Description
In 1933, Betty Boop appeared in this cartoon with none other than Don Redman, the quiet little genius who revolutionized jazz in the 1920s and 1930s, skillfully combining arrangement and improvization to produce a unique sound that eventually led to the Big Band era. The cartoon begins with live footage of Don Redman and His Orchestra performing Don's composition, Chant of the Weed, in front of a backdrop consisting of Betty Boop's Saloon with animal customers. (Chant of the Weed was one of Duke Ellington's favorite pieces, and influenced many of his later compositions. ) At some point the animals' heads start bobbing and the band starts swaying to add to the surreal atmosphere of the sceneI know a gal named Betty Boop, My, how she can boop-boop-boop-a-doop; She loves to dance, She loves to sing, In fact, Betty'll take a chance on most any old thing. Most every night right in this hall, Just let that music play, See, Betty'll get out on that floor, This is what she'll say. Some miners call out, "What'll she say, Don?" and Don says, "Oh, she's got plenty to say!" Betty Boop comes down the stairs, singing, with mice providing the backupOh, how'm I doin'? [Mice:] Hey, hey! Twee-twee-twee-twa-twa! Oh, how'm I doin'? [Mice:] Hey, hey! Oh, gee, baby, oh sure! Now, I'm not braggin', but it's understood, Everything I do, I sure do good, Oh, how'm I doin'? Hey, hey, Twee-twee-twee-twa-twa! Don as the dog waiter then takes over the song: How'm I doin'? Hey, hey, Twee-twee-twee-twa-twa! Oh, how'm I doin'? Hey, hey, Oh, gee, baby, oh sure! Now, I'll admit I'm not the best in town, But I'll be the best till the best comes 'round, How'm I doin'? Mmmmmm, weh! How'm I doin'? Say, hey! Tweetin' twattin' myeh, myeh, myeh! How'm I doin'? Hey, hey, Twee-twee-twee-twa-twa! Oh, how'm I doin'? Hey, hey, Oh, gee, baby, oh sure! Say, I only meant to do a little bit, But you made me like it and I just can't quit, Oh, how'm I doin'? Hey, hey! Twee-twee-twee-twee-twa-twa! During this song, we see the usual sorts of Fleischer restaurant gags: a beaver cooks pancakes on his tail, a bloodhound cranks his jowls up into a smile to show appreciation for Betty's performance, the dog waiter spins his tray and sends drinks flying to the customers, an ostrich is done in by a heavy doughnut and so on. |
