Well found, Carmela!

I've just caught up with the contents of this wonderfully hilarious link. 
What a terrific cartoon compilation of Bing's animated appearances across the decades.
I particularly thought at just 1:30 minutes in, the singing voice of the guitar playing striped insect seemed very close to the real thing.

It was also really interesting to note the extent as to how Bing was so highly caricature-identified with his "Boo-Boo-Boo-Boo-Boo's" during the height of his fame. Plus how his laid back, relaxed persona was charmingly ribbed. 

Do you, Carmela - or indeed anyone else on the forum happen to know whether Bing was amused or not at being caricatured or impersonated? I've heard of some notable public figures who most certainly did not enjoy it, some who outwardly pretended to but privately did not and some who were genuinely amused and a few more that actively encouraged it. 

Thanks again for the link. It really cheered my on a persistently rainy day in merrie olde England. 

Last edited by Ian Kerstein (01/10/2024 2:23 pm)

That is really interesting, Carmela. It must be so deeply odd to see yourself caricatured. I once turned down the free opportunity at work to have my cartoon portrait drawn! I'm pleased Bing had an eventual change of heart. I do wonder if deep down, it was the closeness of the singing voice of the insect portrayal which influenced him to sue Warner Brothers over the film? As much as we love Bing, I'm delighted he lost his case in trying to supress the cartoon, which is a charming piece of work. .

Thank you for your kind words, Carmela - I very much enjoy your company, too during the online meetings. . 

Last edited by Ian Kerstein (07/10/2024 6:29 pm)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=vfzY4ZuwQxk
This is a fuller video of one of the clips, in which several other entertainers besides Bing are parodied.  Can someone help me identify them?  Of the four of them one is Bing, obviously, and another is Jolson, but I can't tell who the other two are.

Both such wonderful performers. Michael, Eddie Cantor was most certainly of the same generation and tradition in the vibrant "Jolson" style of entertainer. His stage personality, though was far more gentle, shy and winsome than Al's. Jack Benny was possibly the most affectionately regarded US comedian during most of his sixty year career. He had such a laid back, intimate conversational style which still appears so contemporary.  

Last edited by Ian Kerstein (08/10/2024 2:26 pm)

My pleasure, Carmela. I just hope as a distanced Brit, I didn't exaggerate the general, loveable affection Benny was held within your country. I've always felt that for a far shorter period, Eric Morecambe of the not too US familiar comedy double act of Morecambe and Wise, was held in similar UK affection. His headlined death, ten years after Benny's and aged only fifty-eight, had the UK mourning over its national court jester. 

Last edited by Ian Kerstein (08/10/2024 5:23 pm)

Michael, Thanks for your clip! Glad I could help and nice to meet you!

michaelbiesenthal wrote:

Okay, thanks to the both of you!  I'd heard of both, but I didn't know enough to pick out a parody of them.

Pleasure, Michael. It was a terrific clip - I'd never seen it before and was very impressed. Your cartoon detective work is to be commended! 
 

Last edited by Ian Kerstein (09/10/2024 2:44 am)

Yes, I agree about Peter Sellers. Ian, you are from Nottingham? Do you know Robin Hood? You would make a Great Richard the Lionheart. Lol! Speaking of Robin Hood, I heard Richard Greene was Robin Hood in a television series in England years back. I must check that out one day.

Last edited by Blonde56 (09/10/2024 2:28 am)

Sir Peter Ustinov! He was a great actor! I never saw the cartoon, now I must see it. Richard Greene was very handsome, I first noticed him in "The Hound of the Baskervilles" Sherlock Holmes with Basil Rathbone( another favorite of mine who was in Robin Hood movie as Sir Guy with Errol Flynn as Robin Hood). Wow! Your late wife watched Richard Greene as Robin Hood. I am sure Richard was a big hit with the ladies in England along with the charming Ian Kerstein. Thanks for the info! Your knowledge is appreciated.

Completely forgot about that movie!  Lots of good songs out of there.  I always liked "Don't Be a Do Badder" because of its simple, cheery message.  You don't get too many of those kinds of songs now. Mr. Booze is always a fun one, and "Bang! Bang!" always made me laugh because its rather suspiciously upbeat song by a half-crazed man who loves shooting stuff.  Hmmm....

Ian Kerstein wrote:

I've always felt that for a far shorter period, Eric Morecambe of the not too US familiar comedy double act of Morecambe and Wise, was held in similar UK affection. His headlined death, ten years after Benny's and aged only fifty-eight, had the UK mourning over its national court jester. 

I am aware of Morecambe and Wise mostly because the Beatles appeared on their TV show at the very beginning of Beatlemania in the UK, and their skits with the Fab Four were really hilarious. It's obvious the lads are having a great time and that they admired the comedy duo. I agree, Ian, that there is something really contemporary about Jack Benny's conversational style that makes his brand of comedy stand the test of time, especially the stuff he did on his top-rated radio show. I feel more or less the same about Fred Allen, who was another extremely witty comedian of the golden age of radio in this country.
 

michaelbiesenthal wrote:

Completely forgot about that movie!  Lots of good songs out of there.  I always liked "Don't Be a Do Badder" because of its simple, cheery message.  You don't get too many of those kinds of songs now. Mr. Booze is always a fun one, and "Bang! Bang!" always made me laugh because its rather suspiciously upbeat song by a half-crazed man who loves shooting stuff.  Hmmm....

" ... Do Badder" is one of my favourite Bing film moments. He works wonderfully with the children, doesn't he? His voice and their chorus work and whistles blending so infectiously with the sweetly quirky orchestration. The choreography is age appropriately charming with boys appearing natural and not at all with any overly precocious, intricate steps. Sammy is terrifically energetic and cheery - and yes, despite the gun happy nature of shooting everything seemingly in sight! It reminds me of Fred Astaire's destructive "One For My Baby" bar top counter tap routine of twenty years before. "Style" with Bing, Frank and Dean is perfection. Thank goodness Peter Lawford's initial casting for Bing's part wasn't carried through. 
 

Last edited by Ian Kerstein (13/10/2024 10:21 pm)