Screen Songs

Series of animated cartoons From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Screen Songs (formerly known as KoKo Song Car-Tunes) are a series of animated cartoons produced at the Fleischer Studios and distributed by Paramount Pictures between 1929 and 1938.[1] Paramount brought back the sing-along cartoons in 1945, now in color, and released them regularly through 1951. Two of Paramount's one-shot cartoons quietly revived the format later: Candy Cabaret (1954) and Hobo's Holiday (1963).

A cover by artist John Frew depicting a fictional bandleader Alexander and his men performing in a bandstand.

History

The Screen Songs are a continuation of the earlier Fleischer series Song Car-Tunes in color. They are sing-along shorts featuring the famous "bouncing ball", a sort of precursor to modern karaoke videos.[2] They often featured popular melodies of the day. The early Song Car-Tunes were among the earliest sound films, produced two years before The Jazz Singer. They were largely unknown at the time because their release was limited to the chain of 36 theaters operated by The Red Seal Pictures Company, which was equipped with the early Lee DeForest Phonofilm sound reproduction equipment. The Red Seal theater chain—formed by the Fleischers, DeForest, Edwin Miles Fadiman, and Hugo Riesenfeld—went from the East Coast to Columbus, Ohio.

Between May 1924 and September 1926, the Fleischers released 36 Song Car-Tunes series, with 19 using the Phonofilm sound-on-film process. The films included Oh Mabel, Come Take a Trip in My Airship, Darling Nelly Gray, Has Anybody Here Seen Kelly?, and By the Light of the Silvery Moon. Beginning with My Old Kentucky Home (1926), the cartoons featured the "follow the bouncing ball" gimmick, that lead the audience singing along with the film. The other 17 films in the Song Car-Tunes series were silent, designed to be shown with live music in movie theaters.

The Fleischers were ahead of the sound revolution, and just missed the actual change when Red Seal Pictures filed for bankruptcy in the fall of 1926.

Releases after Red Seal Pictures

In 1928, the Weiss Brothers reissued through their Artclass Pictures company and other independent distributors a number of the silent "Ko-Ko Song Car-tunes" with new animation created for the beginnings, removing the original titles and opening original footage.

New contract with Paramount Pictures

The Fleischers signed a new contract with Paramount Pictures in late 1928. Beginning in February 1929, the song cartoons returned under a new name, Screen Songs, using the Western Electric sound-on-film process. The first was The Sidewalks of New York (East Side, West Side) released on 5 February 1929. In the 1930s, the shorts began to feature such musical guest stars as Lillian Roth, Ethel Merman, Cab Calloway, Rudy Vallée, The Mills Brothers, the Boswell Sisters, and others. The series, which eventually focused on many of the "Big Bands" of "The Swing Era" continued until 1938. In 1945, Famous Studios, successors to the Fleischers, revived the Screen Songs as an all animated series. The earliest Screen Song released as part of the Noveltoons series, When G.I. Johnny Comes Home, was released on February 2, 1945.[3]

Filmography

Fleischer Studios

More information No., Film ...

1929

No. Film Characters / Musicians Original release date Copyright status
1 The Sidewalks of New York February 5, 1929 public domain
2 Yankee Doodle Boy March 1, 1929 public domain
3 Old Black Joe April 5, 1929 public domain
4 Ye Olde Melodies May 3, 1929 public domain
5 Daisy Bell May 31, 1929 public domain
6 Mother, Pin a Rose on Me July 6, 1929 public domain
7 Dixie August 17, 1929 public domain
8 Chinatown, My Chinatown One-shot Chinese characters August 29, 1929 public domain
9 Goodbye My Lady Love August 31, 1929 public domain
10 My Pony Boy September 13, 1929 public domain
11 Smiles One-shot human quartet September 27, 1929 public domain
12 Oh, You Beautiful Doll Tommy and Mariah Cat October 14, 1929 public domain
13 After the Ball Charles K. Harris and Fitz the dog (called fido in this short) November 8, 1929 public domain
14 Put on Your Old Grey Bonnet One-shot animal characters November 22, 1929 public domain
15 I've Got Rings on My Fingers One-shot black cannibal characters and (human) Irish cop December 17, 1929 public domain

