¡Feliz Cumpleaños, Eddie Cantor!

AKA Edward Israel Iskowitz.

Born January 31, 1892. Died October 10, 1964.

He was a popular singer, actor and comedian who was one of the first major comedy stars of the 1930s. His musicals like Palmy Days and The Kid from Spain gave budding choreographer Busby Berkeley a chance to practice and perfect his craft before he achieved fame with such films as 42nd Street and Footlight Parade.

Though much of Cantor's humor is admittedly dated, he still managed to express the mentality of the early 1930s in a way that has yet to be equalled by more serious celebrities. Even his lamentable forays into blackface lacked the usual sting of such efforts, perhaps because Cantor never bothered to even attempt a stereotypical black accent when doing such work and thus basically sounded the same way that he did when he sang without cork makeup.

His work is still hard to find on DVD -- even harder to find than such dubious works as Amos 'n' Andy -- but that might change some day. If nothing else, it would be interesting to compare his type of humor to more modern examples of comedy, even if some of it is a tad politically incorrect.

¡Feliz Cumpleaños, Busby Berkeley!

AKA William Berkeley Enos.

Born November 29, 1895. Died March 14, 1976.

He was a much-mocked and much-parodied cinematographer-turned-director who nevertheless had an enormous impact on American movie musicals. Here's hoping that today's musicals will someday be as well-remembered as Berkeley's best work is today.

¡Feliz Cumpleaños, Eddie Cantor!

AKA Edward Israel Iskowitz.

Born January 31, 1892. Died October 10, 1964.

He was a popular singer, actor and comedian who was one of the first major comedy stars of the 1930s. His musicals like Palmy Days and The Kid from Spain gave budding choreographer Busby Berkeley a chance to practice and perfect his craft before he achieved fame with such films as 42nd Street and Footlight Parade.

Though much of Cantor's humor is admittedly dated, he still managed to express the mentality of the early 1930s in a way that has yet to be equalled by more serious celebrities. Even his lamentable forays into blackface lacked the usual sting of such efforts, perhaps because Cantor never bothered to even attempt a stereotypical black accent when doing such work and thus basically sounded the same way that he did when he sang without cork makeup.

His work is still hard to find on DVD -- even harder to find than such dubious works as Amos 'n' Andy -- but that might change some day. If nothing else, it would be interesting to compare his type of humor to more modern examples of comedy, even if some of it is a tad politically incorrect.

Movie Song of the Week: "Who's Your Little Who-Zis?"

For the Self-Styled Siren, a brief musical number from the most elusive of Busby Berkeley movies, the 1932 film Night World. I can't wait to see this film make it to DVD.

Trailer of the Week: The Boy Friend (1971)

The late Ken Russell's tribute to Busby Berkeley -- among other people. Unfortunately, Twiggy -- the thin woman who played the female lead -- probably would need some introduction nowadays. The less said about her more recent film career, the better.

Movie Song of the Week: “Remember My Forgotten Man”

This week I post a new version of an old song that I've posted on this site before. One of these days I'll find a movie tune more appropriate for Memorial Day but in the meantime, it can't be argued that this song is inappropriate. Besides, it's so rare to see choreographer Busby Berkeley putting political commentary into one of his musical numbers that it's kinda awe-inspiring to see how easy he makes such a number seem.

Movie Song of the Week: “I'm Goin' Shoppin' with You”

In honor of the late Gloria Stuart, a repost of my favorite Gloria Stuart number from Gold Diggers of 1935.

I hope you all enjoy it.

Movie Song of the Week: “Remember My Forgotten Man”

Yes, I've posted this song from Gold Diggers of 1933 before but then again it is Memorial Day. Y yo amo Joan Blondell.

Here's hoping all my readers have had a pleasant Memorial Day weekend.

Movie Song of the Week: “But We Must Rise (The College Song)”

This pre-Code Busby Berkeley number from 1932's The Kid from Spain has absolutely nothing to do with taxes. I sincerely hope you all aren't disappointed to hear that.

Movie Song of the Week: “Anything Goes”

Spielberg does Berkeley. Director Steven Spielberg, that is, doing Busby Berkeley. And given my obvious love of Busby Berkeley numbers, it was almost inevitable that I post this even though it comes from one of my less favorite movies.

From 1984's Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, it's Kate Capshaw singing an old Cole Porter number in Mandarin in what would appear to be the only musical number Steven Spielberg has ever done to date apart from the dance numbers in 1941. It's quite a shame he never tried again.

Anyway, I hope you all enjoy it.

Movie Song of the Week: “Examination”

I'm not sure there's an official title for this number from 1931's Flying High but it provides yet another good example of what Hollywood used to get away with before the Hays Code. And as you might guess, choreographer Busby Berkeley staged the dances for this movie so I wouldn't be surprised to find out that this sketch/number/whatever-it-is was one of his ideas too.

This time, we see a 1930s take on health care. And by the way, that's Charles Winninger from Night Nurse playing the doctor.

I hope you all enjoy it -- even if the humor seems a bit dated.

Movie Song of the Week: “By a Waterfall”

From 1933's Footlight Parade, it's one of the most memorable Busby Berkeley numbers ever committed to celluloid. The musical number without which poor Esther Williams would never have had a career.

