@RockNRococo I agree with you about Etta James' version but this one is also good. And just so you know those "cultural rules" were NOT influenced by the Bible but by people like you who use the Bible as a cover up.
Many of you may not understand that 'Your Hit Parade' was a sort of "stock company" made up of Gisele, Dorothy Collins, Russell Armes, and Snooki Lanson. They sang the top hits on a weekly TV show.
I have to say also that Gisele manages to look both perky and sexy when she breaks into her short dance at :55, and then just after that. Unfortunately for her, however, I doubt very much that either "Henry" or the other boys are interested in that sort of thing.
I guess you liking Etta James' version best is a matter of personal taste and preference. ..NOTHING more. I'll take Gisele MacKenzie any day! Gisele was singing the big hit version of this song that was recorded by Georgia Gibbs...Gisele had nothing to do with what version of the record American audiences prefered and bought. As far as justifying racism with The Bible...I DO believe those that misuse the Bible in that way will surely rot in hell!
It the a sign of the extremely conservative, prudish times...you didn't even hint at anything sexual! Gisele use to speak about the fact that she and Dorothy Collins were the only two permitted to sing "Let Me Go Lover" on Your Hit Parade...since censors wouldn't let guys sing or say the word lover! O brother!
I love this song! Especially the orignal version by Georgia Gibbs. But the ALWAYS effective Gisele does her USUAL bang-up job here. What a gifted performer she was. One of the BEST aspects of "Your Hit Parade". Not only a great voice & wonderful comedic timing, but also a very attractive young lady! Va va va voom! THANKS so much for sharing this BLAST FROM THE PAST with us! :)
geez, I was there, a kid in 50s, with young relatives who sang falsetto hits and even appeared on American Bandstand from Philadelphia. Variety shows didn't die with Hit PArade, reviews of he hits sung by others passed from the scene. Rock would be introduced and shown mostly on variety shows through the 50s and 60s. Elsewise it was singles, 45s, movies (Frankie and Annette at the beach with bands, Elvis, Bill haley, et al) and AM radio.
I always watched Your Hit Parade with my parents when I was a kid. The premise of the show was to presents the week's most popular song. However by the mid 50s the performer had become more important than the song.
Interesting facts here, VideosTimes2!! Now I'm speculating this, had Gisele stayed on with the "new" cast, would she have stood out in age? Or do you think she would have fit in with the new group? Would Hit Parade continued longer had she stayed? :=)
The 'new' cast were all about Gisele's age...no one understood what they meant when they were introducing a younger cast that would be accepted by younger rock audiences...also none of the new cast were identified in any way with rock! It was really goofy. Gisele appeared to have become the superstar of the show, but I doubt if anyone could have saved the format of the show. Audiences wanted to see the hit makers sing their own songs, and variety shows had become old hat.
No, Gisele was very happy with the show and her co-stars and workers! I think she could see the ending coming to the show and Jack Benny offered to produce "The Gisele MacKenzie Show" on NBC-TV also on Saturday nights. Throughout the rest of her life, Gisele commented that the show was very dear to her.
In the Fall of 1956, Gisele MacKenzie announced to the producers and sponsors that she would NOT return to the show under any conditions! This led to an entire cast change to 'younger, rock-oriented' singers. The a new cast turned out to be in the same age range and mostly also sang pop tunes. The older, faithful Hit Parade fans didn't want to see the new cast, while the younger audiences wanted to see the performers with the hits sing their own songs. Three revival attempts failed.
The 50's looked like a fun time.. even though I think I should have been born in a different era and been a flower-child of the late 60s lol. This is so cute though.. and I love how the men tie up their shirts! hahaha
As a dancer, I have to say that was the worst performance in point shoes that I have ever seen. Why would they put someone in point shoes and force them to jump around performing dangerous moves? Ballet was not a good "dance" example for this (IMO) She was obviously in pain while standing, you can see the tension in her shoulders... She sang very nice but I winced every time she hopped around. I think she could have used soft shoes and that it would have been better. Thanks for the video! :)
Gisele was an amazing entertainer. She would do anything to get it right, according to the director's desires. This was a comedy piece, showing that Miss MacK could handle it all. I appreciate you comment about the uncomfortable shoes, etc. I remember I once saw Gisele live doing "Gypsy" and during the intermission she had a doctor working on a problem she was having with her lower back...BUT the audience NEVER had a clue that she was having problems. A GRAND performer and person...for sure.
This sketch, as were many, if not most of those on "Your Hit Parade," was done to comic effect.
In no way was this supposed to be a serious take on a ballet clans, just as most ballet classes would not utilize rhythm & blues/rock & roll music (especially in the 1950s) for rehearsal, especially at the barre.
Gisele's purpose on this show was to sing and be funny, both of which she does here superbly.
