Thanks a lot for this rare pleasure, varadero 1839. But my favorite Cole's dance ever is Johnson Rag. Could you to upload it here? I haven't seen it many years.
I've written about Jack Cole. IMHO, this sequence is the ultimate. It is absolutely superb. The contender is the "Johnson Rag" from this same film. "No Talent Joe" for Betty Grable is also great. Then, his stuff for Rita Hayworth. My thread of Cole stories may be found on artsmeme.com.
Please everyone, keep the words "Jack Cole, choreographer" front and center in your discussion of this sequence. No Cole, no fabulous Mitzi Gaynor performance, no color scheme, no stripper plumes, no guys in hats lurking at low levels, no vibrant primary colors, no ladder, no flames, no sexy fireman. It's all Jack Cole, all of it. He was a dance-on-film genius.
@ludepei Thanks so much for your tribute! You're absolutely correct! Jack Cole was the genius behind this, and many other Hollywood musicals. His abilities were unique, and not only in choreography! You'd run out of fingers and toes just trying to count his triumphs!
@lilypondlane Mitzi is superb here, as well as David W! Would that they'd given him more to say, but just seeing Oscar in drag is a trip! HIs talent is legendary, his quips now celestial! Thanks for your notice! Would that someone would perform anew his opera from the movie "Charlie Chan at The Opera!" I remember as a kid being terrified by Boris Karloff singing the lead as "The Devil!" The melody, and the voice of the performer were astounding! We can only hope. Thanks again for your comment!
@varadero1839 You must be psychic. I JUST FINISHED WATCHING "CHARLIE CHAN AT THE OPERA" on an old VCR tape that I made years ago!!! Then I get your reply!!! I watched the movie just to hear Oscar's opera!! (OK, I love Charlie Chan movies too!) Karloff was unbelievably scary in this. His eyes through the mask while he was singing was the stuff that nightmares are made of. His singing (not his I'm sure) scared the H. E. double hockey sticks out of me. Mitzi: spectacular!Oscar in drag: yikes!!
@lilypondlane Wish I had a copy of the tape! I love all Charlie Chan movies, and especially this one! As regards Mr. Karloff, you've every right to be scared! Wish I knew the "dubber" for his voice. I agree that the most frightening moments are of his eyes through the mask! Those, coupled with the cruel sneer, (pure Boris,) make/made this an incredible success! Mr. Levant as the composer just gives us some breathing room, and an elegant reason to sometimes relax, then be scared!! Thank You!
@varadero1839 I did a little investigating and found that the singer who dubbed for Karloff was named Tudor Williams. Williams was born Llewelyn Tudor Owens in Shropshire, England in 1896, and died in Los Angeles in 1971. He had quite a movie career. Check his film credits by going to the IMDb website. He was also a voice in another of my favorite movies, "The Girl Said No", starring Robert Armstrong and Irene Hervey. Excerpts from "The Mikado" were performed in that movie.
@lilypondlane Thanks so much! Aside from the wonderful score, I love the duplicitous, murderous wife of Karloff, whose name eludes me right now! Very grateful!
@varadero1839 Oscar Levant was funny PERIOD. He didn't have to try & be funny. He just was. Robin Williams is also funny, but he's not in the realm of Levant. I love funny people for making this naughty world a more tolerable place to live. Oscar Levant has been my patron saint of the humor. Levant helped get me through many tough times. My mother's 82 years old & loves talking about him still. He was her favorite pianist. This man did so much good, if only he knew.
@parachuteboi Thanks for your input! Creativity seems to have been lost over the years. We're lucky to have such stalwart examples, should the art ever resurface. I'm very grateful to hear from you!
I don't know why I got recommended this to watch via youtube but, what was that all about! Not to be unkind, but it does seem a little bit....well.....camp? :S Still, I guess that's just 50's America for you.........
@skeever Mitzi's great fun here, and as lovely as can be. I'm only sorry I missed her live show/tribute here in SFO at The Castro Theater! So glad you liked this!
hmm. i think mitzi kind of got blackballed at the movie studios because her husband and agent drove a hard bargain. but she went on to star in several tv specials that won acclaim and a couple of emmys.
