|
Bouncing Ball (music)
The bouncing ball is a virtual device used in motion picture films and video recordings to visually indicate the rhythm of a song, helping audiences to sing along with live or prerecorded music. As the song's lyrics are displayed on the screen in a lower third of projected or character-generated text, an animated ball bounces across the top of the words, landing on each syllable when it is to be sung. The bouncing ball is mainly used for English language songs in video recordings; however, in Japan, a similar device is used where the text changes color as it is sung, just like in karaoke. History The bouncing ball technique was invented by Max Fleischer originally for the "Ko-Ko" ''Song Car-Tunes'' (1924–1927) and revised in 1929 as ''Screen Songs'' (1929–1938) for Paramount. It was introduced in March 1924 with the film ''Come Take a Trip in my Airship''. In early ''Song Car-Tunes'' such as "Margie" and Irving Berlin's "When the Midnight Choo-Choo Leaves for Alabam'" th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
I Ain't Got Nobody (1932)
"I Ain't Got Nobody" (sometimes referred to as "I'm So Sad and Lonely" or "I Ain't Got Nobody Much") is a popular song copyrighted in 1915. Roger A. Graham (1885–1938) wrote the lyrics, Spencer Williams composed it, and Roger Graham Music Publishing published it. It was first recorded by Marion Harris, and became a perennial Standard (music), standard, recorded many times over following generations, in styles ranging from Pop music, pop to jazz to country music. The 2008 film ''Be Kind Rewind'' uses the version recorded by Booker T. & the M.G.'s, although two covers were recorded for the film as well: a piano solo version by Jean-Michel Bernard, and a Fats Waller-esque version by Mos Def. Attribution Chicago and Saint Louis ragtime pianist and blues composer Charles Warfield (1878–1955) claimed to have originally written the song and a copyright dated April 1914 attributes Warfield as the composer, David Young as the lyrics, lyricist, and Marie Lucas as the arrangement, arra ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Yankee Doodle Boy
"The Yankee Doodle Boy", also well known as "(I'm a) Yankee Doodle Dandy" is a patriotic song from the Broadway musical ''Little Johnny Jones'' written by George M. Cohan. The play opened at the Liberty Theater on November 7, 1904. The play concerns the trials and tribulations of a fictional American jockey, Johnny Jones (based on the real life jockey Tod Sloan), who rides a horse named ''Yankee Doodle'' in the English Derby. Cohan incorporates snippets of several popular traditional American songs into his lyrics of this song, as he often did with his songs. The song was performed by James Cagney in the 1942 film ''Yankee Doodle Dandy'', in which he played Cohan.Collins, Ace. ''Songs Sung, Red, White, and Blue: The Stories Behind America's Best-Loved Patriotic Songs''. HarperResource, 2003, p. 112-120. Modern performances and covers In 2004, the American Film Institute placed the song at No. 71 on its AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs. A version of the song was recorded by Cohan's ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lillian Roth
Lillian Roth (December 13, 1910 – May 12, 1980) was an American singer and actress. Her life story was told in the 1955 film ''I'll Cry Tomorrow'', in which she was portrayed by Susan Hayward, who was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance. Early life Roth was born on December 13, 1910, in Boston, Massachusetts, the daughter of Katie (née Silverman) and Arthur Rutstein. Her family was Jewish.Stark, Bonnie Rothbart (2009)"Lillian Roth, 1910–1980" ''Jewish Women: A Comprehensive Historical Encyclopedia''. Jewish Women's Archive. Retrieved September 6, 2018. She was only 6 years old when her mother took her to Educational Pictures, where she became the company's trademark, symbolized by a living statue holding a lamp of knowledge. In her autobiography, ''I'll Cry Tomorrow'' (1954), she describes being molested by the man who painted her as a statue. She attended the Professional Children's School in New York City with classmates Ruby Keeler and ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dinah (song)
