Rooty Toot Toot ~ John Hubley ~ UPA ~ 1951 ~ nice copy

Rooty Toot Toot (1951) stands as one of the high points of UPA's output and as one of the most highly-praised seven-minute cartoons ever made. It is in no way a children's film; it deals with strictly adult characters and situations. Gerald McBoing Boing and The Ragtime Bear had performed very well at the box office, so Columbia approved a larger budget for UPA cartoons--they would now be budgeted at nearly $35,000 each. Meanwhile, John Hubley was anxious to make his own definitive statement at UPA (he directed the first Magoo cartoon but would soon hand the character over to others). Hubley took the new budget allowance and ran with it, pulling out all the stops to make a thoroughly Modern and graphically exciting update on the old "Frankie and Johnny" story of jealousy and murder. Rooty Toot Toot would go over schedule and budget, but it earned nearly as much critical and press attention as Gerald.
Hubley brought in a number of interesting collaborators on Rooty Toot Toot. Dancer Olga Lunick was hired to choreograph the ballet-style dance moves. There was no rotoscoping involved; her moves were only referenced by the artists and animators, not slavishly traced. Paul Julian designed the backgrounds and utilized some non-typical techniques; in his essential history of UPA, When Magoo Flew: The Rise and Fall of Animation Studio UPA (Wesleyan, 2012), Adam Abraham quotes Julian on one of them: "'I found a kind of oddly corroded gelatin roller - an ordinary print roller that had been pitted and pocked in some way, chemically.' With this device, he produced distressed-looking backgrounds that suited the sordid tale." In addition, Hubley and the studio brought on jazz musician Phil Moore to write the score. Moore had done orchestrations for many MGM musicals in the 1940s, but uncredited--this would be a rare on-screen credit for the black musician. Legendary animator Grim Natwick also joined the crew. Natwick had been active since the silent era and had designed and animated Betty Boop for the Fleischer Studios. He went on to work on such key films as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) and Gulliver's Travels (1939). For Rooty Toot Toot Natwick animated the memorable shots of Nellie Bly on the witness stand.
Producer: John Hubley
Director: John Hubley
Story: John Hubley, Bill Scott
Color and Design: Paul Julian
Music: Phil Moore
Lyrics: Allen Alch
Choreography: Olga Lunick
Animation: Art Babbitt, Pat Matthews, Tom McDonald, Grim Natwick
Cast: Thurl Ravenscroft (Jonathan Bailey, Honest John the Crook, voice), Annette Warren (Frankie/Nelly Bly, voice)
C-7m.
FROM "Rare Animation, The Turner Classic Movie Web Site".

[@gabrieldjatienza6971]

This is really a milestone in stylized animation. The music, the character designs and the color scheme to dramatize key scenes!

[@paulyricca3881]

🚬👴🏻🥃 I HATE JIMMY FALLON

[@reginaldforthright805]

Otherwise known as bad animation.

[@Fatih_M177]

​@@reginaldforthright805 This is far from bad animation, just cause it's simple and unrealistic doesn't mean it's bad (quite the opposite actually, as stylized animation tends to always look better anyway!)

[@senior_sakuga]

I LOVE Frankie’s expressions, those dirty looks she does are so fun

[@ТимофійЛадний]

Frankie's adorable from her dot-like eyes and cute smile but her lawyer Johnny with thurl ravenscroft's low voice makes me laugh

[@cstrongman]

the animation is just so bloody good. so much creativity and originality, the artist's mind let loose. Love it

[@max-romano-santo]

The UPA animations always had those influences from the avant-garde art of the first half of the 20th century (cubism, futurism, Paul Klee, Mondrian, Joan Miró, etc.). Also in music: sometimes bebop, sometimes Stravinsky type stuff. The UPA animators were unique for their originality and artistic integrity...!!!

[@KlandestinosProducciones]

That's why UPA would be known as "The Bauhaus of Animation".

[@max-romano-santo]

@@KlandestinosProducciones 👍👍👍👍👍

[@matthewhill1796]

I swear, the bartender is behind everything.

[@TruthinessChibiOtaku]

I love the soundtrack dissonance so much. Gorgeous, mature cartoon.

[@paulyricca3881]

🚬👴🏻🥃GET A LIFE.

[@uglyahhfumo]

ong this cartoon bangs the whole UPA aesthetic needs to make another comeback I stg 😭

[@Thewritingelf]

Real shit this is genius.

