Be Human (1936 cartoon)
| Be Human | |
|---|---|
| Betty Boop series | |
| Directed by | Dave Fleischer |
| Produced by | Max Fleischer |
| Voices by | Mae Questel |
| Animation by |
Lillian Friedman Myron Waldman |
| Studio | Fleischer Studios |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
| Release date(s) | November 20, 1936 |
| Color process | Black-and-white |
| Running time | 7 minutes |
| Language | English |
Be Human is a 1936 Fleischer Studios animated short film starring Betty Boop and Grampy. It is now in the public domain.
Betty Boop is incensed at her farmer neighbor's cruelty to his animals. But the inventive Grampy knows how to teach him a lesson.
The abusive farmer has been compared to Billy Joe Gregg, who abused numerous cows and calves at the Conklin Dairy Farms in Ohio in 2010.
Be Human has been criticized for depicting the harsh punishment of the abusive farmer as being commendable.
The cartoon features the song Be Human sung by Betty Boop accompanying herself on piano. Instrumental renditions of the song are also prominent throughout the cartoon. When the animal-abusing farmer winds up on Grampy's punishment treadmill, a phonograph recording of Grampy's voice is heard singing the song.
There's a very simple lesson,
But it's easy to forget;
And I promise, you'll regret it if you do.
That if you're always kind and gentle
With your family pet,
He'll be just as kind and gentle
With you.
Be human, animals can cry;
Be human, it's easy if you try.
Don't go around with a heart of stone,
Or you'll be sorry and all alone.
Be human, have a tender word,
For every animal and bird!
If we would all be human,
This world would be in rhyme;
So be human all the time!
Share a tasty carrot with your parrot,
Serve your chimpanzee a piece of cheese;
Sip a sarsaparilla with your camel or gorilla,
With kind regards to all of them from me.
Be human, animals can cry;
Be human, won't you even try?
Don't think you're wonderful just because
You weren't born with a tail and claws.
Be human, have a tender word,
For every animal and bird!
It's futile to be brutal,
That won't get you a dime;
So be human all the time!
A true cat can't be human,
But you can!
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Wikipedia