One Froggy Evening (1955)

A man futilely struggles to make his fortune with a frog that sings and dances, but only when it is alone with the owner.

Director:

Chuck Jones (as Charles M. Jones)

Writer:

Michael Maltese (story)

Star:

William Roberts

1 win.

Cast

Uncredited cast:
William Roberts	...	Michigan J. Frog (singing voice) (uncredited)

Storyline

A workman finds a singing frog in the cornerstone of an old building being demolished. But when he tries to cash in on his discovery, he finds the frog will sing only for him, and just croak for the talent agent and the audience in the theater he's spent his life savings on.

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Plot Keywords:

national film registry | warner bros. | frog | theater | talent agent | 

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Genres:

Animation | Short | Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Musical

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 December 1955 (USA)

Also Known As:

Der singende Frosch

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$12,285, 16 February 1998

Gross USA:

$14,753

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$14,753

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

7 min

Sound Mix:

Mono DTS (1994 re-issue) Dolby Digital (1994 re-issue)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Printed on the newspaper on the bench in the park, where Michigan J Frog sings later on in the cartoon, we see the headline: "Lionel Barrymore heiress." Lionel Barrymore was a famous American actor who had died just over a year before this cartoon was released on the 31st December 1955, so this could be a reference to his death.

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Goofs

When the owner of the frog gets thrown out of the talent agency, there's a hand-print on the wall to the side of the door he is thrown from. In the next shot it's gone.

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Quotes

Michigan J. Frog: [singing] Hello, my baby / hello, my honey / hello, my ragtime gal. / Send me a kiss by wire / baby, my hearts on fire / if you refuse me / honey, you'll lose me / then you'll be left alone / Oh baby, telephone and tell me I'm your own.

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Alternate Versions

In some TV airings, the scene in which the workman places the "Free Beer!" sign outside the theater to attract customers is deleted.

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Connections

Followed by Another Froggy Evening (1995)

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Soundtracks

The Michigan Rag
(uncredited)
Written by Michael Maltese

User Reviews

My kind of frog!

Oh what a wonderful surprise this cartoon was. It is just so irresistible and endearing, not to mention funny and charming, and is just a froggin' masterpiece. The song "Hello ma baby, hello ma honey" is not only catchy but also memorable, I am still humming now writing this review. The other songs go without fault and the dancing routines are slickly done with lots of pizazz. The animation is spot on, with beautiful backgrounds, sharp character features and lovely colours. Michigan is a great character. Sung marvellously by Bill Roberts, he is charming, likable and sweet for a frog. The story is simple and well told, and its simplicity added to the charm that this gem has. All in all, wonderful and a must see! 10/10 Bethany Cox