no, it just appears that way in grayscale. she's wearing a shawl type thing on her shoulders, and is wearing a slip-like dress underneath. pretty nice dress, too!
Leith Stevens is credited with the song. Syncopation, the film from which this scene comes, was his first movie score. He later worked portions of the music into the score for "American Rhapsody" which has been performed by many symphonies. The other piece current audiences may recognize from his prodigious accomplishments in film and television scoring is the theme from "Lost in Space."
Btw, Jackie Cooper plays the trumpeter. Actual trumpet may have been furnished by the then (1942) ailing Bunny Berigan or by Manny Klein. Bunny was prevented from having a short acting role by reason of the downward spiral of his alcoholism. Pianist is not Bonita Granville, as you are supposed to believe, but Stan Wrightsman
It's been years since I saw Syncopation, but I remember being so excited to hear Bunny Berigan, and I just didn't hear it when Jackie Cooper played(Kind of looks like him here though, doesn't he?)....til I saw an African-American trumpet player, and I immediately heard Berigan's sound! Kind of cracked me up!
Thank goodness for recordings and videos. Listening to them we can make our own decisions about the quality and appeal of those now passed. For me, Connee Boswell and her sisters were among the finest performers of the 20th century.
I recently saw a cabaret performace in Berlin that featured a number of the Boswell Sisters songs and a few of Connee's. Each was a show stopper. Considering that these songs were all over 70 years old it was mighty impressive.
One of the greatest singers of the twentieth century, simple as that. What a shame that, for some unknown reason, she doesn't seem to have been afforded the same respect and admiration as Mildred Bailey for being a pioneer of jazz singing. To my ears, she's far jazzier, more swinging, more inventive, more influential-- and simply a more appealing singer-- than Bailey.
Can anyone tell me what the personal tragedy was? Does it have to do with an injury? (I read that she was usually seen sitting in films because of a disability.) I love her unpretentious, heartfelt way of singing. Thank you for your comments.
When Connee was 3 she became paralyzed, either from polio or an accident (she says polio but her mother said accident). Pretty amazing that she could have been in movies, Broadway and TV without being able to walk. With a voice like that, though, she doesn't need legs to dance. You can find out more about Connee and her Sisters at the Boswell Sisters website bozzies(dot)com
Thank you much; that is a powerful thing to know about an artist. Maybe that's one of the reasons she conveys as much feeling as she does in her songs - in addition to her phenomenal talent of course...
Unlike other, more notorious stars, Connee married her manager and lived for many years happily until her death. At Louis Armstrong's memorial, a huge array of stars were gushing about the great Louis. When it was Connee's turn (she had known him since her childhood in New Orleans) she simply sang a simple song, without the BS!!! Anyone know what song that was? Sorry, I don't!!!
One of a kind. An amazing career start to finish. She didn't let a tremendous personal disaster stop her, never lost her lustre. All jazz people I know deeply respect her talent and memory.
Although I know she recorded the song for the movie Moulin Rouge, it did not make it to the final cut. I have wished that it might still be on a negative somewhere, but I have never seen a reference that encouraged me to believe it had survived.
thank You!
beforeourveryeyes 3 months ago
@beforeourveryeyes I have to presume you are thanking the heavens and not me. I am just the bringer of Boswell joy.
hoopjnky 3 months ago
You can tell Ella Fitzgerald was inspired by her.
Janae89Vidz 1 year ago
There was no one like Connie Boswell. She was a goddess of music! Such a talent.
kabardinka1 1 year ago
Her voice is so warm and nostalgic.
direfranchement 1 year ago
Amazing to see the woman who inspired Ella Fitzgerald to sing!
kristikclark 2 years ago
Beautiful, just beautiful. Have to admit; what a voice and I am only 46.
grenadian11 2 years ago
Is that woman wearing an open front dress at 0:57?
amplifiedlithium 2 years ago
no, it just appears that way in grayscale. she's wearing a shawl type thing on her shoulders, and is wearing a slip-like dress underneath. pretty nice dress, too!
clattermachine 2 years ago
✰ ✡ ★ ✴ ✶ ★ ٭ * ✧ ✦ ☆ ✪ ✬ ✫ ✭ ✯ ✡ ❂ ✵ ✸ ✴ ✮
GuitarHeroGoddess123 2 years ago
Only one word for that - an exquisite performance !
rexbonitas 2 years ago
Perfection! Brava! TY.
