1904 BROADWAY MUSICAL: George M. COHAN ~ Life's a funny proposition after all (1911)

[LePrince1890]

I am glad that finally I have heard a tune of his with him singing it that I had not heard before. He was really quite a figure, actor, dancer, lyracist, dramatist (THE TAVERN, SEVEN KEYS TO BALDPATE), and creator of the modern American musical. Try to see THE PHANTOM PRESIDENT to get an idea of that great stage personality he had. He only made one other sound film, based on his own play this time, called THE GAMBLER, and it is (regretfully) missing.

[crazyyy3317]

Thumbs up if you heard this in Boardwalk Empire!

[envymi3]

Beautiful Song!

[whytry4561]

The version from Boardwalk Empire:

watch?v=q_v97er_32U



[TheTokit]

Thank you for this post. I first heard this song in my teens, in 1974. I liked it so much, that I tried to make a transcript of it, though it is difficult to understand some parts for one who is not a native English speaker. It stills make me think a lot. Now, when approaching the dusk of my life. The whole human condition it there abridged. ¿Do you know the author of it? ¿Is it Cohan himself?

[CurzonRoad]

@TheTokit

Greetings: And thank you! Believe this is indeed one of Mr. Cohan's very own original compositions. ITEM: Yes, something the dusk, no? Thanks again! Doug --

[Gumlegs]

@TheTokit Cohan wrote it.

[louisa1832]

I have this on a collection called "Nipper's Greatest Hits." Rather a haunting recording, for a lot of reasons. Thank you!

[Kievest]

A fascinating example of Maestro Cohan's literary genius and personal magnetism.

..."the more we try to learn, the less we know!" Ageless wisdom or popular cliche?

His musicals seem more optimistic! Wonderful historic document! Thank you,

Doug, for posting and sharing.

[opertutto]

Another winner, Doug. A rather somber piece.

[AulicExclusiva]

It is fascinating to hear the Yankee Doodle Dandy himself: it had never occurred to me he had made records. Normally I hate diseurs, diseuses and rappers, but this is an historical artifact of considerable interest. Does he talk in all his records, or just in this one?

[CurzonRoad]

@AulicExclusiva

Hi AE: Seem to recall there may be some singing.. but what we mostly get are the gravelly soliloquies as heard here. Let me see what else I can find. Cheers, etc. Doug --

[althazarr]

Fantastic video and song! You've always got the good tunes Doug! :-)

[CurzonRoad]

@althazarr

Hi Lloyd:

Wow!

Thanks!

Catch you soon!

Doug --

[Glenmed]

Best wishes to everyone over there for next Sunday, 4th July. Especially to you, Doug, as you continue to wipe the dust off your fascinating hoard of old curiosities. It seems that you have caused at least one of us to be more attentive the next time we walk through Times Square!

[CurzonRoad]

@Glenmed

Hi Barry:

It was a pleasant surprise to stumble upon George M's statue on Times Square just a few years back. Ah, yes, the holidays! Many thanks for said wishes... and I shall t-r-y to keep out of trouble during the celebrations. Cheers, etc. Doug --

[Labienus]

I guess I'm not the only one who never actually heard him-and it seems we all have Cagney in our ears. Certainly the film enlarged and sustained Cohan's legend but this guy was already legendary and was said to have "owned" Broadway for 25 yrs. in all his various talents and made a fortune Do youhave any regular singing? Give my Regards e.g.-that might help understand why they were not popular? And he only made these few recordings? that's amazing of course his performances were not just singing

[CurzonRoad]

@Labienus

Hi Marshall: Appears Cohan never recorded "Give My Regards to Broadway". Believe most if not all of his lean discography are of the lilting, spoken word genre we have here... but let me check. Back to you soon. Cheers, etc. Doug --

[Gumlegs]

@CurzonRoad Cohan sang a medly of "Give My Regards to Broadway," "The Yankee Doodle Boy," and "You're A Grand Old Flag" for the Cavalcade of American Music. It was transcribed for a radio broadcast and is now available on CD. His encore was "Over There."

[CurzonRoad]

@Gumlegs

Many thanks for the great, new information!

All Best.

Doug --

[Gumlegs]

@CurzonRoad You can find the recording at Amazon. It's titled "Carousel of American Music," on the Music & Arts label, CD-971.

[CurzonRoad]

@Gumlegs

Wow!

Again, many thanks!

Cheers, etc.

Doug -- 

[meltzerboy]

I'm no musical comedy expert at all, but I have heard of George M. Cohan, largely via Cagney's portrayal in the film. The song itself sounds like a Leonard Cohen (not Cohan) piece, that could be sung by either him or Judy Collins. Yet Cohan's showmanship comes through even on this old recording. Funny that his records flopped. Thanks for posting, Doug!

[CurzonRoad]

@meltzerboy

After googling Leonard Cohen see what you mean! While George M is very existential here, since this is from the same show that gave us "Give My Regards to Broadway", trust the pessimistic philosophical outlook was vanquished, and in a manner we have come to expect (and appreciate) from New York musicals. Thanks, Nate, for linking Cohan to Cohen... one learns something new everyday. Cheers, etc. Doug --

[meltzerboy]

@CurzonRoad Of course, the musical styles are apples and oranges; but, as they say, it's the (existential) thought that counts. Yes, musical happy endings can be a relief from the harsh reality of life sometimes.

[genia106]

SENSATIONAL!

Thank you Doug....I'm in Times Square all the time and I have never seen his statue,

I shall have to look for it....Amazing I guess I am a typical New Yorker.

Perfect upload for the Fourth for he is a Yankee Doodle Dandy!

God Bless America......I'm feeling very Patriotic....:-)

[CurzonRoad]

@genia106

Hi Genia:

Wow! yes, how time flies... it's nearly July!

Thanks for reminding me of the approaching festivities!

Cheers, etc.

Doug -- 

[Shabannie]

Thank you for posting this interesting music! I know about the 1942 movie and play in 1968, but I had never heard this.

-----------Ellen

[CurzonRoad]

@Shabannie

Evening Ellen:

I actually have the 1968 soundtrack on LP with Joel Grey, and of course we all up grew up seeing reruns of Cagney in the 1942 film. Interesting though how Cohan's records flopped. As always... many thanks! Cheers, etc. Doug --

[mayatatyana1]

This is remarkable! This is the first time I've heard George M. Cohan. Thank you for posting. Maya

[CurzonRoad]

@mayatatyana1

Most welcome, Maya...

Thank YOU!

Doug --

[MrKingsRow]

The video is very beautiful...and so is the song...very nice...thanks Doug...thumbs up! :))

[CurzonRoad]

@MrKingsRow

Howdy John:

Many thanks!

Later...

Doug --

[Bivolari]

Amazing. He sounds just like Jimmy Cagney! lol

[CurzonRoad]

@Bivolari

LoL!

Thanks, Stephen!

Cheers, etc.

Doug --