Irene Dunne - Lovely To Look At

Music by Jerome Kern
Lyrics by Dorothy Fields

This is the original performance of the song, from 1935.

Irene Dunne had a remarkable career, including 5 academy award nominations for best actress, Kennedy Center honoree, UN diplomat, and philanthropist. However, she said her proudest achievement was having Jerome Kern write this song for her. Dunne is the female singer most closely associated with Kern's music. Kern's favorite male singer is also in this video - he's the conductor.

Another Dunne video I posted was "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" - that was the scene where she and Randolph Scott broke up. This song, later in the movie, is their reconciliation.

Interesting trivia - the fur she is wearing cost 9,000 dollars in 1935 - that's over $100,000 today. During filming, she had a special bodyguard following her around - to protect the dress!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Irene
• Dunne
• Jerome
• Kern

[rossj99]

Thank You for posting this clip I showed it to my elderly aunt on my laptop in the nursing home and she was in tears she just loved Irene Dunne!!! I also think she was great.

[violinthief]

Thanks Ross, that made my day.  Say "hi" to your aunt for me. I used to do volunteer work at a nursing home, and it just broke my heart every time I had to say goodbye.

[zoragirl4]

Thank you for posting this clip. I was watching late night TV and discovered this film. I believe there is a scene before Irene's song, when they have a parade of women wearing fabulous gowns. I know this sounds strange, but one of those gowns is exactly what I want to wear on my wedding day. Lovely film, thanks again for the upload.

[violinthief]

Thanks for the nice comment. One of those models in that scene was a young Lucille Ball. She was good friends with Ginger Rogers and had bit parts in Roberta, Top Hat, and Follow the Fleet.

[Dayniac4324]

I just love Irene -- what a beautiful, classy lady ! At home in dramas, musicals and my favorite comedies of all time !

Thanks - this was wonderful to watch !!

[violinthief]

Thanks for the comment! Doris Day was a pretty amazing talent as well - great looking, sweet personality, a solid actress, and one heck of a big band singer!

[claycmi]

The most beautiful, and tallented actress to ever grace Hollywood, and the silver screen. No one can ever match this Heavenly creature. I believe she must have been an Angel on this earth. And the best thing to ever look at. God played a trick on us when he let us look at her, and then took her away. Because, we shall never see or hear such beauty ever again on this earth.

[winghui2008]

What's wrong with me.. I heard this and think about Tom and Jerry. :(

[Pewit35]

My partner "sings" the chorus to this song when he's happy.

My partner is tone deaf!

[suzannesadiiqa]

Watch her in 'I Remember Mama' a lovely film and a lovely performance from Irene...

[phoenixalhs]

Thank you for posting this, it is simply delightful.

[ian1856]

Amazing the embarrassment of riches in Hollywood between the First and Second World Wars! To think this gorgeous and talented artist was one of so very many. A true Golden Age.

[munirss]

OMG! THIS IS THE KIND OF MUSIC IM LOOKING FOR!! I CANT FIND ANYTHING CLOSE TO THIS KIND OF MUSIC NOWDAYS!

[wishingtobegone]

I wish singers these days could sing like this.

[myrnaloysboy]

Oh my goodness - why she never won an Academy Award I will never know. Absolutely fabulous!

[Calfullanas]

she was an awesome actress,hollywood is not the same anymore

[irishamrep]

@lizzyvance many of her movies are available at TCM and Amazon. Also many of them have been digitally inhanced. Two will be on TCM in June.