Also, for one who is not a trained dancer, MacKenzie does a good job here. I think she should be given credit for having the chutzpah to try this.
I was a singer in a rock group, and though MacKenzie wasn't a rock singer, I think she did a good job here in her own style. This skit shows that for one who was a classically-trained singer & musician (which MacKenzie was), she wasn't stuffy, could let her hair down.
MacKenzie seemed like a nice lady, with a good sense of humor.
Gisele was asked to dance early in her Hit Parade days. She replied "I'm not a dancer" but the chorographer told her she soon would be! Gisele was a quick study and Your Hit Parade only had the best involved...so it made for a good school for Miss MacKenzie.
omg... gorgeous men in tights doing ballet who were automatically labelled 'gay' *sighs* good times the 50s, good times... well, y'know... minus the civil rights thing... just kidding ;) this is really awesome to get to watch though, thanks for posting!
Gisele is singing in the style of Georgia Gibbs' version of the song; Etta James' original version was accessable only on "rhythm and blues" radio stations and record stores that bothered to stock it...."mainstream" audiences heard very little of it.
"Roll With Me Henry" came out of "Work With Me Annie." Oh, dear me.
waynebrasler 2 months ago
great talent .. very entertaining .. thanks
palmeradam29 4 months ago
@RockNRococo I agree with you about Etta James' version but this one is also good. And just so you know those "cultural rules" were NOT influenced by the Bible but by people like you who use the Bible as a cover up.
XxOnLyOnE2LuVxX 7 months ago
Many of you may not understand that 'Your Hit Parade' was a sort of "stock company" made up of Gisele, Dorothy Collins, Russell Armes, and Snooki Lanson. They sang the top hits on a weekly TV show.
wcotton 1 year ago
I have to say also that Gisele manages to look both perky and sexy when she breaks into her short dance at :55, and then just after that. Unfortunately for her, however, I doubt very much that either "Henry" or the other boys are interested in that sort of thing.
hebneh 1 year ago
The TRUE original version of this song was "Work With Me, Annie" by Hank Ballard. The lyrics were far too sexy for any radio play.
"Dance With Me, Henry" was the first remake, but it was still a bit racy since those lyrics were "Roll with me, Henry" (despite the title).
Georgia Gibbs' version, in turn, dropped "roll" for "Dance with me, Henry", as we hear here.
Moving around so much is a slight strain for Gisele while she's singing, but I like the ballet vs. rock comedic conflict.
hebneh 2 years ago
Do you have Gisele singing "Let Me Go Lover" where she's caught in a spider web? I remember that one.
carleen2140 2 years ago
I guess you liking Etta James' version best is a matter of personal taste and preference. ..NOTHING more. I'll take Gisele MacKenzie any day! Gisele was singing the big hit version of this song that was recorded by Georgia Gibbs...Gisele had nothing to do with what version of the record American audiences prefered and bought. As far as justifying racism with The Bible...I DO believe those that misuse the Bible in that way will surely rot in hell!
VideosTimes2 2 years ago
Wasn't this song controversial at the time?
dkfelix 2 years ago
Not this version, which was a Georgia Gibbs hit. The 'black' r&b version was...which was titled "Roll with Me Henry."
VideosTimes2 2 years ago
@VideosTimes2 Why was 'Roll With Me Henry' considered controversial?
bellimbopinni 2 years ago
It the a sign of the extremely conservative, prudish times...you didn't even hint at anything sexual! Gisele use to speak about the fact that she and Dorothy Collins were the only two permitted to sing "Let Me Go Lover" on Your Hit Parade...since censors wouldn't let guys sing or say the word lover! O brother!
VideosTimes2 2 years ago
I love this song! Especially the orignal version by Georgia Gibbs. But the ALWAYS effective Gisele does her USUAL bang-up job here. What a gifted performer she was. One of the BEST aspects of "Your Hit Parade". Not only a great voice & wonderful comedic timing, but also a very attractive young lady! Va va va voom! THANKS so much for sharing this BLAST FROM THE PAST with us! :)
JubalCalif 2 years ago
Wow. I was thinking about posting this because of one of the dancers but I guess I've been beaten by a couple years.
I guess I'm not the only one with this episode.
Tork110 2 years ago
I have a lot of Hit Parades...and other fine videos featuring Gisele MacKenzie. Always looking out for more!
VideosTimes2 2 years ago
geez, I was there, a kid in 50s, with young relatives who sang falsetto hits and even appeared on American Bandstand from Philadelphia. Variety shows didn't die with Hit PArade, reviews of he hits sung by others passed from the scene. Rock would be introduced and shown mostly on variety shows through the 50s and 60s. Elsewise it was singles, 45s, movies (Frankie and Annette at the beach with bands, Elvis, Bill haley, et al) and AM radio.
luckyshow 2 years ago
I always watched Your Hit Parade with my parents when I was a kid. The premise of the show was to presents the week's most popular song. However by the mid 50s the performer had become more important than the song.
