A Symposium On Popular Songs
Encyclopedia
A Symposium on Popular Songs is a special cartoon featurette made by the Walt Disney Company
in 1962. It features songs written by the Sherman Brothers
with music arrangements by Tutti Camarata
. The Shermans also co-wrote the screenplay but are not credited for this. Host Ludwig Von Drake
invites his audience into his mansion where he tells all about popular music
through the years, introducing several songs illustrated with stop-motion photography. The film was nominated for an Academy Award
for Best Animated Short Film. It was telecast in December 1962 as an episode of The Wonderful World of Color, Disney's NBC
Sunday evening anthology series. It was released on DVD in 2005 as part of the Walt Disney Treasures
set Disney Rarities.
as Ludwig Von Drake, was not written as a parody
of ragtime, but rather as an authentic ragtime
song. In the course of the film's narration, Von Drake claims to have invented ragtime music and, specifically, this song.
in her flapper era
iconic song "He's So Unusual
", which was co-written by the Sherman Brothers' tin pan alley
songwriting father, Al Sherman
in 1929 (see 1929 in music
). The subject of both songs is a male college student whom the singer desires. "Charleston Charlie" begins with the Betty Boop
-esque lyric "Boop boop be doop".
In the film, the narrator, Ludwig Von Drake, claims he wrote the song when traveling below the Mason Dixon line. "Mr. Dixon" approached Drake and asked him to put "Dixie
" on the map. For this reason, he wrote a song originally entitled, "Louisville Ludvig", but later changed the name to "Charleston Charlie" in order to protect the innocent, namely himself.
, this song makes a subtle reference to the singing style exemplified by Ted Lewis
in "Wear a Hat with a Silver Lining" which was co-written by the Sherman Brothers' father, Al Sherman. Throughout the spoken middle part of the song, reference is made to numerous Depression era songs including the iconic Al Sherman/Al Lewis
classic "Now's the Time to Fall in Love
", "Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella
", and "Stormy Weather".
According to film critic, Leonard Maltin
, this song as well as "Charleston Charlie" are homages to Al Sherman and his songs. In the context of the film, Ludwig Von Drake claims he wrote the song and it became all the rage at the beginning of the Great Depression
.
's signature crooning
style. Crooning elements, such as the repetition of "Boo boo boo boo boo", the whistling of the melody, and over-rhyming of the word "heart", are placed throughout the song.
The Sherman Brothers' father, Al Sherman
, wrote several songs which were sung by Bing Crosby in the 1930s and 1940s. In 1970, Robert & Richard Sherman had a chance, in their own right, to work with the legendary Crosby on the made-for-television musical production of Goldilocks
.
". The song makes direct and indirect references to the singing style exemplified by the Andrews Sisters, as well as numerous songs from the swing era
which was the heyday of their career. The very first line of the song references several swing era songs:
The song itself is about an "oriental" baker of fortune cookies
. At the time the song was written, the use of the term "oriental" was quite common. However, in recent decades, the term has increasingly been seen to be offensive when used to describe an individual from the far east
.
In 1974, twelve years after A Symposium on Popular Songs was first released, the Sherman Brothers worked with the Andrews Sisters on the Tony Award
winning show, Over Here!
, which was also an homage to the 1940s swing era music of the day.
" by The Marcels
and Annette Funicello
's version of "Puppy Love
".
song, "Shake, Rattle and Roll
". It is the second of two songs in the score sung by the film's animated narrator, Ludwig Von Drake.
The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company is the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into...
in 1962. It features songs written by the Sherman Brothers
Sherman Brothers
The Sherman Brothers are an American songwriting duo that specialize in musical films, made up of Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman ....
with music arrangements by Tutti Camarata
Tutti Camarata
Salvador "Tutti" Camarata was a composer, arranger and trumpeter.-Early life and career:Born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, Camarata studied music at Juilliard School in New York - a student of Bernard Wagenaar, Joseph Littau, Cesare Sodero, and Jan Meyerowitz...
