Movie Song of the Week: "Drum Crazy"

Just in time for Easter weekend, I post this rarely mentioned song from the Fred Astaire movie Easter Parade. I hope you all like it.

Movie Song of the Week: "Be a Clown"

Hey, this tune sounds familiar...

I wonder if Donald O'Connor ever heard this song.

Movie Song of the Week: "I've Got No Strings"

If only this song was true about most people.

Movie Song of the Week: "The Sorcerer's Apprentice"

I always liked this song and though some of you might not consider it a proper Halloween song, I do. Plus it has Mickey Mouse in his best role ever.

Movie Song of the Week: "The Dog Song"

Xavier Cugat and su amiga Betty Reilly sing to his chihuahua in this scene from the 1948 Esther Williams film On an Island with You, a song that is just perfect -- I hope -- for all the chihuahua-lovers in my life. I hope that you all like it too.

Movie Song of the Week: "Baby Mine"

From the 1941 Disney classic Dumbo, it is the ultimate Mother's Day tune. Please feel free to share it with your mother.

Movie Song of the Week: "Baby, It's Cold Outside"

From the 1949 movie musical Neptune's Daughter, it's the late Betty Garrett and the late Red Skelton reversing the genders on an old winter show tune. For what it is worth, Red Skelton's funny accent can be explained by the fact that he is posing as a South American polo player. And yes, that probably makes more sense if you see the movie.

Movie Song of the Week: "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

Wow! I had been warned that this song was a lot darker in its original context than in its more modern version. But I never realized how dark until just this week. Then again, this song was first written and performed in 1944, a year when many Americans had little reason to feel optimistic about the future due to World War II. And, of course, in view of recent events, it would be foolish of me to not feel a bit leery about enjoying myself in the wake of any holiday song -- especially since my siblings and I once had to move around Christmastime. But that's just me.

Please feel free to enjoy the coming holidays if you can.

Movie Song of the Week: "Mother, What Do I Do Now?"

From the 1940 musical Dance, Girl, Dance!, it's Lucille Ball demonstrating quite obviously that she actually did play other roles long before she played Lucy Ricardo.

Movie Song of the Week: “Little April Shower”

Oh, deer.

Movie Song of the Week: “Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ra”

In honor of Saint Patrick's Day/Week.

Movie Song of the Week: “I Can't Tell a Lie”

Just in time for the day that used to be celebrated here in the U.S. as George Washington's Birthday -- but not, alas, for Presidents' Day -- it's one of the lesser known musical numbers from the 1942 musical Holiday Inn. Any inclination to feel sorry for Bing Crosby's character should wait until after the end of the number.

Movie Song of the Week: “The Slap Polka”

From 1943's Hit the Ice, it's Johnny Long and His Orchestra plus the Four Teens and Ginny Simms singing a wintry background number for Abbot and Costello.

I hope you all enjoy it.

Movie Song of the Week: “Drum Boogie”

From the 1941 comedy Ball of Fire, it's legendary drummer Gene Krupa and a dubbed Barbara Stanwyck collaborating on a number which was so good they had to play it nice. A thankful tip of the sombrero to the Self-Styled Siren for reminding me about this number.

Movie Song of the Week: “Happy Holidays”

Many major thanks to the Flick Filosopher for reminding me of this number from the 1942 Fred Astaire movie Holiday Inn. It might have been more appropriate if I had posted it last week but this week works fine too.

Movie Song of the Week: “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B”

From the 1941 Abbott and Costello movie Buck Privates, it's Patty, Maxene and LaVerne of the Andrews Sisters demonstrating the three best reasons to choose Abbott and Costello over Laurel and Hardy. (Btw, Patty is the one who sings the solo during this number.)

Movie Song of the Week: “Put the Blame on Mame”

In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, it's everyone's favorite entertainer Margarita Carmen Cansino (aka Rita Hayworth) in a number from 1946's Gilda. Ironically, Ms. Cansino is probably best known today for being the original inspiration for Jessica Rabbit, an animated redhead in the 1988 flick Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, which was inspired by the character Ms. Cansino played in this movie.

(Edited to add: Please ignore what I said about Jessica Rabbit here. I used to think that Ms. Lake's character in that movie was a good candidate for potential inspiring the creation of Ms. Rabbit but apparently the official title goes to Ms. Hayworth.)

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the number. Personally, I preferred Ms. Cansino as a brunette but then they didn't make this movie for me.

Movie Song of the Week: “Die Fledermaus Overture”

Esther Williams performs to a medley of various tunes including the above-mentioned number from Strauss in a big musical numbers from 1944's Bathing Beauty. Let's see today's swimsuit models top this!

Movie Song of the Week: “Stormy Weather”

In honor of the late Lena Horne, it's the title song from the 1943 film Stormy Weather.

I know I'm not the first one on the Net to post this, but it's still a great song.

Movie Song of the Week: “Easter Parade”

From 1942's Holiday Inn, it's that song.



Plus, from 1948's Easter Parade, it's that song again.

I hope you all enjoy both versions.