There's a copy of a film adaptation of the song "Mysterious Mose", which has become super popular thanks to some online trend or something
FILMOGRAPHY
Scanlan and Murray in "Finding his Voice"
Center image: Walter Van Brunt (known as "Walter Scanlan") (left) and Billy Murray (right) as drawn in Max Fleischer's "Finding his Voice" (1929). The film educated the public about Western Electric's sound-on-film process, with Van Brunt playing Mutie (a silent film), and Murray playing Talkie (a sound film). Notice the two characters were drawn similarly as their voices, with the same facial structures and expressions as shown in their actual photographs (far left and far right).
Last modified: March 15, 2011
From 1929 to 1931, Murray appeared and voiced in several one-reel sound films. His popularity as a phonograph artist since 1903 had sunken by the mid 1920s, and by late 1928, the Victor Talking Machine Company (where he was employed as an exclusive artist since 1920) did not renew his recording contract.
His first commercial on-screen appearances were released in early 1929, when he and seven other artists (altogether known as the "Eight Popular Victor Artists") appeared in two Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer short films. Throughout 1929 and into 1931, Murray and his colleague Walter Van Brunt ("Walter Scanlan") worked as freelance recording artists for both major and minor record companies, as well as devoting some of their time to providing cartoon voices for Max Fleischer's "Talkartoons" and "Screen Songs" (with the ball bouncing over the words). Murray and Van Brunt were the first of several musical guests to be featured by the Fleischer studios, probably beginning with the 1929 Western Electric promotional short, "Finding his Voice." (Other more major musical stars who would follow included Rudy Valleé, Cab Calloway, Louis Armstrong, Ethel Merman, Don Redman, Irene Bordoni, Art Jarrett, and several others.)
Murray's cartoon career ends around the same time when he, along with Van Brunt and Marcella Shields, went into a weekly radio broadcast on WJZ, for Dutch Masters Cigars.
The filmography presented here covers all of Murray's known visual appearances, cartoons in which he provided voices, home movies, feature films, and documentaries in which his phonograph records are heard (all of the latter were produced after his death). There has been a reliable report of a homemade film of Murray with the Eight Popular Victor Artists prior to 1929, and I will describe more about it as soon as I can organize the details.
About the Research
Unfortunately, the personnel files for the Fleischer studios, where Murray did the majority of his film work, have disappeared. Even the dialogue sheets that were submitted to the New York censorship board did not contain the voice characterizations. The only item coming close to being a primary document is a newspaper interview Murray did in 1940: "In the last few years, before Paramount closed the studio, Billy had a job making freak noises for the Fleischer shorts in Astoria—elephants, lions, mice, whatever. He also sang the songs they filmed for the Bouncing Ball shorts."*
Since he does not appear visually, or in any of the credits for his cartoons, the only way Murray could be identified was by conservative, aural evidence. With a few exceptions, I personally viewed every film listed here; otherwise, I either consulted primary documents, or the soundtrack discs. I did not list every detail of Murray's presence in these cartoons, however, since he voiced several minor parts, such as grunts, moans, humming, cat voices, etc. I only highlighted his most significant parts in which he is the easiest to identify. Quotations of his spoken roles were transcribed from the dialog sheets submitted to the New York censorship board (as noted), but in some cases where no sheets or scripts were submitted, I quoted Murray's lines based on aural evidence.
This filmography is arranged by the copyright date, drawn from the Library of Congress' Motion Picture Copyright Catalog (1912-1939), followed by the actual release date, as documented in Motion Picture News. This will hopefully set the record straight for the many incorrect dates found on various websites. Additional information that may not appear in the credits were also drawn from the Library of Congress catalog.
Regarding the availability of these films, most of the Fleischer "Talkartoons" and "Screen Songs" are available on DVDs for $25 each at Jerry Beck's Cartoon Research Garage Sale. The volumes consulted for this filmography were the Lost Fleischer series (Vols. 1, 3, 4, and 8), and Terrytoons (Vol. 3).
The Betty Boop cartoons in which Murray is present were distributed by Republic Pictures in 1996, in their VHS set, Betty Boop: The Definitive Collection (Vol. 1 "The Birth of Betty," and Vol. 4, "Musical Madness"), but they are also available for viewing on YouTube. The links to these films appear in the listings, and feel free to watch any of these films and put my written descriptions to the test!
