the1920sand30s | Fred Astaire - Cheek To Cheek (1935) @the1920sand30s | Uploaded November 2023 | Updated October 2024, 10 hours ago.
Performed by: Leo Reisman & His Orchestra
Vocalist: Fred Astaire
Full Song Title: Cheek To Cheek
Recorded in: 1935
B-Side: youtu.be/L-g_GxBd5gE
Re-recording of: youtu.be/LDIlkTqjldQ
A lot of adjectives come to mind when one mentions Fred Astaire: debonair, poised, elegant, captivating. And nouns too, especially grace, sophistication and talent. Fred Astaire is regarded by many as the greatest popular music dancer of all time. Astaire is usually remembered for his pairings with Ginger Rogers, who starred in several films with him, including Swing Time (1936).
Light on his feet, Fred Astaire revolutionized the movie musical with his elegant and seemingly effortless dance style. He may have made dancing look easy, but he was a well-known perfectionist, and his work was the product of endless hours of practice.
Astaire started performing as a child, partnering up with his older sister Adele. The two toured the vaudeville circuit before making it to Broadway in 1917. Among their many productions the brother-sister team starred in the 1927 George and Ira Gershwin musical Funny Face. For all his early success, though, career in the movies eluded Astaire. He had done a screen test, but he failed to attract any interest. A studio executive wrote at the time, "Can't sing. Can't act. Slightly balding. Can dance a little."
In 1932, Astaire suffered a career setback. His sister Adele retired from the act to marry a British aristocrat. He floundered a bit professionally without his usual partner, but then decided to go to Hollywood to try once more to break into film.
Finally, Astaire landed a small role in 1933's Dancing Lady with Joan Crawford. The role opened the door to new opportunities, and Astaire signed a contract with RKO Radio Pictures. He was matched up with another Broadway talent, Ginger Rogers, for Flying Down to Rio, also in 1933. Cast as supporting players, their dance number stole the movie. Astaire and Rogers appeared in several more films together, including The Gay Divorcee (1934) and Top Hat (1935). The duo became film's most beloved dance team. Their routines featured a hybrid of styles—borrowing elements from tap, ballroom and even ballet. Katharine Hepburn once described what each of them brought their successful partnership: "Fred gave Ginger class, and Ginger gave Fred sex."
Off-screen, Astaire was known for his relentless pursuit of perfection. He thought nothing of rehearsing a scene for days, and Rogers eventually tired of the grueling schedule. The pair went their separate ways after 1939's The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle. Years later, they reunited once more for 1949's The Barkleys of Broadway.
After the split with Rogers in 1939, Astaire performed with such leading ladies as Rita Hayworth, Cyd Charisse, Judy Garland, Leslie Caron and Audrey Hepburn. Some of his most famous musicals from his later career include Easter Parade with Garland and Funny Face with Hepburn.
As his movie roles tapered off, Astaire worked more in television. He often appeared as himself for special tribute shows. Astaire had a growing interest in dramatic parts, working on such series as Dr. Kildare. He also worked with another legendary dancer, Gene Kelly, on the documentary That's Entertainment, which explored the golden era of the movie musical.
Around this time, Astaire received his only Academy Award nomination for his supporting role in the 1974 disaster film The Towering Inferno. He also won an Emmy Award for his work on the television special A Family Upside Down in 1978. More accolades soon followed. Astaire received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Film Institute in 1981.
A few years later, Astaire was hospitalized for pneumonia. He died on June 22, 1987, in Los Angeles, California. With his passing, Hollywood had lost one of its greatest talents. Former actor and president Ronald Reagan, upon learning the news, called Astaire "an American legend" and "the ultimate dancer." Rogers said Astaire "was the best partner anyone could ever have."
I hope you enjoy this as much as I have.
Best wishes,
Stu
______________________
Please Note: I do not claim copyright or ownership of the song played in this video. All copyrighted content remains property of their respective owners.