1930

No. Film Characters / Musicians Animation Original release date
16 Bedelia One-shot dog characters January 3, 1930
17 In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree One-shot bear characters January 18, 1930
18 I'm Afraid to Go Home in the Dark Bimbo January 30, 1930
19 The Prisoner's Song One-shot prisoners March 1, 1930
20 I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles One-shot mouse characters March 15, 1930
21 La Paloma Bimbo April 12, 1930
22 Yes! We Have No Bananas One-shot animal characters April 26, 1930
23 Come Take a Trip in My Airship Mariah Cat (here called "Kitty") April 26, 1930
24 In the Good Old Summer Time One-shot animal characters June 6, 1930
25 A Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight One-shot mouse characters Seymour Kneitel August 1, 1930
26 The Glow-Worm Special bilingual entry
Song sung first in German, then in English.
Rudy Zamora August 23, 1930
27 The Stein Song One-shot animal characters Rudy Zamora
Shamus Culhane
September 6, 1930
28 Strike Up the Band One-shot dog sailors Al Eugster September 27, 1930
29 My Gal Sal Bimbo Willard Bowsky
Rudolph Eggeman
October 18, 1930
30 Mariutch Bimbo (in Italian lead role) Grim Natwick
George Cannata
November 15, 1930
31 On a Sunday Afternoon One-shot dog characters and (briefly) Bimbo Rudy Zamora
Shamus Culhane
November 29, 1930
32 Row, Row, Row Bimbo (in villainous lead role) and Betty Boop prototype Seymour Kneitel
Rudolph Eggeman
December 20, 1930

1931

No. Film Characters / Musicians Animation Original release date
33 Please Go 'Way and Let Me Sleep Bimbo and (briefly) Betty Boop prototype Grim Natwick
George Cannata
January 10, 1931
34 By the Beautiful Sea One-shot mouse characters Willard Bowsky
Reuben Timinsky (later Reuben Timmins)
January 24, 1931
35 I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now Tommy and Mariah Cat Al Eugster
George Cannata
February 14, 1931
36 I'd Climb the Highest Mountain Bimbo Seymour Kneitel
Reuben Timinsky
March 7, 1931
37 Somebody Stole My Gal Bimbo George Cannata
Reuben Timinsky
March 20, 1931
38 Any Little Girl That's a Nice Little Girl Tommy Cat and Betty Boop prototype Seymour Kneitel April 18, 1931
39 Alexander's Ragtime Band Bimbo Rudy Zamora
Shamus Culhane
May 9, 1931
40 And the Green Grass Grew All Around One-shot bug characters May 30, 1931
41 My Wife's Gone to the Country Bimbo and (briefly) Betty Boop May 31, 1931
42 That Old Gang of Mine Mariah and (briefly) Tommy Cat July 11, 1931
43 Betty Co-ed Rudy Vallée, Betty Boop prototype August 1, 1931
44 Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Shean Gallagher and Shean Al Eugster August 29, 1931
45 You're Driving Me Crazy Harriet Lee, vocalist (Radio Queen of 1931-32)
Snooks and his Memphis Ramblers
September 19, 1931
46 Little Annie Rooney Bimbo (in "Joe" role of song) Seymour Kneitel

Bernard Wolf

October 10, 1931
47 Kitty from Kansas City Rudy Vallée, Betty Boop October 31, 1931
48 By the Light of the Silvery Moon Bimbo and (briefly) Betty Boop Seymour Kneitel
Myron Waldman
November 14, 1931
49 My Baby Just Cares for Me Eddie Cantor, Bimbo (monkeylike design) December 5, 1931
50 Russian Lullaby Arthur Tracy, Aloysius December 26, 1931

