Briefly Lyrical

[MilesArcher]

Thanks, Starlit.  Now, here is one that all of you should know:

Ridin' the range once more,

Totin' my old forty-four,

Where you sleep out every night,

And the only law is right 

 

It was actually featured in several movies. but it is really associated with one singer.

Oh yes,

  

 

[MilesArcher]

It became the theme song of a well known western star.

[MilesArcher]

This western star was one of the most famous singing cowboys of all time.  He was also at one time the owner of the California Angels baseball team. 

 

[MilesArcher]

Well, I've waited a very long time and given some giveaway clues,  and no one has even ventured a guess.  Am I the only one on these boards who  watches old westerns?  The song is Back In The Saddle Again.  It was the theme song of Gene Autry for many years.  It was actually written by Ray Whitley, a singer/songwriter/actor.   He usually played singing sidekicks in "B" westerns.  He sang it in a 1938 movie called Border G-Man that starred George O'Brien.  Gene Autry was not in the movie, but he liked the song and together with Ray Whitley, revised it a little.  Gene sang it in a 1939 movie called Rovin' Tumbleweeds.  It became Gene's theme song on his radio show in 1940.  In 1941 he sang it in a movie called, strangely enough, Back In The Saddle.  Later it became the theme song of his TV series.  

 

 

  

Now, let's try one that may be more familiar.

Have you heard? It's in the stars
Next July we collide with Mars. 

 

It's not from a western!

 

 

 

 

 

[Princess of Tap]

3 hours ago, MilesArcher said:

Well, I've waited a very long time and given some giveaway clues,  and no one has even ventured a guess.  Am I the only one on these boards who  watches old westerns?  The song is Back In The Saddle Again.  It was the theme song of Gene Autry for many years.  It was actually written by Ray Whitley, a singer/songwriter/actor.   He usually played singing sidekicks in "B" westerns.  He sang it in a 1938 movie called Border G-Man that starred George O'Brien.  Gene Autry was not in the movie, but he liked the song and together with Ray Whitley, revised it a little.  Gene sang it in a 1939 movie called Rovin' Tumbleweeds.  It became Gene's theme song on his radio show in 1940.  In 1941 he sang it in a movie called, strangely enough, Back In The Saddle.  Later it became the theme song of his TV series.  

 

  

Now, let's try one that may be more familiar.

Have you heard? It's in the stars
Next July we collide with Mars. 

 

It's not from a western!

 

 

 

 

 

Those lyrics are from a Cole Porter song called:

"Well, Did You Evah!", which he wrote for his 1939 Broadway show "Du Barry Was A Lady".

Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra reprised it for "High Society" in 1956.

BTW, Miles, the very sophisticated High Society Cole Porter did write a western tune once called "Don't Fence Me In", which had some success for him in the movies.

[MilesArcher]

Very good, Princess.  "High Society" was just shown on TCM on Tuesday.  Here are Bing and Frank:

 

 

And by the way, Princess,   "Don't Fence Me In" was performed by another of my western favorites, Roy Rogers, in "Hollywood Canteen".  His partner was a four-legged tap dancer, which even you will agree is something you don't often see.

 

   

 It's your turn now, Princess.

[Princess of Tap]

Next:

" The pickings are poor

    and the crop is lean "

[Princess of Tap]

On 12/9/2020 at 10:43 PM, Princess of Tap said:

Next:

" The pickings are poor

    and the crop is lean "

Hint#1-- The song was written by 2 songwriters who are well-known for their Broadway hits and their Hollywood movies--

However they are Not known as a team.

[Princess of Tap]

18 hours ago, Princess of Tap said:

Hint#1-- The song was written by 2 songwriters who are well-known for their Broadway hits and their Hollywood movies--

However they are Not known as a team.

Hint#2-- The song is from a 1940s movie.

[Princess of Tap]

On 12/12/2020 at 5:13 PM, Princess of Tap said:

Hint#2-- The song is from a 1940s movie.

 

On 12/11/2020 at 10:59 PM, Princess of Tap said:

Hint#1-- The song was written by 2 songwriters who are well-known for their Broadway hits and their Hollywood movies--

However they are Not known as a team.

Hint#3-- The song was sung by a movie star not noted for their singing.

[MilesArcher]

I'm surprised that no one has gotten it yet.  The song is "They're Either Too Young Or Too Old".  It was written by Frank Loesser and Arthur Schwartz for the 1943 movie "Thank Your Lucky Stars", and it was sung, and danced to a little, by Bette Davis.  Check out this clip:

 

 

Strangely, Bette wasn't called upon to sing or dance a lot in future films. 

 

[Princess of Tap]

 I had a lot of fun with this number as a kid because my mother had the sheet music in the old piano bench and I used to sing along with the movie.

Miles, you're always the sure shooter and thanks for Bette's video. It's all yours.....

 

[MilesArcher]

Here's one you probably haven't heard in a while.

I would sit there in the gloom of my lonely little room
And applaud each time you whispered, "I love you; love you." 

 

 

 

[starliteyes]

Actually I have heard this one recently while watching Sunny Side Up.  It's If I Had a Talking Picture of You and was sung by Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell and was written by DeSylva, Henderson and Brown.  From 1929, this was an early original musical comedy written for the screen.  Janet Gaynor may not have been the greatest singer or dancer, but she had lots of charm.

[MilesArcher]

Yes, Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell were the leading romantic screen team of the late twenties and early thirties.  Here is their song:

 

 

Remember, talking pictures were very new when this was made.

Good work Starlit.  You're up next.

[starliteyes]

Hold me close and say you're mine

With a love as warm as wine

[starliteyes]

The song is from a mid-50's film and was written by a composer who wrote many songs for movie musicals that went on to become standards.

[starliteyes]

Song was sung straight by one of the male stars of the movie and then later reprised comically by a supporting actress who would later go on to win an Oscar for Best Actress.

[MilesArcher]

The song is "Innamorata" from the 1955 movie "Artists And Models".  It was written by Harry Warren and Jack Brooks and sung by Dean Martin in a scene with Dorothy Malone and Shirley MacLaine.  Later it is sung by Shirley in a scene with Jerry Lewis.

Check out this clip:

 

 

[starliteyes]

That is correct, Miles, and the thread is yours once again.

[MilesArcher]

Here's an oldie that you might know.

Your eyes reveal that you have the soul of
An angel white as snow
How long must I play the role of
A gloomy Romeo?

 

[Princess of Tap]

On 12/22/2020 at 5:27 PM, MilesArcher said:

Here's an oldie that you might know.

Your eyes reveal that you have the soul of
An angel white as snow
How long must I play the role of
A gloomy Romeo?

 

Miles, a little hint please.

And a Joyeux Noel to you and yours.😆

[MilesArcher]

Actually, Princess, without realizing it, you just gave everyone a little hint.  Please reread what you said.

I'll help you narrow this down a little.  It's from a Paramount film from the thirties.

 

[MilesArcher]

The movie is about a radio crooner and it also features George Burns and Gracie Allen.   Please remember my previous comment.

Also, Please have a safe and healthy holiday!

  

 

 

[MilesArcher]

Would someone please lend a little ear to my pleas to review the hints and comments about this question?