*"Nostalgia Booms Demand for Murray's Gilt-Edge Lilts," New York World-Telegram, August 26, 1940, page 19.
Movietone Act:
RUBE MINSTRELS
Copyrighted January 28, 1929
Released March 9, 1929 (Saturday)
Copyright renewed November 5, 1956 (Loew's Incorporated)
Starring the Eight Popular Victor Artists: Frank Banta, piano; Stanley Baughman, bass; Henry Burr, tenor; Sammy Herman, xylophone; Carl Mathieu, tenor; Billy Murray, tenor/comedian; Monroe Silver, comedian; and James Stanley, baritone.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corporation. 1 reel.
According to the license application, this film was manufactured in November of 1928, and the scheduled release date was January of 1929. A copy of this film has not been located, but the soundtrack exists on a 16" Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer transcription disc, pressed by the Columbia Phonograph Company, in which this evaluation was consulted. The runout of the disc gives a date of November 21, 1928, which could be the filming date. The songs performed are the following:
1. Opening chorus, "Hail, Hail, the Gang's All Here"
2. "Where Do Mosquitoes Go in the Wintertime?" (Murray)
3. "The Farmer Took Another Load Away" (Peerless Quartet)
4. Xylophone solo (Herman)
5. I'll Open the Door and Close the Door (Silver) (announced as "A Bow-Legged Girl May Be Healthy, but She's in Terrible Shape")
6. Grand finale, "Good-bye Friends" (Chorus)
Movietone Act:
AT THE CLUB
Copyrighted February 4, 1929
Released May 18, 1929 (Saturday)
Copyright renewed November 13, 1956 (Loew's Incorporated)
Starring the Eight Popular Victor Artists: Frank Banta, piano; Stanley Baughman, bass; Henry Burr, tenor; Sammy Herman, xylophone; Carl Mathieu, tenor; Billy Murray, tenor/comedian; Monroe Silver, comedian; and James Stanley, baritone.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corporation. 1 reel.
According to the license application, this film was manufactured in November of 1928, and the scheduled release date was January of 1929. A copy of this film exists, but no copies of the soundtrack disc have been located. For a detailed description of the film, see REQUEST FOR RETURN OF COPYRIGHT DEPOSITS in the Archives.
FINDING HIS VOICE
An Animated Cartoon Synchronized to Voice & Sound
Copyrighted June 21, 1929 (Friday)
Directed by F. Lyle Goldman and Max Fleischer. Story by Charles Wisner Barrell (as "W. E. Erpi").
Western Electric Company, Inc. 1 reel.
Billy Murray and Walter Van Brunt are two filmstrips. Talkie (Murray) is a sound film, and Mutie (Van Brunt) is a silent film. The characters' facial expressions are also drawn similarly to that of their voices.
After Mutie interrupts Talkie's xylophone solo, he explains that he had been out of work for a while, and asks Talkie where he got his "voice." Talkie then takes him to see Dr. Western, a film surgeon, who shows Mutie the process of producing sound films. Dr. Western explains the process of recording, mixing, printing the soundtrack and picture from two film negatives, projection, reproducing the sound, and theater amplification.
When Talkie is asked to put on an act, Walter Van Brunt takes the place of Murray, in which he sings "Love's Old Sweet Song." After Mutie "finds his voice," both Murray and Van Brunt harmonize together in "Goodnight Ladies," before getting eaten by a whale.
Note: A copy of this film can be viewed at Internet Archive:
http://www.archive.org/details/FindingH1929. This was also released on Warner Bros.' 3-DVD set of The Jazz Singer.
Screen Songs:
SMILES
Released September 28, 1929 (Saturday)
Produced and arranged by Max Fleischer. Directed by Dave Fleischer.
Paramount Famous Lasky Corporation. 1 reel.
Based on the 1918 song by Lee S. Roberts, with lyrics by J. Will Callahan. The animation sequence surrounds a male quartet, in which they harmonize "Smiles" with various facial expressions.
Murray opens up the short as the voice of a quartet member: "All set? Let's harmonize a little." He also introduces the bouncing ball while the audience is laughing: "Just a moment folks, wait a minute, wait a minute, please! You can laugh later on. Now how 'bout a little singing, huh? The bouncing ball will lead you. And listen, here's your key note. All ready? [Pitch] Go."