[@fursona_au_chocolat]

actually, the UPA style still exists in modern works today, but in an evolved form. in the 90s, shows like the powerpuff girls (1998) and dexter’s lab (1995) were put out and heavily inspired by the style, and became so popular the style carried on into the next decade. in the 2000s, you can tell the art got tighter in shows like 6teen (2004) or the mighty B (2008) but imo it was clone high (2002) by phil lord and chris miller that did the absolute best at working in the style. even shows that ran far into the 2010s like total drama island (2007) seemed heavily based on the style of clone high. lord and miller seemed to have really struck gold with their style, because you can even see it used in their 3D animated movies, like cloudy with a chance of meatballs (2009). though by far the most recent productions with this style are all based on into the spider-verse (2018), which lord and miller also worked on, though im sure i don’t have to tell you just how influential that movie was to modern animation

[@uglyahhfumo]

@fursona_au_chocolat thanks! :3 i am indeed heavily aware of how the UPA aesthetic survived in modern works throughout the 90s-2000s, I just meant that I just wanted to see it more lol ^^ but thanks for clarifying, i think more people should know about the history of this particular style also nice pfp :3

[@LynxSouth]

The legs and FEET! Almost the whole story is told by the characters' feet. I think the choreographer contributed an enormous amount to the look of this cartoon. It looks as though the animators copied not only the choreographer's moves, but her feet in ballet shoes for Frankie's 'look'. The first bit with the defense attorney has his legs looking like a goat or a horse, and I immediately thought of a satyr. Given his fatal lack of discretion regarding his relationship with Nellie, maybe he *was* goat-like. Nellie's legs (and arms) tell us she's a 'twisted' character.

[@BraveryWing26]

I showed this to a friend and he went further that Honest John looked like the devil. Dont worry, he wast a religious nutjob.

[@zeltzamer4010]

Interesting Tarantino-esque take there.

[@shiobuzz3724]

@@zeltzamer4010 haha

[@paulyricca3881]

🚬👴🏻🥃

[@paulyricca3881]

🚬👴🏻🥃 I HATE JIMMY FALLON

[@justjeff53]

I didn't expect a lot of views. But I figured the right people would find it.. Thanks for watching.

[@jubalcalif9100]

You're welcome ! Oodles of thanks for uploading it for us to enjoy !

[@2736gamer]

You are a Legend!!!

[@watchforever1724]

I mean many people should know about it’s existence

[@moxxy8626]

Deserves way more

[@watchforever1724]

SeñorUwU definitely interesting

[@WHYZMAN_]

One of the best pieces of modern animation imo

[@PerhapsaGodButProbablyNot]

I love this so much, great story telling with pretty animation

[@savannahlevy97]

I love how diverse the UPA's animations were compared to other studios at that time. back when Disney wouldn't even include a colored person as a background character...

[@watchforever1724]

It’s beautiful

[@AvitalShtap]

Sleepy Pup I am curious who you read as people of color in this cartoon! It's quite vague on purpose, I presume, but because of my slightly prejudiced upbringing I still (sadly) see white as "default", which is something I strive to change. Who did you read as non-white?:)

[@wychwoodmusic]

For what it's worth, the real-life Frankie Baker was black and really was aquitted. Not that that she had the happiest post-trial life, in part because the song publishers and movie makers that got rich off her story fought in court to keep her from seeing a cent.

[@veganvocalist4782]

@@wychwoodmusic oh what an interesting piece of history 😀

[@brotftheyhaveusernamesnow]

@@AvitalShtap it mightve just been coincidence, but I think the lawyer here or Nellie Bly were supposed to be portrayed as black. if not, then, well, this is based on the story of a black woman murdering her lover, as Wychwood said, so there’s that.

[@acla9000]

6:56 : and here we go again... Thanks a million for posting this great UPA production!!

[@arnequis]

Legend has it that in the scene where Frankie yells "That's a lie! That's a lie! SHE'S no singer!" she originally added "She's a..." before it cut to the judge pounding his gavel wildly. Would also explain why Nellie Bly looks so ruffled when we next see her; Frankie nearly called her a hooker in front the the entire courtroom!

[@ClassyChassiss]

Ive been referencing this cartoon a lot for an animation Im doing thats supposed to look UPA ish- I just love the movement and style so much, what a treat! Thank you for the upload!

[@justjeff53]

Come back and let me know when you finish it. I would love to see it.

[@GalenNight]

6:01 You have asked for the truth without compunction. I have preformed that fiction...eh function.

