Movie Music Monday – Buck Privates

It is no secret to those who know me that I love classic comedy. I have written about the Three Stooges, The Little Rascals, and Laurel and Hardy. While I have mentioned them separately at times, I am not sure I ever wrote about the team of Abbott and Costello.

Growing up on Sunday mornings, there would always be an Abbott and Costello movie on TV. Their films were not as slap-sticky as the Stooges, but funny all the same. Now that I am older, I appreciate their humor even more. Especially their bits involving word play, like Who’s On First?

For Movie Music Monday, we dig into the 1941 soundtrack of Buck Privates.

The Hollywood brass weren’t really sure that the boys would be able to carry a movie. Director Arthur Lubin remembered, “The studio was a little uncertain about how they were going to be accepted. But at the first preview the audience just died. Buck Privates was a very, very funny show. And, actually, I must say it was very little credit to the director. It consisted mainly of fabulous gags that these two wonderful guys knew from years and years of being in burlesque.”

Fun Fact: Japan used this film as propaganda to demonstrate to its own troops the “incompetence” of the United States Army.

Abbott and Costello were teamed with The Andrews Sisters for the film. Patty Andrews was born on this day in 1918. The Andrews Sisters perform four songs in the film: “You’re a Lucky Fellow, Mr. Smith”, “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”, “Bounce Me Brother, With a Solid Four”, and “(I’ll Be With You) In Apple Blossom Time”. The composers of the first three of these songs, Don Raye amd Hughie Prince, appear in the film as new recruits alongside Abbott and Costello.

Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy is a jump-blues number about a trumpeter from Chicago who’s drafted into the army during World War II and shakes up Reveille as the Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B. Believe it or not, the song was originally intended for Lou Costello to perform. As fate would have it, the song was reworked for The Andrews Sisters, who introduced it in the film. The trio also released the tune as a single that same year, and it peaked at #6.

Fun Fact: “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” was nominated for an Academy Award.

Patty Andrews of The Andrews Sisters performed this with Lucille Ball, Lucie Arnaz, and Desi Arnaz Jr. on the 1969 Here’s Lucy episode “Lucy And The Andrews Sisters.”

Bette Midler brought this back to the charts in 1972 when she recorded it for her debut album, The Divine Miss M. Her version, produced by Barry Manilow, peaked at #8 on the Hot 100. It was also reached #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart. Thanks to the hit cover, The Andrews Sisters experienced a career resurgence that included a successful Broadway debut for two of the sisters, Patty and Maxene, in 1974.

In total, the Andrews Sisters have recorded at least four different versions on different labels. The Original on Decca Records in 1941, V-Disc in 1944, Capitol Records in 1956, and Dot Records in 1962.

Happy Heavenly Birthday to Patty Andrews!

Book Recommendation – The Prophet and the Idiot

It had been awhile since I had read a Jonas Jonasson book. The Prophet and the Idiot has been on my “to read” list for some time. It has probably been on my list since I read The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared. As soon as I started reading it, I wondered why I had waited so long.

Here is the Goodreads synopsis:

The brand-new, hilarious, feel-good adventure from the internationally bestselling author of The Hundred Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared

Sweden, late summer of 2011. Self-taught astrophysicist Petra has calculated that the atmosphere will collapse on the 21st of September that year, around 21:20 to be more precise, bringing about the end of times.

Armed with this terrible knowledge, Petra, a doomsday prophet, meets Johan and Agnes, a widow of 75 who has made bank living a double life on social media as a young influencer. Together, the trio race through Europe as they plan to make the most out of the time they have left, in more ways than one.

But of course, things rarely go to plan, even the end of the world…

Jonasson once again had my laughing out loud with this book. His characters are unique and weird (in a good way). The scenarios are sometimes so ridiculous and take things to an extreme that as unbelievable as it is, it is totally believable.