1932

No. Film Characters / Musicians Animation Original release date
51 Sweet Jennie Lee One-shot animal characters January 9, 1932
52 Show Me the Way to Go Home One-shot animal characters January 30, 1932
53 When the Red, Red Robin Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin' Along One-shot bird characters February 19, 1932
54 Wait Till the Sun Shines, Nellie The Round Towners Quartet, Betty Boop and Bimbo Seymour Kneitel
Myron Waldman
March 4, 1932
55 Just One More Chance Art Jarrett, Betty Boop Shamus Culhane

Dave Tendlar

April 1, 1932
56 Oh! How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning Les Reis and Artie Dunn, Betty Boop Seymour Kneitel

Bernard Wolf

April 22, 1932
57 Shine On Harvest Moon Alice Joy, one-shot animal characters Shamus Culhane

Reuben Timinsky

May 6, 1932
58 Let Me Call You Sweetheart Ethel Merman, Betty Boop and Bimbo Shamus Culhane

Dave Tendlar

May 20, 1932
59 I Ain't Got Nobody The Mills Brothers, one-shot animal characters Willard Bowsky

Tom Bonfiglio

June 17, 1932
60 You Try Somebody Else Ethel Merman, Betty Boop July 29, 1932
61 Rudy Vallée Melodies Rudy Vallée, Betty Boop August 5, 1932
62 Down Among the Sugar Cane Lillian Roth, one-shot animal characters Shamus Culhane

William Henning

August 26, 1932
63 Just a Gigolo Irene Bordoni, Betty Boop Shamus Culhane

Reuben Timinsky

September 9, 1932
64 School Days Gus Edwards, one-shot animal characters William Henning

Dave Tendlar

September 30, 1932
65 Romantic Melodies Arthur Tracy, Betty Boop and Bimbo Seymour Kneitel
Bernie Wolf
October 21, 1932
66 Sleepy Time Down South The Boswell Sisters, one-shot animal characters Seymour Kneitel
Bernie Wolf
November 11, 1932
67 Sing a Song James Melton, one-shot animal characters Seymour Kneitel
Myron Waldman
December 2, 1932
68 Time on My Hands Ethel Merman, Betty Boop Willard Bowsky
Thomas Goodson
December 23, 1932

1933

No. Film Characters / Musicians Animation Original release date
69 Dinah The Mills Brothers, one-shot animal characters Dave Tendlar
William Henning
January 13, 1933
70 Ain't She Sweet? Lillian Roth, Tommy and Mariah Cat Seymour Kneitel
Tom Johnson
February 3, 1933
71 Reaching for the Moon Arthur Tracy, one-shot space alien characters Willard Bowsky
Ugo D'Orsi
February 23, 1933
72 Aloha Oe Royal Samoans, one-shot jungle animal characters Bernie Wolf
Dave Tendlar
March 17, 1933
73 Popular Melodies Art Jarrett Willard Bowsky
Myron Waldman
April 7, 1933
74 The Peanut Vendor Armida, one-shot animal characters Seymour Kneitel
Tom Johnson
April 28, 1933
75 Song Shopping Ethel Merman and Johnny Green, one-shot animal characters Willard Bowsky
Dave Tendlar
May 19, 1933
76 Boilesk The Watson Sisters, one-shot animal characters Willard Bowsky
Myron Waldman
June 9, 1933
77 Sing, Sisters, Sing Three X Sisters, one-shot animal characters Bernie Wolf
Dave Tendlar
June 3, 1933
78 Down by the Old Mill Stream The Eton Boys, one-shot animal characters Willard Bowsky
William Sturm
July 21, 1933
79 Stoopnocracy Stoopnagle and Budd, one-shot animal characters Seymour Kneitel
William Henning
August 18, 1933
80 When Yuba Plays the Rumba on the Tuba The Mills Brothers Bernie Wolf
Tom Johnson
September 15, 1933
81 Boo Boo Theme Song The Funnyboners Willard Bowsky
Myron Waldman
October 13, 1933
82 I Like Mountain Music The Eton Boys Willard Bowsky
Myron Waldman
November 10, 1933
83 Sing, Babies, Sing Baby Rose Marie Seymour Kneitel
Dave Tendlar
December 15, 1933

