I'll Be Glad When You're Dead You Rascal You (1932) *** (out of 4)Betty, Bimbo and KoKo are on a jungle safari when they are chased by a giant head, which just happens to be an animated version of Louis Armstrong.This animated short from Paramount certainly isn't a classic or even a very good one but I think fans of Betty Boop should enjoy it and those fans of Armstrong will really enjoy it. There are some racial jokes in the animation, which might offend some people but the main reason to watch this is for the title track by Armstrong. It's a fairly catchy number and I thought the animation put to it was quite good as well. There really aren't any laughs or great action but this is still a fun short.

"I'll Be Glad When You're Dead You Rascal You" is one of the longest Betty Boop titles, but certainly not one of the best. It runs for 7 minutes and is in black-and-white as always. This was made in 1932, over 80 years ago, and even if this was still from the early days of Betty Boop, these films were really frequent, like at least one new Betty Boop film per month. The director is animation legend Dave Fleischer. These 7 minutes are at least as much about the Clown as about Betty. The gang is on a safari, but runs into cannibals quickly. Bimbo is hunted by the spirit and voice of Louis Armstrong. Armstrong was roughly 30 years old when he made this and still not very popular at all. However, his talent and unique voice was obvious, even if the title song he performs here is fairly forgettable and random, yet a good example of an actually mean statement being altered in a tongue-in-cheek manner, which was not too uncommon for films from this day and age. You have to decide yourself if you are bothered by the close references between the Black cannibals and Armstrong in this one. I am fine with it as he himself apparently was too. Sadly, not a good short film. Stay away.

In a nutshell, Koko and Bimbo are carrying explorer Betty in the jungle just before natives grab the woman and one of them chases the clown and the humanized dog with his giant head hanging above them before turning into the live-action version of Louis Armstrong's face singing the title song. There's a few more live-action inserts of the band that dissolves into the animation like that of the drummer becoming the animated native stirring the big pot. This was such a dance-worthy musical cartoon short that kept my feet stomping. Kudos to the New Orleans native Armstrong for this memorable collaboration with the Fleischers. I found this on an old Republic Pictures Home Video tape from 1985 called "Betty Boop-Special Collector's Edition, Vol. 1".

This is one of the best of the Betty Boop shorts. With both Koko and Bimbo along for the trip, Betty is on safari and quite a chase ensues, al to the strains of the great Satchmo himself, Louis Armstrong, singing the title tune. THe animation is spectacular, with a magnificent use of Armstrong himself at points. One of his better recordings and a great mix of music and animation. If you like either jazz or animation (I love both), then this is a treat. In print and available, a masterpiece that must be seen. Most highly, happily, recommended.