Johan’s brother is not very nice to him. Instead of leaving him their 12 bedroom home that their father left to them, his brother sells it so he can go to Italy to be an Ambassador. He doesn’t leave Johan homeless, though, as he buys him a spiffy RV to live in. When Johan decides to take the RV out that he finds Petra and then Agnes.

The three go out to set things right with things from their personal lives before the world ends. This takes them on a jaunt to a few different countries and along the way experience some crazy situations. These three truly had me laughing and hoping that there is a sequel.

4.5 out of 5 stars

Friday Photo Flashback

It’s been a pretty cold and miserable winter here in the mitten. When I went looking for a Flashback photo, I found one that brings back memories of a warm Ohio day.

My folks took us down to King’s Island one summer. If I had to guess I would imagine this was 1975 or 1976. I look about 5 or 6 here.

This is one of those trips that I can only recall bits and pieces of. Most of the memories of the trip come from photos. I do not recall posing for this picture. I don’t really remember anything about it. I cannot remember seeing the flower Fred Flintstone and I’m not sure which parent decided this was a good photo opportunity. I also don’t remember owning a Great Gazoo tank top, but obviously I did.

This is one of the reasons we haven’t taken the kids to somewhere like Disney. We want them to be old enough to remember the trip. They shouldn’t have to look at pictures as their only memory of their time there.

I remember that we rode on a water ride that took us through a tunnel. There were various characters all around as we floated through. I remember there were two skeletons dancing together and thinking it was hilarious. I asked one of my parents to take a picture of it. That photo is lost, along with other photos from that trip, sadly.

That was the one and only time we went to King’s Island. Honestly, I don’t know if it is even still open. If it is, I would imagine the things that were in place 50 years ago are long gone. I even did a Google search to see if I could find a picture of the skeletons, but nothing came up. I wish I could find that picture.

Oh, and another reason I like this picture – I have a lot of hair!

Nostalgia Never “Felt” So Good

I will be honest with you. I had no intentions of watching the new Muppet Show that aired on Disney. The reason for this was because I remember that terrible mockumentary style show that ABC aired in 2015. That was just painful to watch and many (including myself) were disappointed in how the characters were portrayed.

All I really knew about this new reboot was that Seth Rogan was the executive producer and that it was going to air as a special. When I think “special,” I think 2 hour movie type thing. I was surprised to see that it was simply a 30 minute show, just like the original. Then I began to see trailers which showed the original set. My interest was peaked, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to watch it when it first became available.

After the show aired and became available to stream, I started to see reviews and comments. The main complaint I heard was about how Kermit’s voice was different. Well, Jim Henson has been dead since 1990 and his voice (and other characters that he voiced) has been different since then. Ernie and many Sesame Street Muppets have had a different voice since 1990 and I don’t recall people ranting about that.

I digress. I began to see reviews of the show. I would say 98% of them were positive. Many raved about the show. Then a few of my friends reached out to ask if I had seen it. They were raving about it, too. So, I decided to check it out along with my son.

The show opened just like it did in the late 70’s – with Kermit saying, “It’s the Muppet Show with our very special guest …” followed by the instantly recognizable Muppet Show Theme. It is almost a shot for shot copy of the original opening. It was so close to the original that I got goosebumps. Kermit that comes out on stage and begins to talk about how it’s been awhile and how they have a great show. From there, it was standard Muppet Show. It easily could have aired along with episodes of the original run.

The show had the typical backstage chaos, Miss Piggy competing for more time than the female guest star, and of course, Statler and Waldorf shouting insults from the balcony. The show went from act to act and finished in a traditional Muppet finale. When it was over, I was wanting more. My son laughed a lot too.

