Hollywood On 52nd Street
Something’s Gotta Give was composed by Johnny Mercer for his friend Fred Astaire who starred in the 1955 film Daddy Long Legs. It is the love song duet between him and Leslie Caron. The song playfully uses the irresistible force paradox – which asks what happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object – as a metaphor for a relationship between a vivacious woman and an older, world-weary man. The man, it is implied, will give in to temptation and kiss the woman.
The film also stars Terry Moore, Thelma Ritter, Fred Clark and Ray Anthony who appears as himself with his orchestra. Filming took place on location at 20th Century Fox Studios in Hollywood and the Andrew Carnegie Mansion in Manhattan.
Storyline
On a trip to France, millionaire Jervis Pendleton III (Astaire) sees an 18 year old girl Julie Andre (Caron) in an orphanage. Immediately enchanted with her, but mindful of the difference in their ages and what the press may report should his involvement be discovered, he anonymously sponsors her to attend fictional college in New England. She writes him letters, which he doesn’t read. After 3 years, he goes to visit her at a dance, not telling her that he is her benefactor. They fall in love, but the usual movie-type difficulties get in the way before they can get together at the end.
Three Wishes
The answers to Elmo Hope’s three wish request by the Baroness were:
- “To be working.”
- “To be in better condition than I am now.”
- “To help my fellow man.”
*Excerpt from Three Wishes: An Intimate Look at Jazz Greats – Complied and Photographed by Pannonica de Koenigswarter
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Requisites
Constellation is a contemporary jazz album by violinist Michal Urbaniak that was released on the Polskie Nagrania Muza label in May 1973.
The music was composed by Michał Urbaniak and was joined by drummer Czesław Bartkowski, Hammond B3 and Farfisa organist Wojciech Karolak, Fender pianist and bassist Adam Makowicz, and on vocals and percussion was Urszula Dudziak,
The tracks on the album consisted of only five songs – Bengal, Spokój, Lato, Seresta and Theme with two on side A and three on the B side for a total time of 41:56.
The design and photography were by M. Karewicz, recorded by W. Piętowski, and the engineer was H. Jastrzębska-Marciszewska for the live recording at the Warsaw Philharmonic.
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The Jazz Voyager
While the Jazz Voyager is tripping around across the pond he’s off to Denmark’s capital city of Copenhagen to the Jazzhus Montmartre at Store Regnegade 19A, DK-1110 Copenhagen K. A non-profit venue supported by the government, this jazz haven is located in a handsome yellow-painted building with large windows in the city centre. Attracting nordic greats and international names alike, the club is out of bounds for avant garde and funk/rock.
This week the Jazz Voyager will be entertained by the Katrine Madsen Quartet. Admission ranges from €25 for adults and students €13. Reservations are advised for name acts at +45 70 263 267. wannabewhereyouare
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Hollywood On 52nd Street
Too Late Now is a song composed by Burton Lane and the lyrics written by Alan Jay Lerner for the 1951 film Royal Wedding. The song was performed by Jane Powell.
The Story: The film centers around brother and sister dance team Tom and Ellen Bowen whose show closes in New York. Their agent, Irving Klinger (Keenan Wynn), books them in London for the same period as the Royal Wedding. They travel by ship where Ellen (Jane Powell) meets and becomes involved with Lord John Brindale (Peter Lawford). This causes her to miss a rehearsal. Tom (Fred Astaire) uses the time to dance with a hat rack and gym equipment.
Later Tom and Ellen attempt a graceful dance number as the ship rolls to and fro. Upon arrival brother and sister are met by Edgar Klinger (Wynn) who settles them into their hotel. Shortly afterward Tom holds auditions and meets Anne (Sarah Churchill). There is much indecision by the siblings about their romantic partners even though they are in-the-clouds. Ellen sings her third ballad, this time an open declaration of love, to Lawford with Too Late Now. Tom dances on the walls and ceiling of his hotel room. All ends well in this light musical. By the way, there is a vaudeville-style dance number in their show that features slapstick.
Too Late Now is the only song from this film that was to become a jazz standard.