"Dinah" is a popular song published in 1925 and introduced by Ethel Waters at the Plantation Club on Broadway. It was integrated into the show ''Kid Boots''. The music was written by Harry Akst and the lyrics by Sam M. Lewis and Joe Young. Hit versions in 1926 were by Ethel Waters, The Revelers, Cliff Edwards, and Fletcher Henderson. One singer, Fanny Rose Shore, became so identified with the song that DJ Martin Block called her "Dinah Shore", which then stuck as her stage name for the next 50 years. Other versions *Louis Armstrong. Recorded in New York City on May 4, 1930, it was released by Okeh. "Dinah" became a frequent number in Armstrong's live performances and radio broadcasts after the making of this recording. * Chet Baker. Recorded at Phil Turetsky's House, Los Angeles, on July 9, 1952, it was released on ''The Complete Pacific Jazz and Capitol Recordings of the Original Gerry Mulligan Quartet and Tentette with Chet Baker'' (Mosaic) and ''The Complete Pacific Jazz Re ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
I Ain't Got Nobody
"I Ain't Got Nobody" (sometimes referred to as "I'm So Sad and Lonely" or "I Ain't Got Nobody Much") is a popular song copyrighted in 1915. Roger A. Graham (1885–1938) wrote the lyrics, Spencer Williams composed it, and Roger Graham Music Publishing published it. It was first recorded by Marion Harris, and became a perennial standard, recorded many times over following generations, in styles ranging from pop to jazz to country music. The 2008 film ''Be Kind Rewind'' uses the version recorded by Booker T. & the M.G.'s, although two covers were recorded for the film as well: a piano solo version by Jean-Michel Bernard, and a Fats Waller-esque version by Mos Def. Attribution Chicago and Saint Louis ragtime pianist and blues composer Charles Warfield (1878–1955) claimed to have originally written the song and a copyright dated April 1914 attributes Warfield as the composer, David Young as the lyricist, and Marie Lucas as the arranger. The title of the song is given as "I Ain' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Mills Brothers
The Mills Brothers, sometimes billed the Four Mills Brothers, and originally known as the Four Kings of Harmony, were an American jazz and traditional pop vocal quartet who made more than 2,000 recordings that sold more than 50 million copies and garnered at least three dozen gold records. The Mills Brothers were the first African-American artists to have their own show on national network radio (on CBS in 1930); they made appearances in film; and were the first to have a No. 1 hit on the ''Billboard'' singles chart, with "Paper Doll" in 1943. They were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998. Early years The Mills Brothers were born into a family of nine in Piqua, Ohio, United States. The quartet consisted of Donald (lead tenor vocals, April 29, 1915 – November 13, 1999), Herbert (tenor vocals, April 2, 1912 – April 12, 1989), Harry (baritone vocals, August 9, 1913 – June 28, 1982), and John Jr. (guitar, double bass, vocals; October 19, 1910 – January 23, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Time On My Hands (song)
"Time on My Hands" is a popular song with music by Vincent Youmans and lyrics by Harold Adamson and Mack Gordon, published in 1930. Introduced in the musical ''Smiles'' by Marilyn Miller and Paul Gregory, it is sometimes also co-credited to Reginald Connelly. The song was used in the Marilyn Miller biopic ''Look for the Silver Lining'' (1949) when it was performed by Gordon MacRae and June Haver at the Broadway rehearsal and during the opening night show. It was also employed in the 1953 film '' So This Is Love'' when it was sung by Kathryn Grayson. Notable Recordings *Lee Wiley recorded October 26, 1931 *Django Reinhardt recorded May 23, 1939 *Chet Baker — ''Chet'' (1959) *Connee Boswell recorded November 2, 1931 *Al Bowlly recorded February 19, 1931 *Russ Columbo recorded October 9, 1931 *Billie Holiday recorded June 7, 1940 *Billy Eckstine recorded 1946 with B.E. Orchestra *Marlene Dietrich recorded in German, as ''Sag' Mir 'Adieu, November 1951 *Ben Webster recorded Octobe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ethel Merman
Ethel Merman (born Ethel Agnes Zimmermann, January 16, 1908 – February 15, 1984) was an American actress and singer, known for her distinctive, powerful voice, and for leading roles in musical theatre.Obituary ''Variety'', February 22, 1984. She has been called "the undisputed First Lady of the musical comedy stage". Over her distinguished career in theater she became known for her performances in shows such as ''Anything Goes'', '' Annie Get Your Gun'', ''Gypsy'', and '' Hello, Dolly!'' She is also known for her film roles in ''Anything Goes'' (1936), ''Call Me Madam'' (1953), ''There's No Business Like Show Business'' (1954), and ''It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World'' (1963). Among many accolades, she received the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in ''Call Me Madam'', a Grammy Award for ''Gypsy'' and Drama Desk Award for '' Hello, Dolly!'' Among the many standards introduced by Merman in Broadway musicals are "I Got Rhythm" (from ''Girl Crazy''); ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Arthur Tracy
