PEGGY LEE - 1952

This is one of my favorite Peggy Lee recordings, and it is great to have video of her singing "Lover" from the movie THE JAZZ SINGER(1952). She was the female lead in the movie, opposite Danny Thomas. The movie remake is forgettable but Peggy Lee's singing is not...

RIP: DOROTHY PROVINE (1935-2010)

Dorothy Provine (January 20, 1935 – April 25, 2010) was an American singer, dancer, actress and comedienne.

Provine was born in Deadwood, South Dakota. She appeared in many professional and amateur stage productions while attending the University of Washington. In Hollywood, she starred in The Bonnie Parker Story (1958) and The 30 Foot Bride of Candy Rock (1959), which was Lou Costello's last screen appearance.

She guest starred on the television series Man Without a Gun, starring Rex Reason. Provine starred in two series: The Alaskans with Roger Moore (1959–60) and The Roaring Twenties (1960–1962), both on ABC. In Roaring Twenties, she played the beautiful singer Pinky Pinkham. Rex Reason co-starred with her in the series, along with Donald May, John Dehner, Mike Road, and Gary Vinson. Provine recorded an album of songs from the show, and had two chart singles in the UK—"Don't Bring Lulu" (#17 in 1961) and "Crazy Words, Crazy Tune" (#45 in 1962).

She made a cameo appearance in Blake Edwards' The Great Race (1965). Her later films included It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), Good Neighbor Sam (1964), Who's Minding the Mint? (1967) and Kiss the Girls and Make Them Die (1966).

Provine married director Robert Day in 1968 and retired from acting, apart from a handful of guest roles on television shows.

She died on April 25, 2010 of emphysema in Bremerton, Washington, aged 75.

MOVIE TRAILER: SINGIN IN THE RAIN

Here is the 50th anniversary trailer for what is often called the best musical of all-time. SINGIN' IN THE RAIN(1952) starred Gene Kelly, Donald O' Connor, and Debbie Reynolds. They don't make musicals like this anymore...

LAST APPEARANCE: JOHNNY CASH

Here is the last known public performance of the great Johnny Cash. This was from July of 2003. His beloved wife June Carter Cash had died months earlier. Johnny Cash died on September 12, 2003...

BENNY GOODMAN - 1937

Here is one of the greatest bands of all time...Benny Goodman. Goodman and his Orchestra perform their classic "Sing,Sing,Sing". This clip was taken from the 1937 movie HOLLYWOOD HOTEL...

MOVIE TRAILER: THE COUNTRY GIRL

Here is a movie, like no other movie. Bing Crosby gives a stirring dramatic performance in THE COUNTRY GIRL(1954). Grace Kelly won an Oscar for her role in the movie, and Bing Crosby was nominated for an Oscar. William Holden rounds out the steller cast. If you get a chance to watch this drama, I highly recommend it...

ELLA FITZGERALD - 1969

Here is the great Ella Fitzgerald singing at a concert in 1969. There was no one like Ella...

UNUSUAL DUETS: DEAN MARTIN AND EDDY ARNOLD

Here is country meeting classic pop when the great Eddy Arnold appeared on Dean Martin's variety show in 1966...

KATHRYN GRAYSON - 1948

I am not a huge opera fan, but I have always enjoyed the late Kathryn Grayson (she died earlier this year). I also like the song "Love Is Where You Find It". This clip is from THE KISSING BANDIT(1948) with Frank Sinatra...

GENE KELLY (1912-1996)

Gene Kelly was one of the most innovative and exceptional dancers of all time. He also was born and raised in my hometown of Pittsburgh. Throughout his career, Gene appeared in numerous movies, and he left us with some great musical memories...

LAST APPEARANCE: JOHN WAYNE

Here is a new feature where I spotlight the last appearances of great entertainers. This last appearance is of the great John Wayne. It was from the 1979 Oscars telecast. John Wayne was dying of cancer, and this was his last official appearance. He still had strength and dignity even though he was sick...

MITZI GAYNOR - 1976

I have always liked the song "Everything Old Is New Again", but I never heard this version from Mitzi Gaynor's 1976 TV special...

CYD CHARISSE (1922-2008)

Cyd Charisse was one of the greatest dancers of all-time, and she made many MGM musicals great in the 1940s and 1950s. She was also married nearly 60 years to singer Tony Martin. Here are some great moments from Cyd Charisse...

FRANK SINATRA - 1946

Here is a young Sinatra singing the closing number from TIL THE CLOUDS ROLL BY (1946). He is singing a rousing rendition of "Ol Man River"...

JACK BENNY (1894-1974)

Another one of the greatest comedians of all time was Jack Benny. Even though he died the year I was born, he has always been one of my favorites. Ensemble shows like "Seinfeld", "Frasier", and "The Office" owe a lot to Jack Benny. Here are some funny moments with Jack Benny...

MOVIE TRAILER: JAWS

Hard to believe that the movie JAWS(1975) is now 35 years old. The movie still scares and impresses audiences today. On a personal note, it is my favorite movie of all-time. Happy birthday to Jaws...

BOBBY DARIN (1936-1973)

Bobby Darin did more great entertaining in his short 37 years of life than some entertainers do in their whole 60 plus year career. It is sad that his life was so short. Here are some clips from this talented entertainer...

BY REQUEST: FRED ASTAIRE AND CYD CHARISSE

By request, here is one of the greatest slow dance numbers ever created on film. From THE BAND WAGON(1953), here is Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse dancing to the song "Dancing In The Dark". It is dancing at its absolute best...

MOVIE TRAILER: THE LOST WEEKEND

Here is the movie trailer for one of the first "true" depictions of alcoholism on film. It is "The Lost Weekend"(1945) which won an Oscar for Ray Milland and also starred Jane Wyman...

CLASSIC MOMENTS: KING KONG

One of the greatest movies ever made was the original KING KONG(1933). Here is a terrific tribute to the King Kong movie...complete with the famous line by Robert Armstrong at the end...

EDDIE CANTOR - 1933

Even though this song by Eddie Cantor is 77 years old, it is very relevant to the financial situation of 2010. Eddie Cantor is singing this optimistic song from ROMAN SCANDALS(1933)...

RIP: JOHN FORSYTHE (1918-2010)

Television icon John Forsythe died recently at the age of 92. He was best known for his roles on DYNASTY and CHARLIE'S ANGELS but he also starred in numerous movies. Here are some clips to remember John Forsythe...

DUKE ELLINGTON AND HIS ORCHESTRA - 1943

Duke Ellington was and is one of the true legends of jazz. Here is the band performing the great "It Don't Mean A Thing" from 1943...