Screen Songs:
OH YOU BEAUTIFUL DOLL
Released October 12, 1929 (Saturday)
Produced and arranged by Max Fleischer. Directed by Dave Fleischer.
Paramount Famous Lasky Corporation. 1 reel.
Based on the 1911 song by Nat D. Ayer, with lyrics by Seymour Brown. Tommy the cat is cleaning up his music store, but when Mariah comes in wanting to hear "Oh You Beautiful Doll," he gets annoyed when a mouse continues to interrupt him.
Murray probably voices Tommy, when he sings "Oh You Beautiful Doll" (disguising his voice as a cat, as he will soon demonstrate). He also introduces the bouncing ball: "Now if all you sheiks and sheikesses will untangle yourselves a moment, we'll show Tommy and 'Marier' [demonstrating cat voice] how to sing this song. On your mark, sit up straight, here we go." Walter Van Brunt sings solo in the second verse.
Murray recorded "Oh You Beautiful Doll" with the Premier and American Quartets for Edison and Victor in 1911.
Note: A copy of this film can be viewed on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CKyQldV1rU.
Talkartoons:
NOAH'S LARK
Released October 26, 1929 (Saturday)
Produced by Max Fleischer. Directed by Dave Fleischer. Max H. Manne, musical advisor.
Paramount Famous Lasky Corporation. 1 reel.
When Noah's arc of animals discover Coney Island, the animals run to join the fun. Noah tries to call them back, but gets caught in a wild dance when a couple of fish get in his clothes. After he punches a police officer on the head, everyone runs back to the arc, but it sinks when it gets overcrowded.
Murray sings in the opening chorus, "There's a Wide River to Cross," and does a few minor voice effects in the film. James Stanley also contributes to the opening chorus, with "Ahoy!"
Note: A copy of this film can be viewed on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4wDJT2VsUY.
Screen Songs:
PUT ON YOUR OLD GREY BONNET
Released November 23, 1929 (Saturday)
Produced by Max Fleischer. Directed by Dave Fleischer.
Paramount Famous Lasky Corporation. 1 reel.
Based on the 1909 song by Percy Wenrich, with lyrics by Stanley Murphy. The animation surrounds a four-piece band, consisting of a banjo, saxophone, violin, and flute, in which they play "Put on Your Old Grey Bonnet."
James Stanley introduces the bouncing ball, and solos in most of the first verse. Walter Van Brunt solos briefly in the first verse, disguising his voice as an elderly man: "Dear-ie don't be wea-ry, You were al-ways bright and cheer-y, But a tear, dear, dims your eye." Murray then sings in a high-pitched voice as an elderly lady: "they're tears of glad-ness, Si-las, They're not tears of sad-ness, It is fif-ty years to-day, since we were wed." Van Brunt solos again in the first chorus, disguising his voice as he did previously. In the second chorus, Murray sings in his regular voice.
Murray recorded "Put on Your Old Grey Bonnet" in choruses assisting Frederic Potter and Joseph Phillips for Edison in 1909 and 1912 respectively.
Note: A copy of this film can be viewed on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqV8CUvEAZI.
Screen Songs:
I'VE GOT RINGS ON MY FINGERS
Released December 7, 1929 (Saturday)
Produced Max Fleischer. Directed by Dave Fleischer.
Paramount Famous Lasky Corporation. 1 reel.
Based on the 1909 song by Maurice Scott, with lyrics by Weston and Barnes. An Irish police officer is directing airplane traffic in the sky. He writes a mouse a ticket for speeding, reckless driving, answering back, and "turning right on wrong way street." Angered, the mouse drags the officer along for a ride. After getting himself tangled with a fish in a cloud, the officer falls on an island.
Murray voices the officer: "Hey you, where do you think you're going?" He also introduces the bouncing ball in an Irish accent: "Sure now 'tis hard to keep bouncin', but here's what I'll do, folks, sing and I'll keep bouncin' all the way through, for you. So, come on now, everyone join in." He sings lead during the first verse, and solos in the first chorus. Walter Van Brunt sings solo through most of the second verse, then Murray joins in and sings in the final chorus.
Murray recorded "I've Got Rings on My Fingers" for Edison and Victor between 1909 and 1910.
Note: A copy of this film can be viewed on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jY_b48hqfQ.
