I remember in the 70s getting stoned and watching these max fleischer cartoons at the theatre. They are perfect for that state of mind. He was ahead of his time
Actually the 1920s was a very liberal time. It was the Victorian Era before than (before and during World War One) that was formal and conservative. Drug use and free-thinking was encouraged during the 1920s. The economy prospered, and nobody wanted any part of that rigid, conservative Victorian society that led to The Great War where nobody really won because the loss in lives, etc was so tremendous on both sides. Many of the jazz musicians of the Roaring 20s smoked cannabis, etc. One can hear it in the sound of their music, etc. The 1920s was a lot like the 1960s in the way of free-thinking, the trying out of new social norms and mind-expanding drugs, etc. Of course the early 1930s simply followed the 1920s.
wow awesome -- today is Ethel's 100th Birthday and I put up a thread on imdb about it and someone posted a link to this. wonderful. But now I can't get this song outta my head!
Thanks for posting this. The subtext for the lyrics is really interesting! Did you notice that when the "convict cat" speaks - he sounds like Groucho Marx? This tune DOES stick in your head!
I came here after "discovering" the song on a 1932 radio show of Anson Weeks and his Orchestra. I like the radio version better. Ethel's a bit much on this one.