And who knew that Ruby Keeler could be so daring?

Besides, it's too darn hot to post anything that has less water.

I hope you all enjoy it.

Busby Berkeley in Spanish

Desfile de Candilejas -- Footlight Parade
La Calle 42 -- 42nd Street
Música y Mujeres -- Dames
Vampiresas de 1933 -- Gold Diggers of 1933
Vampiresas de 1935 -- Gold Diggers of 1935
Vampiresas de 1937 -- Gold Diggers of 1937

Movie Song of the Week: “Lullaby of Broadway”

This probably will be the last movie song I post before Easter so it might as well be a doozy. From 1935's Gold Diggers of 1935, it's a Busby Berkeley number that aims to be the ultimate Busby Berkeley number.

The first time I saw it, I couldn't help but wax morbid and imagine it to be a vision from the afterlife. But I guess one could just as easily interpret it to be a dream sequence. After all, not too many dead people smoke cigarettes. Or do they?

Anyway, the number starts here:


And ends here:


I hope you all like it.

Movie Song of the Week: “Honeymoon Hotel”

It's been over a year since my breakup with my former bride-to-be and theoretically I should be staying away from songs like this. But it's the humor of songs like this that helped me get over that breakup so I'll go ahead and post this anyway.

“Honeymoon Hotel” is from one of my favorite movies -- 1933's Footlight Parade -- and while I can't say it's my absolute favorite song from that movie (that title would go to “Shanghai Lil”), it is my absolute second favorite. And not necessarily for the reason you think.

There's a lot I can say about this number but I don't wish to post any spoilers. However, I can't resist noting how many double entendres this number gets away with. Apparently those people in the 1930s weren't as prudish as we like to think they were. But then this is from a pre-Code movie.

I hope you all enjoy it.

Movie Song of the Week: “Yes, Yes, My Baby Said Yes, Yes”

The month is almost over. Winter has reminded us yet again that it's still around. And people are already dissing the new President before his first month is up.

Sounds like we need some good old-fashioned escapism from 1931's Palmy Days, brought to you by singer/actor Eddie Cantor and choreographer Busby Berkeley. And let's not forget those hard-working Goldwyn Girls. I don't know how they manage to do all that they do in this number and still keep smiling but if they could bottle it...

Anyway, I hope you all enjoy the song.

Movie Song of the Week: “Bend Down, Sister”

From 1931's Palmy Days, it's yet another shameless and politically incorrect musical number from the 1930s, this time featuring gym instructor Charlotte Greenwood and the Goldwyn Girls. Plus you get the choreography of a pre-42nd Street Busby Berkeley and a guest appearance by a very very young Betty Grable (she played the girl with the wink).

I have tried to find a more condensed version but alas, none were available for posting. For that matter, I have tried to resist posting this -- but between all the holiday desserts that have been available and all the New Year's Resolutions that are being made as I write this, it is kinda hard for me to convince myself that this is an inappropriate song to post this week. At least that's the explanation that I intend to stick with.

I hope you all enjoy it.

Movie Song of the Week: “42nd Street”

How odd that I started developing this weird obsession with the movies of the 1930s just before people on Wall Street and in Washington, D.C., started doing their damnest to bring back the 1930s. Perhaps it's just a coincidence. I would like to think that all this talk about the oncoming Depression is mere wishful thinking on the part of some pessimists. But I could be wrong.

Just in case, I prefer to relive the best of the 1930s, starting with the title song of one of my favorite movies, 1933's 42nd Street. I first got obsessed with this movie when I started wondered why the title character in John Sayles's The Lady in Red was obsessed with this flick. Once I saw a glimpse of the title number on YouTube, I was hooked and eventually I ended up watching the whole film on DVD. Busby Berkeley's musical vision is not for everyone and some on the Net have even hinted that his songs are in bad taste. If so, most modern musicals should have such tastes.

Now return with me now to those thrilling days of yesteryear when young women thought nothing about dancing on car tops and one never knew when one was going to run into a parade of tap-dancers. When life was so lyrical that even the wooden Indians danced and even domestic disturbances were choreographed. Okay, I doubt it was like that in real life, but in this movie number...

Well, please feel free to see for yourself. And I hope you enjoy it.

Trailer of the Week: 42nd Street (1933)

Well, don't just sit there. Go see a movie.

And since the powers that be seem bound and determined to bring back the 1930s, you might want to start with this one:

Movie Song of the Week: “Muchacha”

You say you want a revolution? Busby Berkeley's got your revolution right here in the middle of his 1935 movie In Caliente. Of course, it's the Mexican Revolution. Or at least what looks like Hollywood's version of the Mexican Revolution. Dolores del Río's character would have you believe they're just bandits.

Since my paternal grandmother was dispossessed by the Mexican Revolution, I can't help but wonder what she'd think of this number. For that matter, I can't help but wonder what she'd think of those lyrics. And shouldn't the title of this song be “Mujer” and not “Muchacha”? (Mujer means “woman” in Spanish and muchacha means “girl.”)

I was tempted not to post this, but hey, I did post a song last week that made fun of Dolores del Río and it only seems fair to give her a chance in the spotlight.

I hope you enjoy it.