Movie Song of the Week: "Shall We Dance?"

I'm kinda surprised I haven't posted this yet. It's such a classic musical number that I was sure I already posted it a long time ago. But apparently I didn't.

Nowadays, it seems even more apt than usual. Poor Fred Astaire pursuing a masked Ginger Rogers -- on a stage where every woman wears a mask -- and being socially distanced, to boot. Oh my!

And of course, the lyrics have a nice Dylan Thomas-ish subtext, which is a neat trick considering the fact the song was written at least a decade or so before Thomas wrote "Do not go gentle into that good night".

Movie Song of the Week: "Boulevard of Broken Dreams"

Yes, I posted the Ted Weems version of this song in an earlier post. Now I post the original version that was used in the 1934 movie Moulin Rouge. (Yes, Baz Luhrmann fans, that title does sound familiar.)

Why am I posting this, you ask? Well, the Helen Ward version has been in my head for the past couple of days so I thought I'd post this version as well. And it didn't hurt that this version had the most unique variation on the traditional Mexican hat dance that I've ever seen.

Contrary to what you might think, the musical numbers were not choreographed by Busby Berkeley but by an imitator named Russell Markert. And the vocalist is supposed to be Constance Bennett, an actress who did one other musical apart from this one.

Movie Songs of the Week: “I've Gotta Get Up and Go to Work” and “Are You Making Any Money”

From the 1933 movie Moonlight and Pretzels, it's a two-fer. First I post one of the world's weakest Busby Berkeley imitations and then I post a song by Lillian Miles that is not half-bad. Of course, you all might argue that any song would sound good after the first number but Ms. Miles carries out her part with such enthusiasm that I do not have the heart to diss her. Granted, the bell-ringing she does during her number seems a bit eccentric but hopefully your mileage will vary in a more positive direction. I hope you all enjoy the two songs.

Movie Song of the Week: "Heigh Ho"

The ideal song for spring break -- or at least for knocking off work. Then again I have not ever worked in a diamond mine.

Movie Song of the Week: "Animal Crackers in My Soup"

From the 1935 musical Curly Top, it's one of the most memorable numbers ever performed by the late Shirley Temple.

Movie Song of the Week: "I Want to Go Back to Michigan (Down on the Farm)"

Hey, this sounds familiar...

Movie Song of the Week: "I Want to Go Back to Michigan (Down on the Farm)"

Heh. Irony. From the 1948 movie musical Easter Parade, I post a song that I should have posted a long time ago. Mea culpa. Mea maxima culpa.

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.

Movie Song of the Week: "If I Only Had a Heart"

Oh rats! The Tin Man did not get what he wanted for Christmas. I wonder what he's going to do about that?

Movie Song of the Week: "Happy Feet"

From the 1930 movie King of Jazz, it's Bing Crosby, the mysterious Sisters "G" (aka Eleanor and Karla Gutchrlein), Al "Rubber Legs" Norman and the Paul Whiteman Orchestra appearing in a musical number that even animated penguins would not dare to try to pull off. At least not in this fashion.

Movie Song of the Week: "Way Down in Dixie"

Come to think of it, I'm from the South, too. The South of Michigan, that is.

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: “Singing a Happy Song”

From the 1935 musical Folies Bergère de Paris, it's Maurice Chevalier doing his best Busby Berkeley imitation with a little help from Ann Sothern. I hope you all enjoy it.

Movie Song of the Week: “A Fine Romance”

I wasn't intending to post another song from 1936's Swing Time so soon but my beloved Ginger just looks so sad that I couldn't resist. Besides, the way my past weekend has gone, I could use a good Astaire-Rogers number to pick me up.

Movie Song of the Week: “Pick Yourself Up”

I often wish I had had a dance instructor like Ginger Rogers.



For that matter, I often wish I could dance like this, but then who doesn't?

From the 1936 musical Swing Time, it's one of the more famous Astaire / Rogers numbers in its most memorable version.

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: “Oh, Me! Oh, My! Oh, You!”

From 1934's Strictly Dynamite, it's Lupe Velez, torch singer. Of course, she's more famous for the Mexican Spitfire movies she would start doing later in the 1930s but that says more about the American movie audiences back then than about her vocal talent.

Movie Song of the Week: “We're in the Money”

From the 1935 short Pirate Party on Catalina Isle, it's Charles "Buddy" Rogers and the Fanchonettes in a cover version of an old Busby Berkeley tune. Personally I prefer Ginger's version but at least it's something different.

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: “Check Your Husbands”

I have no idea why this never caught on. From the 1932 short Over the Counter, it's yet another pre-Code musical number.

I hope you all enjoy it.