Three’s a Crowd (1932)

1932-threes-a-crowd-title “Three’s a Crowd”
Merrie Melodies (cartoon-specific titles)
Released: December 10, 1932
Length: 6:57

Credits:

Supervision by – Rudolf Ising
Drawn by – Rollin HamiltonLarry Martin
Musical Score by – Frank Marsales


Summary:

A books-come-to-life adventure, with Mr. Hyde chasing Alice (from Wonderland).

Description:

As an old man in a rocking chair is reading Alice in Wonderland by his fireplace, his clock strikes, prompting him to put the book aside and head towards his bedroom. After he blows out his candle, Alice comes out of the book and runs across the table to a radio. She turns it on and tunes into Art Jarrett singing Johnny Green’s “Three’s a Crowd” [LT&MM]. As she dances by a copy of Robinson Crusoe, both Crusoe and His Man Friday pop out and hum the title tune. Rip Van Winkle awakes from his book and sways in time with the song as well. Alice opens up The Three Musketeers, and the heroic trio emerge and continue the song, with Friday joining in. Their Mills Brothers-like rendition is greeted with applause from characters like Napoleon, Omar Khayyam, and Henry VIII (who shouts “Whoopee!”). Suddenly Anthony steps out of Anthony and Cleopatra and introduces master violinist Emperor Nero (complete with a scene of Rome burning in the background). Cleopatra emerges from the book and does a sexy dance to Nero’s accompaniment. Alice next opens up The Specialist, and follows this by calling for Uncle Tom to come out of his book. “I’m Comin’!” shouts Tom, as he steps into spotlight and sings “Got the South in My Soul” [LT&MM]. As Alice watches Tom, a very gruesome Mr. Hyde creeps out of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and snatches Alice from behind. Her cries for help are answered by Tarzan, but Hyde turns away from him. Crusoe and Friday shoot ink in Hyde’s face, causing him to drop Alice. Two Romans blow fire up Hyde’s behind using a smoking pipe, and then Robin Hood uses his bow to shoot lit matches at the villain. The Musketeers then use a pencil sharpener to fire pen points at Hyde, who leaps into a box for safety. The characters close up the box, and ceremoniously dump it into the trash, prompting much celebration.


Notes:

  • This is Warner Bros. first of many books-come-to-life cartoons.
  • Also heard on the soundtrack: “One Step Ahead of My Shadow”. [LT&MM]

Memorable Scenes:


Video Availability:

VHS: Inside Termite Terrace, Vol. 2
Laserdisc:
 Golden Age of Looney Tunes, Vol. 2