BETTY HUTTON - Way Down Yonder in New Orleans - Jeni LeGon

This is just part of a great montage that Betty performs in Somebody Loves Me. The Maid is played by Jeni LeGon, who was not credited in the film...she appeared in many films uncredited. Check her out at imdb. She is still living at 92 years of age! Betty used some of the numbers from Somebody Loves Me in her Palladium Theatre Engagement in London in 1952.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Betty
• Hutton
• Jeni
• LeGon
• New
• Orleans
• Somebody
• Loves
• Me
• Paramount

[johnnynazz52]

Thanks for the posts from Somebody Loves Me. Betty is more refined in this film-sexy and sleek as well. I have never seen this film and really appreciate the posts. Thanks for the info on Jeni LeGon as well.

[Monkeytreasures]

You are welcome for the posts! Just want to be sure to keep Betty's memory and talent alive for generations to come! Jeni is incredible - she has a rich history - recently she was just involved in a tap and lindy hop convention this year - being a choreographer, I love her style. Some of the old clips of her and Bojangles are incredible!

[mkrobinson95]

I have the uncut version of Betty's interview with Robert Osborne ... a full 2 hours and 5 minutes vs. the TCM 45 minute version ... anyway, in that interview she talks about how much she didn't like Ralph Meeker in this movie ... said she would have preferred Frank Sinatra, who was at a low ebb in his career about this time.

[Monkeytreasures]

Yes! The uncut version is very insightful, isn't it?! She did want Frank to perform the role and he was not doing very well at the time - this was before he became "hot" in Hollywood. Betty didn't like Ralph - mainly because he wasn't musical or a song and dance man. He does seem uncomfortable in the role, especially when he is lip-synching to the pre-recorded voice of Pat Morgan.

[CliffordXHA1]

It's too bad Betty thought she couldn't be replaced when she was so on top of her game here. She could have made several more really fine films after this one. Walking out on her contract because the studio wouldn't let her husband direct her films was disastrous. By then she had already made too many enemies with her temperament. She once asked Dorothy Lamour why nobody liked her. Lamour commented, "honey, you can't treat people the way you do and expect them to like you".

[defundthewar]

Loved the look on Betty's face when Jeni was hamming it up. 

[polkadotpolka123]

i TOTALLY agree!!! u should see my collection of old black and white movies. AND musicals! i have probably far more than 20!

[OldieMusicMan]

I love old movies. They were so entertaining and sophisticated. I wish they were still made like this. I mean, seriously; what do we have now? The Miley Cyrus movie?

[KokoPuffs52]

By this time Betty was outgrowing her younger "boistrous" persona, and had come into a more womanly version of herself. Vocally more assured (she always was insecure about her singing), and more adult. All of it wonderful. Betty Hutton was a remarkable talent.

[msm2you]

There's a documentary about Ms. LeGon that was produced by the National Film Board (of Canada) - definitely worth looking into. LeGon now lives in Canada (in Vancouver, I believe)

[kerryman55]

I think you are right. I don't feel that she was happy with this movie herself. Although her own performance was good. I'm not sure if Frank would have been a good match for Benny Fields. If you take a look at some of the postings on GoodOldDays, his timing with Blossom was impeccable. Its no wonder they stayed married for so long. The duet version of "Southlands" is great. I am not surprised that Betty choose to do this Movie. The suject had great potential but may have been a little dated.