I'll Be Glad When You're Dead You Rascal You

This has to be one of the strangest movie titles ever, animated or not. What it is, really, is a tiny showcase for Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra. Armstrong's band plays and Louis sings, and most of it is good stuff, upbeat and entertaining.

The cartoon is a mixture of animation and Louis' face here and there looking above as Bimbo and Koko run for their lives, in tune to the music.

There is not much Betty Boop in here. It's mainly the two cartoon characters and Louis.

Overall, it's so-so, not really all that funny but the music is very good.

I'll Be Glad When You're Dead You Rascal You (1932)

*** (out of 4)

Betty, Bimbo and KoKo are on a jungle safari when they are chased by a giant head, which just happens to be an animated version of Louis Armstrong.

This animated short from Paramount certainly isn't a classic or even a very good one but I think fans of Betty Boop should enjoy it and those fans of Armstrong will really enjoy it. There are some racial jokes in the animation, which might offend some people but the main reason to watch this is for the title track by Armstrong. It's a fairly catchy number and I thought the animation put to it was quite good as well. There really aren't any laughs or great action but this is still a fun short.

The Betty Boop cartoons with guest artists are among the best. These are almost as good as the Cab Calloways..... better musically, as they feature Armstrong near his "Hot Fives" peak. The story line, about Betty, Koko and Bimbo on Safari and Louis cartooned as the cannibal chief is weak, but worth it for Louis doing the title song.

This is one of the best of the Betty Boop shorts. With both Koko and Bimbo along for the trip, Betty is on safari and quite a chase ensues, al to the strains of the great Satchmo himself, Louis Armstrong, singing the title tune. THe animation is spectacular, with a magnificent use of Armstrong himself at points. One of his better recordings and a great mix of music and animation. If you like either jazz or animation (I love both), then this is a treat. In print and available, a masterpiece that must be seen. Most highly, happily, recommended.

Fleischer were responsible for some brilliant cartoons, some of them still among my favourites. Their visual style often stunning and some of the most imaginative and ahead of its time in animation.

The character of Betty Boop, one of their most famous and prolific characters, may not be for all tastes and sadly not as popular now, but her sex appeal was quite daring for the time and to me there is an adorable sensual charm about her. The charm, sensuality and adorability factors can be seen throughout, a joy to watch as always.

With that said, she is underused, with Bimbo and particularly Koko and Armstrong having a lion's share of the cartoon's duration. The story is very weak, virtually plot-less with the pacing perhaps needing to be snappier in places.

However, the black and white animation is very good, smooth, meticulously detailed and well drawn with the black and white not looking too primitive. A lot of it is actually very imaginative, and the inserting of Armstrong visually is creatively and cleverly executed. Even better is the music, which is rousing, catchy and unquestionably accessible to anybody who loves or is familiar with the compositional style.

Armstrong is delightful and adds a lot of zest and exuberance to the proceedings, likewise with Koko and Bimbo. Much of 'I'll Be Glad When You're Dead You Rascal You' (what a title, must be the longest one for a Betty Boop cartoon) is very entertaining and charming.

Overall, a fun cartoon interesting for Louis Armstrong's involvement. 8/10 Bethany Cox