Mentone Productions Explained

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

External links

• IMDb Mentone Productions film listing

Notes and References

1. Book: Koszarski, Richard. Hollywood on the Hudson: Film and Television in New York from Griffith to Sarnoff. August 27, 2008. Rutgers University Press. 9780813545523. Google Books.
2. Web site: Gershenson, Joseph. 2020-12-13. Grove Music Online. 2011. en. 10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.A2093093. Sherk. Warren M.. 978-1-56159-263-0 .
3. Book: Institute, American Film. The 1931-1940: American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures Produced in the United States: Feature Films. June 8, 1993. University of California Press. 9780520079083. Google Books.
4. Web site: World in Revolt. 2020-12-13. www.tcm.com. en.
5. Book: Webb, Graham. Encyclopedia of American Short Films, 1926-1959. July 13, 2020. McFarland. 9781476681184. Google Books.