Jane Froman, Sonny Schuyler - Gems from "Of Thee I Sing" (1938)

Gems from "Of Thee I Sing"
Music by George Gershwin
Lyrics by Ira Gershwin
Directed by Nathaniel Shilkret with the Victor Salon Group
Vocals by Jane Froman and Sonny Schuyler (aka Sunny Skylar)
Originally broadcast July 10, 1938

This is from a memorial broadcast honoring George Gershwin on the eve of the first anniversary of the composer's premature death on July 11, 1937. The broadcast starred Jane Froman, Felix Knight, Sonny Schuyler and the Victor Salon Group, conducted by Nathaniel Shilkret. The concert was later released on 78 rpm records.

"Of Thee I Sing" first opened on Broadway on December 26, 1931 and ran for 441 performances. The original cast included Victor Moore, William Gaxton, George Murphy, Lois Moran, June O'Dea, Dudley Clements, Grace Brinkley and Florenz Ames.

This recording is a medley of Gershwin tunes from the musical, which includes:
0:00 Wintergreen for President - Chorus
0:53 Who Cares? - Jane Froman
2:20 Of Thee I Sing - Sonny Schuyler
3:40 Love Is Sweeping The Country - Chorus

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Jane Froman
• George Gershwin
• Ira Gershwin
• Of Thee I Sing
• Memorial
• Radio
• Broadcast
• 1938
• 78rpm
• Sonny Schuyler
• Nathaniel Shilkret
• contralto

[thefabulousmark]

I especially liked Wintergreen for President [ hard to find recordings of it] Thanks for sharing.

[bsgs98]

@thefabulousmark There is a 1952 Broadway revival version which has been reissued on CD, A 1972 TV version starring Carroll O'Connor on LP available on Ebay, and a 1987 Studio recording conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas on CD which is still available on Amazon.

[jeanfss38]

Thank You! Clearly, you have appreciation and access to some of the greatest popular musical treasures of the 20th century. As you may have noticed, through my earlier comments, Froman is a special favorite of mine. I appreciate your contributions, including those that extend well beyond my personal favorites! Thank you, once again.

[bsgs98]

@jeanfss38 . Thank you for your comments! There is so much wonderful music that is nearly forgotten today, and this is my small contribution in giving it the exposure it deserves.

[jeanfss38]

I have been so appreciative of your recent Froman/Gershwin/ Shilkret postings that I was going to ask for this one (also from the Gershwin Memorial Concert of 7/38?)

You beat me to it!!!!!

Thank you so very much! Dare I ask you to do your magic with "I Got Rhythm","Bidin' My Time", "Embraceable You"....and other Froman classics? While a Froman fan. I am also terribly impressed by the visual presentations you choose to accompany the music! :) Thank you, again, so much.

[bsgs98]

Thanks. I just posted the selections you are referring to.

[justinberry1234]

great clip .. keep it up thanks

[jeanfss38]

Dear bsgs98,

I love Froman's "Who Cares?" - find it nowhere else except from your incredible collection of music and extraordinary memorabilia............. (how far does your collection extend, I must wonder? - you have always given me so much enriching information).

Thank you, once again!

[bsgs98]

I just posted Gems from "Girl Crazy" which has the "I Got Rhythm" by Jane Froman.

[dezinator]

Jane Froman sang "I Got Rhythm"? I haven't heard it. I would like to though :)