. . . in Warner Bros.' close-captioning for this 1933 Looney Tune, BOSKO IN PERSON, found on Disc 3 of Volume 6, Looney Tunes Golden Collection. Every other word of the English subtitles for IN PERSON is a stage direction involving some variant of "scat"--from verb to noun to adjective and back again. In every nature guide I've ever read, "scat" is synonymous with animal droppings or leavings. With Bosko and his shameless hussy Honey appearing to be drawn as animals of some unknown ilk, it makes sense that they might scat every now and then. However, it seems in very poor taste that their afternoon Constitutionals would be a focus of public display. Furthermore, the idea that they could engage in consensual synchronized male and female scatting as a regular performance piece implies a level of depravity pretty dreadful to contemplate face-on. At least the American Public had the NC-17 rating to insulate themselves from all the sick scatting in that sadistic live action feature, THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE. However, the Pope had not yet stepped in to stamp out on-screen Pooping before IN PERSON's release. It's not hard to see why His Holiness appointed America's Permanent Film Censorship Board after this Scat Fest came out!
4 Reviews
Bosko in Person is pretty entertaining musically
tavm10 June 2007
Bosko in Person takes place entirely on a stage where he and Honey perform songs, musical instrumentals, and singing celebrity impersonations. I recognized Bosko's Jimmy Durante but I don't know who Honey was impersonating when she sang in a big, brassy, voice. Music director Frank Marsales keeps things moving to a nice jazzy beat throughout with a fine patriotic finish and a nice illustration of President Franklin Roosevelt on drums at the end. Bosko in Person is one of many Harmon-Ising (harmonizing, get it?) cartoons made for Leon Schlesinger starring the monkey-like character for Warner Bros. in the early thirties before they left for greener pastures at MGM. When they took Bosko there with them, he would emerge into a different character...
Good musical entertainment with Bosko
TheLittleSongbird10 June 2017
The Bosko cartoons may not be animation masterpieces, but they are fascinating as examples of Looney Tunes in their early days before the creation of more compelling characters and funnier and more creative cartoons. There are some good cartoons, as well as some average or less ones.
'Bosko in Person' is easily one of the better later Bosko cartoons, and overall. It is good musical entertainment that makes the most of a good and well-utilised premise, if not a masterpiece.
Sure, as usual, the story is thin and more of an excuse to string along the gags and music scenes. Occasionally the pacing lags slightly and Bosko is still a pretty limited character if never an annoyance.
Honey is very charming however. As always for a Bosko cartoon the animation is good. Not exactly refined but fluid and crisp enough with some nice detail, it is especially good in the meticulous backgrounds and some remarkably flexible yet natural movements for Bosko. The music doesn't disappoint either, its infectious energy, rousing merriment, lush orchestration and how well it fits with the animation is just a joy. Bosko's rendition of "Sweet Georgia" is fun.
Sound quality has clarity and the synchronisation isn't sloppy and has imagination. The way Bosko is animated is well done and remarkably natural.
Gags are some of the cleverest and most amusing of the Bosko cartoons, with vastly entertaining send ups of Maurice Chevalier, Greta Garbo and Jimmy Durante. The rhythmic number and dance between Bosko and Honey was similarly delightful.
In summary, good fun. 7/10 Bethany Cox
'Bosko in Person' is easily one of the better later Bosko cartoons, and overall. It is good musical entertainment that makes the most of a good and well-utilised premise, if not a masterpiece.
Sure, as usual, the story is thin and more of an excuse to string along the gags and music scenes. Occasionally the pacing lags slightly and Bosko is still a pretty limited character if never an annoyance.
Honey is very charming however. As always for a Bosko cartoon the animation is good. Not exactly refined but fluid and crisp enough with some nice detail, it is especially good in the meticulous backgrounds and some remarkably flexible yet natural movements for Bosko. The music doesn't disappoint either, its infectious energy, rousing merriment, lush orchestration and how well it fits with the animation is just a joy. Bosko's rendition of "Sweet Georgia" is fun.
Sound quality has clarity and the synchronisation isn't sloppy and has imagination. The way Bosko is animated is well done and remarkably natural.
Gags are some of the cleverest and most amusing of the Bosko cartoons, with vastly entertaining send ups of Maurice Chevalier, Greta Garbo and Jimmy Durante. The rhythmic number and dance between Bosko and Honey was similarly delightful.
In summary, good fun. 7/10 Bethany Cox
The stage is yours, Bosko!
slymusic21 April 2010
Warning: Spoilers
The early Depression-era Looney Tunes & Merrie Melodies cartoons were a means of theatre audiences to escape the dark realities of the sunken U.S. economy, and "Bosko in Person" is probably one of the best representations of this. Starring Bosko and his girlfriend Honey, this cartoon is sunny, bright, and cheerful, just what audiences needed.
Highlights: At the very beginning, Bosko plays some wonderful stride piano, then he and Honey engage in some rhythmic banter and do a dance together. Bosko also does some fine impressions of Maurice Chevalier and Jimmy Durante. And how could you not enjoy Bosko's jazzy rendition of "Sweet Georgia Brown" on trumpet, clarinet, and a variety of percussion?
"Bosko in Person" boasts some fine animation from Bob McKimson, who would go on (both as an animator and as a director) to refine the designs of several of the familiar Looney Tunes characters including Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Foghorn Leghorn, and the Tasmanian Devil. It's just a pity that even to this day McKimson doesn't receive the posthumous recognition he deserves, but he reportedly loved being a part of the Warner Bros. cartoon family.
Highlights: At the very beginning, Bosko plays some wonderful stride piano, then he and Honey engage in some rhythmic banter and do a dance together. Bosko also does some fine impressions of Maurice Chevalier and Jimmy Durante. And how could you not enjoy Bosko's jazzy rendition of "Sweet Georgia Brown" on trumpet, clarinet, and a variety of percussion?
"Bosko in Person" boasts some fine animation from Bob McKimson, who would go on (both as an animator and as a director) to refine the designs of several of the familiar Looney Tunes characters including Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Foghorn Leghorn, and the Tasmanian Devil. It's just a pity that even to this day McKimson doesn't receive the posthumous recognition he deserves, but he reportedly loved being a part of the Warner Bros. cartoon family.
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