. The Shermans also co-wrote the screenplay but are not credited for this. Host Ludwig Von Drake
Ludwig Von Drake
Professor Ludwig von Drake is one of Walt Disney's cartoon and comic book characters. He was first introduced on September 24, 1961, as the presenter in the cartoon An Adventure in Color, part of the first show of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color on NBC...
invites his audience into his mansion where he tells all about popular music
Popular music
Popular music belongs to any of a number of musical genres "having wide appeal" and is typically distributed to large audiences through the music industry. It stands in contrast to both art music and traditional music, which are typically disseminated academically or orally to smaller, local...
through the years, introducing several songs illustrated with stop-motion photography. The film was nominated for an Academy Award
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
for Best Animated Short Film. It was telecast in December 1962 as an episode of The Wonderful World of Color, Disney's NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
Sunday evening anthology series. It was released on DVD in 2005 as part of the Walt Disney Treasures
Walt Disney Treasures
The Walt Disney Treasures is a two-disc DVD set of classic Disney works. They cover work from the studio's earliest days to their more recent work...
set Disney Rarities.
The Rutabaga Rag
"The Rutabaga Rag", performed by Paul FreesPaul Frees
Paul Frees was an American voice actor and character actor.-Biography:He was born Solomon Hersh Frees in Chicago...
as Ludwig Von Drake, was not written as a parody
Parody
A parody , in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation...
of ragtime, but rather as an authentic ragtime
Ragtime
Ragtime is an original musical genre which enjoyed its peak popularity between 1897 and 1918. Its main characteristic trait is its syncopated, or "ragged," rhythm. It began as dance music in the red-light districts of American cities such as St. Louis and New Orleans years before being published...
song. In the course of the film's narration, Von Drake claims to have invented ragtime music and, specifically, this song.
Charleston Charlie
"Charleston Charlie", performed by Gloria Wood, makes direct reference to the singing style exemplified by Helen KaneHelen Kane
Helen Kane was an American popular singer; her signature song was "I Wanna Be Loved By You". Kane's voice and appearance were a likely source for Fleischer Studios animator Grim Natwick when creating Betty Boop, although It-girl Clara Bow is another possible influence.-Early life:Born as Helen...
in her flapper era
Flapper
Flapper in the 1920s was a term applied to a "new breed" of young Western women who wore short skirts, bobbed their hair, listened to jazz, and flaunted their disdain for what was then considered acceptable behavior...
iconic song "He's So Unusual
He's So Unusual
"He's So Unusual" is a song from the late 1920s performed by Helen Kane, who was the inspiration for the Betty Boop character. The song was written by Al Sherman, Al Lewis and Abner Silver. Released on June 14, 1929, "He's So Unusual" was featured in the motion picture, Sweetie. Shapiro,...
", which was co-written by the Sherman Brothers' tin pan alley
Tin Pan Alley
Tin Pan Alley is the name given to the collection of New York City music publishers and songwriters who dominated the popular music of the United States in the late 19th century and early 20th century...
songwriting father, Al Sherman
Al Sherman
Al Sherman was an American Tin Pan Alley songwriter from the first half of the twentieth century. Sherman is a link in a long chain of musical Sherman family members.-Early life:...
in 1929 (see 1929 in music
1929 in music
-Events:*January 1 – Pianist and composer Abram Chasins makes his professional debut playing his own piano concerto with the Philadelphia Orchestra.*January 11 – Karol Szymanowski's Stabat Mater is premiered....
). The subject of both songs is a male college student whom the singer desires. "Charleston Charlie" begins with the Betty Boop
Betty Boop
Betty Boop is an animated cartoon character created by Max Fleischer, with help from animators including Grim Natwick. She originally appeared in the Talkartoon and Betty Boop film series, which were produced by Fleischer Studios and released by Paramount Pictures. She has also been featured in...
-esque lyric "Boop boop be doop".