Too bad the Musical became passe...otherwise Mitzi would have been a bigger star..interesting to watch Cole's choreography.....you can see the same movements he did for Marilyn and Jane in Gentleman Prefer Blondes.
FABULOUS
Globall6 1 week ago
@Globall6 Thanks so much for your comment! The divine Mitzi; always a pleasure to see her!
varadero1839 1 week ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Love Jack Cole? WE DO!
Queens Theatre and Walker dance are producing the world premiere of the JACK COLE project to run from May 3-20th 2012 in Queens, NY
Check out our videos for more info and a sneak peak into the show!
QTPNYC 1 week ago
Thanks a lot for this rare pleasure, varadero 1839. But my favorite Cole's dance ever is Johnson Rag. Could you to upload it here? I haven't seen it many years.
tineblas 6 months ago
I've written about Jack Cole. IMHO, this sequence is the ultimate. It is absolutely superb. The contender is the "Johnson Rag" from this same film. "No Talent Joe" for Betty Grable is also great. Then, his stuff for Rita Hayworth. My thread of Cole stories may be found on artsmeme.com.
Enjoy!
ludepei 7 months ago
Please everyone, keep the words "Jack Cole, choreographer" front and center in your discussion of this sequence. No Cole, no fabulous Mitzi Gaynor performance, no color scheme, no stripper plumes, no guys in hats lurking at low levels, no vibrant primary colors, no ladder, no flames, no sexy fireman. It's all Jack Cole, all of it. He was a dance-on-film genius.
ludepei 8 months ago
@ludepei Thanks so much for your tribute! You're absolutely correct! Jack Cole was the genius behind this, and many other Hollywood musicals. His abilities were unique, and not only in choreography! You'd run out of fingers and toes just trying to count his triumphs!
varadero1839 8 months ago
This is terrific!! Great, creative dancing and set, and of course, the one and only Oscar Levant. Oscar, you rock!!!
lilypondlane 8 months ago
@lilypondlane Mitzi is superb here, as well as David W! Would that they'd given him more to say, but just seeing Oscar in drag is a trip! HIs talent is legendary, his quips now celestial! Thanks for your notice! Would that someone would perform anew his opera from the movie "Charlie Chan at The Opera!" I remember as a kid being terrified by Boris Karloff singing the lead as "The Devil!" The melody, and the voice of the performer were astounding! We can only hope. Thanks again for your comment!
varadero1839 8 months ago
@varadero1839 You must be psychic. I JUST FINISHED WATCHING "CHARLIE CHAN AT THE OPERA" on an old VCR tape that I made years ago!!! Then I get your reply!!! I watched the movie just to hear Oscar's opera!! (OK, I love Charlie Chan movies too!) Karloff was unbelievably scary in this. His eyes through the mask while he was singing was the stuff that nightmares are made of. His singing (not his I'm sure) scared the H. E. double hockey sticks out of me. Mitzi: spectacular!Oscar in drag: yikes!!
lilypondlane 8 months ago
@lilypondlane Wish I had a copy of the tape! I love all Charlie Chan movies, and especially this one! As regards Mr. Karloff, you've every right to be scared! Wish I knew the "dubber" for his voice. I agree that the most frightening moments are of his eyes through the mask! Those, coupled with the cruel sneer, (pure Boris,) make/made this an incredible success! Mr. Levant as the composer just gives us some breathing room, and an elegant reason to sometimes relax, then be scared!! Thank You!
varadero1839 8 months ago
@varadero1839 I did a little investigating and found that the singer who dubbed for Karloff was named Tudor Williams. Williams was born Llewelyn Tudor Owens in Shropshire, England in 1896, and died in Los Angeles in 1971. He had quite a movie career. Check his film credits by going to the IMDb website. He was also a voice in another of my favorite movies, "The Girl Said No", starring Robert Armstrong and Irene Hervey. Excerpts from "The Mikado" were performed in that movie.
lilypondlane 8 months ago
@varadero1839 You can see "Charlie Chan at the Opera" on Youtube--the entire film! Happy viewing!
lilypondlane 8 months ago
@lilypondlane Thanks so much! Aside from the wonderful score, I love the duplicitous, murderous wife of Karloff, whose name eludes me right now! Very grateful!
varadero1839 8 months ago
Comment removed
lilypondlane 8 months ago
Oscar Levant stole the show!
unclejuniorsoprano 8 months ago
@unclejuniorsoprano He usually did! Two of my favorites from this genius:
When asked by Jack Paar what he does for exercise, he replied, "I stumble, then fall into a coma."
