"Closer than a Brother" Terrytoon with Farmer Gray

[paskuniag]

My brother and I watched Modern Farmer 'cos were already gearheads while still in primary grades. We watched the Paul Terry cartoons 'cos (I think) they came on right after MF on NBC-TV in NY. What a lesson in music they were- corny 50s stock music, along with Bizet, Mendelssohn, and Count Basie. They were probably recorded overseas so the producers wouldn't have to pay royalties for any of the music they used, which was SOP back then. But I still remember them 50 years later!

[km2711]

FANTASTIC POSTING!

These cartoons were ABSOLUTELY the best in entertainment back in the '50s--when TV was just getting a run at everything.

These cartoons showed the great imagination and skill sets of the producers and anyone else involved.

Loved also the cartoons that had popular songs of past years with a story attached.

The GREATEST!!

Thanks!

[SoJustCool]

my mother grew up with this, and i am so glad she showed this to me. classic cartoons are wonderful.

[ramblergarage]

I love this music from the 1950s

[th3matchless]

I just realised this was made when my Grand father wasnt even born!

[jeffory1154]

Fatastic, when you get older you think about the past and these cartoons bring back so many memories. Every morning before school I would look forward to seeing these cartoons. I wish I could find a complete collection.

[chalomirof63]

OMG - the memories, and the music!! I'm 62, and grew up in Montreal. In the 50s, we had two TV channels - one English, one French - and these Paul Terry cartoons were an after-school staple. I believe some music on these oldies also included Bizet?? Tnx for posting this treasure.

[MisterScott99]

Yes, we've identified music by Bizet but the rest are obscure, probably c 1900 compositions. I'm wondering now if much may have been composed and recorded specifically to be stock music in the 40s or 50s.

[kdegru]

Mister Scott99. Did you ever get near a copy of the Thomas J. Valentino music library circa mid 1950's. As I understand it the library was updated periodically and therefore only that period would assure you of finding the music cues used by Commonwealth in producing the Paul Terry sound tracks. Did those sound tracks lean heavily towards the public domain light classics or were there more unique items such as that from a music house like Valentino that you have to pay use rights to get?

[MisterScott99]

@kdegru sorry I'm not that knowledgeable about stock music libraries and Valentino. Never got close to the library, but it makes sense to me that they update their libraries. Lots of other films and documentaries from the 50s have the same cues as the Farmer Gray pics but apparently none before and after. One YouTube responded said he found at a flea market some Farmer Gray music cues on a 78 rpm disk labeled T J Valentino, near Chicago IIRC.

[1952kid]

We didnt need any voices with these cartoons,even at 4 or 5 years old we knew what was going on. I was there too! It had to be mid to late 1950's. Its funny all of us from those years all watched these and they got stuck in our memories,but when you bring it up,most people think your nuts.Now i have proof!

[kdegru]

Oh yes, the music, which had haunted the deep recesses of my youthful mind for years until I discovered an old set of stock music/effects Valentino record library at the TV station I worked at. By sampling perhaps over 100 78 RPM discs I found most of the music cues and dubbed it to 1/4 inch for my listening pleasure. I am 55 years old and I remember well Earlybird Cartoons on WABC TV hannel 7 in NYC. They were often the first thing on TV in the morning that a 5 year old would want to watch.

[vibra64]

I watched these cartoons before going to school in Brooklyn, NY. Brings back so amny memories, especially the music.

Wish I could go back in time.

[Juliaflo]

@kdegru Welcome to the club--The Earlybird Cartoons on Channel 7 in NYC were a sweet part of my childhood.

I am somewhat over 21 myself, but I won't say how much. LOL.

If you want this on DVD, raise your hand.

Happy New Year.

[reisen55]

As many have posted, I too grew up with these cartoons and for over 45 years have wondered what they WERE???? Fantastic to discover them and I remember the music precisely.

[ftsjr]

I love Farmer Gray, and ALL silent animation of that time. It's simplicity and innocence was very appealing. And it brings back wonderful memories of early Saturday viewing.

[kdegru]

I would wake up early to watch TV. Today they might label that as an addiction. Anyway while waiting for Early Bird Cartoons on WABC, Ch 7, I would watch the Modern Farmer (because it was the fist thing on the air WNBC Ch 4 I think) and today such terms as milky dust spores still reside in my memory. I am surprised I did not go into farming as a result.

[puck30]

@kdegru I remember 'Modern Farmer' I think back on it now and ask myself how many farms could there have been in the five boros?

[Juliaflo]

@puck30 Modern Farmer?--You said two of the most magic words that were part of my growing up years. (Uh-uh, don't figure out my age, LOLOLOLOL).

Here's hoping you have a good summer.

[gnikcohs]

Nice little film. Animation wasn't outrageous, surreal, or overthetop but it fit the intimacy of the well developed story. And boy is my memory of these old Farmer A films way off.

[psychospeakempire]

I remember these on Saturday morning. Then they were banned for violence. Imagine by today's bloody video game standards, these were labeled. too violent.

[55102]

i was a child when i usad to watch those cartoons and seeing them again brings back good memories.

[caa1000]

I may remember some of the Alfalfa shorts. I think it was early 70's that I recall seen this in Puerto Rico.

[MisterScott99]

The cartoons ran out of New York from the 50's through the 60's but went off the air by 1970. Perhaps the prints channel 7 used in New York were sold to a Puerto Rico station or distributor. Go to "A Cat's Life" to read the letter challen 7 New York sent to me when I asked about the prints. Same music in the PR broadcasts?

[caa1000]

Can you ask them if they where sold to WKBM or WSUR in Puerto Rico, under the name Telecadena Perez Perry?

[MisterScott99]

Sorry, the original distributor, Commonwealth, went out of business around 1970 so there's no one to ask.

[55102]

sad that there s no way back to trace back the origins of these cartoons and it s music

[ut1254]

is there a way to download this cartoons, I have been looking for them for years.

[ut1254]

More like the sixties, in the el club de serruchito, "El Tio Manolo"

[caa1000]

WOW! My mother calls this "Tio Manolo!" I did not have any idea of the origins of the name.

[MisterScott99]

That's one of my favorites, too! Some really splendid key changes.

[luudnoma]

a beautiful pizzicatto starts at 4:45.. Wonderful composition,modern,progressive­,what can i say ? how i'ld like hear the full piece. ps- "the window washers" is the next ?