Utterly fantastic! I have been a fan of the Mills Brothers ever since I played one of their records from my dad's 78 collection back in 1962. Superb music and a splendid cartoon which made me chuckle 80 years after it was produced.
The depth of their discography, the untimely death of John Jr. in 1936, which probably altered their style in future years, and the fact that they were a black singing group, which probably did not get much play in certain areas of the country, and the fact that they were the first black to have their own radio show, and their longevity should speak for itself.
Me too. Discovered them by chance as a ten year old back in '74. Loved their work ever since. Back in '91, Donald Mills held my two year old daughter and sang to her "daddy's little girl" at my request at concert he was part of. All three of my daughters heard that song as their first song after they were born. They all were something else. 😊🙏
At that point in time the Mills Brothers were the most popular and best singing group of the period. If you would poll musicologist on this point they would agree with the Mills Brothers.
Actually, the record used for that cartoon was done by William Costello (known as "Red Pepper Sam" in vaudeville); he was cast as Popeye the Sailor in the subsequent cartoon series.
I Did'nt know this was Public Domain because i just ordered a DVD called Popeye, Betty Boop, & more Fliescher Favorites and this cartoon was included in the collection.
Even though the UM&MTV prints are really excellent pictorially and sound wise I would love for a restoration that might restore the original title artwork if at all possible as the UM&MTV titles look so crappy. I get my inspiration from the incredible job that was done with the Popeye classic black and white cartoons restoring the beautiful Paramount titles.
I believe the Fleischer estate is working with Paramount to get these cartoons restored. One of the biggest issues, aside from having to twist Paramount's arm to cooperate, is the fact that the U.M.&M. title alterations were done straight onto the original camera negatives.
That's why I said that when John Jr. died, it affected how they sounded. With John Sr. in the group they started to sound like an older group, but before that they were the freshest and most inventive singing group on the scene, and three part harmony is easier, than four or five part harmony.
Good cartoon; it's too bad it hasn't yet been properly restored. Like everyone else viewing this, it is a bit shocking to see not only young men, but the ill-fated eldest brother who had so much to give.
Very nice. :) Too bad Bing Crosby wasn't in it though. (Bing Crosby and the Mills Brothers joined forces to have a huge hit with this song in 1932, the same year this sing-a-long cartoon was made.)
Are the great Fleischer brothers screen songs from the early sound period finally available on DVD? I have been looking on and off for some time to no avail. Folks it does not get any better than this. I used to discuss close microphone techniques with Les Paul and we could not get through the subject without mentioning the brilliant technique of the Mills Brothers who experiemented in the early days of recorded sound to develop their very unique sound.
Especially as evidenced in his many records with then-wife Mary Ford--albeit with an updated (multi-tracking) technique, like overdubbing electric guitars, for example.