The word is that this “special” was a trial run pilot. In other words, if the show does well, it might get picked up for an entire season or two. I really hope that they do make more. It was entertaining from both a child and adult standpoint – just like the original show. There are plenty of really great stars who I could see doing the show. I would imagine that they’d want to jump at a chance to be on the show. I know where I’d want to be if I was on the show…

The show did so well that it got 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. There were more positive reviews online than negative, and the negatives were nit picking at little things. Seth Rogan did the Muppets right! Jim Henson would be thrilled at the way the new show was presented. I am one of many who loved every minute of it. So all I can say is, “More Muppets, Please!!”

Happy 6th Birthday, Ella

Sorry I am late. I was off yesterday and just now am getting around to writing …

It was 6 years ago yesterday that my first and only daughter was born. At that time, I remember the excitement and all of the unknowns. Six years later, she has blossomed into such an amazing little girl. She is smart as a whip, a friend to all, a comedian in the making, and everything a dad could want in a daughter!

I got to spend the majority of the day with her, which was awesome. Her school has a program called Watch DOGS. Dads, big brothers, uncles, grandpas, etc … can volunteer at the school for the day. I signed up for her birthday and a day a month afterward.

I got to spend the morning in her classroom before shuffling to a couple other rooms later in the day. I also got to eat lunch with her, which she thought was cool. I got to go through the line with her, order some dry chicken tenders and then go out to recess with her.

After school, she had girl scouts. My wife took her there. Her cookie orders were in. We have a lot of cookies to deliver!

After girl scouts, she got to choose where she wanted to eat dinner. She chose Applebee’s. She wore her birthday hat there, so they all new it was her birthday. When she found out that she got a free dessert, she was so excited. She had to order the Triple Chocolate Meltdown.

After chowing down dinner and dessert, we made our way home. Normally, the kids are in bed early, but dinner took us a bit longer. You would think that a full meal and dessert would have filled her up. Well, she reminded us that she hadn’t had her cake yet.

Nana made her a Wicked cake, which fit the theme from the Daddy Daughter Dance last weekend.

We wrapped up the night by singing her happy birthday and, of course, having a piece of cake. I love the way this picture came out.

As I tucked her in last night, she told me it was the “best birthday ever!” I was so glad to be able to spend the day with her and that the family all got to share in her special day.

I hope that it was a day she will never forget!

Tune Tuesday

For Tune Tuesday, I have to feature one of the artists that was introduced to me by my dad. He and my Godfather grew up together and loved listening to music together. They listened to blues stuff from Jimmy Reed, Motown, and plenty of R&B artists. Back in the day, local artists actually got airplay and did very well in their hometowns. If they were lucky enough, they’d nab a national hit. One of those artists was Nathaniel Mayer.

Nathaniel Mayer was born on this day in 1944. He was born in Detroit and found fame on the Fortune record label owned by Jack and Devora Brown. At Fortune, he was a label mate of another favorite of my father’s – Nolan Strong. Nathaniel stayed with the label for about 6 years. In 1962, at the young age of 18, he had his first Top 40 Record – Village of Love.

Nathan would record and release other songs for Fortune, but none of them achieved what Village of Love did. He left the music business before returning in 2002 and recording with a couple different labels. He would go out and tour in support of his music, but after a return from Europe he had numerous strokes which left him hospitalized. He passed away on November 1 (coincidentally, my dad’s birthday) in 2008.

In 2014, he was inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame.

Happy Birthday to a hometown hero – Nathaniel Mayer.

Movie Music Monday – Animal House

I have a handful of movies that will always make me laugh. Animal House is one of them.

I don’t know of anyone who doesn’t think of Animal House when they think of college fraternities. Granted, when I was in college, everyone was pretty subdued compared to the folks of Delta House. The movie features the antics of John Belushi, Tim Matheson, Steven Furst, Thomas Hulce and more. It was college chaos!

The film also features one of the great movie soundtracks, too. It features Sam Cooke, Stephen Bishop, Paul and Paula, and, of course, Otis Day and the Knights. It also features one from birthday boy, Bobby Lewis.

