MUSIC BREAK: BING CROSBY - WHITE CHRISTMAS (1955)

THE REAL MARIA VON TRAPP

The real Maria Von Trapp (1905-1987) who was portayed in 1964's Sound Of Music was nothing like Julie Andrews who played her in the film. While The Sound of Music was generally based on the first section of Maria's book The Story of the Trapp Family Singers (published in 1949), there were many alterations and omissions:

*Maria came to the von Trapp family in 1926 as a tutor for one of the children, Maria, who was recovering from scarlet fever, not as governess to all the children.

*Maria and Georg married in 1927, 11 years before the family left Austria, not right before the Nazi takeover of Austria.

*Maria did not marry Georg von Trapp because she was in love with him. As she said in her autobiography Maria, she fell in love with the children at first sight, not their father. When he asked her to marry him, she was not sure if she should abandon her religious calling but was advised by the nuns to do God's will and marry Georg. "I really and truly was not in love. I liked him but didn't love him. However, I loved the children, so in a way I really married the children. . . . [B]y and by I learned to love him more than I have ever loved before or after."

*There were 10, not 7 von Trapp children.

*The names, ages, and sexes of the children were changed.

*The family was musically inclined before Maria arrived, but she did teach them to sing madrigals.

*Georg, far from being the detached, cold-blooded patriarch of the family who disapproved of music, as portrayed in the first half of The Sound of Music, was actually a gentle, warmhearted parent who enjoyed musical activities with his family. While this change in his character might have made for a better story in emphasizing Maria's healing effect on the von Trapps, it distressed his family greatly.

*The family did not secretly escape over the Alps to freedom in Switzerland, carrying their suitcases and musical instruments. As daughter Maria said in a 2003 interview printed in Opera News, "We did tell people that we were going to America to sing. And we did not climb over mountains with all our heavy suitcases and instruments. We left by train, pretending nothing."

Maria with Mary Martin, who portrayed her on Broadway

*The von Trapps traveled to Italy, not Switzerland. Georg was born in Zadar (now in Croatia), which at that time was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Zadar became part of Italy in 1920, and Georg was thus an Italian citizen, and his wife and children as well. The family had a contract with an American booking agent when they left Austria. They contacted the agent from Italy and requested fare to America.

*Instead of the fictional Max Detweiler, pushy music promoter, the von Trapps' priest, the Reverend Franz Wasner, acted as their musical director for over 20 years.

*Though she was a caring and loving person, Maria wasn't always as sweet as the fictional Maria. She tended to erupt in angry outbursts consisting of yelling, throwing things, and slamming doors. Her feelings would immediately be relieved and good humor restored, while other family members, particularly her husband, found it less easy to recover. In her 2003 interview, the younger Maria confirmed that her stepmother "had a terrible temper. . . . And from one moment to the next, you didn't know what hit her. We were not used to this. But we took it like a thunderstorm that would pass, because the next minute she could be very nice."

SOURCE

A TRIBUTE TO ANN REINKING: ONE YEAR LATER

Ann Reinking was one of the best choreographers of modern broadway. She died too young, and even a year later she is greatly missed...

RIP: MICHAEL NESMITH

The Monkees singer and guitarist Michael Nesmith, whose band exploded in popularity in the 1960s, has died, his manager said Friday.

"It is with deep sadness that I mark the passing of Michael Nesmith. We shared many travels and projects together over the course of 30 years, which culminated in a Monkees farewell tour that wrapped up only a few weeks ago," Andrew Sandoval said on Twitter.

The Monkees grew in popularity after the four-person group was in a TV show "The Monkees" about a rock 'n' roll band.

The band's hits included "Daydream Believer," "Last Train to Clarksville," "I'm a Believer," "Pleasant Valley Sunday" and "Valerie."

The group split in 1971. Although other members of the group had participated in reunion tours, Nesmith had not up until 2012.

Nesmith said back then of the reunion: "I never really left. It is a part of my youth that is always active in my thought and part of my overall work as an artist. It stays in a special place. But like things in the past it fades in and out in relevance to activities that are current. Getting together with old friends and acquaintances can be very stimulating and fun and even inspiring to me. We did some good work together and I am always interested in the right time and the right place to reconnect and play."

Sandoval also said Friday of Nesmith's passing, “I am positive the brilliance he captured will resonate and offer the love and light towards which he always moved. Nez expressed the highest part of his being through his voice. And you could get no closer to him then through knowing his work. May all those who loved him feel his comfort at this time — just listen and he will be there for you.”

Sandoval then quoted the talented musician’s own lyrics from “I'll Remember You.”

“Thank you for the times you gave me, thank you for the tears you saved me, please take this song as my thanks to you.”