[@PhillipCreeper]

Thanks for sharing this. I remember seeing it at a drive-in theatre when I was a small kid.

[@ruesylvester]

I love how theatrical this is

[@watchforever1724]

The animation has aged well

[@justjeff53]

Thanks.~ It's always nice to hear from folks who appreciate good, classic animation..

[@ByakuyaOfTheDreams]

This is one of my all time favorite cartoons. Thanks for uploading!

[@WillScarlet16]

I'm still sad that John Hubley never got to make his feature length movie of 'Finian's Rainbow' - we'll never get to see a full-length animated musical done in the Hubley style.

[@JamesLeaveyConnections]

A very stylish intelligent early Fifties animated short for grownups with a great musical soundtrack. Yeah, it is a cartoon. But better than most. Way ahead of its time. Impressive. Jazzy. This is why I love the work of UPA.❤😎

[@reginaldforthright805]

I mean the animation is terrible, but I agree only adults are pretentious enough to claim it’s “stylish” and “intelligent” while being embarrassed by “cartoons”

[@BraveryWing26]

I freaking love the song and the premise of the short. How many shorts are about a catchy song about murder...Ok that was creepy.

[@jubalcalif9100]

Not creepy at all ! This is animation at it's best ! And "Frankie and Johnny" is one of our greatest folk songs ! THANX for your comment !!

[@JoseMorales-lw5nt]

Right up there with STACK 'O LEE, or STAGGER LEE, depending on your background!😂

[@Jellyvibe]

One of the writers, Bill Scott, later joined Jay Ward on The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle as both a writer and the voice of Bullwinkle (and a bunch of other characters.)

[@justjeff53]

I an animation fan and I never made that connection. Thanks.

[@Jellyvibe]

I had no idea, myself. I just happened to see his name in the credits and looked him up on IMDB. Ward also worked on UPA's excellent The Tell-Tale Heart, which I also just discovered today. The subreddit r/ObscureMedia brought me here, actually.

[@jubalcalif9100]

What an amazing talent Bill Scott was ! But that's too be expected from a native of Frostbite Falls, Minnesota, and a graduate of Wottsammata U !!

[@watchforever1724]

If anything that’s interesting to know that

[@glowworm2]

This is a great short with a dark yet hilarious ending! Also, I'm so glad KZbin didn't mark this as a kid's video--that would have been so wrong!

[@aeichler]

All of the female voices are performed by Annette Warren, famous for dubbing Ava Gardner in "Show Boat" and Lucille Ball in both "Fancy Pants" and "Sorrowful Jones".

[@PhilBagels]

Alan Eichler And that could only be the late, great Thurl Ravenscroft as the defense attorney.

[@aeichler]

Yes, it is!

[@lilmissgearhead]

Pure! Pure and Demure!

[@aberdeenhank4038]

Thank you very much for uploading this gem, Jeff! It's one of my favorite cartoons. :-)

[@danielegrosso1]

A copy of really great quality, a pleasure to watch. Thank you!

[@jubalcalif9100]

Heavens to Murgatroid ! This is a real winner ! Enjoyed it VERY much ! UPA had their own wonderfully unique style ! THANK YOU for sharing this bodacious "blast from the past" with us ! CHEERS !! :-)

[@MIR_Rightgate]

i find myself always searching for it and getting inspired, such a fun short! one of my all time favorites

[@canonet17]

Neat feature. I think I have seen this as a kid in the early 70s. Too bad many of the UPA features are lost in time. Thanks for posting!

[@lepoingsurlhistoire1600]

Thx for this upload ! This cartoon is truly a great piece of art inspired by bebop sonority, aesthetics and tone. Love it :D

[@schizoidboy]

Personally I thought Frankie was cuter than Nellie, despite being somewhat homicidal:)

[@Thewritingelf]

schizoidboy Somewhat ? Lmao

[@sethleoric2934]

Ye tbh

[@jubalcalif9100]

Amen to that ! I totally agree !

[@aberdeenhank4038]

But did you see what Nellie could do with her legs? Imagine what she can do in the sack! ;-)

[@doopiss]

She’s pretty cute for a girl without a nose

[@kaila62kaila]

Enjoyed this classic cartoon and background information! Much thanks!

[@annadiplosis]

thank you SO MUCH for uploading this. Great copy, and very interesting info!

[@baxterfilms]

Great Pat Matthews animation, with Johnny sneaking up on Frankie, like a melodrama villain.

[@AdahnFlorence]

Lol this was hilarious and this art is fantastic. Gotta watch the rest of UPA's output.