paulostroff99 2 years ago
Does anyone know who wrote the "Falling Star" words or music. Thanks
fiveanddimer 3 years ago
Leith Stevens is credited with the song. Syncopation, the film from which this scene comes, was his first movie score. He later worked portions of the music into the score for "American Rhapsody" which has been performed by many symphonies. The other piece current audiences may recognize from his prodigious accomplishments in film and television scoring is the theme from "Lost in Space."
hoopjnky 3 years ago
Many thanks, hoopjnky. I share your admiration for the Boswells.
fiveanddimer 3 years ago
Admiration? Darlin', I've been Bozzed!
hoopjnky 2 years ago
I see why ella wanted to sing like her.
reelmuzik 3 years ago
Really enjoyed this.
Fegen 3 years ago
Btw, Jackie Cooper plays the trumpeter. Actual trumpet may have been furnished by the then (1942) ailing Bunny Berigan or by Manny Klein. Bunny was prevented from having a short acting role by reason of the downward spiral of his alcoholism. Pianist is not Bonita Granville, as you are supposed to believe, but Stan Wrightsman
Wallerfan 3 years ago 2
It's been years since I saw Syncopation, but I remember being so excited to hear Bunny Berigan, and I just didn't hear it when Jackie Cooper played(Kind of looks like him here though, doesn't he?)....til I saw an African-American trumpet player, and I immediately heard Berigan's sound! Kind of cracked me up!
ziggyelman 3 years ago
Thank goodness for recordings and videos. Listening to them we can make our own decisions about the quality and appeal of those now passed. For me, Connee Boswell and her sisters were among the finest performers of the 20th century.
I recently saw a cabaret performace in Berlin that featured a number of the Boswell Sisters songs and a few of Connee's. Each was a show stopper. Considering that these songs were all over 70 years old it was mighty impressive.
hoopjnky 3 years ago
hoopjnky-Connee was the arguably-the best female pop singer of all time
paulostroff99 2 years ago
One of the greatest singers of the twentieth century, simple as that. What a shame that, for some unknown reason, she doesn't seem to have been afforded the same respect and admiration as Mildred Bailey for being a pioneer of jazz singing. To my ears, she's far jazzier, more swinging, more inventive, more influential-- and simply a more appealing singer-- than Bailey.
lemontarsier 3 years ago
Can anyone tell me what the personal tragedy was? Does it have to do with an injury? (I read that she was usually seen sitting in films because of a disability.) I love her unpretentious, heartfelt way of singing. Thank you for your comments.
crooner62 3 years ago
When Connee was 3 she became paralyzed, either from polio or an accident (she says polio but her mother said accident). Pretty amazing that she could have been in movies, Broadway and TV without being able to walk. With a voice like that, though, she doesn't need legs to dance. You can find out more about Connee and her Sisters at the Boswell Sisters website bozzies(dot)com
hoopjnky 3 years ago
Thank you much; that is a powerful thing to know about an artist. Maybe that's one of the reasons she conveys as much feeling as she does in her songs - in addition to her phenomenal talent of course...
(Also appreciate the referral)
crooner62 3 years ago
Unlike other, more notorious stars, Connee married her manager and lived for many years happily until her death. At Louis Armstrong's memorial, a huge array of stars were gushing about the great Louis. When it was Connee's turn (she had known him since her childhood in New Orleans) she simply sang a simple song, without the BS!!! Anyone know what song that was? Sorry, I don't!!!
Lenswims 3 years ago
One of a kind. An amazing career start to finish. She didn't let a tremendous personal disaster stop her, never lost her lustre. All jazz people I know deeply respect her talent and memory.
waynebrasler 4 years ago 3
Lovely song from the lovely Connee. She was one in a million- rare talent and bravery beyond what most of us will ever face.
TheSwingShift 4 years ago 4
Do you have her singing "Boulevard of Broken Dreams"? That's my all time favorite.
hauptman2 4 years ago
Although I know she recorded the song for the movie Moulin Rouge, it did not make it to the final cut. I have wished that it might still be on a negative somewhere, but I have never seen a reference that encouraged me to believe it had survived.
hoopjnky 4 years ago
A star -that never fell!
paulostroff99 4 years ago 3
yes, she was marvelous.
cuthbertdrinkwater 4 years ago 3
Brilliant, I can't get enough of the Boswells!
zone003 4 years ago 3
Excellent - thanks for posting this!
laughland 4 years ago 3