Arthur Tracy (25 June 1899 – 5 October 1997) was an American vocalist and actor, billed as The Street Singer. His performances in theatre, films and radio, along with his recordings, brought him international fame in the 1930s. Late evening radio listeners tuned in to hear announcer David Ross' introduction ("Round the corner and down your way comes The Street Singer") and Tracy's familiar theme song, "Marta, Rambling Rose of the Wildwood." Biography Born Abba Avrom Tracovutsky in Kamenetz-Podolsky, Russian Empire (now Ukraine), he emigrated to the United States with his parents, listed as Mordeche and Fannie Trasowitzkey, and sisters, in October 1906; they were steerage passengers on the SS ''Blücher'', from Hamburg to New York. His brother was born in 1907. After their release from the Ellis Island Immigrant station, they settled in Philadelphia. Naturalized in 1913, Tracy's parents became known as Morris and Fannie Tracy. In 1917, Tracy graduated from Central High Schoo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Boswell Sisters
The Boswell Sisters were an American close harmony singing trio of the jazz and swing eras, consisting of three sisters: Martha Boswell (June 9, 1905 – July 2, 1958), Connie Boswell (later spelled "Connee", December 3, 1907 – October 11, 1976), and Helvetia "Vet" Boswell (May 20, 1911 – November 12, 1988). Hailing from uptown New Orleans, the group blended intricate harmonies and song arrangements featuring effects such as scat, instrumental imitation, ‘Boswellese’ gibberish, tempo and meter changes, major/minor juxtaposition, key changes, and incorporation of sections from other songs. They attained national prominence in the United States in the 1930s during the twilight of the Jazz Age and the onset of the Great Depression. After the trio split in 1936, Connie continued as a solo vocalist in radio, film, and later television for an additional quarter century. The trio's "unique singing style and ground-breaking arrangements fused 'blackness' and 'whiteness' in m ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rudy Vallee Melodies
''Rudy Vallee Melodies'' is a 1932 short film which is presented by Max Fleischer and was originally released by Paramount Pictures. The film, which features Betty Boop with a plethora of animals as she throws a house party in her house, stars Rudy Vallee as he sings three separate songs. The film also features sing-along versions to the songs that Vallee sings. The songs that Vallee sings during the film are: "Deep Night", "A Little Kiss Every Morning" and Vallee's " Stein Song". Released on August 5, 1932, the film is part of the "follow the bouncing ball" series entitled ''Screen Songs''. In these films, the audience would be invited to sing the songs featured in the film. Plot The film begins at Betty Boop's house, as she throws a house party. She is seen in a room serving a drink to the other animals. Due to the drink, an argument breaks out between two animals, whom ultimately agree at the end to toss a coin. However, when one of the animals flips a coin, it comica ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Betty Co-Ed
''Betty Co-Ed'' is a 1946 American musical comedy film starring Jean Porter, directed by Arthur Dreifuss and produced by Sam Katzman. Plot Vaudeville is in Joanne Leeds's blood, but when she applies for admission at prestigious Upton College, she is accepted because it is mistakenly believed she hails from a prominent family. A rivalry begins immediately with campus co-ed Gloria Campbell, who resents boyfriend Bill Brewster's interest in the new girl. Joanne is humiliated by Gloria during a college pledge party. Attending a school dance by herself, Joanne joins the singers on stage and impresses Bill and other students. Deciding to run for the title of "Betty Co-Ed", most popular girl on campus, Joanne is crossed again by Gloria, who stuffs the ballot box to make it appear Joanne has rigged the vote. Faced with expulsion, Joanne delivers a speech that causes Gloria to develop a guilty conscience and apologize. Cast *Jean Porter as Joanne Leeds *Shirley Mills as Gloria Campbell ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