1934

No. Film Characters / Musicians Animation Original release date
84 Keeps Rainin' All the Time Gertrude Niesen Seymour Kneitel
William Henning
January 12, 1934
85 Let's All Sing Like the Birdies Sing Les Reis and Artie Dunn, one-shot cat and bird characters Myron Waldman
Tom Johnson
February 9, 1934
86 Tune Up and Sing Lanny Ross Willard Bowsky
Dave Tendlar
March 9, 1934
87 Lazy Bones Borrah Minnevitch and His Harmonica Rascals Willard Bowsky
Dave Tendlar
April 13, 1934
88 This Little Piggie Went to Market Singin' Sam Hicks Lokey
Paul Fennell
May 25, 1934
89 She Reminds Me of You The Eton Boys Willard Bowsky
William Sturm
June 22, 1934
90 Love Thy Neighbor Mary Small Myron Waldman
Edward Nolan
July 20, 1934
91 Let's Sing with Popeye Billy Costello Seymour Kneitel
Roland Crandall (archival)
Produced for Saturday morning matinee "Popeye Club".

1935

No. Film Characters / Musicians Animation Original release date
92 I Wished on the Moon Abe Lyman and his Orchestra, Wiffle Piffle Tom Johnson September 20, 1935
93 It's Easy to Remember Richard Himber and his Orchestra (vocal by Stuart Allen) Tom Johnson November 29, 1935

1936

No. Film Characters / Musicians Animation Original release date
94 No Other One Hal Kemp and His Orchestra (vocal by Skinnay Ennis), Wiffle Piffle Tom Johnson January 24, 1936
95 I Feel Like a Feather in the Breeze Jack Denny and his Orchestra, Wiffle Piffle Tom Johnson
Harold Walker
March 27, 1936
96 I Don't Want to Make History Vincent Lopez and his Orchestra (vocal by Johnny Morris), Wiffle Piffle Tom Johnson
Harold Walker
May 22, 1936
97 The Hills of Wyomin The Westerners / Curt Massey Tom Johnson
Harold Walker
July 31, 1936
98 I Can't Escape from You Joe Reichman and His Orchestra (vocal by Billie Bailey) Tom Johnson
David Hoffman
September 25, 1936
99 Talking Through My Heart Dick Stabile and his Orchestra, Wiffle Piffle Tom Johnson
Harold Walker
November 27, 1936

1937

No. Film Characters / Musicians Animation Original release date
100 Never Should Have Told You Nat Brandwynne and His Orchestra, Wiffle Piffle Roland Crandall January 29, 1937
101 Twilight on the Trail The Westerners / Louise Massey Roland Crandall March 26, 1937
102 Please Keep Me in Your Dreams Henry King (musician) and his Orchestra (vocal by Barbara Blake) Roland Crandall May 28, 1937
103 You Came to My Rescue Shep Fields and His Rippling Rhythm Orchestra Roland Crandall July 30, 1937
104 Whispers in the Dark Gus Arnheim and his Orchestra (vocal by June Robbins) Roland Crandall September 24, 1937
105 Magic on Broadway Jay Freeman and his Orchestra Roland Crandall November 26, 1937

1938

No. Film Characters / Musicians Animation Original release date
106 You Took the Words Right Out of My Heart Jerry Blaine and his Streamline Rhythm Orchestra (vocal by Phyllis Kenny) Roland Crandall January 28, 1938
107 Thanks for the Memory Bert Block and his Orchestra Roland Crandall March 25, 1938
108 You Leave Me Breathless Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra (vocal by Bob Eberly) Roland Crandall May 27, 1938
109 Beside a Moonlit Stream Frank Dailey and his Orchestra Roland Crandall July 29, 1938
Close

Famous Studios

"Start your day with a song and sing the whole day through. Even while you're busy working, do just like the birdies do! Though the day may be long, you never will go wrong. Off-key, on-key, any old key, just start your day with a song!"

