Foul Owl on the Prowl

From the 1967 movie "In the Heat of the Night," the "Foul Owl on the Prowl" sequence, played by Boomer & Travis.

All you little birds better lock up tight
'Cause there's a foul owl on the prowl tonight.

Hey, little lark, get outta the dark,
Foul owl on the prowl.
Cute little jay, stay outta his way,
Foul owl on the prowl.
You just might be the quail he'll tail,
Foul owl on the prowl.
You just might be the swallow he'll follow,
Foul owl on the prowl.

If you hear him hoot, scoot,
If you pass his tree, flee,
If you catch his eye, fly,
Don't wait to say goodbye.

He's got a yen for a purty little hen,
Foul owl on the prowl.
He's hungry for a chick, so get home quick,
Foul owl on the prowl...whhhooo.

If you hear him hoot, scoot,
If you pass his tree, flee,
If you catch his eye, fly,
Don't wait to say goodbye.

He's got a yen for a purty little hen,
Foul owl on the prowl.
He's hungry for a chick, so get home quick,
Foul owl on the prowl...whhhooo
Foul owl on the prowl...whhhooo
Foul owl on the prowl...whhhooo
Foul owl on the prowl...whhhooo
Foul owl on the prowl

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Foul
• Owl
• Prowl
• Heat
• Night
• Boomer
• Travis
• Rock
• Roll

[000266617]

From Imdb: "they originally wanted the song "Hey There Little Red Ridin' Hood" by 'Sam the Sham and The Pharoahs' , which is what was actually playing in that scene and what the character Ralph Henshaw (Anthony James) is dancing to. Apparently, Sam the Sham wanted too much money for use of the song and it was probably Quincy Jones who came up with the new song and Glenn Campbell is singing."

[lupine22]

No, not Glen Campbell. The song is performed by Boomer and Travis --

Boomer Clarke (aka Owen Castleman) and Travis Lewis (aka Michael Martin Murphy)

[000266617]

You know, the Imdb report said Glen Cambell. But I was wary of that report. It didn't sound like a Glen Cambell song. Thanks for clearing that up lupine.

[lupine22]

Yes, Glen Campbell sings a different song on the soundtrack -- "Bowlegged Polly"

[inkey2]

That creepy actor Anthony James....never saw any character acter do such a fantastic job of being just a scummy, greasy bag of crap. He is just superb

[Fruth37]

The "peckerwood" behind the counter is actor Anthony James. He played hoods, scumbags, and, all around low rent characters on tv and in movies. He was really bad on "The A-Team" and on "Charlie's Angels". He does a good job here!

[Mickagume]

@lupine22 ...Which was "You can't roller skate in a buffalo herd"...also wanted too much $.

[brit1958dec]

@lupine22 Maybe Glen Campbell is singing backing vocals or playing guitar. I have the movie on DVD and the director's commentary does say '"there's Glen Campbell" when the song is playing.

[steve7138]

when of them thar "eclectic redneck" songs of the 60's-befo' the cosmic cowboys, etc

[gorgonique]

I'll bet that's a career misstep that Sam the Sham has regretted to this day. Imagine the cash cow "Red Riding Hood" would've been, with way more air play and remakes and rented out for ads, if it was permanently linked to this film masterpiece.

[lcs1956]

Red Ridin' Hood was a good choice to set the mood of that scene, it is a more ominous sounding song than 'Fowl Owl'. Also Sam the Sham curiously has a very similar accent to Delores Purdy (aka Tombstone girl).

[madmax8903]

Oohh! I wanted to see the bit where either Oates or Steiger asks Poitier, "You want anything?" or something similar and the cafe owner, staring fixedly ahead of him, yells "I aint serving him!" and Poitiers sharp look at him. Great scene from a great movie. After hearing some Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs I thought they sounded similar and it might be them playing. Amazed to hear that it was they that Quincy Jones wanted originally. Must have a better musical ear than I realise.

[LukeWhitaker]

so creepy

[67chevelle300]

1:13.....Is that Carl Edwards' father?

[rzxw]

"Don't wait! to say goodby" la la la

[Jman955i]

Ole Sam is happy as hell about that king size and wedge of pie