[@andrewschumm1848]

Thanks for uploading

[@raidenstark315]

I hope universal gives to all upa shorts the love and release it deserve for good

[@BraveryWing26]

I hope to see this one day on MeTV!

[@Aramanth]

Love the animation! Add a little *Thurl Ravencroft. some percussion* *and some arty drawing* and I am in!!!!

[@aberdeenhank4038]

Amen to that! Thurl Ravencroft (God rest his soul) was awesome and I really love UPA cartoons.

[@animejunky2003]

It's reminds of the Chicago the movie 🎥 about musical murder with Catherine_Zeta jones , Renée Zellweger and Richard Gere

[@guppybill]

Thurl Ravenscroft voiced the lawyer, right? Tony the Tiger, singer of "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch."

[@dearmalika]

Great animation!

[@jubalcalif9100]

I agree 100 per cent !!

[@10thanonymous]

I think the animation might be connected, but there's a Gene Vincent song also called "Frankie and Johnny" from 1956. It's also about a girl a killed her abusive boyfriend

[@ryanhoward3383]

There is a much older song by that name that dates back to the earlier part of the 20th century. Maybe 1910s or 1920s. That's what the cartoon is based on

[@watchforever1724]

For someone who just recently watched this in 2020 it’s a pretty decent short .The animation and story of a young woman being in court due to her actions of killing the man she loved but in the end she really is definitely a killer

[@matheus5230]

The visual style is also great.

[@striderhiryu2]

Great

[@deoxys3869]

The animation is pretty smooth for a limited animated cartoon

[@DekaNovelist]

I cannot believe that this groundbreaking classic got snubbed by the Oscar and instead goes to Tom and Jerry: Two Musketeers. Don't get me wrong, I love Tom and Jerry, but the Two Musketeers is my least favorite short.

[@mike197243]

This, is arguably the funniest vid on Earth. Nice Work, JCM!!!!

[@brydakainma]

I'm not totally sure what this is, but I know I like it.

[@shawnmalone9711]

Bebop , baby! I can see Dizzy Gillispie digging this cartoon! Manteca!

[@juiuice]

6:02 favorite character in glasses

[@EnchantedSmellyWolf]

A rooty toot toot!

[@jubalcalif9100]

As Snaggle Puss would say, "Likewise, I'm sure !" :-)

[@aeliasstatic4376]

4:47 he said it 😭

[@veganvocalist4782]

Haha these are really cool 😂 this is very funny and the sound track and over all sound is soooO good 😄 the colours are vibrant and bold absolutely LOVE this . You got great taste kid 😉👏🏼

[@damnson3053]

the song reminds me mafia 2 the new york was the best those 50s

[@guayosantana]

Thank You so much!!!

[@akj2771]

4:20 whoa thought i was about to hear the grinch. lol 4:20

[@BronyFan27]

Well, the guy saying the lines is Thurl Ravenscroft, known for You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch, Grim Grinning Ghosts, etc.

[@juiuice]

nice copy

[@MelissaThompson432]

Frankie's wearing Louboutins. I recognize those blood red soles.

[@LynxSouth]

Every once in a while, such as upon hearing the music when Frankie's pronounced innocent, I understand why some people criticize jazz as being uncivilized and savage.

[@DiamondGemKing]

People here for Thurl ⬇️

[@hectormanuel8360]

Steve Stanchfield has a nice transfer of this

[@cambotandclay]

She was so clearly guilty. Stupid court system doesn't work.

[@rassilontdavros3004]

MindMeme Kind of stating the obvious.

[@jubalcalif9100]

Ummm....it's a cartoon. It's not meant to be an accurate reflection of our judicial system.

[@justjeff53]

Turner Classic Movies has released a collection of (Restored) UPA cartoons on DVD called "The Jolly Frolics Collection". I can't link it here but it's not hard to find.

[@gabriellitewski5890]

6:53 caught red handed

[@van.4607]

pure demure💅

[@TheAutisticKeybladeWielder]

rare toon alert!

[@Staszu13]

Thurl Ravenscroft for the defense

[@jubalcalif9100]

And if hadn't been shot dead, he'd have gone on to state "THEY'RE GRRRRREAT !!"

[@raymondschricker8040]

i wonder if this song is what Brian Quinn from the Impractical Jokers got the phrase that he sometimes uses from. "rooty toot toot!"

[@ricardocantoral7672]

I generally find UPA cartoons to be tedious but this is definitely an exception.

