Popular Melodies (1933) User Reviews (3)

America's Song Stylist

[boblipton · 6/10 · 25 April 2015]

That's how Arthur Jarrett, who sings three songs in this Fleischer Screen Song is credited. He is a tenor who sings "Silent Love" "One Hour with You" and the Betty Boop theme. Betty appears briefly, bopping along to Jarrett's singing.

Like most of the Screen Songs of this period, it's animators Myron Waldman and Willard Bowsky who did the actual work. At the Fleischers, brother Dave was credited as director of all the cartoons. However, in reality, he served as supervising producer, telling his staff to cram in another couple of gags.

Although Mr. Jarrett's singing is rather bland in the style then current, the set-up is amusing: a man is trying to paint, but the kids are making too much noise, so they all travel to the country. The ending sequence is a bizarre sequence of bits with a rather threatening ending. Although not the best of the Screen Songs, it's a solid piece and, as usual, very watchable

Pleasantly melodious

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 30 April 2018]

Fleischer were responsible for some brilliant cartoons, some of them still among my favourites. Their visual style was often stunning and some of the most imaginative and ahead of its time in animation.

The character of Betty Boop, one of their most famous and prolific characters, may not be for all tastes and sadly not as popular now, but her sex appeal was quite daring for the time and to me there is an adorable sensual charm about her. That charm, sensuality and adorable factor is not lost anywhere here, nor her comic timing, her personality not dulled down at all despite her appearance being far too brief.

For me, 'Popular Melodies' is among the high middle of Fleischer/Betty Boop animation-mixed-with-live-action efforts. Not one of Fleischer's overall best by any stretch, or one of the best featuring Betty and not one of the most imaginative of their cartoons featuring live-action performers

Admittedly, the story though fun is flimsy, barely existent even, and anybody looking for non-stop hilarity are best looking elsewhere. Arthur Jarrett sings beautifully but in terms of presence he is slightly bland. Wouldn't have said no to more animation as well but that's probably just me, mainly because the highlights are with the animation.

However, the animation is outstanding, everything is beautifully and meticulously drawn and the whole cartoon is rich in visual detail and imagination. Every bit as good is the music score, which delivers on the energy, lusciousness and infectiousness, great for putting anybody in a good mood.

On top of these, 'Popular Melodies' is amusing and charming with a delightful Betty, a great neat set up and some great gags. A highlight being the deliciously bizarre end sequence. Jarrett sings beautifully.

All in all, nicely done and pleasant if not mind-blowing. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Popular Melodies (1933)

[Michael_Elliott · 29 September 2017]

Popular Melodies (1933)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

The Fleischer Studio produced a number of these animated short films where the "bouncing ball" would have audience members singing together. The animation portion of this has an artist trying to paint some children but they are running around and ruining anything, which leads to his breakdown. Arthur Jarrett then jumps into action and we get him singing the title track while the bouncing ball helps the crowd members. If you're a fan of this series then you'll enjoy this episode since once again the animation is just so great and the story itself was quite fun. I thought the song was decent for what it was and Jarrett does a nice job with it.