With Nesmith's death Micky Dolenz is now the only surviving member of the pop band. Davy Jones died in 2012 of a heart attack. Peter Tork died of cancer in 2019

He said in a statement Friday: "I’m heartbroken. I’ve lost a dear friend and partner. I’m so grateful that we could spend the last couple of months together doing what we loved best — singing, laughing, and doing shtick. I’ll miss it all so much. Especially the shtick. Rest in peace, Nez."

Dolenz ended the statement, "All my love, Mick."

STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO: VERA-ELLEN

Here is a picture of talented dancer Vera-Ellen on her wedding day on November 19, 1954. She was marrying Victor Rothschild, who was an oil man and millionaire. Unfortunately, their marriage would not last. A daughter Victoria, was born on March 3, 1963, but the baby would die tragically on June 20, 1963. The couple were divorced in September of 1966.

This photo did not show the heart ache that would follow after their wedding day...

MUSIC REVIEW: LOUIS PRIMA & LILY ANN CAROL - OH MARIE!

I had the pleasure of getting a copy of this new CD from Jasmine, and it is one of the best CD issues in years. I am familiar with Louis Prima and his time with Keely Smith in the 1950s, but this whole era with Lily Ann Carol is new to me. Lovingly put together by Alan Eichler, this new CD is a must for anyone who is a Louis Prima, and a fan of good music in general!

Here are notes from the CD:

Before Keely Smith, there was Lily Ann Carol. When Louis Prima abandoned Dixieland and formed his first big band, the beautiful New York native was signed to be his star vocalist, and for more than six years - from 1940-1946 they were one of the most popular attractions in clubs and theatres across the country.

Here gathered together for the first time are nearly all of their recordings and this is the very first collection to throw a spotlight on Lily Ann, who up until now has been something of a mystery figure.

Among their wartime hits are 'Bell Bottom Trousers', 'I'll Walk Alone', 'A Fellow on a Furlough', 'Hitsum-Kitsum-Bumpity-Itsum' 'The Lip' and of course 'Oh Marie'

All tracks have been restored here in sparkling sound on a jam-packed Jasmine CD, with Lily Ann not only singing beautifully, but keeping up with Louis in the humour department as well.
Track Listing

1. DANCE WITH A DOLLY
2. DAYDREAMS COME TRUE AT NIGHT
3. PLEASE HAVE MERCY
4. TICA-TEE, TICA-TA
5. I'LL WALK ALONE
6. THERE'S A LOT OF MOONLIGHT BEING WASTED
7. A FELLOW ON A FURLOUGH
8. OH MARIE
9. BELOVED
10. THIS HEART OF MINE
11. LET'S TAKE THE LONG WAY HOME
12. HITSUM-KITSUM-BUMPITY-ITSUM
13. RUM AND COCA COLA
14. I WANNA GET MARRIED
15. BELL BOTTOM TROUSERS
16. I WAS HERE WHEN YOU LEFT ME
17. SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY
18. THERE! I'VE SAID IT AGAIN
19. I DON'T WANT TO BE LOVED (By Anyone Else But You)
20. THERE'S A BROKEN HEART FOR EVERY LIGHT ON BROADWAY
21. ON THE ATCHISON, TOPEKA AND THE SANTA FE
22. HOW DEEP IS THE OCEAN
23. JUST A LITTLE FOND AFFECTION
24. EVERYBODY KNEW BUT ME
25. THE LIP
26. I'LL BE WITH YOU IN APPLE BLOSSOM TIME
27. PORGY

You can purchase this CD on Amazon or any supplier of great music or you can contact Jasmine Records HERE

GUEST REVIEW: MERRILY WE LIVE

The late film guru Bruce Kogan is back his review of a 1938 film that I have never seen. His review makes me want to check it out though...

This was a film I never thought I would see. Not out on DVD it apparently wasn't shown for years. That's a pity because any film with 5 Oscar nods including Best Supporting Actress for Billie Burke should not be lost.

If it looks familiar that's because producer Hal Roach took a lot of themes from My Man Godfrey. The Kilbournes here look a lot like the Bullocks there. Irascible father Clarence Kolb who likes a toot every now and then, scatterbrained mother Billie Burke and three spoiled children. Constance Bennett, Tom Brown, and Bonita Granville.

Brian Aherne is driving along one day and stops to get some water for an overheating engine and the brake slips and his vehicle plunges down a canyon. He walks and looks somewhat disheveled when he arrives at the Kilbourne country home looking for help.

Billie Burke who takes care of tramps as a hobby sizes up Aherne as one and hires him as a chauffeur. If you saw My Man Godfrey I think you have a fair idea where this is going.

Hal Roach impeccably cast this film and some additional ones here are Ann Dvorak as a predatory society girl, Alan Mowbray as a stuffy butler and Patsy Kelly as a down to earth maid. I'm in complete agreement with another reviewer when he says he was impressed by Clarence Kolb's gift for physical comedy.

Sadly the reason that this film was not shown on TV for years was Willie Best at his shufflebutt worst. It was really offensive...

BRUCE'S RATING: 7 OUT OF 10