| Rooty Toot Toot | |
|---|---|
| Jolly Frolics series | |
| Directed by | John Hubley |
| Produced by | Stephen Bosustow (executive producer) John Hubley (producer) United Productions of America |
| Story by | John Hubley Bill Scott |
| Voices by | Thurl Ravenscroft |
| Music by | Alan Alch (lyrics) Phil Moore (music) |
| Animation by | Art Babbitt Pat Matthews Tom McDonald Grim Natwick Paul Julian (layouts) |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
| Release date(s) | November 15, 1951 |
| Color process | Technicolor |
| Running time | 7 mins |
| Language | English |
Rooty Toot Toot is a 1951 United Productions of America animated short film, directed by John Hubley. In 1994 it was voted #41 of the 50 Greatest Cartoons of all time by members of the animation field. It received a nomination for the Academy Award for Animated Short Film in 1951, but lost out to Tom and Jerry's 6th award winning cartoon The Two Mouseketeers.
The short retells the classic popular song "Frankie and Johnny". Frankie is on trial for the murder of her piano-playing lover, Johnny. The prosecuting attorney accuses her of shooting Johnny "rooty toot toot/right in the snoot." Nellie Bly the singer ("She's no singer!" shouts Frankie) claims she witnessed the shooting. The case is looking bad for Frankie until her lawyer, Honest John the Crook, spins a wild story about involving innocent Frankie, a jealous Johnny, and an incredible ricochet. The jury convenes and finds Frankie "not guilty." Frankie is thrilled, until she sees Honest John dancing with Nellie Bly. She quickly picks up Exhibit A (the gun) and shoots Honest John "rooty toot toot/right in the snoot" in front of the entire court room.