1950s White Music

 I'm no musician, but I am fascinated by 1950s White music. There's something about it that evades definition. To call it "boring" would imply it is normal and the center of culture, when in fact it is eccentric. I would sum up the White chorus style as big band meets barbershop quartet. Aesthetically it shouldn't work but somehow does... for me, anyway. Anyone else would dislike it.

One of the most essentially 1950s groups is the Mellomen, who sang for Disney films during that time. You'll notice this style most in the 1952 short 'Trick or Treat'. The arrangement of voices in the song exemplifies the White style. Although they are an all-male group, they sometimes have female voices as well.

Mitch Miller's chorus, known for singing traditional songs, are also arranged in this particular way, especially when singing for Guy Mitchell. 

The same kind of orchestra is used for, for instance, Frank Sinatra's cover of 'Goodnight Irene', which was written as a blues song and performed by the likes of Lead Belly in the 1930s.

There is also Eddy Arnold's 1955 recording of 'The Cattle Call', which has a very typical 1950s White-style chorus.

It is bizarre and fascinating.

Other kinds of songs, like ones performed by the likes of Arthur Godfrey or Eileen Barton, are like hammy, music hall backwash. It's less of that pretty music and more all about the performance.

Top Roles of Eberhard Prüter

9. Mole

Somewhat miscast, but Prüter was very sweet as the mole in the 1993 dub of Disney's 'The Wind in the Willows'.

8. Ludwig von Drake

A fitting role for Prüter, Ludwig is fun and whimsical. Prüter brings a warmth to the character.

7. Dr. Donald Mallard (NCIS)

The Germans are not known for dubbing live action well, but Prüter put just as much effort into it as he was dubbing animation. He was perfectly cast in dubbing David McCallum as Ducky. He channeled McCallum while also putting his own distinctive mark on the role.

6. Dr. Hugo "Heuler" (Benjamin Blümchen)

An interesting, powerful performance from Prüter in a 'Benjamin Blümchen' radio play, an animal shelter manger, a man who could be timid and nervous one moment, then fastidious, then strangely confident and assertive the next. His performance is nuanced and understated. Is Hugo a good man? It's hard to tell.

5. Puffin (The Swan Princess)

Unlike many of Prüter's characters who are dry, dour, or deadpan, Puffin is hyperactive, perpetually optimistic and unconditionally sympathetic to Odette and her plight. Prüter brings a lot of energy to the character while making him lovable. Some of my favorite line readings of Prüter's have come from Puffin.

4. Klaus Schober (Polizeiruf 110, episode Kein Paradies für Elstern)

One of Prüter's early television appearances, this 'Polizeiruf 110' role showcased his ability to pull off this weird and wonderful role with incredible nuance. Prüter plays a department store boiler room worker who becomes something of a witness to a robbery. His role is funny, and yet somewhat disturbing, since Klaus seems to be hitting on the female officer investigating. Aged just 29 when playing the role, Prüter was a powerful screen presence. He had a delicate, ethereal face, with a lot going on behind the eyes, and the camera used it to its full potential. 

3. Zazu (The Lion King)

Prüter was cast in this role at the last minute replacing Uwe Paulsen, and to this day no one knows why. But Prüter was a good choice, giving an elegant and witty performance.

2. Squidward Tentacles (SpongeBob SquarePants)

Prüter was such a natural choice for the role and he made it entirely his own. His smoke-burnished voice characterized Squidward as an elderly gentleman, and made him sound distinguished, but there's some of that same sass in the voice as well. He was also energetic in the role and displayed an impressive range of emotions. Voice director Matthias Müntefehring even described Prüter as having the same cynical, sarcastic energy. Joachim Kaps is a fantastic replacement, but Prüter was Squidward.

1. Count Falko von Falkenstein (Bibi and Tina)

The greatest character from Prüter is Falko von Falkenstein, a character who can best be described as a nicer Cyril Sneer. Falko doesn't always understand others, and can be rude and temperamental, but is noble and principled. This was the role that launched Prüter's voice acting career and defined some of his greatest performances. Other interpretations of Falko make him cartoonier than the cartoon. Prüter humanized him.