OLD MACDONALD'S FARM

“Old MacDonald’s Farm” is a 1952 short written and directed by J.D. Trop in an effort to encourage children’s interest in nature. It portrays the narrative of a young boy on a weekend trip to a farm where he meets and learns about various animals thus connecting himself to nature. The boy is guided along his journey by the famous nursery rhyme “Old MacDonald had a Farm.” Travis Johnson and the Song Spinners; a 1930’s folk quartet, recorded this version of the tune. It is important to note this film is missing it’s original soundtrack. J.D. Trop; a New York born producer and writer, was known for titles such 1926’s “Keep Going” and 1928’s “Riders of Vengeance.” The film shows life for youth in the 1950’s drawing a comparison between adolescent entertainment and recreation in the city versus the in country. The short provides a look into life lived off the land as well as the variety and layers within the animal kingdom. It opens with Tommy in tattered clothing in a noticeably drab, gray and treeless city setting. As Tommy arrives at the farm he begins to appreciate the myriad of life within a natural setting noting various tree, plant and animal species. (0:00) It opens with credits (:12), the title screen (:21) and 1952 copyright by Trop Films Inc. George Clarence Boyce plays Tommy. Carl King narrates. Westchester County Recreation camps is acknowledged for their cooperation indicating the film was recorded in Westchester County, New York (:40). Traffic runs through city blocks (:48) passing apartment homes. Tommy is introduced on his stoop (:55). He wanders the city watching other youth at play (1:04). New Yorkers hang linens from apartment windows (1:08). Pedestrians pass Salada Tea Shop (1:10). A girl blows bubbles (1:17), a mother takes her children to the corner linen shop (1:26). Tommy lays on the sidewalk, ankles in the gutter and scratches a tree in chalk in a treeless city (1:31). A group gathers around a water ice vendor (1:48). A hydrant pops (2:01) drawing a city crowd (2:09). Tommy gets invited to visit the farm (2:16). Old MacDonald’s farm appears (2:30). Tommy wanders through a field of high grasses and wildflowers (2:46) carting a fishing pole. On route, he notices sunflowers (2:55), hibiscus (3:03) and water lilies (3:33). Close shots highlight MacDonald’s cows expressive faces (4:01). Other barn animals include sheep (4:13) and pigs (4:28). Ducks wade in the water (4:43). Chickens peck at feed (5:13). Tommy notes insects as they pollinate flowers including wild bergamot (5:59). He smiles witnessing the natural play of nature (6:04) and somersaults over soft grass (6:13) highlighting an openness and freedom of mobility experienced in open spaces. He continues to explore showing expressions of awe and amazement at grass (6:38), bugs (6:42) and a frog (6:55). He lays belly flat over a small waterfall (7:13) scooping handfuls of fresh water for drink. He notes various tree types such as the birch tree (7:29). He holds a leaf in palm tracing the veins (7:54). He chews a fresh peach (8:09). Tommy scoops earth, noting the scent (8:54). The boy learns chores necessary to maintain the farm including tending to the vegetable garden (9:13). A mother feeds baby birds by mouth (9:34). Tommy does by hand (9:41). Footage sweeps rows of crops such as cabbage (9:52), corn ears (9:55) and ripe tomatoes. Tommy splashes in fresh water (10:06). MacDonald milks the cows (10:47). In a moment of cross species comradery, Tommy, two cats and a dog drink the fresh milk (11:11). The film concludes as he naps under a tree (11:33) and the sun sets (11:46). This was distributed by United World Films Inc. (12:04). United was a non-theatrical movie division established by Universal Pictures.