Screen Songs:
BEDELIA
Released January 4, 1930 (Saturday)
Produced by Max Fleischer. Directed by Dave Fleischer.
Paramount Famous Lasky Corporation. 1 reel.
Based on the 1903 song by Jean Schwartz, with lyrics by William Jerome. A dog visits his girlfriend Bedelia who's still in bed. After she hears her boyfriend calling her continuously, she gets herself in a mess with her wig, false teeth, and dress. She goes to the balcony to answer back, but when he starts to dance, she objects by dropping a plant on his head.
Murray sings lead and solo during the first verse, and solos in both choruses. He recorded "Bedelia" for Edison in 1903 and 1908.
Note: A copy of this film can be viewed on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXhWDQ7v0hE.
Screen Songs:
IN THE SHADE OF THE OLD APPLE TREE
Released January 18, 1930 (Saturday)
Produced by Max Fleischer. Directed by Dave Fleischer.
Paramount Famous Lasky Corporation. 1 reel.
Based on the 1905 song by Egbert Van Alstyne, with lyrics by Harry Williams. When the twelve o'clock whistle blows, everyone runs out of the factory to lunch. After a bear struggles with trying to bite his sandwich, he turns to an apple instead. When he sees a worm in the second apple, he tosses it back and hits a lady bear upside down in a tree. She calls for help, but he gets hit with apples after attempting to rescue her.
Murray introduces the bouncing ball: "Old Adam was a peaceful gaunt who never thought of sin, as over paradise he'd walk all dressed up in his skin. He knew no discontentment though he only had one wife, until he ate the apple and he learned the facts of life. So let us sing the praises of the good old apple tree. Sing and let your Adams apple bounce along with me." He can also be slightly heard singing in the final chorus.
Murray recorded a parody of "In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree" for Victor in 1905.
Note: A copy of this film can be viewed on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jTdgM66mWg.
Screen Songs:
I'M AFRAID TO GO [sic] HOME IN THE DARK
Released February 1, 1930 (Saturday)
Produced and arranged by Max Fleischer. Directed by Dave Fleischer.
Paramount Famous Lasky Corporation. 1 reel.
Based on the 1907 song by Egbert Van Alstyne, with lyrics by Harry Williams. The clock strikes three—a dog leaves a party after telling them goodnight, but gets in a mess with his shadow while passing through a graveyard. He tries to fight it off and escape, but the shadow sticks him to the ground, and causes him to lose his nose.
Murray introduces the bouncing ball: "When spirits squeak and specters creak and skeletons growl and groan, when gruesome hosts of spooks and ghosts crop out of the ground and moan. When the goblin's out to get your skin and make it into a shroud, the only way to scare 'em is to sing out loud!" James Stanley also contributes to the introduction, "[The] way to scare most anything is to sing out loud!" Murray sings lead in the first verse, and solos in a drunken voice during the first chorus. Walter Van Brunt solos in the second verse.
Murray recorded "I'm Afraid to Come Home in the Dark" for Columbia, Edison, Victor, and Zonophone between 1907 and 1908.
Note: A copy of this film can be viewed on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8APpv3wqA7c.
Talkartoons:
RADIO RIOT
Released February 15, 1930 (Saturday)
Produced by Max Fleischer. Directed by Dave Fleischer. Max H. Manne, musical advisor.
Paramount Famous Lasky Corporation. 1 reel.
This animation presents parodies on the commonly heard radio programs of the day, such as the exercise programs, the music programs, and the bedtime story. The sypnosis sheet submitted to the New York censorship board describes the film best:
RADIO RIOT presents the program broadcast from Station III, Mr. Frog, announcer.
The program opens with the Daily Exercise Hour, includes a musical program and closes with an appropriate bedtime story.
So enthusiastic is Mr. Frog that even a sleepy-head spider awakens to join the goldfish, cat and mice in their morning exercises.
The Buzz Boys (fly quartette) sing the Dutch Warbler and the entire Radio Station sways to the strains of Funiculi, Funicula, viola selection.