Opening to the Famous Studios Screen Song shorts.

For all the shorts, the musical arrangements were made by Winston Sharples.

More information No., Film ...
No. Film Song Director Story Animation Scenics Original release date
110 The Circus Comes to Clown[a] "The Man on the Flying Trapeze" I. Sparber Bill Turner
Larz Bourne
Tom Johnson
Frank Endres
Anton Loeb December 26, 1947
111 Base Brawl "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" Seymour Kneitel Dave Tendlar
Tom Golden
Robert Connavale January 23, 1948
112 Little Brown Jug "Little Brown Jug" Bill Turner
Larry Riley
Orestes Calpini
Morey Reden
Bill Hudson
Tom Ford February 20, 1948
113 The Golden State "California, Here I Come" Larz Bourne
Larry Riley
Dave Tendlar
Bill Hudson
Robert Little March 12, 1948
114 Winter Draws On[b] "Alabamy Bound" Larz Bourne
Bill Turner
Al Eugster
Irving Spector
Tom Ford March 19, 1948
115 Sing or Swim "By the Beautiful Sea" I. Klein
Larry Riley
Robert Connavale June 16, 1948
116 Camptown Races "Camptown Races" Bill Turner
Larry Riley
Tom Ford July 30, 1948
117 The Lone Star State "Deep in the Heart of Texas" I. Sparber Larz Bourne Dave Tendlar
Morey Reden
Robert Connavale August 20, 1948
118 Readin', 'Ritin' and Rhythmetic "School Days" Seymour Kneitel I. Klein Al Eugster
Bill Hudson
October 22, 1948
119 The Funshine State "Tallahassee" Larz Bourne Dave Tendlar
Morey Reden
Shane Miller January 7, 1949
120 The Emerald Isle "MacNamara's Band" I. Klein Al Eugster
Bill Hudson
Tom Ford
Robert Owen
February 25, 1949
121 Comin' Round the Mountain "She'll Be Comin' 'Round the Mountain" I. Sparber Bill Turner Tom Johnson
Frank Endres
Anton Loeb March 11, 1949
122 The Stork Market "Pretty Baby" Seymour Kneitel Bill Turner
Larry Riley
Al Eugster
Wm. B. Pattengill
Shane Miller April 8, 1949
123 Spring Song "Spring Song" I. Sparber I. Klein Myron Waldman
Larry Silverman
June 3, 1949
124 The Ski's the Limit "I Miss My Swiss, My Swiss Miss Misses Me" Bill Turner
Larry Riley
Dave Tendlar
Tom Golden
Robert Connavale June 24, 1949
125 Toys Will Be Toys "Oh, You Beautiful Doll" Seymour Kneitel I. Klein Myron Waldman
Gordon Whittier
Robert Little July 29, 1949
126 Farm Foolery[c] "Shine On, Harvest Moon" Larz Bourne Al Eugster
Bill Hudson
Tom Ford August 5, 1949
127 Our Funny Finny Friends[d] "Three Little Fishies" Larz Bourne
Larry Riley
August 26, 1949
128 Marriage Wows "For Me and My Gal" I. Sparber Bill Turner
Larry Riley
Myron Waldman
Gordon Whittier
September 16, 1949
129 The Big Flame Up[e] "There'll Be a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight" I. Klein Dave Tendlar
Martin Taras
September 30, 1949
130 Strolling Thru the Park "Strolling Thru the Park" Seymour Kneitel Myron Waldman
Larry Silverman
Robert Little November 4, 1949
131 The Big Drip[b] "It Ain't Gonna Rain No Mo'" I. Sparber Larz Bourne
Larry Riley
Myron Waldman
Nick Tafuri
Tom Ford November 25, 1949
132 Snow Foolin' "Jingle Bells" I. Klein Myron Waldman
Gordon Whittier
December 16, 1949
133 Blue Hawaii "Blue Hawaii" Seymour Kneitel Larz Bourne Al Eugster
Wm. B. Pattengill
Lloyd Hallock Jr. January 13, 1950
