In the late 1940s and early 1950s Walt Disney began to expand his studio's work from entertainment to teaching. In this area he is best recalled for his wonderful short nature films about subjects like deserts and animals. But he also, occasionally turned to the use of his cartoons to get his message across. TOOT, WHISTLE, PLUNK, and BOOM was one of his best examples of this (in fact, it was recognized for it's unique excellence by copping the best short film - cartoon Oscar in 1953).
Disney used this cartoon to trace the development of musical instruments from the dawn of human history to the present (1953). Since the subject is music related all of the dialog is sung or spoke - sung. The setting is a classroom for young animals, and the teacher (who rushes into class late at the start) is an owl. He starts by showing four cavemen figures: one is tooting a metal horn, one is playing with a wind instrument whistle, one is plucking his bow (from his bow and arrow) and one is beating time with his belly as a drum (the boom sound). We then watch each of these instruments grow up so to speak: the horn is brought to the attention of the Pharoah of Egypt who convinces the caveman to change it to a longer trumpet. Eventually the modern trumpet is developed when musicians learn that they can twist the size of the trumpet to be carried . We also get a view of the development of clarinets, harps and string instruments, and drums.
There are some funny moments in the film, such as the birth of social dancing at the court of Pharoah, and the problems of strings for harp and violin players. But for all the changes and developments of the modern musical instruments, the instruments basics are never changed - a point that Disney's artists get across when they keep bringing the four original cavemen into music in other ages up to the present.
Disney used this cartoon to trace the development of musical instruments from the dawn of human history to the present (1953). Since the subject is music related all of the dialog is sung or spoke - sung. The setting is a classroom for young animals, and the teacher (who rushes into class late at the start) is an owl. He starts by showing four cavemen figures: one is tooting a metal horn, one is playing with a wind instrument whistle, one is plucking his bow (from his bow and arrow) and one is beating time with his belly as a drum (the boom sound). We then watch each of these instruments grow up so to speak: the horn is brought to the attention of the Pharoah of Egypt who convinces the caveman to change it to a longer trumpet. Eventually the modern trumpet is developed when musicians learn that they can twist the size of the trumpet to be carried . We also get a view of the development of clarinets, harps and string instruments, and drums.
There are some funny moments in the film, such as the birth of social dancing at the court of Pharoah, and the problems of strings for harp and violin players. But for all the changes and developments of the modern musical instruments, the instruments basics are never changed - a point that Disney's artists get across when they keep bringing the four original cavemen into music in other ages up to the present.