Based on a copyright synopses I received from the collection of Mr. David Gerstein, the original title of this cartoon is "Mysteries of the Sea", and it was originally released on July 22nd 1923. For whatever reason, commonwealth frequently retitled their Fables for TV distribution.
to that person that wanted to know the title of the music piece at 5:45---I would be willing to bet that it comes from a music production library. It's just 90 seconds and sounds a lot like the Gumby Capitol Hi-Q music library that can be found elsewhere here on You Tube. Look for Capitol Hi-Q and also under Ren and Stimpy Production Music......Others are correct, these were originally silent and music added by the guy that purchased them for TV distribution.
Central America1--I am a classical pianist and I would think you would have to research this cartoon, look at the credits and see who is responsible for music editing, etc.,etc.,and then take those names---This cartoon is by Paul Terry of Terrytoons. I don't think u would have a problem finding research on him and the elements of his cartoons.
@TheElissaS The cartoons were made in the 1920s but the music was added in the 1950s by "Commonwealth Films" who bought them for TV distribution. The music came from the Thomas J. Valentino stock music library. I do wish I had the time and resources to research their work and library of the 1950s.
I was born 1957 and I remember getting up and turning the TV on, at, like, 5:00AM and watching all the Farmer Gray cartoons and follow the bouncing ball (which was the moon) and all the silent cartoons. They were on all morning, well at least till 7 AM. Then I think the Looney Tunes would come on till about 11AM. Shit! I did this for years growing up. Every Saturday and Sunday morning
I am from a much later generation (born in 1992) but I also find these cartoons delightful. Cartoons back then were funnier and I love the art style, I actually try to emulate it in my own Average Jones cartoons. Thanks for posting these gems!
Thanks for posting...I remember these vividly playing while my sister and I got ready for school at St. Thomas Aquinas in Brooklyn. Some of the music cues bring back wonderful memories. Thanks.
I watched these in the 1950's too, i guess all of you also remember,Colonel Bleep,and Spunky and Tadpole. That b/w tv we had lasted till 1972 when my parents finally got color. By that time i was 20,and remember most tv in b/w only.
We used to call these "Meece Cartoons" because of the mice characters in them. They were on WABC TV Channel 7 in New York before Courageous Cat and the Little Rascals. Cool!
i remember these cartoons when i was only 4 yo. especially before i went to school. they were a venue for escape especially during the sickly period of my early childhood. ah! nostalgia
OH, MY GOD!!! I haven't seen these old Farmer Gray cartoons since I was five years old, watching them on WABC-TV's "Morning Funnies" in 1958 -- and I'm 55 now, going on 56...
I can't believe that after a half-century, I can still follow the music literally note for note; it's the music that I remember them for.
I recall the music from these cartoons after many years. This one has the common elements. Music at 2:14 indicated some little scrap. The Mendelssohn (2:29 to 4:15) also showed up often, as well as the 4:16 to 4:39 passage. The music from 4:40 to 5:40 is best, if a bit out of step with the rest. I don't remember it. But the chase music from 5:41 on I recall.
These cartoons now seem bland to me. That's just me. I know there are a lot of Terrytoon fans out there.
If I may be of some assistance. I watched these cartoons close to 50 years ago and loved the music, and it took me years to find out the names of some of the pieces. Most of them I cannot identify. However, a minor correction. The piece from 2:29 to 4:15 is a wonderful composition by Bizet called "Galop". I also recall hearing Strauss's Tritsch-Tratsch Polka on some of these cartoons, as well as a bit of Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody #2 in C-Sharp Minor
Thanks for the correction. I must have been thinking of something else with Mendelssohn. I do this. A portion of the William Tell overture (Rossini) is used in cartoons to depict sunrise. (See "Porky in Wackyland," and for much more than just the music.) I was thinking Grieg (Peer Gynt) when I heard it, but corrected myself.
That is the problem with a lot of these classical pieces....a good deal of similarity. Many classical composers were so prolific it would take forever to try to track down a particular piece. I only discovered them by accident after spending many hours listening to old LP's in a library.
You mentioned a good deal of similarity with the classical pieces, and I immediately thought of Sir Arthur Sullivan. He was accused of plagiarism, and responded, "After all, we [have] each of us only eight notes to work upon." I will track down the Bizet "Galop." Thanks again.
Hi kbddd. As a composer of classical music, I have always been intrigued about what or by whom are some of the pieces that you hear in these cartoons. Can you (or anybody else) identify the piece that starts at 5:45 and goes almost all the way until the end of this cartoon?
i hope you able to upload more Terrytoons..How they are good,bizarre,funny,crazy..and soundtrack is the perfection in music,... enjoyable how it works with the scenes,specially this cartoon.
I grew up watching these cartoons.
Celestearc 5 months ago
Based on a copyright synopses I received from the collection of Mr. David Gerstein, the original title of this cartoon is "Mysteries of the Sea", and it was originally released on July 22nd 1923. For whatever reason, commonwealth frequently retitled their Fables for TV distribution.
CharlieJudkins69 11 months ago
to that person that wanted to know the title of the music piece at 5:45---I would be willing to bet that it comes from a music production library. It's just 90 seconds and sounds a lot like the Gumby Capitol Hi-Q music library that can be found elsewhere here on You Tube. Look for Capitol Hi-Q and also under Ren and Stimpy Production Music......Others are correct, these were originally silent and music added by the guy that purchased them for TV distribution.
cpoorbaugh 1 year ago
Central America1--I am a classical pianist and I would think you would have to research this cartoon, look at the credits and see who is responsible for music editing, etc.,etc.,and then take those names---This cartoon is by Paul Terry of Terrytoons. I don't think u would have a problem finding research on him and the elements of his cartoons.
