Rooty Toot Toot

Rooty Toot Toot is a 1951 American black comedy musical film noir cartoon[2] directed by John Hubley.[3] It was released by Columbia Pictures and produced by UPA.[4] Annette Warren provides the voices of both Frankie and Nelly Bly. Thurl Ravenscroft is the voice of Johnny and Honest John the Crook.

Rooty Toot Toot
Directed byJohn Hubley
Story byJohn Hubley
Bill Scott
Produced byStephen Bosustow (executive producer)
John Hubley (producer)
StarringThurl Ravenscroft (Johnny), Annette Warren (Frankie and Nellie Bly), Bill Lee (Attorney)[1]
Music byAlan Alch (lyrics)
Phil Moore (music)
Animation byArt Babbitt
Pat Matthews
Tom McDonald
Grim Natwick
Layouts byPaul Julian
Color processTechnicolor
Production
company
Distributed byColumbia Pictures
Release date
  • November 15, 1951 (1951-11-15)
Running time
7 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Summary

The short retells the classic popular song "Frankie and Johnny". Frankie is on trial for the murder of her piano-playing lover, Johnny. The prosecuting attorney accuses her of shooting Johnny "rooty toot toot/right in the snoot." Nellie Bly the singer ("That's a lie! That's a lie! She's no singer!" shouts Frankie) claims she witnessed the shooting. The case is looking bad for Frankie until her lawyer, Honest John the Crook, spins a wild story involving innocent Frankie, a jealous Johnny, and an incredible ricochet. Honest John then declares that if Frankie were free, he would take her for his wife. The jury convenes and finds Frankie "not guilty." Frankie is thrilled, until she sees Honest John walking away with Nellie Bly. She quickly picks up Exhibit A (the gun) and shoots Honest John "rooty toot toot/right in the snoot" in front of the entire court room. The prosecuting attorney celebrates as the police escort Frankie to jail.

Reception and legacy

It received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 1951, but lost out to Tom and Jerry's 6th award-winning cartoon The Two Mouseketeers.[5]

In 1994 it was voted #41 of the 50 Greatest Cartoons of all time by members of the animation field.[6]

References
  1. Scott, Keith (2022). Cartoon Voices from the Golden Age, 1930-70. BearManor Media. p. 178. ISBN 979-8-88771-010-5.
  2. Noir Catoons at the Academy|Cartoon Brew
  3. FilmAffinity
  4. TCM.com
  5. Cartoons Considered For An Academy Award – 1951|Cartoon Research
  6. Beck, Jerry (1994). The 50 Greatest Cartoons: As Selected by 1,000 Animation Professionals. Turner Publishing. ISBN 978-1878685490.
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