Bosko, the Talk-Ink Kid is a 1929 live-action/animated short film produced to sell a series of Bosko cartoons. The film was never released to theaters, and therefore was not seen by a wide audience until the year 2000 (71 years later) when it was aired on Cartoon Network's television special ToonHeads: The Lost Cartoons. The film was produced on May 29, 1929, and directed by Hugh Harman and Rudolf Ising.

Plot

Rudolf Ising is thinking of ideas for a new character and draws a blackfaced person with an ink pen, who comes to life. When asked his name, the drawing introduces himself as Bosko. Ising tells Bosko to show him what he can do, and Bosko starts to tap dance, whistle, and sing. Afterwards, Bosko looks directly to the screen and asks, "Who's all them folks out there in the dark?" Ising tells Bosko that they are the audience and asks him if he can make them laugh, and Bosko agrees to try. At Bosko's request, Ising draws a piano and Bosko begins to press the keys. When one of the keys near the upper end of the keyboard produces a low note, Bosko removes the key and puts it in its proper place near the lower end of the keyboard. Bosko experiments some more, then plays a glissando. He laughs, starts singing "Sonny Boy", his tongue accidentally slipping out. He opens the top of his hat and pulls his hair, lifting his tongue back into his mouth. He continues to sing and play the song, which causes his head to pop off his shoulders like a slinky. After that, Bosko sings once again. Ising says that is enough. He then sucks Bosko back into his fountain pen and Bosko drags the piano along, and then Ising puts both back into the ink bottle. Bosko then pops out of the ink bottle and promises to return.