Bobby Lewis was born on this day in 1925. The story of his hit Tossin’ and Turnin’ is one of being in the right place at the right time. According to Songfacts.com:

After several unsuccessful auditions, R&B vocalist Bobby Lewis stopped off at the office of Beltone Records in Manhattan. The already signed Ritchie Adams, lead singer of the Fireflies, recognized Lewis from a gig they’d both appeared in at the Apollo theater and suggested he record his composition “Tossin’ And Turnin’.” The single was released at the end of 1960 and rose to the top of the Billboard charts selling 3 million copies.

It is one of only six songs from the 1960s to spend at least seven weeks in the number one position on the Billboard Hot 100. His follow up, One Track Mind, was a top 10 record, but Bobby didn’t do much on the charts after that.

He passed away in April of 2020 at the ripe age of 95.

Most versions of the song start with a cold intro:

When Bobby played the song live, he would add the prelude to the song. Here is the song/prelude.

Tossin’ and Turnin’ remains one of my favorite tunes from the 60’s. Happy Birthday, Bobby!

Daddy Daughter Date Night

Last night, my daughter went to the Daddy Daughter Dance. She’s been excited since she heard about it. She was even more excited when she heard the theme was “Wicked.”

My wife got her dressed up and even put on a splash of perfume. She was super excited to show me her dress. She looked beautiful and once again humored me by posing for pictures.

The dance was sold out and there were plenty of people complaining about not getting tickets online. It sells out every year, so I am not sure why folks were surprised.

I’ve done this a few times now, so I know that once you check in, you go get the professional photo taken before the line gets too long. It is also smart to get some of the other activities done early.

Ella was super excited to run into a friend from her preschool class. They hung out all night. They never stopped moving and kept me and her dad busy going from place to place.

The City Queen was there and Ella had to get a picture with them. There was a photo op that was made to look like a hot air balloon that we did before going into the dance itself.

We were in and out of the dance so the girls could make friendship bracelets, color, play Bingo, and snack on cotton candy and cupcakes. We also had them make a keychain with our picture in it and took pictures at the Photo Booth.

Most of the music was stuff I only knew because Ella sings it in the car, or it is in a movie she watches. The kids loved it and were singing along loudly. They ran around dancing with each other and had a blast.

9 o’clock came too fast for them. They wanted more dancing, but the DJ had to shut it down. I’m sure they could have gone another hour or two. My aching feet were glad to hear the music stop.

She’s already asking if we’ll be going next year! We absolutely will be!

Book Recommendation – The Show Won’t Go On

This is one of those books that I found fascinating. It is written by Jeff Abraham, who I follow I Facebook. He has a lot of interesting Hollywood stories and an amazing vinyl record collection. The Show Won’t Go On, as morbid as it might seem, was very interesting.

Before I tell you my thoughts, here is the short Goodreads synopsis:

There has never been a show business book quite like The Show Won’t Go On , the first comprehensive study of a bizarre performers who died onstage. The Show Won’t Go On covers almost every genre of entertainment, and is full of unearthed anecdotes, exclusive interviews, colorful characters, and ironic twists. With dozens of heart-stopping stories, it’s the perfect book to dip into on any page.

Prior to reading this book, I was only familiar with one celebrity who died on stage – Dick Shawn. He was known for his roles as Sylvester in It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, the Snow Miser in The Year Without a Santa Claus, and his role in Mel Brook’s The Producers. He was also a very popular comedian who was known for doing insane things during his act. A search of YouTube will bring you many clips of him on variety shows and such.

In April of 1987, he was in the middle of his act when he fell face first to the stage after having a heart attack. The audience initially assumed that it was part of his act. After he had remained motionless for several minutes, a stage hand examined him and asked if a physician was present. He died on stage at age 63.

I had no idea that there were plenty of other performers who had also died while performing. This book is loaded with those stories. The book is very well written and researched. It is full of names that you’ve heard of and some you don’t know, but the stories will intrigue you.

4 out of 5 stars