"Old Mac Donald Had A Farm" - Screensong (1947)

Beginning around 1929 the “bouncing ball” type of cartoon began to rise in popularity. This was to be expected with the advent of sound in films. But I don’t think that anyone really saw the potential that these cartoons had in the way of becoming classics, evoking a long gone time and all the social gentilities which went along with it.

Think about it; does anyone ride along in the car doing family sing a longs of the old standards anymore? I doubt it. The rise of earphones, I-pods, and all the other electrical gadgets have rendered the family car time a void; with each person plugged into their own spheres. I doubt that any of today’s kids know the words to songs like “The Old Gray Mare” or “Shine on Harvest Moon”, or even “Old MacDonald”, which is the main event in this cartoon from 1947.

I know I sound old and curmudgeonly when I talk like this; but I can’t help but feel sorry for the kids growing up in today’s high tech world. I remember, with nostalgia, riding in the family car listening to AM radio all the way down to Florida before 95 was complete. Passing through so many small towns and catching the local radio stations, complete with farm prices. It was magic. 

"Helter Swelter" - Screen Song (1950)

I used to love these Screen Song cartoons as a kid. They were easily identified by the “bouncing ball” which skipped along with the lyrics on the screen, keeping time to the music. I didn’t know how to read yet, but the bouncing ball would signal me when to go to the next word, or note. 

The first cartoon I remember watching with a “bouncing ball” was the “Glow Worm” song- “Shine little glow worm, glimmer…” made famous by Bing Crosby. There was a cartoon version of it; I’ll have to try and find it to post here.

This cartoon heralds the coming of summer, which will arrive this coming Friday. I probably could have waited a week to post this one, but with school letting out I thought I’d let it rip. Lots of sight gags and one liners in this one before you get to the finale, which is the “bouncing ball” leading the audience in a sing a long of “In the Good Old Summertime”, the old classic from the 1890’s.  Enjoy the cartoon and the change in seasons!