Today I’d like to pay tribute to two giants of jazz and film born on this date: Fletcher Henderson, jazz immortal, born Dec. 18, 1898, and George Stevens, master film director, born Dec. 18, 1904. Though gone from the scene for decades, both have left records of creative achievement in their respective fields which have stood the test of time for mortals who appreciate such things.
FLETCHER HENDERSON, nicknamed “Smack” for his habit of smacking his lips, was a trailblazing jazz arranger and leader of outstanding big bands for two decades. At various times from 1924 to 1935, his band included such jazz greats as Louis Armstrong, Rex Stewart, Cootie Williams, Red Allen, Buster Bailey, Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, Sid Catlett and J. C. Higginbotham. In early 1935 he broke up his band and began arranging for the fledgling Benny Goodman Orchestra, launching the new and exciting sound of the swing era which would define American popular music until WWII. Although he put together another band in 1936 and had one hit record, within a few years Henderson had disbanded in the face of heavy competition. Thereafter he worked primarily as an arranger between short stints leading big bands. He suffered a major stroke in 1n 1950 and died Dec. 29, 1952. According to jazz critic Stanley Dance, Henderson’s was the first big jazz band and set the standard for many to come. Here is a typical Fletcher Henderson swinger:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0Ts6vZNyqk
GEORGE STEVENS, though you may not remember his name, directed some of the best movies you have seen, if you are a classic-film fan. These include (in chronological order):
ALICE ADAMS (1935), starring Katherine Hepburn and Fred MacMurray.
SWING TIME (1936), the best (in my opinion) of the Astair-Rogers musicals, with outstanding Jerome Kern-Dorothy Fields songs, including the Oscar-winning “The Way You Look Tonight.”
A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS (1937), the first Astaire musical without Ginger Rogers, nonetheless notable for its George Gershwin score (his last before his premature death that same year). Joan Fontaine co-stars as the English “damsel in distress.”
GUNGA DIN (1939), starring Cary Grant and Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
WOMAN OF THE YEAR (1942), starring Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn in their first picture together. Oscar-winning screenplay by Ring Lardner Jr. and Michael Kanin.
THE TALK OF THE TOWN (1942), starring Cary Grant, Ronald Colman and Jean Arthur.
THE MORE THE MERRIER (1943), starring Jean Arthur, Joel McCrea and Charles Coburn. Stevens was Academy Award nominee for Best Director.
A PLACE IN THE SUN (1951), starring Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift. Academy Award winner for Best Director.
SHANE (1953), one of the all-time great Westerns, starring Alan Ladd, Jean Arthur and Jack Palance.
GIANT (1956), starring Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson and James Dean. Academy Award winner for Best Director.
THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK (1959). Film version of well-known true story of Jewish refugees hiding in WWII Amsterdam. I can especially relate to this film, having actually been decades ago in the building (now a museum) where Anne hid with her family and others and wrote her diary.
Here is a clip from Stevens’ A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS, in which Fred Astaire is doing his best to escape detection behind the chorus during a function at the castle where damsel Joan Fontaine resides:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1C-_Adawq8
THE END of our post (but not of our inheritance)
calmkate 4:07 am on November 13, 2019 Permalink |
what a joyful collection of viewing, thanks Mr M!
But Ginger and Fred are just sheer magic … no couple have ever created the ease and charm that they exuded on screen! My forever heros 🙂
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mistermuse 10:54 am on November 13, 2019 Permalink |
It didn’t hurt (quoting from A SMITHSONIAN SALUTE TO THE AMERICAN MUSICAL) that “Astaire and Rogers worked with the finest composers of their day. Of their ten films together, one featured music by Cole Porter, two by Jerome Kern, one by George and Ira Gershwin, and three by Irvine Berlin.” Throw in great directors and supporting casts, and it’s no wonder there was movie magic!
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calmkate 6:15 pm on November 13, 2019 Permalink
that would certainly help and their stage settings add to the majesty but they had class and talent by the ton!
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Yeah, Another Blogger 9:27 am on November 13, 2019 Permalink |
Have you seen the new movie Judy? I liked it very much. It focuses on the final months of her life.
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mistermuse 11:01 am on November 13, 2019 Permalink |
Haven’t seen it, but saw snippets and an interview with the star on TV. Thanks for your comment.
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Ashley 1:51 pm on November 13, 2019 Permalink |
This has been a great series and you should be congratulated for putting it all together.
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mistermuse 3:28 pm on November 13, 2019 Permalink |
Many thanks, Ashley….and I even managed to cast a few aspersions at Trump in the bargain.
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Rosaliene Bacchus 3:39 pm on November 13, 2019 Permalink |
I could watch Fred & Ginger and Gene Kelly dance all day long! They brought joy to my tumultous young life.
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mistermuse 6:34 pm on November 13, 2019 Permalink |
To bring joy to a “tumultuous young life” — as Ira Gershwin wrote and Gene Kelly sang (in AN AMERICAN IN PARIS), “Who could ask for anything more?”
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Rivergirl 8:52 pm on November 13, 2019 Permalink |
The Nicholas Brothers! That goes back…
😊
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mistermuse 11:31 pm on November 13, 2019 Permalink |
They go way back, but they lived long — especially the older brother, who died in 2006 at age 91.
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mlrover 8:53 am on November 15, 2019 Permalink |
Ginger spoke in an interview about that particular dance. Fred insisted on perfection, and as usual, doing it in one take. She said that by the time this scene was done as he liked it there was blood in her shoes. She also said, as she had before and would again, that she got paid less and did everything he did in heels and backward.
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mistermuse 1:28 pm on November 15, 2019 Permalink |
Fred was indeed a perfectionist. Quoting from the book I mentioned in my earlier reply to calmkate, “the roller skating sequence in SHALL WE DANCE, for example, was shot 30 times, and the Never Gonna Dance number from SWING TIME was done in forty-eight takes.” As for Ginger, “I had plenty of input in our routines and got to be known as the ‘button finder’….the one who puts the last word or finishing touch on a scene.” So I don’t blame her for complaining “that she got paid less.”
Although Ginger “did everything he did in heels and backward,” the one thing she didn’t do as well was sing. Irving Berlin said, “I’d rather have Fred Astaire introduce one of my songs than any other singer I know — not because he has a great voice, but because his delivery and diction are so good that he can put over a song like nobody else.”
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David Thompson 9:00 pm on December 6, 2019 Permalink
I grew up, will h my mother’s influence ..with this era. I am richer for the experience.
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Elizabeth 1:40 pm on November 15, 2019 Permalink |
I loved this series. Thanks for all the time and thoughtfulness you put into it.
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mistermuse 3:29 pm on November 15, 2019 Permalink |
It was absolutely my pleasure, Elizabeth. Thank you for appreciating it.
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Silver Screenings 12:22 am on November 17, 2019 Permalink |
Amazing tributes, all, but the one for Judy Garland is amazing. To see all those films in one clip is a little mind-blowing. She was certainly prolific!
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mistermuse 1:50 am on November 17, 2019 Permalink |
I’m glad you singled out the Garland clip for special mention — it was an unexpected find, and probably my favorite in this series.
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mistermuse 10:12 pm on December 6, 2019 Permalink |
Thank you for the Like, David Thompson. I tried to check out your blog, but when I click the link, I get a blank screen. Before I approve your comment, kindly advise if your blog is not operational for some reason.
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