckworth when he realizes Duckworth has no interest in money. When Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Duckworth are abducted by aliens, Duckworth realizes he must organize a revolution.
“Magica’s Magic Mirror”
“Take Me Out of the Ballgame”
1.51 Magica’s Magic Mirror/Take Me Out of the Ballgame Airdate: 11/30/87
Magica’s Magic Mirror—Magica tricks Scrooge into taking a “magic mirror” and tries to get Scrooge to turn over his lucky dime to her. Take Me Out to the Ballgame—When Scrooge is forced to leave with Launchpad, Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Doofus find Duckworth must step in as their coach.
“Duck to the Future”
1.52 Duck to the Future Airdate: 12/01/87
Magica tricks Scrooge into being sent to the future, and Scrooge learns that Magica used the opportunity to form Magica McDuck Enterprises. With Huey, Dewey, and Louie running operations, Scrooge seeks help in getting his #1 Dime back to fix the past.
“Jungle Duck”
1.53 Jungle Duck Airdate: 12/02/87
Scrooge investigates the reports of a silver buzzard but learns that the area is haunted by the Jungle Phantom. As Scrooge investigates the Phantom, Scrooge finds it might be tied to Beakley’s past.
“Launchpad’s First Crash”
1.54 Launchpad’s First Crash Airdate: 12/03/87
Scrooge and Launchpad become trapped in the desert with a plane full of explosives, and Launchpad and Scrooge recall the first time that Launchpad worked for Scrooge.
“Dime Enough for Luck”
1.55 Dime Enough for Luck Airdate: 12/04/87
Gladstone comes to visit Scrooge and Scrooge finds Gladstone has extreme luck which keeps him in the money. When Magica learns that Gladstone is lucky, she decides to use him to get to Scrooge’s #1 Dime. When Magica takes the #1 Dime and curses Gladstone, Gladstone and Scrooge must retrieve the dime to save Scrooge and himself.
“The Duck in the Iron Mask”
1.56 Duck in the Iron Mask Airdate: 12/07/87
Huey, Dewey, and Louie find no one can tell them apart. When Dewey grows tired of it, Dewey decides to make himself more distinguishable. Scrooge goes to see his old friend Count Roy but learns that his evil twin has imprisoned him in an iron mask.
“The Uncrashable Hindetanic”
1.57 The Uncrashable Hindetanic Airdate: 12/08/87
Scrooge bets Glomgold that he can get the Hindentanic to fly again. While Scrooge plots a successful flight, Glomgold decides he has to sabotage the Hindentanic.
“The Status Seekers”
1.58 The Status Seekers Airdate: 12/09/87
Scrooge learns that he’s not giving off the appearance of a wealthy duck and decides he has to show some class by stepping up in society. Attempting to join the Association of Status Seekers, Scrooge must increase his clout.
“Nothing to Fear”
1.59 Nothing to Fear Airdate: 12/14/87
Magica De Spell is at it again to get Scrooge’s #1 Dime and uses a storm to make everyone in Scrooge’s mansion see their worst fears.
“Dr. Jekyll & Mr McDuck”
1.60 Dr. Jekyll & Mr. McDuck Airdate: 12/23/87
A bid on a mysterious trunk leads Scrooge to discover Dr. Jekyll’s secret compound. As Jack the Tripper seeks to reclaim the formula, Scrooge finds himself trying to get rid of all his money under the spray’s influence as Uncle Moneybags.
“Once Upon a Dime”
1.61 Once Upon a Dime Airdate: 12/24/87
When Huey, Dewey, and Louie question the value of Scrooge’s #1 Dime, Scrooge decides to tell them why the dime is so lucky. Scrooge reveals how the dime was his first earning in Scotland and how it got him to America and led to his success.
“Spies in Their Eyes”
1.62 Spies in Their Eyes Airdate: 12/25/87
Donald Duck is on leave from the navy in Singapore and sworn to secrecy about a new submarine. When Donald is hypnotized into giving up information on the submarine, Scrooge, Huey, Dewey, and Louie must prove him innocent.
“All Ducks on Deck”
1.63 All Ducks on Deck Airdate: 12/30/87
Donald tells Huey, Louie, and Dewey how he saved his ship, but his nephews discover that Donald might have fibbed when they stowaway on the carrier. Scrooge and Launchpad’s investigation into disappearances at his fishing village leads to their capture and learn that man holding them has captured an experimental plane from Donald’s ship.
“Ducky Horror Picture Show”
1.64 Ducky Horror Picture Show Airdate: 12/31/87
Scrooge is out to make a buck and rents out his property to a group of monsters having a convention. Scrooge finds the monsters are creating destruction and that it could end up costing him money.
“Till Nephews Do Us Part”
1.65 Till Nephews Do Us Part Airdate: 01/01/88
When Scrooge falls in love with a woman named Millinara, Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Webby learn that Millinara is only after Scrooge’s money. Now, to get rid of Millinarra, Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Webby must find a way to scare Millinara off.
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