134 Detouring Thru Maine "The Maine Stein Song" Al Eugster
Bill Hudson
Robert Connavale February 17, 1950
135 Short'nin' Bread "Shortenin' Bread" I. Sparber Larz Bourne
Larry Riley
Myron Waldman
Gordon Whittier
Anton Loeb March 24, 1950
136 Win, Place and Show Boat "Waiting for the Robert E. Lee" Al Eugster
Wm. B. Pattengill
Robert Connavale April 28, 1950
137 Jingle Jangle Jungle "Civilization (Bongo Bongo Bongo)" Seymour Kneitel Joe Stultz
Larry Riley
Myron Waldman
Larry Silverman
Tom Ford May 19, 1950
138 Heap Hep Injuns "My Pony Boy" I. Sparber Larz Bourne Tom Johnson
George Rufle
Anton Loeb June 30, 1950
139 Gobs of Fun[f] "Strike Up the Band (Here Comes a Sailor)" Larry Riley
Joe Stultz
Al Eugster
Irving Spector
Robert Owen July 28, 1950
140 Helter Swelter "In the Good Old Summer Time" Seymour Kneitel Larz Bourne
Larry Riley
Al Eugster
Wm. B. Pattengill
Tom Ford August 25, 1950
141 Boos in the Nite[g] "Pack Up Your Troubles" I. Sparber Joe Stultz
Larry Riley
Myron Waldman
Nick Tafuri
Anton Loeb September 22, 1950
142 Fiesta Time[h] "El Rancho Grande" Seymour Kneitel I. Klein Myron Waldman
Larry Silverman
October 20, 1950
143 Fresh Yeggs[i] "Give My Regards to Broadway" Larz Bourne Myron Waldman
Nick Tafuri
Robert Owen November 17, 1950
144 Tweet Music[j] "Let's All Sing Like the Birdies Sing" I. Sparber Joe Stultz Al Eugster
George Rufle
February 9, 1951
145 Drippy Mississippi "M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I" Seymour Kneitel Larz Bourne Myron Waldman
Gordon Whittier
Anton Loeb April 13, 1951
146 Miners Forty-Niners "Clementine" I. Sparber I. Klein Myron Waldman
Larry Silverman
May 18, 1951
147 Sing Again of Michigan[k] "I Want to Go Back to Michigan Down on the Farm" Larz Bourne Al Eugster
George Rufle
Robert Owen June 29, 1951
Close

See also

Notes

  1. First Screen Song short in the Paramount Picture series.
  2. First two Screen Song shorts featuring Buzzy the Crow in the Paramount Picture series.
  3. Only Screen Song short with only a picture cameo appearance of Little Audrey.
  4. Only Screen Song short featuring the fishes from McElligot's Pool, based on the book by Dr. Seuss in the Paramount Picture series.
  5. Only Screen Song short featuring Tim Turtle in the Paramount Picture series.
  6. Only Screen Song short featuring Herman in the Paramount Picture series.
  7. Only Screen Song short featuring the ghosts from Casper the Friendly Ghost in the Paramount Picture series.
  8. First Harveytoon short in the Paramount Picture series and first Screen Song/Harveytoon short reissued by Harvey Films.
  9. Only Screen Song/Harveytoon and Harveytoon short featuring Wolfie in the Paramount Picture series.
  10. Only Screen Song/Harveytoon and Harveytoon short featuring Inchy in the Paramount Picture series.
  11. Final Screen Song short featuring Buzzy the Crow in the Paramount Picture series and third Harveytoon short featuring him in it. Also final Screen Song short and the final Screen Song short reissued by Harvey Films.

References

Further reading

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