"Louise" is a song written by

Leo Robin Leo Robin (April 6, 1900 – December 29, 1984) was an American composer, lyricist and songwriter. He is probably best known for collaborating with Ralph Rainger on the 1938 Academy Award for Best Original Song, Oscar-winning song "Thanks for t ...

and Richard A. Whiting for the 1929 film '' Innocents of Paris'', where it was performed by Maurice Chevalier. The song was Chevalier's first hit in the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

, and was among the best selling records for 10 weeks in the summer of 1929.Jean Pierre Lion, "Bix: The Definitive Biography of a Jazz Legend : Leon "Bix" Beiderbecke (1903–1931)", '' A&C Black'', (2005) pp. 212–213 Chevalier recorded the song again in 1946 with Henri René's Orchestra for RCA Victor.

Other recordings

*The same year of Chevalier's recording, Bing Crosby also recorded the song. Crosby's version was recorded on March 15, 1929 with

Paul Whiteman Paul Samuel Whiteman (March 28, 1890 – December 29, 1967) was an American bandleader, composer, orchestral director, and violinist. As the leader of one of the most popular dance bands in the United States during the 1920s and early 1930s, W ...

and his orchestra and was a hit in that summer. Crosby also recorded a comedy version with

The Rhythm Boys The Rhythm Boys were an American male singing trio consisting of Bing Crosby, Harry Barris and Al Rinker. Crosby and Rinker began performing together in 1925 and were recruited by Paul Whiteman in late 1926. Pianist/singer/songwriter Barris joine ...

on April 10, 1929. * Ben Pollack & His Central Park Orchestra, vocal Charles Roberts, (recorded March 1, 1929 for Victor Records – catalog No. 21941A). *

Frankie Trumbauer Orie Frank Trumbauer (May 30, 1901 – June 11, 1956) was an American jazz saxophonist of the 1920s and 1930s. His main instrument was the C-melody saxophone, a now-uncommon instrument between an alto and tenor saxophone in size and pitch. He a ...

(recorded April 17, 1929 for Okeh Records, catalog No. 41231). * Benny Goodman (recorded December 12, 1938 for Victor Records, catalog No. 26125). * Dean Martin recorded the song and his version was included in his 1953 album '' Dean Martin Sings''. * Pierre Lalonde's cover of "Louise" hit No. 1 on the Québec charts in 1964.

Film and television appearances

*1929 '' Innocents of Paris'' – sung by Maurice Chevalier *1944 You Can't Ration Love – sung by Betty Rhodes and Johnnie Johnston *1945 '' The Lost Weekend'' – played on piano and sung by

Harry Barris Harry Barris (November 24, 1905 – December 13, 1962) was an American popular singer and songwriter. He was one of the earliest singers to use "scat singing" in recordings. Barris, one of Paul Whiteman's Rhythm Boys, along with Bing Crosby an ...

at Harry and Joe's. *1951 ''

The Stooge ''The Stooge'' is a 1952 American comedy film directed by Norman Taurog and starring the comedy team of Martin and Lewis. The film was released nationally in the United States in February 1953 by Paramount Pictures. Plot In 1930, entertainer Bil ...

'' *1953

Desi Arnaz Desiderio Alberto Arnaz y de Acha III (March 2, 1917 – December 2, 1986) was a Cuban-born American actor, bandleader, and film and television producer. He played Ricky Ricardo on the American television sitcom '' I Love Lucy'', in which he c ...

Lucille Ball Lucille Désirée Ball (August 6, 1911 – April 26, 1989) was an American actress, comedienne and producer. She was nominated for 13 Primetime Emmy Awards, winning five times, and was the recipient of several other accolades, such as the Golde ...

William Frawley William Clement Frawley (February 26, 1887 – March 3, 1966) was an American vaudevillian and actor best remembered for playing landlord Fred Mertz in the American television sitcom '' I Love Lucy'', "Bub" O'Casey in the television comedy ser ...

, and

Vivian Vance Vivian Vance (born Vivian Roberta Jones; July 26, 1909 – August 17, 1979) was an American actress and singer best known for playing Ethel Mertz on the sitcom '' I Love Lucy'' (1951–1957), for which she won the Primetime Emmy Award for Out ...

each sang a portion of the song, in a manner imitating Chevalier, on the ''

I Love Lucy ''I Love Lucy'' is an American television sitcom that originally aired on CBS from October 15, 1951, to May 6, 1957, with a total of 180 half-hour episodes, spanning six seasons. The show starred Lucille Ball, her husband, Desi Arnaz, along wit ...

'' episode, "The French Revue". *1954 '' The Country Girl'' *1963 ''

A New Kind of Love ''A New Kind of Love'' is a 1963 American romantic comedy film written, directed, and produced by Melville Shavelson and starring Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. Frank Sinatra sings "You Brought a New Kind of Love to Me" over the opening credi ...

'' *1973

Robert Reed Robert Reed (born John Robert Rietz Jr.; October 19, 1932 – May 12, 1992) was an American actor. He played Kenneth Preston on the legal drama '' The Defenders'' from 1961 to 1965 alongside E. G. Marshall, and is best known for his role as the ...

sang a portion of the song on an episode of ''

The Brady Bunch ''The Brady Bunch'' is an American sitcom created by Sherwood Schwartz that aired from September 26, 1969, to March 8, 1974, on ABC. The series revolves around a large blended family with six children. The show aired for five seasons and, afte ...

'', "A Room at the Top"."A Room at the Top", Season 4, Episode 23, ''

'', (1973) *1974 ''

Harry and Tonto ''Harry and Tonto'' is a 1974 road movie written by Paul Mazursky and Josh Greenfeld and directed by Mazursky. It features Art Carney as Harry in an Oscar-winning performance. Tonto is his pet cat. Plot Harry Coombes (Art Carney) is an elderly ...

'' – sung by

Art Carney Arthur William Matthew Carney (November 4, 1918 – November 9, 2003) was an American actor and comedian. A recipient of an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and six Primetime Emmy Awards, he was best known for his role as Ed Norton on the si ...

References

External links

'' Fan Page: "Louise through ages" & forum
1929 songs Bing Crosby songs Songs written for films Songs with lyrics by Leo Robin Songs with music by Richard A. Whiting Maurice Chevalier songs Victor Records singles Okeh Records singles {{1920s-song-stub