In the film, the narrator, Ludwig Von Drake, claims he wrote the song when traveling below the Mason Dixon line. "Mr. Dixon" approached Drake and asked him to put "Dixie
Dixie
Dixie is a nickname for the Southern United States.- Origin of the name :According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the origins of this nickname remain obscure. According to A Dictionary of Americanisms on Historical Principles , by Mitford M...
" on the map. For this reason, he wrote a song originally entitled, "Louisville Ludvig", but later changed the name to "Charleston Charlie" in order to protect the innocent, namely himself.
Although I Dropped $100,000
Also known as "Although I Dropped a Hundred Thousand in the Market, Baby (I Found a Million Dollars in Your Smile)", and performed by Paul FreesPaul Frees
Paul Frees was an American voice actor and character actor.-Biography:He was born Solomon Hersh Frees in Chicago...
, this song makes a subtle reference to the singing style exemplified by Ted Lewis
Ted Lewis (musician)
Theodore Leopold Friedman, better known as Ted Lewis , was an American entertainer, bandleader, singer, and musician. He led a band presenting a combination of jazz, hokey comedy, and schmaltzy sentimentality that was a hit with the American public. He was known by the moniker "Mr...
in "Wear a Hat with a Silver Lining" which was co-written by the Sherman Brothers' father, Al Sherman. Throughout the spoken middle part of the song, reference is made to numerous Depression era songs including the iconic Al Sherman/Al Lewis
Al Lewis (lyricist)
Al Lewis is thought of mostly as a Tin Pan Alley era lyricist; however, he did write music on occasion as well. Professionally he was most active during the 1920s working into the 1950s. During this time, he most often collaborated with popular songwriters Al Sherman and Abner Silver...
classic "Now's the Time to Fall in Love
Now's The Time To Fall In Love
"Now's The Time To Fall In Love" is a song from the Depression era written by Tin Pan Alley tunesmiths, Al Sherman and Al Lewis. The song was made popular by Eddie Cantor on his weekly radio show...
", "Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella
Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella
"Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella" is a popular song.The music was written by Sammy Fain, the lyrics by Irving Kahal and Francis Wheeler. The song was published in 1927...
", and "Stormy Weather".
According to film critic, Leonard Maltin
Leonard Maltin
Leonard Maltin is an American film and animated film critic and historian, author of several mainstream books on cinema, focusing on nostalgic, celebratory narratives.-Personal life:...
, this song as well as "Charleston Charlie" are homages to Al Sherman and his songs. In the context of the film, Ludwig Von Drake claims he wrote the song and it became all the rage at the beginning of the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
.
I'm Blue for You, Boo-Boo-Boo-Boo-Boo
"I'm Blue for You, Boo-Boo-Boo-Boo-Boo", performed by Skip Farrell, is a tribute to Bing CrosbyBing Crosby
Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby was an American singer and actor. Crosby's trademark bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, with over half a billion records in circulation....
's signature crooning
Crooner
Crooner is an American epithet given to male singers of pop standards, mostly from the Great American Songbook, either backed by a full orchestra, a big band or by a piano. Originally it was an ironic term denoting an emphatically sentimental, often emotional singing style made possible by the use...
style. Crooning elements, such as the repetition of "Boo boo boo boo boo", the whistling of the melody, and over-rhyming of the word "heart", are placed throughout the song.
The Sherman Brothers' father, Al Sherman
Al Sherman
Al Sherman was an American Tin Pan Alley songwriter from the first half of the twentieth century. Sherman is a link in a long chain of musical Sherman family members.-Early life:...
, wrote several songs which were sung by Bing Crosby in the 1930s and 1940s. In 1970, Robert & Richard Sherman had a chance, in their own right, to work with the legendary Crosby on the made-for-television musical production of Goldilocks
Goldilocks (short film)
Goldilocks is a half hour musical animated film, the audio tracks for which were recorded in the summer of 1969, produced strictly for television in 1970 by DePatie-Freleng Enterprises and produced with the assistance of Mirisch-Geoffrey ProductionsFirst broadcast on ABC in March of 1971,...