"Everyone in Hollywood is gay, except Gabby Hayes — and that's because he is a transvestite."
Thanks for your mention, and best wishes!
varadero1839 8 months ago
@varadero1839 Oscar Levant was funny PERIOD. He didn't have to try & be funny. He just was. Robin Williams is also funny, but he's not in the realm of Levant. I love funny people for making this naughty world a more tolerable place to live. Oscar Levant has been my patron saint of the humor. Levant helped get me through many tough times. My mother's 82 years old & loves talking about him still. He was her favorite pianist. This man did so much good, if only he knew.
Thanks for your reply.
unclejuniorsoprano 8 months ago
wow that was "different" in a good way! and very creative! these days they couldnt do that
parachuteboi 8 months ago
@parachuteboi Thanks for your input! Creativity seems to have been lost over the years. We're lucky to have such stalwart examples, should the art ever resurface. I'm very grateful to hear from you!
varadero1839 8 months ago
Wow. Back when artists thought in BIG abstract ways and trusted audiences to get it.
jameztube 10 months ago
Does anyone know if or when "The I Don't Care Girl" is coming out on DVD?
Dan11296 1 year ago
Très cool, looks like choreographed by Saul Bass!!
komaboy 1 year ago
I don't know why I got recommended this to watch via youtube but, what was that all about! Not to be unkind, but it does seem a little bit....well.....camp? :S Still, I guess that's just 50's America for you.........
killbison 1 year ago
The more I watch this the more I love it.
Are the men's shoes nailed to the floor at 1:02 - 1:13?
skeever 1 year ago
@skeever Either that, or it was an early form of "Crazy-Glue!" Thanks for your mention!
varadero1839 1 year ago
I admire her for wearing feather at the end and climbing a letter while it's on fire. I'd be afraid I'd catch fire.
sanantoniosquare 1 year ago
Comment removed
sanantoniosquare 1 year ago
HOW could it be I've never seen this!! HA! Looooooooove it!
skeever 1 year ago
@skeever Mitzi's great fun here, and as lovely as can be. I'm only sorry I missed her live show/tribute here in SFO at The Castro Theater! So glad you liked this!
varadero1839 1 year ago
hmm. i think mitzi kind of got blackballed at the movie studios because her husband and agent drove a hard bargain. but she went on to star in several tv specials that won acclaim and a couple of emmys.
bigred997 1 year ago
I always laugh when her feather falls off. That wouldn't have happened at MGM!
johnfd0210 1 year ago
"I don't care." Ha! My new theme song. :D
scriptum60 2 years ago
Mitzi my love, my persian thanks you for her name :)
1976keagz 2 years ago
god, those legs are just fabulous
mccurryburg 2 years ago 2
Too bad the Musical became passe...otherwise Mitzi would have been a bigger star..interesting to watch Cole's choreography.....you can see the same movements he did for Marilyn and Jane in Gentleman Prefer Blondes.
miltsar 2 years ago
I agree. Beautiful choreography. But Mitzy looks like some silly ostrich in that feathered costume! Ha ha!
fitzkamimbu 2 years ago
Oscar...you were wonderful...Humoresque....the best.
sclogse1 2 years ago 2
It's a good musical.Jack cole(the choreographer)is a genius.There are two delicious dance numbers,"beale street blues" and "the johnson rag".
tommyrall3 3 years ago
WHAT A TALENT Mitzi leaves all the others standing, but sadly wasted in Hollywood
theduchess86 3 years ago
cid charisse ....
sclogse1 2 years ago