Mentone Productions was a film company in the United States that produced short musical comedy films featuring a variety of performers. Milton Schwarzwald directed many of their films. In 1939, Schwarzwald moved on to producing musicals.[1] Violinist Joseph Gershenson helped produce the films.[2]
Rhapsody in Zoo features an MC dressed like Tarzan at a zoo with a stage and exhibitions by human performers. Musical acts presented include a female singer, novelty singing group, ballroom dance team, tap dancer, song performed by the host, and a finale with the Nagasaki Tramp Band of Harlem in front of animals that are clearly people dressed up in costume.
IMDb lists 78 films by Mentone Productions.
Filmography edit
- Supper at Six (1933), a parody of Dinner at Eight
- All at Sea (1933)
- Soup for Nuts, Bob Hope as master of ceremonies
- World in Revolt (1934)[3] an hour and 9 minute newsreel[4]
- The Whale of a Show (1934)
- Desert Harmonies (1935)
- Rhapsody in Zoo (1937), extant and posted on YouTube
- Fun Begins at Home (1937)
- Bank Notes (1939)
- Pharmacy Frolics (1939)
- Bullets and Ballads (1940)[5]
- Rhythm in a Night Court
References edit
- ^ Koszarski, Richard (August 27, 2008). Hollywood on the Hudson: Film and Television in New York from Griffith to Sarnoff. Rutgers University Press. ISBN 9780813545523 – via Google Books.
- ^ Sherk, Warren M. (2011). "Gershenson, Joseph". Grove Music Online. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.A2093093. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
- ^ Institute, American Film (June 8, 1993). The 1931-1940: American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures Produced in the United States: Feature Films. University of California Press. ISBN 9780520079083 – via Google Books.
- ^ "World in Revolt". www.tcm.com. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
- ^ Webb, Graham (July 13, 2020). Encyclopedia of American Short Films, 1926-1959. McFarland. ISBN 9781476681184 – via Google Books.