Uncle Scrooge in search of the lost lamp / DuckTales: The Movie – Treasure of the Lost Lamp

December 20 2023

Uncle Scrooge in search of the lost lamp (DuckTales: The Movie – Treasure of the Lost Lamp) is a 1990 American animated fantasy adventure film based on the DuckTales animated television series. Produced and directed by Bob Hathcock and with a screenplay by Alan Burnett, the film features the series cast of Alan Young, Terrence McGovern, Russi Taylor and Chuck McCann, with Richard Libertini, Rip Taylor and Christopher Lloyd lending their voices to new personages. The events of the film take place between the third and fourth seasons of DuckTales.

The film was released theatrically by Walt Disney Pictures on August 3, 1990, and marked the first time Disney released an animated film not produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation. It was the first Disney animated film produced by Walt Disney Television Animation under the Disney MovieToons brand and animated by Walt Disney Animation France S.A. The film was paired with the 1951 Donald Duck short “Dude Duck” for its theatrical release. A comic version was released at the same time, with a cover identical to the theatrical poster.

Despite receiving positive reviews from critics, the film performed less than expected at the box office, earning only $18,1 million on a $20 million budget, leading to the cancellation of several planned DuckTales films.

History

Uncle Scrooge travels to the Middle East to inspect a recently discovered treasure chest that he is certain contains the treasure of the great thief Collie Baba, accompanied by Qui, Quo, Qua, Webby Vanderquack, and Launchpad McQuack. Although initially disappointed when the trunk appears to contain only old clothes, Uncle Scrooge is thrilled when he finds an ancient treasure map in the pocket of an old robe. Led by the thief Dijon, they set out to find the lost treasure, unaware that Dijon is actually working for the evil sorcerer Merlock, who wants something possessed by Collie Baba. The group discovers Collie Baba's treasure in a sand-covered pyramid. Webby sees a lamp in the treasure, which Uncle Scrooge allows her to keep since it is worthless.

After packing the treasure for transport, Uncle Scrooge and his group are trapped in a room full of monstrous scorpions by Merlock and Dijon, who steal the treasure. However, Merlock discovers that the lamp has been stolen; he drags Dijon with him to locate her. Uncle Scrooge and his friends manage to escape from the pyramid and, with nothing but Webby's lamp, set off for Duckburg.

Days later, the children discover that the lamp contains a Genie. Ecstatic about his freedom, the Genie grants the four children 3 wishes each; to deceive Uncle Scrooge, he pretends to be the boys' scout friend, Gene. Using the lamp's powers irresponsibly, their wishes include an elephant (wreaking havoc on Uncle Scrooge's mansion) and a giant bowl of ice cream, among other things. Frightened by a night-flying bird, the Genie tells them about Merlock, who used his wishes for eternal life and the destruction of Atlantis and Pompeii, both popular tourist destinations; Merlock's magical talisman, which allows him to assume various animal forms, also nullifies the lamp's rules, granting him unlimited wishes. Collie Baba stole Merlock's lamp and hid it with his treasure, and Merlock spent the next few centuries searching for him. The children suggest that they wish for the talisman, but the Genie says that this is the only wish he cannot grant. They must stop Merlock from obtaining the lamp or the world will suffer.

The following day, Webby uses her dying wish to bring all of her toys to life, forcing the children to reveal Genie's true identity to Uncle Scrooge. Wanting to impress the Archaeological Society at their annual ball, Uncle Scrooge covets Collie Baba's treasure and brings the lamp and Genie with him to the ball. He is followed by Merlock and Dijon, who ambush Uncle Scrooge. In the ensuing fight, Uncle Scrooge mistakes a soup tureen for the lamp and leaves the lamp and the Genie behind, after which both fall into the hands of Dijon, who is persuaded by the Genie to keep the lamp instead of giving it to Merlock.

After coveting Uncle Scrooge's fortune, Dijon takes possession of the Depot and other properties and has Uncle Scrooge arrested for trespassing. However, Uncle Scrooge is immediately released on bail by Launchpad, his nephews, Webby, Mrs. Beakley and Duckworth, who agree to help Uncle Scrooge make things right. Uncle Scrooge, the nephews and Webby infiltrate the Depot in an attempt to steal the lamp, but are stopped by Merlock, who recovers the lamp. With the Genie once again under his control, Merlock wishes for Dijon to be turned into a pig for his disloyalty and then for the Depot to become a fortress, flying high above Duckburg. When a disdained Uncle Scrooge threatens him, Merlock wishes him “out of my house,” and the Genie reluctantly raises the wind to send Uncle Scrooge to the edge of the fortress, hanging on for dear life. The nephews use a slingshot to knock the lamp out of Merlock's hands, throwing it at Uncle Scrooge, who loses his grip and falls towards the ground. Merlock recovers his talisman and chases him in griffin form, wrestling Uncle Scrooge in the air, but Uncle Scrooge knocks the talisman out of Merlock's hand, turning the sorcerer back to normal as he falls to his death.

Having recovered the lamp, Uncle Scrooge uses his second wish to bring himself, his family and his Depot back to Duckburg. Back in the Depot, Uncle Scrooge declares that he has "had enough of all these wishes" and threatens to use his dying wish to bury the lamp so that it will never be found again. After protests from the Genie and the children, he instead wishes for the Genie to become a real boy. Without the Genie, the lamp disintegrates and crumbles to dust, removing its magic forever. While the children play with their new friend, Uncle Scrooge discovers Dijon, recovered from his desire for Merlock, filling his trousers with his money. Uncle Scrooge chases him out and down the street shouting “Someone, stop those pants!”

Data sheet of Uncle Scrooge in search of the lost lamp

Original title: DuckTales the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp
Original language: English
Country of Production: France, United States of America
Year: 1990
Duration: 74 min
Report: 1,66:1
Gender: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
Directed by: Bob Hathcock
Subject: From the animated series DuckTales – Duck Adventures by Jymn Magon
Film script: Alan Burnett
Producer: Bob Hathcock
Production House: Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Animation (France)
Distribution in Italian: Warner Bros. Italy
Mounting: Charlie King
Special effects: Andrew Brownlow, Glenn Chaika, Hock-Lian Law, Henry Neville
Music: David newman
Scenography: Skip Morgan, Douglas Kirk, Jean-Christophe Poulain
Storyboard: Kurt Anderson, Viki Anderson, Rich Childlaw, Warren Greenwood, Bob Kline, Larry Latham, Jim Mitchell, David S. Smith, Robert Taylor, Hank Tucker, Wendell Washer
Animators: Gaëtan and Paul Brizzi, Clive Pallant, Matias Marcos, Vincent Woodcock
Wallpapers: Fred Warter