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:

warner bros | national film registry | 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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

7 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

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 construction worker is imitating the frog in the talent agency, he's initially holding his hat, then throws his hands up in the air. When his hands come back down, his hat has disappeared.

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Quotes

Michigan J. Frog: [singing] Everybody do the Michigan Rag / everybody likes the Michigan Rag / every Mame and Jane and Ruth / from Weehawken to Duluth / slide, ride, glide the Michigan / stomp, romp, pomp the Michigan / jump, clump, pump the Michigan Rag / that lovin' rag.

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Connections

Referenced in Wonderfalls: Wax Lion (2004)

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Soundtracks

The Michigan Rag
(uncredited)
Written by Michael Maltese

User Reviews

Ultimate Frog Entertainment

We are so fortunate. We get to see the frog sing and dance. This is the remarkable tale of a man who finds a box. In the box is a frog who is an accomplished song and dance man. He performs at a high level but only when his owner is around. This cartoon takes us on an uncomfortable ride as the poor man who has been victimized by the frog embarrasses himself over and over, trying to get people to see his amphibian act. Unfortunately, those who get to see the little guy only get a croaking piece of sludge with almost no personality. The way this is put together is wonderful. Once again, Chuck Jones couldn't be matched for creativity. I first saw this at a movie theater in 1956 and it has stayed with me for all time.