Three little bears listen to the bedtime story about a "Great Big Hairy Ape" and the radio sneaks slowly up to them and swallows them whole - but the three little bears appear unexpectedly from the loud speaker and give the announcer the "Razz". [sic]
Murray is heard in several parts of the film. He sings in the opening chorus, speaks in an Italian accent when the fish exercises in a bowl, and hosts the exercise program when the spider wakes up: "Now, for the next exercise: open the window, place your teeth on the dresser, rest the left knee on the right hip, and twist both ankles slowly around the neck several times..." He is also the evil narrator when the children of bears listen to the bedtime story: "This is the bedtime story dears, so hold onto your beds and open your ears. It's about a great big hairy ape, who sneaks in at night from the fire escape. If he picks on you your name is mud, he's strong and mean and he's out for blood…" James Stanley is also heard in parts of the film, most distinctively as the frog announcer.
Note: A copy of this film can be viewed on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8WKdosZXF4.
Screen Songs:
PRISONER'S SONG
Released March 1, 1930 (Saturday)
Produced and arranged by Max Fleischer. Directed by Dave Fleischer.
Paramount Famous Lasky Corporation. 1 reel.
Based on the song by Guy Massey, published in 1924 and popularized by Vernon Dalhart. The setting takes place in a prison yard, where a lazy prisoner is put to work hammering rocks. He cries after his hammer kept falling apart, and his tear becomes the bouncing ball.
Murray is heard in the opening title: "Stick 'em up. Hands up I tell ya, and keep 'em up or I'll let daylight through ya." He contributes to the introduction in an Irish accent: "You all think you're free, maybe so, who can tell? Free to sweat for your bread and to struggle like, well. Take a tip from this smug, life is only a cell down in old Sing Sing." Walter Van Brunt also contributes to the introduction in an Italian accent: "Get up in the morning, no rush-a for the sub. You're sure from your grub. The landlords, he no trub. And once on that Christmas a-scrub in the tub, that's-a dear Sing Sing." James Stanley contributes to the introduction before the first verse is sung.
Note: A copy of this film can be viewed on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0U7CVkZdFyI.
Talkartoons:
HOT DOG
Released March 29, 1930 (Saturday)
Produced by Max Fleischer. Directed by Dave Fleischer.
Paramount Famous Lasky Corporation. 1 reel.
This is probably the first, if not one of the first shorts to feature the character Bimbo. He drives around in his car tipping his hat to the ladies, but gets in trouble with the law after he tries to kiss one. He marches to the courthouse, where he takes out his banjo and strums and sings a stompy version of "St. Louis Blues."
Murray sings in the opening chorus to the tune of "Polly Wolly Doodle," according to the dialog sheet:
When you're riding in your flivver
And you pass a lady fair,
Go (whistle)
If she turns around and greets you
With a familiar air,
And goes, Yoo-hoo (whistle)
Get away! Get away!
If you're wise you'll take the air;
If the cops are on your trail,
You'll be breaking rocks in jail,
And you'll go (whistle. [sic]
He also contributes other minor vocal effects in the film.
Note: A copy of this film can be viewed on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDQLh8Ov0b4.
Talkartoons:
FIRE BUGS
Released May 10, 1930 (Saturday)
Produced by Max Fleischer. Directed by Dave Fleischer. Animated by Ted Sears and Grim Natwick.
Paramount Publix Corporation. 1 reel.
Bimbo is a firefighter. After the mice warm up the fire truck, he and his horse Sparky run off to fight a fire in an apartment building. He tries to rescue a pianist playing Franz Liszt's Second Hungarian Rhapsody, but the pianist refuses to stop and leave his piano. Bimbo then drags the piano through the hall and out the window.
Murray is difficult to identify, but his presence can be confirmed if one listens carefully. He is heard on certain phrases, such as "Put on your shoes," "That's all there is; there ain't no more," "Get out," and other minor voice effects.
Note: A copy of this film can be viewed on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3NnVrqAxkw.
Screen Songs:
COME TAKE A TRIP IN MY AIRSHIP
Released May 24, 1930 (Saturday)
Produced by Max Fleischer. Directed by Dave Fleischer. Animated by Willard Bowsky.
Paramount Publix Corporation. 1 reel.
Based on the 1904 song by George Evans, with lyrics by Ren Shields. The animation surrounds Kitty—a cat—receiving her new piano.
Murray introduces the bouncing ball, with live action footage of an airplane view over a city. According to the dialog sheet:
About twenty-seven years ago there was a lot of kidding about airships. There was even a comedy song about them. Today with planes hopping around as thick as flies, we can appreciate the old song more than ever. Let's try it again. Follow the bouncing ball and sing as loud as you can. Now, all together."
