I Love to Singa

I discovered this cartoon rather late in life, like at about 50. I had looked for it unsuccessfully based on a description a neighbor girl gave me when I was 23. She said it was the best cartoon in the universe and then did the "I Love to Singa" dance.

Thank God for the internet! It was one of my first real search efforts and I found it! At the time, it was viewable on the Warners Brothers site but I am not sure that's still the case. I now have it on a video taped from a Tex Avery marathon years ago.

There is nothing so sad in life that Owl Jolson can't make it a little better. Tex, if they have issued you a laptop in heaven, THANKS PAL! I love you!

Everyone knows the story of the Jewish boy, be it Al Jolson or Neil Diamond, who finds his voice, but it is in contrast to the role cut out for him. He is rejected by his father, goes out on his own, and becomes a pop star. This little animated feature adds some really fun stuff. The owl family is waiting for four eggs to hatch. When they do, each of the new chicks has musical talent. The first three have classical talent, but the fourth begins singing a JAZZ song and is thrown out of the nest. From there on it is a delightful romp.

At first glance "I Love to Singa" looks like it will be just another cute and fuzzy animal cartoon. However, it develops into a wonderful parody of Al Jolson. The story centers on a young, jazz-singing owl who was born into a family who is less than thrilled with jazz music. The scene in which the little owl butchers the song his parents want him to sing is hilarious. Whenever his mother isn't listening, he injects part of his song, 'I Love to Singa.' This short is loads of fun, but be warned...you'll have the theme song ringing in your head for days.

I am an unreserved, unabashed fan of Mr. Avery and do not even try to hide it in the least. While I have other favorites, this is one of the top three or four he did, objectively speaking, and in my opinion, the best, for all that it's not one of my top five favorites. It is a true parody, full of warmth and fondness for its subject, Al Jolson. Splendidly done from the first frame on. Five encores and twenty-seven curtan calls. Most highly Recommended!!!

This was and is one of the hippest cartoons I've ever seen. My dad, brother and I would laugh and sing along with Owl Jolson, mimicking the body moves. I think I was about 6 or 7 when I first saw this amazing takeoff on the Jazz Singer. It got me asking questions of my old man and resulted in my being hip on Jolson and his impact on show biz. Pretty heady stuff for a first grader. Thanx Tex Avery for getting a little kid to love jazz and get a little smarter in the process. This isn't just any cartoon. This is a little piece of heaven on earth. Anyone doubting Avery's genius (a word I use very sparingly) should check out this gem and show it to your kids. They can never be too young.