Performed by: Leo Reisman & His Orchestra
Vocalist: Fred Astaire
Full Song Title: Cheek To Cheek
Recorded in: 1935
B-Side: youtu.be/L-g_GxBd5gE
Re-recording of: youtu.be/LDIlkTqjldQ
A lot of adjectives come to mind when one mentions Fred Astaire: debonair, poised, elegant, captivating. And nouns too, especially grace, sophistication and talent. Fred Astaire is regarded by many as the greatest popular music dancer of all time. Astaire is usually remembered for his pairings with Ginger Rogers, who starred in several films with him, including Swing Time (1936).
Light on his feet, Fred Astaire revolutionized the movie musical with his elegant and seemingly effortless dance style. He may have made dancing look easy, but he was a well-known perfectionist, and his work was the product of endless hours of practice.
Astaire started performing as a child, partnering up with his older sister Adele. The two toured the vaudeville circuit before making it to Broadway in 1917. Among their many productions the brother-sister team starred in the 1927 George and Ira Gershwin musical Funny Face. For all his early success, though, career in the movies eluded Astaire. He had done a screen test, but he failed to attract any interest. A studio executive wrote at the time, "Can't sing. Can't act. Slightly balding. Can dance a little."
In 1932, Astaire suffered a career setback. His sister Adele retired from the act to marry a British aristocrat. He floundered a bit professionally without his usual partner, but then decided to go to Hollywood to try once more to break into film.
Finally, Astaire landed a small role in 1933's Dancing Lady with Joan Crawford. The role opened the door to new opportunities, and Astaire signed a contract with RKO Radio Pictures. He was matched up with another Broadway talent, Ginger Rogers, for Flying Down to Rio, also in 1933. Cast as supporting players, their dance number stole the movie. Astaire and Rogers appeared in several more films together, including The Gay Divorcee (1934) and Top Hat (1935). The duo became film's most beloved dance team. Their routines featured a hybrid of styles—borrowing elements from tap, ballroom and even ballet. Katharine Hepburn once described what each of them brought their successful partnership: "Fred gave Ginger class, and Ginger gave Fred sex."
Off-screen, Astaire was known for his relentless pursuit of perfection. He thought nothing of rehearsing a scene for days, and Rogers eventually tired of the grueling schedule. The pair went their separate ways after 1939's The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle. Years later, they reunited once more for 1949's The Barkleys of Broadway.
After the split with Rogers in 1939, Astaire performed with such leading ladies as Rita Hayworth, Cyd Charisse, Judy Garland, Leslie Caron and Audrey Hepburn. Some of his most famous musicals from his later career include Easter Parade with Garland and Funny Face with Hepburn.
As his movie roles tapered off, Astaire worked more in television. He often appeared as himself for special tribute shows. Astaire had a growing interest in dramatic parts, working on such series as Dr. Kildare. He also worked with another legendary dancer, Gene Kelly, on the documentary That's Entertainment, which explored the golden era of the movie musical.
Around this time, Astaire received his only Academy Award nomination for his supporting role in the 1974 disaster film The Towering Inferno. He also won an Emmy Award for his work on the television special A Family Upside Down in 1978. More accolades soon followed. Astaire received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Film Institute in 1981.
A few years later, Astaire was hospitalized for pneumonia. He died on June 22, 1987, in Los Angeles, California. With his passing, Hollywood had lost one of its greatest talents. Former actor and president Ronald Reagan, upon learning the news, called Astaire "an American legend" and "the ultimate dancer." Rogers said Astaire "was the best partner anyone could ever have."
I hope you enjoy this as much as I have.
Best wishes,
Stu
______________________
Please Note: I do not claim copyright or ownership of the song played in this video. All copyrighted content remains property of their respective owners.
![Grammophon Orchester - Onkelchen sei doch nicht böse [ Uncle dont be angry ] (1916)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/iC12eG3PCBU/hqdefault.jpg "Grammophon Orchester - Onkelchen sei doch nicht böse [ Uncle dont be angry ] (1916)
Performed by: Grammophon Orchester
Vocalist: Unknown
Full Song Title: Onkelchen sei doch nicht böse
Recorded in: 1916 , Berlin Germany
The Grammophon-Orchester, also known as the Gramophone Orchestra, was a collective term used to refer to various artists that recorded for the record label Deutsche Grammophon Aktiengesellschaft Berlin. Deutsche Grammophon, founded in 1898, is a German music label that has played a significant role in the recording and distribution of shellac music in the early 20th century.
