Hitchcoc
Oh! It's one of them "educational" films. This is a masterful look at the dynamics and science of musical instruments. It gives a rudimentary history of all things instrumental. The four words in the title refer to horns, wood winds, strings, and percussion, the four sections of the orchestra. It is done in a fun and visually interesting way. I recall seeing "Donald Duck in Mathemagic Land," in my math classes, an excellent teaching tool created by the Disney animators. The only part I had trouble with was that chorus of birds singing in the Andrews Sisters style. Many of the Dr. Seuss cartoons used this choral style and it becomes pretty tiresome at times. But it needed narration and this is they way they got it.
travisimo
The best thing about "Toot, Whistle, Plunk, and Boom" is that I actually learned something from it! Who knew I would learn something from a cartoon at the age of 22?! I've never been that involved in musical instruments, but it was very interesting and easy to learn from TWP&B on why horns are shaped the way they are. The short is also hilarious as we see how the caveman learned to make music in their primitive ways and how that music evolved over the ages. It's also fun to see the cavemen collaborate with the modern-day symphonies. There are just some great gags and jokes throughout this jam-packed cartoon.We're also reintroduced to that school of singing birds from the cartoon short, "Melody." They were fun, but I thought they were a little annoying in this short. I was glad when they made the transition to the cavemen, because those cavemen stole the show! I've even seen them make cameos on the recent cartoon series, "Disney's House of Mouse." Hey, maybe we can even see them in the theme parks!!! That would be fun!There are a lot of memorable and educational moments from this cartoon, and it will always remain a classic. In my opinion, the only thing holding it back a little are those birds. They've done better! Better just let the cavemen get the show going!!My IMDb Rating: 9/10
Ron Oliver
We join Professor Owl as he teaches his avian students about where all the music comes from - in other words, the whole TOOT WHISTLE PLUNK AND BOOM of the matter.This very engaging cartoon gives a lighthearted look at the origin of musical instruments. Using humor as the best tool to teach - in this instance zany cavemen bang home the lessons - it leaves the viewer with several pertinent facts from the fascinating world of musical history.TOOT WHISTLE PLUNK AND BOOM was the Disney Studio's first foray into stylized, or limited, animation. The result was very successful & the 1953 Oscar for best cartoon was the reward.
Squonk
If you think that Disney animators were only good at drawing cutesy animals in the 1950's then you need to see this film. The animation style is like nothing you've ever seen in a Disney film. While it does have its share of cute animals (the setting is a classroom full of birds), many of the characters are strange, geometric looking creations. I especially enjoyed the ancient Egyptian characters modeled after ancient Egyptian art. This is an educational short on the origins of music, but also works as a great comedy. The "Plunk" section is the best! It's a one joke bit, but it never gets old.
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