Murray recorded "Come Take a Trip in My Airship" for Edison and Victor between 1904 and 1905.
Note: A copy of this film can be viewed on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrTKXt_M9wo.
Screen Songs:
IN THE GOOD OLD SUMMER TIME
Released June 7, 1930 (Saturday)
Produced and animated by Max Fleischer. Directed by Dave Fleischer.
Paramount Publix Corporation. 1 reel.
Based on the 1902 song by George Evans, with lyrics by Ren Shields. A large group of animals stroll down the street to go to the park. Even the food, clothes, and other items leave the stores to join the fun.
Murray is the voice of the hippopotamus who gulps down the mice jumping into the lake. He also introduces the bouncing ball (per dialog sheet):
Ha, ha. Good old summer time. We'll never tire of that old favorite. Let's try it. What do you say? Just follow the ball and sing out loud. Now, everybody. Here we go."
Murray recorded "In the Good Old Summertime" as a remake for Edison in 1905.
Note: A copy of this film can be viewed on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIHIkE8LGpY.
Talkartoons:
WISE FLIES
Released July 19, 1930 (Saturday)
Produced by Max Fleischer. Directed by Dave Fleischer. Animated by Willard Bowsky and Ted Sears.
Paramount Publix Corporation. 1 reel.
A spider and his wife have problems trying to catch flies. After he is caught serenading "Some of These Days" to a lady fly, his wife beats him over the head.
Murray sings solo in the opening title, according to the dialog sheet:
Won't you come into my parlor
Said the spider to the fly,
I've heard that line before, said she
And slyly winked her eye.
An' you needn't try to coax me
'Cause you're only wasting breath,
For the flies are getting wiser--
That's why spiders starve to death.
Besides my mother told me
All about that parlor stuff,
So I think I'll run along
Before the party gets too rough.
He also contributes minor voice effects throughout the film, most notably as the male spider.
Note: A copy of this film can be viewed on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B98r-hC-ZF8.
Screen Songs:
A HOT TIME IN THE OLD TOWN TONIGHT
Released August 2, 1930 (Saturday)
Produced Max Fleischer. Directed by Dave Fleischer. Animated by Seymour Kneitel.
Paramount Publix Corporation. 1 reel.
Based on the 1896 song by Theodore Metz, with lyrics by Joe Hayden. A town of mice get together at a dance, in which they call "whoopee."
Murray grunts when the tree pulls down the sun, and he is heard in the quartet of mice humming "We Won't Go Home Untill Morning." Walter Van Brunt introduces the bouncing ball: "Back in '98 a wild party was called a 'hot time.' Today, we call it 'whoopee.' We'll know in a minute by the way you sing whether it's whoopee or not. Just keep your eye on the ball and let's go for a 'hot time,' and keep singing out loud." Murray disguises his voice in the first verse, and sings in the choruses.
Murray recorded "A Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight" in a medley of "Songs of Other Days" with the Metropolitan Mixed Chorus for Edison in 1916, and reportedly made a Bacigalupi cylinder of the song in the late 1890s.
Note: A copy of this film can be viewed on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caeOJILw990.
Talkartoons:
DIZZY DISHES
Released August 9, 1930 (Saturday)
Produced by Max Fleischer. Directed by Dave Fleischer. Animated by Grim Natwick and Ted Sears.
Paramount Publix Corporation. 1 reel.
Historically, this is the earliest Fleischer cartoon to feature a character who would later become famous as Betty Boop (drawn as half-human and half-dog, as one can tell by the ears). Bimbo is a waiter at a nightclub, but he gets in trouble with a customer after he doesn't serve him his roast duck. He gets attracted to a stage singer (Boop, voiced by Mae Questel), who sings "I Have to Have You." When Bimbo gets chased into the kitchen by an angry customer, he escapes on a train.
Murray sings in the opening credits, according to the dialog sheet:
Step right this way
To our cabaret
Don't wait to be invited;
Just check your broom
You'll find room
Come in and get excited.
Shake your feet
Sit down and eat
Corned beef or macaroni;
Our food's well spiced
But when it's sliced
It's just a lot of boloney.
He also does very minor voice effects throughout the film, most notably as Bimbo bringing the roast duck, and the angry customer demanding the roast duck. Walter Van Brunt voices a few of the customers in the kitchen, one being: "Why don't you wake up and chop that steak up and…"
Note: A copy of this film can be viewed on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79tIpX8Tnl0.
