What a wonderfully versatile artist Bebe Daniels was! She excelled at everything she turned her hand to: comedy (the Harold Lloyd silents), drama (The Maltese Falcon, Counsellor-at-Law, etc), musicals (Rio Rita, Dixiana, 42nd Street), radio and TV (Life With The Lyons). A real star back when the word actually meant something.
What I don't understand is why Boles who was from rural Texas sounds so foreign when he sings and speaks in all his early sound films (not just this Mexican role). I guess the studios were playing to the general expectation that all great music came from Europe,
Bebe is one of the few from that era who could be a major star today.
At the time, Bebe Daniels was already a star of the silent film era. With the coming of sound, audiences eagerly anticipated what some of their favorites' voices would sound like. Imagine, if you will, how stunned the moviegoers of 1929 were when they heard Bebe's wonderful singing voice. And when teamed with the equally gifted John Boles, I bet the people in the audience just swooned!
I have the Richard Crooks Red Seal Victor of this from 1929. Bebe Daniels retired to the U.K.with her husband Ben Lyon ((Hell's Angels)in 1935 where whe enjoyed her theatrical career. She was an accomplished singer even in the Lloyd days.She was also the niece to Lee DeForest
the pioneer that created the Orthocon Ray Tube which led to Television,& pioneered the Sound on Film process, as early as 1923 (see Eddiie Cantor shorts produced by the Farnsworth/DeForest Laboratories)
What a wonderfully versatile artist Bebe Daniels was! She excelled at everything she turned her hand to: comedy (the Harold Lloyd silents), drama (The Maltese Falcon, Counsellor-at-Law, etc), musicals (Rio Rita, Dixiana, 42nd Street), radio and TV (Life With The Lyons). A real star back when the word actually meant something.
aldiboronti 1 year ago
Both John & Bebe are very good singers!!
stlgtrace 1 year ago
One book says he learned fluent German early from his "matron" at home. He also spoke "French and Spanish quite well."
Seems tho he wasn't very good at talkin' Texan.
FoPo4 2 years ago
I bet this has something to do with it:
"During World War I, he was a US spy in Germany, Bulgaria, and Turkey."
perfectjazz78 2 years ago
@ClarasBeau
What I don't understand is why Boles who was from rural Texas sounds so foreign when he sings and speaks in all his early sound films (not just this Mexican role). I guess the studios were playing to the general expectation that all great music came from Europe,
Bebe is one of the few from that era who could be a major star today.
FoPo4 2 years ago
At the time, Bebe Daniels was already a star of the silent film era. With the coming of sound, audiences eagerly anticipated what some of their favorites' voices would sound like. Imagine, if you will, how stunned the moviegoers of 1929 were when they heard Bebe's wonderful singing voice. And when teamed with the equally gifted John Boles, I bet the people in the audience just swooned!
ClarasBeau 2 years ago
Thank you so much, It is simply lovely.I have tried to get the video of the film, but without success.
paxguns 3 years ago
Great stuff, it's a treat to see Bebe anytime. ber784
ber784 3 years ago
I have the Richard Crooks Red Seal Victor of this from 1929. Bebe Daniels retired to the U.K.with her husband Ben Lyon ((Hell's Angels)in 1935 where whe enjoyed her theatrical career. She was an accomplished singer even in the Lloyd days.She was also the niece to Lee DeForest
the pioneer that created the Orthocon Ray Tube which led to Television,& pioneered the Sound on Film process, as early as 1923 (see Eddiie Cantor shorts produced by the Farnsworth/DeForest Laboratories)
78timothy 4 years ago
John Boles what a handsome man and beautiful voice. Too bad hollywood never appreciated him.
650142 4 years ago