1950's Noveltoons theme

[howie]

Ever notice that Winston Sharples' version of the "Noveltoons" theme seems to have been written with the old Jack-in-the-Box opening titles in mind? But yet, none of the Noveltoons from this era (that I know of) bother using ol' Jack.

Any thoughts?

[Daff Doc]

It's very possible. It's hard to tell since most common prints of titles from that era have those attached "Harveytoons" title.

[Ray Pointer]

The Harveytoons did include a newly produced animated sequence with the Jack poping out with cutout letters spelling "Harveytoons" in place of "Noveltoons" as in the original Paramount theatrical versions. This same footage was placed on the head of all the 1950s Paramount cartoons to replace the Paramount trademark. As in the jack-in-the-box, the Paramount symbol was on the face of the box with the camera trucking out to reveal the Jack popping out. This was replaced with a more stylized version of the same thing, with a large "H" on the front of the box, replacing the Paramount mountain. In addition, all of the series characters are seen standing on either side of the Jack in the Harveytoons television releases, where the original theatrical composed on the Jack holding the cut out letters.

[musicradio77]

The Harveytoons did include a newly produced animated sequence with the Jack poping out with cutout letters spelling "Harveytoons" in place of "Noveltoons" as in the original Paramount theatrical versions. This same footage was placed on the head of all the 1950s Paramount cartoons to replace the Paramount trademark. As in the jack-in-the-box, the Paramount symbol was on the face of the box with the camera trucking out to reveal the Jack popping out. This was replaced with a more stylized version of the same thing, with a large "H" on the front of the box, replacing the Paramount mountain. In addition, all of the series characters are seen standing on either side of the Jack in the Harveytoons television releases, where the original theatrical composed on the Jack holding the cut out letters.

Here is an example of a Noveltoon short entitled "Rabbit Punch". It featured an updated "Noveltoon" theme. This was taken from a "Harvey Films" print in which it says "Harveytoons" in the opening title.

"Rabbit Punch" (with an updated "Noveltoon" Theme) (http://www.toontracker.com/realvid/moehare.ram)

[J Lee]

For some reason, in 1948 Paramount shortened the opening themes of both the Popeye series and the Noveltoons series by eliminating about three seconds of the opening music from the original 1943 scoring by Sammy Timberg (they also cut a few seconds off the original Little Audrey theme, but that one was used in just one short, "Butterscotch and Soda" before it was replaced). The Popeye theme and the Noveltoon theme remained pretty much the same other than that until 1952, when Winston Sharples tweaked both to come up with new versions.

The modified Popeye theme lasted all the way to the end of the series theatrical run, and even snuck onto the first two KFS made-for-TV Popeyes, while "Rabbit Punch" was the last cartoon to sport Timberg's 1943 music. Sharples would introduce a new opening with "Little Audrey Riding Hood" in 1955 which would last through 1965's "A Leak in the Dike" (Presumably, the Jack-in-the-box opening also bit the dust with "Rabbit Punch", to be replaced by the Novletoon lettering with the moving striped lines).

[Vdubdavid]

Seeing the opening of "Rabbit Punch" with that ugly black bar on the title, I really hope the original Paramount openings are restored on the upcoming set.

[musicradio77]

For some reason, in 1948 Paramount shortened the opening themes of both the Popeye series and the Noveltoons series by eliminating about three seconds of the opening music from the original 1943 scoring by Sammy Timberg (they also cut a few seconds off the original Little Audrey theme, but that one was used in just one short, "Butterscotch and Soda" before it was replaced). The Popeye theme and the Noveltoon theme remained pretty much the same other than that until 1952, when Winston Sharples tweaked both to come up with new versions.

The modified Popeye theme lasted all the way to the end of the series theatrical run, and even snuck onto the first two KFS made-for-TV Popeyes, while "Rabbit Punch" was the last cartoon to sport Timberg's 1943 music. Sharples would introduce a new opening with "Little Audrey Riding Hood" in 1955 which would last through 1965's "A Leak in the Dike" (Presumably, the Jack-in-the-box opening also bit the dust with "Rabbit Punch", to be replaced by the Novletoon lettering with the moving striped lines).

Thanks for the info about the "Noveltoon" music. According to the main title to "Rabbit Punch", the ones that I watched from Toon Tracker that Winston Sharples took over after Sammy Timberg left to do a shortened version of the "Noveltoon" theme. The original version was done by Sammy Timberg. Timberg's version was clocked in at 33 seconds. The Shaples' version was also clocked in at 25 seconds. That's 8 seconds close to the original Timberg's 33-second theme.

[musicradio77]

I found something from classicthemes.com. Here are the following descriptons that it was used for a "Noveltoon" theme:


Noveltoons (cartoons)
(since 1943)


this series was produced by Famous Studios Productions and
released by Paramount Pictures from 1943 to 1967; it included
some more familiar cartoon strip characters of Casper the
Friendly Ghost, Little Audrey, Baby Huey, Raggedy Ann and
Andy; plus a number of lesser-known cartoon characters --
Hector the Rooster, Blackie the Lamb, Dog Face, Herman the
Mouse, Herman and Katnip, Finny the Goldfish, Kitty Cuddles,
Owly the Owl, Weasel Villain, Little Duck, Tommy the Tortoise,
Louie the Lion and Moe Hare.


Theme: "Noveltoon Main Title"
[ASCAP title variation aka: "Title Noveltoon Signature"]

Composer: Sammy Timberg (ASCAP)

1978 Publisher: Famous Music Corporation (ASCAP)
2001 Publisher: Famous Music Corporation (ASCAP)

Copyright Date:
Renewal Date:
Recordings: