THIS POST IS FOR THE WORDS (AND MUSIC)
“They had a story written that at times impinged on the truth, but not very often.” –Richard Rodgers (re Metro Goldwyn Mayer’s filming of the 1948 Rodgers & Hart biopic WORDS AND MUSIC)
The Hollywoodized version of the life of Rodgers and Hart may be for the birds regarding the facts of their life, but above and beyond the cornball script are such treats for the ears as Betty Garrett, Judy Garland and Lena Horne singing those sophisticated R & H songs. But at least — though MGM had no conscience with regard to the narrative — they took no liberties with respect to Hart’s Words And Rodgers’ Music.
Without further ado, then, on with the show. Carrying forward the theme of the previous post, here are (you have my word) three great ‘love’ songs from WORDS AND MUSIC:
But wait — you want unadulterated love and sophistication? R & H had nothing on Cole Porter:
The Observation Post 
linnetmoss 8:58 am on January 15, 2017 Permalink |
Wow, that Smoothies recording is surreal! That song always shocks me a little, and given its subject matter, I’m surprised that it wasn’t more controversial in its day. With Cole Porter, Anything Goes 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
mistermuse 12:26 pm on January 15, 2017 Permalink |
The Smoothies were a great vocal group, all but forgotten today. I own a double LP album with 32 of their recordings from the late 1930s-early 40s (including LOVE FOR SALE). Their vocal stylings were unique and definitely avant-guarde for their time. If there had been a Hayes Office for recordings like there was for movies, LOVE FOR SALE would have been an absolute no-no!
LikeLiked by 1 person
linnetmoss 8:24 am on January 16, 2017 Permalink
What an interesting thought, a Hayes office for recordings! Thank goodness THAT never happened, although censorship of “naughty words” in songs continues…
LikeLiked by 1 person
mistermuse 9:50 am on January 16, 2017 Permalink |
Speaking of interesting thoughts, I GET (got) A KICK OUT OF YOUr “With Cole Porter, Anything Goes” idea at the end of your previous comment. Either YOU’RE THE TOP, or IT WAS JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS. 🙂
LikeLike
Don Frankel 10:10 am on January 16, 2017 Permalink |
I’ll try this again. Didn’t seem to stick. I’m always amazed when a Hollywood movie that is about something or someone real gets something right. But they got the music right.
I’m going with Lena Horne here as well sometimes I can’t remember where or when.
LikeLike
mistermuse 10:50 am on January 16, 2017 Permalink |
Don, I think you’re right about Hollywood not getting their biopics right, especially during Hollywood’s ‘Golden Age’ and especially with their musical biopics. Off the top of my head, the only one I can think of that was pretty well done was YANKEE DOODLE DANDY (with James Cagney as George M. Cohan). They perhaps got a bit more ‘real’ in the mid-1950s (LOVE ME OR LEAVE ME, again with Cagney), but Hollywood has seldom done right by their musical bios.
LikeLike
D. Wallace Peach 9:01 am on January 17, 2017 Permalink |
Great songs. I haven’t seen the movie, but just to hear the music would make it worth it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
mistermuse 9:27 am on January 17, 2017 Permalink |
I hear you! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
BroadBlogs 6:19 pm on January 17, 2017 Permalink |
My mom loves all these movies from Hollywood’s heyday. I’ll have to check them out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
mistermuse 8:23 pm on January 17, 2017 Permalink |
Although I have an avid interest in “Hollywood’s heyday,” I’d be the first to admit that a lot of clunkers were made during that period, as well as many great & good ones. Good luck picking the wheat from the chaff!
LikeLike