The Grammophon-Orchester played a vital role in Deutsche Grammophons recording activities, providing the musical accompaniment for numerous artists and soloists who recorded under the label. These orchestras were carefully selected and constituted some of the finest ensembles in Germany. They were renowned for their high level of musicianship, precision, and interpretation of the German folk repertoire. But unfortunately they are mostly not acknowledged on the records. This makes it very difficult to find out more about the artists and the lives they lived.
This song is from Das Fräulein vom Amt (The Miss from the Office) by Jean Gilbert, Okonkowski Georg and Franz Arnold. Premiered in 1915 at the Theater des Westens at Kantstraße 12 in Berlin, Germany.
I hope you enjoy this as much as I have.
Best wishes,
Stu
Please Note: I do not claim copyright or ownership of the song played in this video. All copyrighted content remains property of their respective owners.")
![Jean Lumière - La Petite Église [The Little Church] (1933)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/idSWNS2abJw/hqdefault.jpg "Jean Lumière - La Petite Église [The Little Church] (1933)
Performed by: Jean Lumière
Full Song Title: La Petite Église
Recorded in: 1933
Jean Lumière (born August 20, 1895 in Marseille and died April 2, 1979 in Paris) was a popular French singer and Grand Prix du Disque winner of the 1930s.
His real name was Jean Anezin, he was born into a family of music-loving merchants. He first considered an acting career, but then changed his mind and began singing in Nice and Marseille. Following a meeting with the singer Esther Lekain, he made his debut in 1930 in Paris at the Théâtre de lEuropéen. Esther Lekain urged him to change his name and allegedly chose his pseudonym for him: Your voice is clear, you are from the South, your name will be Jean Lumière.
In 1934, he had great success with Paul Delmets song La Petite Église , winning the Grand Prix du Disque, pursuing a remarkable career in Europe, the Middle East, and South America. He is notably the first performer of the French version of the song taken from the animated feature film Pinocchio from Disney studios released in 1946: Quand on prie la bonne étoiles (When You Wish upon a Star).
Long considered to have the best radio voice, Jean Lumière left the stage in 1960 to become a singing teacher. His students include Marcel Amont, Gloria Lasso, Cora Vaucaire, Diane Dufresne, Mireille Mathieu.
I hope you enjoy this as much as I have.
Best wishes,
Stu
Please Note: I do not claim copyright or ownership of the song played in this video. All copyrighted content remains property of their respective owners.")
![Aldo Masseglia & Meme Bianchi - Che Bel Romanzo Damore [What a beautiful romance] (1936)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/j_xInjn08Dw/hqdefault.jpg "Aldo Masseglia & Meme Bianchi - Che Bel Romanzo Damore [What a beautiful romance] (1936)
Performed by: Aldo Masseglia & Meme Bianchi
Full Song Title: Che Bel Romanzo Damore
Recorded in: 1936
Some of you may recognize this iconic song, this is a cover of Fred Astaires & Ginger Rogerss - A Fine Romance from the movie Swing Time (1936).
You can hear Freds and Gingers original here: https://youtu.be/sRqK-KxNLAY
Aldo Masseglia (La Spezia, 5 October 1903 - Lodi, 2 September 1978) was a popular Italian singer of the 1930s.
He began his career in the early thirties as a violinist, playing in various orchestral formations, until he revealed good singing skills that allowed him to enter the EIAR in Turin in 1936, in the Barzizza orchestra.
Here he met and married the Milanese singer Nuccia Natali, from whom, in 1943, he had a daughter, Rosella Masseglia Natali, who was an appreciated pop singer in the sixties.
He also participated in the famous radio broadcasts The Four Musketeers, where he played the role of Athos, and The Phantom Microphone, both conceived by Nizza and Morbelli.
In 1938 he left the radio to devote himself to musical performances, giving way to Alberto Rabagliati.
His most significant interpretations are: Cuore A Cuor, Tu che ti chiami amor, