Release Date November 10, 1953

Running time

Complete : 10:18

Edited : 9:59

Synopsis

A History of music through the ages, from prehistoric man to the modern symphony orchestra.

Characters

Professor Owl

Bertie Birdbrain

Canary Sisters

Penelope Pinfeather

Suzy Sparrow

Credits

Directors

Charles Nichols

Ward Kimball

Story : Dick Huemer

Music : Oliver Wallace

Animation

Ward Kimball

Julius Svendsen

Marc Davis

Henry Tanous

Art Stevens

Xavier ("X") Atencio

Art Director : A. Kendall O'Connor

Assistant Art Director : Victor Haroush

Character Styling : Tom Oreb

Color Styling : Eyvind Earl

Songs

Sonny Burke

Jack Elliot

Milestones

The first animated film released in CinemaScope

Cut Scenes

Some oriental and black stereotypes have been edited from this short.

Awards

Academy Award winner (Short Subjects - Cartoons)

Videos

United States

Cartoon Classics : Limited Gold Editions : Disney's Best : The Fabulous 50's

Italy

Il Meglio di Disney

Laserdiscs

Japan

Cartoon Classics : Limited Gold Editions : Disney's Best : The Fabulous 50's

Television

The Ink and Paint Club : #36 : Award Winners II

DVD

Region 1 : United States

Fantasia 2000

Disney Treasures : Disney Rarities: Celebrated Shorts, 1920s - 1960s

Region 2 : Italy

Fantasia 2000

Technical Specifications

Color Type : Technicolor

Animation type : Standard

Sound mix : Stereo

Aspect ration : 2.35 : 1

Negative format : 35mm

Print format : 35mm, 8mm animorphic

Cinematographic process : Cinemascope

Original language : English

Released by RKO Radio Pictures, Inc.originally. Released by Buena Vista Pictures for the 1963 re-release.

Comments

From Patrick Wilkinson : I have found this useful in teaching a unit on "Sound" on the Middle School level.

From David Willmann : This short has always been a favorite of mine. I first saw it when I was in Grade school. It was a great introduction into the world of music. It inspired me so that I took up an instrument (The Drums) BOOM! I played the drums from Elementary through High school.

From Lelia : This is a great short! Funny and imagintive as well as educational. It's been available to music educators (I'm one) since probably before I was in grade school as an old-fashioned movie needing a projector. The copy my school has has long ago disintigrated, and for the life of me I cannot find it on video. I really wish Disney would re-release it in some way.

From Rich C. : I have this particular cartoon on video. Toot, Whistle, Plunk, and Boom, is not just another great Disney cartoon, but is also the best example I can think of that represents the super-cool style of 50's "space age" animation. The images are all very geometric. Colors and outlines do not necessarily match. Different use of perspective and distance, especially, results in some very wild results. This cartoon is just super hip.

From Brad Bethel : I saw this cartoon a bunch of times, and it's pretty interetsing. The UPA designs are opposite of a normal Disney cartoon, but it's okay in this case. Some of the geometric designs makes the cartoon very funny at times. I used to play the trumpet, which I think counts 'toot'.

"Toot, Whistle, Plunk, and Boom" won a 1954 Oscar for Disney, winning a competition with UPA's cartoons at the time. The cartoon was also among the 8 Disney cartoons listed in the book, "The 50 Greatest Cartoons" (1994). A true classic.

From Sue Schwartz : Brilliant, gorgeous, and formative. I probably saw it at least 42 times between 1961 and l966. I would kill to see it again. "That's where the music comes from...."

From Ryan : Despite the poor animation of this cartoon compared to that of cartoons of the past, I rather enjoyed this short that focuses on the history of music. It begins with Professor Owl teaching his students about music.

From Karla Ober : Great educational 'toon! I use it as a springboard for teaching the four main instrumental groups.

From Andrew Leal : Brilliant short, and long one of my favorites (and one of Ward Kimball's too few opportunities to direct a short, though he did handle several featurettes and TV programs.) Matter of fact, Ward Kimball animated the Roman trumpeter himself (according to Frank and Ollie's Too Funny For Words) and I'm informed by Animation Blast editor Amid Amidi that Art Stevens, who he recently made contact with, animated most of the string musicians. "That's where the music comes from!"

From Baruch Weiss : This short is okay but only the music made it worth while. Because when it comes to music only Disney can do it. For Disney video triva buffs Professor Owl was host for the Disney Sing Along Songs series.

From Cheryl Raine : This is the most educational, entertaining, delightful, fun and clever movie ever made to explain the history of music. I teach elementary music and need to have it! I love the song, too!

From Sam Burnes : I have used this in various schools over the decades and am now going to use it with post high schoolers. Its wonderful, lively, and teaches with lots of music and fun.

From Grace : This is a excellent short. This is a great example of music history and it does have pretty much gags, scenes and music you'll enjoy. I highly recommend this short! P.S I'm so happy that it won an Academy Award plus it deserves it!

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