Talkartoons:
BARNACLE BILL
Released August 30, 1930 (Saturday)
Produced by Max Fleischer. Directed by Dave Fleischer. Animated by Rudy Zamora and Seymour Kneitel.
Paramount Publix Corporation. 1 reel.
Based on the song "Barnacle Bill the Sailor" by Carson Robison and Frank Luther. Bimbo is a sailor who's told not to leave the ship, but after the captain knocks himself out, he goes to visit one of his girlfriends, Nancy Lee (drawn as Betty Boop, voiced by Mae Questel). They render "Barnacle Bill the Sailor" throughout most of the film. After the captain catches up with him, Bimbo is chased into the ocean where he discovers a party of mermaids.
Murray's role is very minor, but he is distinct when Bimbo searches his address book for Nancy Lee: "Oh yeah…that's the one."
Note: A copy of this film can be viewed on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBKAG0ut9Ds.
Screen Songs:
THE STEIN SONG
With Rudy Valleé and His Connecticut Yankees
Released September 6, 1930 (Saturday)
Produced by Max Fleischer. Directed by Dave Fleischer. Animated by Rudy Zamora and Jimmie Culhane.
Paramount Publix Corporation. 1 reel.
Based on the University of Maine's fight song written by E. A. Fenstad, with lyrics by Lincoln Colcord. The animation surrounds a mouse playing against a team of cats at a college football game. He gets tackled, but manages to cling to the ball when it gets stolen, and kick himself a touchdown.
Murray contributes a few minor voice effects during the animation, and introduces the bouncing ball. According to the dialog sheet:
The Stein Song is one of those rare compositions that wins over all listeners with their lively swing. Because of its own charm and natural appeal it wasn't necessary for anybody to make it popular, but there's one man who made it famous---Rudy Valleé.
Live action footage of the popular bandleader is shown. Valleé:
Heigh-ho, everybody! I know you all love the old Maine Stein Song. I wish you'd join us in singing it. You'll find it easy to keep in time if you sing with the little Bouncing Ball. Here we are. Get ready. Let's go."
After Valleé's solo, Murray demonstrates his ability to change voices.
Note: A copy of this film can be viewed on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdL0RSNQLAA.
Talkartoons:
SWING YOU SINNERS!
Released September 20, 1930 (Saturday)
Produced by Max Fleischer. Directed by Dave Fleischer. Animated by Ted Sears and Willard Bowsky.
Paramount Publix Corporation. 1 reel.
Based on the song "Sing You Sinners" by W. Franke Harling and Sam Coslow. Bimbo tries to steal a chicken, but when a cop chases him, he gets trapped in a graveyard. The ghosts and tombstones sing and shame him for stealing. He escapes into a barn, where they break into a jazzy version of "Swing You Sinners." He runs out with all types of spooks and ghosts chasing him, before getting eaten by a skeleton.
Murray is difficult to identify, but his presence can be confirmed if one listens carefully. He does the voice effects of the police officer, the mild laughter as Bimbo walks with a chicken in his pants, and the panting of ghosts as Bimbo runs over the hill.
Note: A copy of this film can be viewed on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8b8isnhYMjg.
Screen Songs:
MARIUTCH
Released November 15, 1930 (Saturday)
Produced by Max Fleischer. Directed by Dave Fleischer. Animated by Grim Natwick and George Cannata.
Paramount Publix Corporation. 1 reel.
Based on the 1907 song "Mariutch (Make-a the Hootch-a ma Kootch) Down at Coney Isle" by Harry Von Tilzer, with lyrics by Andrew B. Sterling. An Italian immigrant misses his wife Mariutch, who left him. After kicking a police officer in the leg and being chased into a café, he discovers his wife, where she's an exotic dancer. The officer finally finds him in the café and knocks him over the head.
Murray is the voice of the officer chasing the immigrant, and introduces the bouncing ball in an Italian accent. According to the dialog sheet:
Ladies and-a gentlemen. I like-a you please sing-a wid me about ma gal, Mariutch. Whaddya say, eh? Now looka wot I speak. Joosta keepa your eye on de little ball wot bounce up-a-stairs and down-a-stairs, and when-a she jump on-a top o' de words, den you sing-a joosta wot you see. That's all. Thank-a you too much.