CaptBill1947 2 years ago
Interesting facts here, VideosTimes2!! Now I'm speculating this, had Gisele stayed on with the "new" cast, would she have stood out in age? Or do you think she would have fit in with the new group? Would Hit Parade continued longer had she stayed? :=)
mrob75 2 years ago
The 'new' cast were all about Gisele's age...no one understood what they meant when they were introducing a younger cast that would be accepted by younger rock audiences...also none of the new cast were identified in any way with rock! It was really goofy. Gisele appeared to have become the superstar of the show, but I doubt if anyone could have saved the format of the show. Audiences wanted to see the hit makers sing their own songs, and variety shows had become old hat.
VideosTimes2 2 years ago
No, Gisele was very happy with the show and her co-stars and workers! I think she could see the ending coming to the show and Jack Benny offered to produce "The Gisele MacKenzie Show" on NBC-TV also on Saturday nights. Throughout the rest of her life, Gisele commented that the show was very dear to her.
VideosTimes2 2 years ago
In the Fall of 1956, Gisele MacKenzie announced to the producers and sponsors that she would NOT return to the show under any conditions! This led to an entire cast change to 'younger, rock-oriented' singers. The a new cast turned out to be in the same age range and mostly also sang pop tunes. The older, faithful Hit Parade fans didn't want to see the new cast, while the younger audiences wanted to see the performers with the hits sing their own songs. Three revival attempts failed.
VideosTimes2 2 years ago
The 50's looked like a fun time.. even though I think I should have been born in a different era and been a flower-child of the late 60s lol. This is so cute though.. and I love how the men tie up their shirts! hahaha
buffycharmedangel102 2 years ago
that was gay ! there should have been swing dancers
grega1972 3 years ago
As a dancer, I have to say that was the worst performance in point shoes that I have ever seen. Why would they put someone in point shoes and force them to jump around performing dangerous moves? Ballet was not a good "dance" example for this (IMO) She was obviously in pain while standing, you can see the tension in her shoulders... She sang very nice but I winced every time she hopped around. I think she could have used soft shoes and that it would have been better. Thanks for the video! :)
ciciegurl 3 years ago
Gisele was an amazing entertainer. She would do anything to get it right, according to the director's desires. This was a comedy piece, showing that Miss MacK could handle it all. I appreciate you comment about the uncomfortable shoes, etc. I remember I once saw Gisele live doing "Gypsy" and during the intermission she had a doctor working on a problem she was having with her lower back...BUT the audience NEVER had a clue that she was having problems. A GRAND performer and person...for sure.
VideosTimes2 3 years ago
Absolutely correct this was meant to be a comedy piece...notice the way Gisele flexes her feet when the guy lifts her...
Ancient dancer in Texas...
LaVerne37 2 years ago
This sketch, as were many, if not most of those on "Your Hit Parade," was done to comic effect.
In no way was this supposed to be a serious take on a ballet clans, just as most ballet classes would not utilize rhythm & blues/rock & roll music (especially in the 1950s) for rehearsal, especially at the barre.
Gisele's purpose on this show was to sing and be funny, both of which she does here superbly.
gymnastix 2 years ago
Also, for one who is not a trained dancer, MacKenzie does a good job here. I think she should be given credit for having the chutzpah to try this.
I was a singer in a rock group, and though MacKenzie wasn't a rock singer, I think she did a good job here in her own style. This skit shows that for one who was a classically-trained singer & musician (which MacKenzie was), she wasn't stuffy, could let her hair down.
MacKenzie seemed like a nice lady, with a good sense of humor.
gymnastix 2 years ago
Gisele was asked to dance early in her Hit Parade days. She replied "I'm not a dancer" but the chorographer told her she soon would be! Gisele was a quick study and Your Hit Parade only had the best involved...so it made for a good school for Miss MacKenzie.
VideosTimes2 2 years ago
Wow,I was nearly two months old when this aired!
jmen4ever 3 years ago
FANTASTIC
toothy49 3 years ago
this was all we had on tv in '56 australia--no wonder i became a juvenile delinquent----great to see the old clips though.
BEATNIKCASS 4 years ago
omg... gorgeous men in tights doing ballet who were automatically labelled 'gay' *sighs* good times the 50s, good times... well, y'know... minus the civil rights thing... just kidding ;) this is really awesome to get to watch though, thanks for posting!
ladyofseville 4 years ago
Gisele is singing in the style of Georgia Gibbs' version of the song; Etta James' original version was accessable only on "rhythm and blues" radio stations and record stores that bothered to stock it...."mainstream" audiences heard very little of it.
fromthesidelines 4 years ago 2