dostoevsky1864 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I'm sure he's just grabbing that poor duck's ass to make it go AWK! And why is he singing "HE wants to marry me"? Lol. It's only funny cuz it's so silly.

azqrlaf (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

This guy is doing a typical ethnic parody vaudeville turn, common in the time period, but the duck is a good gimmic. He is also probably laying it on a little thick. Case might have wanted something that would generate a laugh no matter what, and the comic said "sure, I know what you need, no problem". and we all should be grateful to this guy, because it still gets a laugh no matter what!

Lauren8391ashley (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I hear that's a tough instrument to master.

CactiFlowers (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

This guys is my idol!

johnmcclatchy (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

a lol was had

Kqvic (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Wikipedia: Theodore Case Sound Test: "Gus Visser and his Singing Duck"(1925)was an early attempt by Theodore Case (1888-1944) to perfect a sound-on-film process. Case began work on his process in 1916. From 1926 to 1927, Case worked with Earl I. Sponable and movie studio boss William Fox to develop the Fox Movietone process. In 2002, the film was selected for the National Film Registry.

Jeff251257 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Personally I prefer Owl Jolson but still, it's hilarious.

JesusKrispies (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

That's such a coincidence - I used to play the duck scrotum in high school. Great technique...

gui577b (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

There's something bad going on with that right hand.

ldge (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

brcp4321: The film was made by Theodore Case, an engineer who had been working with the American radio pioneer Lee de Forest to develop a working film sound system in the late teens and early 20s. The two fell out (probably over patent assignments and royalties) in 1924 and went their separate ways. This film was made by Case (in late 1924 or early 1925) as a sort of advert to try and sell his technology to (among others) the major Hollywood studios.