TheElissaS 1 year ago
@TheElissaS The cartoons were made in the 1920s but the music was added in the 1950s by "Commonwealth Films" who bought them for TV distribution. The music came from the Thomas J. Valentino stock music library. I do wish I had the time and resources to research their work and library of the 1950s.
MisterScott99 1 year ago
I was born 1957 and I remember getting up and turning the TV on, at, like, 5:00AM and watching all the Farmer Gray cartoons and follow the bouncing ball (which was the moon) and all the silent cartoons. They were on all morning, well at least till 7 AM. Then I think the Looney Tunes would come on till about 11AM. Shit! I did this for years growing up. Every Saturday and Sunday morning
TheElissaS 1 year ago 2
xDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
xxxKsiraxxx 2 years ago
They were on The Barker Bill Cartoon Show, and , Merrytune Circus and Terrytune Circus with Claude Kirchner in the 1950's . In NYC.
1952kid 2 years ago
1958 tv guide NYC; Early Bird Cartoons 7;30 am Channel 7 , mon - fri.
1952kid 2 years ago
Yup, I think it was the same through the 60's too.
MisterScott99 2 years ago
@1952kid Score! My territory. (Uh-uh, I won't tell my age, LOLOL, although this gives it away, slightly).
Happy Thanksgiving.
Juliaflo 1 year ago
I am from a much later generation (born in 1992) but I also find these cartoons delightful. Cartoons back then were funnier and I love the art style, I actually try to emulate it in my own Average Jones cartoons. Thanks for posting these gems!
cartoonfan1920s 2 years ago
Thanks for posting...I remember these vividly playing while my sister and I got ready for school at St. Thomas Aquinas in Brooklyn. Some of the music cues bring back wonderful memories. Thanks.
writerpencil 2 years ago
I watched these in the 1950's too, i guess all of you also remember,Colonel Bleep,and Spunky and Tadpole. That b/w tv we had lasted till 1972 when my parents finally got color. By that time i was 20,and remember most tv in b/w only.
1952kid 2 years ago
We used to call these "Meece Cartoons" because of the mice characters in them. They were on WABC TV Channel 7 in New York before Courageous Cat and the Little Rascals. Cool!
favemartian57 2 years ago
i remember these cartoons when i was only 4 yo. especially before i went to school. they were a venue for escape especially during the sickly period of my early childhood. ah! nostalgia
tabbyybbat 2 years ago
OH, MY GOD!!! I haven't seen these old Farmer Gray cartoons since I was five years old, watching them on WABC-TV's "Morning Funnies" in 1958 -- and I'm 55 now, going on 56...
I can't believe that after a half-century, I can still follow the music literally note for note; it's the music that I remember them for.
Thank you for posting these. . .Bless you. . .
SkeeterVT 3 years ago
This is great. I never thought that I would ever see these cartoons again in my lifetime. I loved these cartoons as a kid. Thank you so very much.
instantcanela 3 years ago
Well, Farmer Gray. Silent cartoons that I watched as a very small child. They scared me , believe it or not!
NEVER, did I think I would see them again.
thank you
bigeman25 3 years ago
I recall the music from these cartoons after many years. This one has the common elements. Music at 2:14 indicated some little scrap. The Mendelssohn (2:29 to 4:15) also showed up often, as well as the 4:16 to 4:39 passage. The music from 4:40 to 5:40 is best, if a bit out of step with the rest. I don't remember it. But the chase music from 5:41 on I recall.
These cartoons now seem bland to me. That's just me. I know there are a lot of Terrytoon fans out there.
prchristman 4 years ago
If I may be of some assistance. I watched these cartoons close to 50 years ago and loved the music, and it took me years to find out the names of some of the pieces. Most of them I cannot identify. However, a minor correction. The piece from 2:29 to 4:15 is a wonderful composition by Bizet called "Galop". I also recall hearing Strauss's Tritsch-Tratsch Polka on some of these cartoons, as well as a bit of Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody #2 in C-Sharp Minor
kbddd 2 years ago
Thanks for the correction. I must have been thinking of something else with Mendelssohn. I do this. A portion of the William Tell overture (Rossini) is used in cartoons to depict sunrise. (See "Porky in Wackyland," and for much more than just the music.) I was thinking Grieg (Peer Gynt) when I heard it, but corrected myself.
prchristman 2 years ago
That is the problem with a lot of these classical pieces....a good deal of similarity. Many classical composers were so prolific it would take forever to try to track down a particular piece. I only discovered them by accident after spending many hours listening to old LP's in a library.
kbddd 2 years ago
You mentioned a good deal of similarity with the classical pieces, and I immediately thought of Sir Arthur Sullivan. He was accused of plagiarism, and responded, "After all, we [have] each of us only eight notes to work upon." I will track down the Bizet "Galop." Thanks again.
prchristman 2 years ago
Hi kbddd. As a composer of classical music, I have always been intrigued about what or by whom are some of the pieces that you hear in these cartoons. Can you (or anybody else) identify the piece that starts at 5:45 and goes almost all the way until the end of this cartoon?
centralamerican1 2 years ago
I wish I knew, but I have no idea.
kbddd 2 years ago
how i enjoyed these cartoons when i was a kid
55102 4 years ago
thanks for posting all these classical cartoons
55102 4 years ago
i hope you able to upload more Terrytoons..How they are good,bizarre,funny,crazy..and soundtrack is the perfection in music,... enjoyable how it works with the scenes,specially this cartoon.
luudnoma 4 years ago