[@gabriellitewski5890]

RIP lawyer

[@d-manthecaptain1382]

You didn't have to leave 8 comments

[@danasnow8324]

one of the voices sounds like stan freberg

[@barbaramcdonald5036]

justjeff53 : I have been desperately searching for an old cartoon (early 50's I believe) that was similar to Gerald Mc Boing-Boing, but was a bit more "artsy". It seemed to feature sounds and very primal or simple drawings. I do not remember the name, but it was not Gerald...any ideas for me to follow? Many thanks!

[@justjeff53]

Nice to hear from someone who enjoys these classic cartoons.~ Artsier than a UPA cartoon? That would be quite a feat. I have a vague recollection of such a cartoon, but I just can't place it. Possibly animation specifically for early television. If I find anything, I'll let you know.

[@barbaramcdonald5036]

That would be great! And yes, I am a sucker for good ole artsy fartsy amusements. Many thanks 😲

[@d-manthecaptain1382]

Any idea what happens in it? Or what the characters look like?

[@ul7185]

As Seen on Toon In with Me

[@dandyhiphop]

at first I thought it was Bas Sheva singing

[@Thelokipokey]

Man, young me did not appreciate the UPA animation for the art that it is. Back then I arrogantly saw it as lazy and sloppy, but lord was I wrong. The artistry of this animation needs a comeback in our current day, animation feels so stale nowadays.

[@wychwoodmusic]

"Sordid Bar"

[@schizoidboy]

Frankie doesn't have much luck with men, but then again her men don't have any luck with her. ;)

[@reubenguttenberg7405]

4:22 Tony the tiger 🐅

[@deewilson3239]

Ahead of its time....maybe Beat

[@gabriellitewski5890]

RIP man

[@erictwele]

Definitely NOT a children's film. WORTH IT!!!!

[@heatherferreira4225]

Before 1980, most cel animation WASN'T for children! Bakshi can sure tell you that. Fred Silverman and Hanna Barbera changed it forever when Fred's niece discovered the Smurfs; the brat's reaction made him see dollar signs. Just like with Ted Turner, here we have an entire world still reacting to what a bunch of old farts decided 40 years ago. Had enough yet? We grownups can always take this artform back, y'know... it does not need hippies; fact is Silent Generation made all this stuff anyway: NOT Boomers.

[@BraveryWing26]

+Heather Ferreira Wow, Heather I really like adult animation and I hate that animation is not taken seriously, but REALLY? The Brat? I hate the Smurfs but now I want to love them out of fucking spite. Thanks for souring this short for me you jerk.

[@testyckles5559]

+Jose Osorio Gee, calm down Jose.

[@BraveryWing26]

Sorry, but that just REALLY pushed my buttons.

[@archerdadyke]

Eric Twele I don't know my kids and I found this on here about 5 years ago my son was 10 my daughter 6 and they fell out laughing!! To this day If I say Rooty toot toot they crack up😅

[@GalenNight]

Who’s the idiot who didn’t check to see if the gun was still loaded?

[@EggBastion]

Truly we were all the idiots we met along the way...

[@asajjy]

Why Is Zach In The Thumbail?

[@gabriellitewski5890]

she killed the lawyer too

[@jubalcalif9100]

She was one cute chick but there's no denying that she seemed to have a homicidal streak....

[@watchforever1724]

Jubal Calif yeah I know what you mean

[@medalion1390]

Do they all say “A Rooty Toot Toot”?

[@AWESOMEjeff654r]

You should’ve aim for the girl Frankie

[@Staszu13]

Ok so how come Johnny died with a big smile on his face?

[@LeFaisDoDo]

i accidentally used this phrase with the girl i like and i needed to know where i got it from...🙃

[@zeinabukhari5784]

0:52 walking and camera angles 3:46 white char against colored bg

[@gabriellitewski5890]

this was not a accident

[@andrewschumm1848]

Gabriel Litewski She's a Murderer in town!!!

[@gablit-gt8kk]

Frankie has not only murdered her boyfriend but she's murdered her attorney who had the same name as her boyfriend for short

[@veganvocalist4782]

I would love to subscribe but BoobTube rarely works then when I manage to subscribe many become unsubscribed automatically. I do appreciate your sharing

[@inteligente79]

CAT ANDERSON PLAYED THE TRUMPET????

[@chrissullivan4496]

Where’s the Pink Panther

[@Frank869]

Vancouver Film School

[@marvinbostic6703]

5:05