.
The Boogie Woogie Bakery Man
"The Boogie Woogie Bakery Man", performed by Betty Allan, Diane Pendleton and Gloria Wood, had a structure and arrangement closely styled after the Andrews Sisters hit song, "Boogie Woogie Bugle BoyBoogie Woogie Bugle Boy
"Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" was a major hit for The Andrews Sisters and an iconic World War II tune. This song can be considered an early jump blues recording...
". The song makes direct and indirect references to the singing style exemplified by the Andrews Sisters, as well as numerous songs from the swing era
Swing Era
The Swing era was the period of time when big band swing music was the most popular music in the United States. Though the music had been around since the late 1920s and early 1930s, being played by black bands led by such artists as Duke Ellington, Jimmie Lunceford, Benny Moten, Ella Fitzgerald,...
which was the heyday of their career. The very first line of the song references several swing era songs:
The song itself is about an "oriental" baker of fortune cookies
Fortune Cookies
Fortune Cookies is the second album by Alana Davis, released in 2001. It peaked at #34 on Billboard's Heatseekers Album chart at the time of its release.-Track listing:...
. At the time the song was written, the use of the term "oriental" was quite common. However, in recent decades, the term has increasingly been seen to be offensive when used to describe an individual from the far east
Far East
The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...
.
In 1974, twelve years after A Symposium on Popular Songs was first released, the Sherman Brothers worked with the Andrews Sisters on the Tony Award
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
winning show, Over Here!
Over Here!
Over Here! is a musical with a score by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman and book by Will Holt. The original Broadway production was directed by Tom Moore and choreographed by Patricia Birch, with scenic design by Douglas W. Schmidt and costumes by Carrie F...
, which was also an homage to the 1940s swing era music of the day.
Puppy Love Is Here to Stay
"Puppy Love Is Here to Stay", performed by Billy Storm, is the penultimate song in the film. With the exception of the "harder edged", "Rock, Rumble and Roar", it is meant to represent relatively modern music. Although the Sherman Brothers made their name on writing songs much like this one, this song is different in that it partially parodies songs like it, exploring the perceived innocence of Eisenhower's 1950s America. There are references to songs such as "Blue MoonBlue Moon (song)
"Blue Moon"'s first crossover recording to rock and roll came from Elvis Presley in 1956. His cover version of the song was included on his self-titled debut album Elvis Presley....
" by The Marcels
The Marcels
The Marcels were a doo-wop group known for turning American classical pop songs into rock and roll. The group formed in 1959 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and signed to Colpix Records, with lead Cornelius Harp, bass Fred Johnson, Gene Bricker, Ron Mundy, and Richard Knauss...
and Annette Funicello
Annette Funicello
Annette Joanne Funicello is an American singer and actress. She was Walt Disney's most popular cast member of the original Mickey Mouse Club, and went on to appear in a series of beach party films.-Early life and early stardom:...
's version of "Puppy Love
Puppy Love (song)
"Puppy Love" is a popular song written by Paul Anka in 1960 for Annette Funicello, whom he was dating at the time. Anka's version reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and #33 on the UK singles chart....
".
Rock, Rumble and Roar
"Rock, Rumble and Roar" is the final song from the film and sung by Paul Frees, Gloria Wood, Skip Farrell, Betty Allan and Diane Pendleton. The song is meant to be the most modern of the seven song canon and also revisits the other songs from the score. This song is an homage to the popular, early rock and rollRock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
song, "Shake, Rattle and Roll
Shake, Rattle and Roll
"Shake, Rattle and Roll" is a prototypical twelve bar blues-form rock and roll song, written in 1954 by Jesse Stone under his assumed songwriting name Charles E. Calhoun. It was originally recorded by Big Joe Turner, and most successfully by Bill Haley & His Comets...
". It is the second of two songs in the score sung by the film's animated narrator, Ludwig Von Drake.