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

  • 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. "World in Revolt". www.tcm.com. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
  5. Webb, Graham (July 13, 2020). Encyclopedia of American Short Films, 1926-1959. McFarland. ISBN 9781476681184 via Google Books.
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