Max and Dave: Screen Songs 1937-38: And the Ball Keeps Bouncing
The screwy non-sequiturs of the early 1930’s are long gone, and the bouncing ball sequences are played straight. But the music plays on…
Author Archives: James Parten
Max and Dave: Popeye 1936 – Of Fists and Folios
During the 1935-36 season, Popeye had become a multi-media sensation. There was that radio series starring actor Floyd Buckley… and, or course, recordings ensued.
Max and Dave: Betty Boop 1935-36
In a number of these cartoons, she ceded the spotlight to subsidiary characters, most notably a dog named Pudgy, and an old inventor named Grampy.
Max and Dave: Color Classics 1936-37:
This season of Color Classics boasted an improved palette, now that the exclusive hold on the 3-strip Technicolor process had been broken.
Screen Songs 1935-36: Bring on the Bands
In 1935-36 Fleischer resumed the Screen Songs “by popular demand” – according to the trade advertisements. But this time certain changes were made.
Max and Dave: Popeye 1934-35: From Stren’th to Stren’th
Some feel the Popeye cartoons may have been formula, but the public was eating it up, like so many spinach rolls.
Max and Dave: Betty Boop 1934-35
Exposed garters were out. Long dresses were the order of the day. And “hotcha” numbers gave way to preachy songs about tolerance and other life lessons.
Max and Dave: Color Classics 1934-35
The Color Classics strove for the Disney-esque and frequently featured original songs, some of which were quite memorable.
Max and Dave: He Yam What He Yam
Popeye the Sailor was “making waves” in the entertainment industry. The songs in his cartoons reflected who he “yam”.
Max and Dave: The Code Breaks Betty
As of July 1st, 1934, all films had to submit to the Production Code and display the MPPDA seal. And yes, that applied to cartoons as well.
