He was on the Gong Show a total of 3 times -- He did these two bits and did one where he would play trombone and violin at the same time. I forget the song name, but he would play the melody on the trombone; for accompaniment, he would finger chords on the violin and use the trombone's slide to "bow" the strings!
My family and I were friends with Wilbur during the 1970's and 1980's. He was still doing shows with these bits well into his 80's (although he'd drop the bow a lot more).
There is a "Best of Spike Jones" video that ends with Wilbur Hall doing "Pop Goes the Weasel". 1949 I think. Wilbur looks appropriately goofy, yet entirely serious as he takes us on this musical trip to Goof-land. Variations on the "Pop" you see here. Haven't seen it in ages--friend has the tape. I am incapacitated by laughter whenever I see that or this. HAHA. Jeff Wilson, age 52, Portland, Oregon (collector of Spike Jones material)
Original. It is the 2 color Technicolor system. Only red and green. They had a real headache when they set the stage for shooting the BLUE Rhapsody. read on wikipedia about King of Jazz movie.
Just for fun, compare Englishman Little Tich, about 25 years before this. (I can't seem to post the link. Search for "Little Tich" on YouTube.
tkhering 6 months ago
superb . no more words to add .
REIS15152100 1 year ago
amazing. Listen to the fiddle chuckle at 1:39
JohnsFiddleLessons 1 year ago
My friend did the part from 0:50 to 1:37 at a school concert :D It was bloody brilliant!
(We're students on a Waldorf School)
IbikiIroshi 1 year ago
Nice save at 2:42 to reach the high note
Skrofler 1 year ago
What's this guy made...=.="
MaxSoulven 2 years ago
THAT... IS.. CRAZY....
pinkbananas21 2 years ago
Awesome! What an entertainer!
doctrDave 2 years ago
can anyone send me another vid of this guy plz
cofiddle 3 years ago
He was on the Gong Show a total of 3 times -- He did these two bits and did one where he would play trombone and violin at the same time. I forget the song name, but he would play the melody on the trombone; for accompaniment, he would finger chords on the violin and use the trombone's slide to "bow" the strings!
My family and I were friends with Wilbur during the 1970's and 1980's. He was still doing shows with these bits well into his 80's (although he'd drop the bow a lot more).
dgdragonman 3 years ago 3
I'm a huge fan of Wilbur Hall. Do you know if any of the Gong Show spots still exist. I would love to see any of them.
Also, did you know his wife, Rene? I understand she played the musical coins, which I would also love to see.
jasper20000 3 years ago
That man is a genie!
EvaDvSch 3 years ago
What happened to the version with Spike Jones? It used to be on youtube somewhere, but it's gone! This guy is an inspiration, thanks for uploading!
AceMusicOnline 4 years ago 3
yes, I wondered the same thing... I think that one was one of the best youtube videos ever!! Anybody knows????
iltulipano 3 years ago
There is a "Best of Spike Jones" video that ends with Wilbur Hall doing "Pop Goes the Weasel". 1949 I think. Wilbur looks appropriately goofy, yet entirely serious as he takes us on this musical trip to Goof-land. Variations on the "Pop" you see here. Haven't seen it in ages--friend has the tape. I am incapacitated by laughter whenever I see that or this. HAHA. Jeff Wilson, age 52, Portland, Oregon (collector of Spike Jones material)
JeffW77 4 years ago
Wilber Hall was also on the Gong Show doing part of this act with the bicycle pump. Anybody have a copy?
troubleman730 4 years ago
I can believe that. He was on the Spike Jones several times, Goodness, he must have been old then!!!! I too want to see that!!
tx644 4 years ago
Eccezionale! Divertentissimo!!!
gbshoes 4 years ago
This is awsome. Any idea what year this was filmed? He looks 30 years younger here than the version with Spike Jones
randiniW 4 years ago
Read again the description and the comments...
bansaraba 4 years ago
1930? In color?
Rotunda ... Eddie Cantor starred in a full color Busby Berkley movie before that. Expensive tho.
betteroffsingle 4 years ago
A ghost of C Chaplin here, but taken for further.
valvetrom 4 years ago
1930? In color? Is this original or has it been colorized?
rotunda57 4 years ago
Original. It is the 2 color Technicolor system. Only red and green. They had a real headache when they set the stage for shooting the BLUE Rhapsody. read on wikipedia about King of Jazz movie.
bansaraba 4 years ago
I love this! So nostalgic, funny, full of happyness an innocence! 5/5! and faved!
AlexLieb2802 4 years ago