Note: Portions of this film can be viewed at ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive:
http://www.animationarchive.org/2006/06 ... -1930.html. The Library of Congress copyright catalog lists Max Fleischer as the animator.
Talkartoons: Bimbo in
UP TO MARS
Released November 22, 1930 (Saturday)
Produced by Max Fleischer. Directed by Dave Fleischer. Animated by Rudy Zamora and Jimmie Culhane.
Paramount Publix Corporation. 1 reel.
While setting off fireworks, Bimbo gets annoyed by a mouse. He tries to catch him, but the mouse sets Bimbo off on a rocket to Mars. When he lands, he experiences unusual occurrences—someone sawing saws with a log, a robber giving instead of stealing, someone mailing a letter larger than the mailbox, and a dancing old man whose legs escape him. Bimbo is then ordered to march with the Martian soldiers, and he gets off the planet by setting off one of the fireworks in his pocket.
Murray demonstrates numerous voice effects throughout the entire film. He is also the voice of the commander, and sings in the chorus to the tune of "The Toymaker's Dream." According to the dialog sheet, the lyrics are:
Fooy. Hop tzi-ga-tza ko-ko-mo-ka-ha fooy.
Hoy-ah-tzik-a-tzik-a hoy-a-yo-ko-mo-ka fooy.
Sa-po-li-o ba-lu-ko mo-le-vy con-so-may
Vo-do-de-o na-bis-co mo-le-vy con-so-may
Piz-ta-schi-o za-mo-ra mo-le-vy cons-so-may
An-to-ni-o jo-bon-omo chi-wa-wa man-da-lay,
Ko-ko-mo to-ron-to ahf-dir-ge-zoogt-oy-vay. fooy. [sic]
Screen Songs:
ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON
Released November 29, 1930 (Saturday)
Produced by Max Fleischer. Directed by Dave Fleischer. Animated by Rudy Zamora and Jimmie Culhane.
Paramount Publix Corporation. 1 reel.
Based on the 1902 song by Harry Von Tilzer, with lyrics by Andrew B. Sterling. A family of cats take a car ride on a Sunday afternoon. After fixing a flat tire with a crutch, and stopping for gasoline, the family goes golfing.
Murray is the voice of the dog at the gas station, and introduces the bouncing ball, according to the dialog sheet:
Sunday afternoon. Most of us never see much of Sunday morning -- we're still getting over Saturday night. But Sunday afternoon; that's the time we doll up to go places and do things, so let's all sing that good old timer "Sunday Afternoon". [sic] All ready?-----Follow the ball.
Screen Songs:
ROW ROW ROW
Released December 20, 1930 (Saturday)
Produced by Max Fleischer. Directed by Dave Fleischer. Animated by Seymour Kneitel and Rudolph Eggeman.
Paramount Publix Corporation. 1 reel.
Based on the 1912 song by Jimmie V. Monaco, with lyrics by William Jerome. A sailor walks into a dance hall, steals a woman, and takes her to dance. When her children show up and call the sailor, "Daddy," he runs out and tries to get away in a boat, but she chases him and throws the bouncing ball at him.
Murray contributes minor voice effects during the animation, and introduces the bouncing ball. According to the dialog sheet:
Rowing is a good old sport. If you had a boat you could go rowing, if you had the oars -- that is, if you had a river. But it's much easier to sing about it. Just let the little ball lead and everybody dive in. Come on, rock the boat or anything you like. Well, here we go.
Murray recorded "Row, Row, Row" with the American Quartet for Victor in 1913.
Talkartoons: Bimbo in
MYSTERIOUS MOSE
Released December 27, 1930 (Saturday)
Produced by Max Fleischer. Directed by Dave Fleischer. Animated by Willard Bowsky and Ted Sears.
Paramount Publix Corporation. 1 reel.
Based on the song by Walter Doyle. Betty Boop (voiced by Mae Questel) is haunted by the moaning and noises at night. She then falls in love with the real spook, Bimbo.
Murray can be heard slightly during the opening chorus, according to the dialog sheet:
On some dark and stormy night
While the tempest blows
If someone whistles -------
That's Mysterious Mose.
He is also the voice of the moose head: "Who I am or what I am nobody seems to know."
Note: A copy of this film can be viewed on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdhbCZPDXFo.
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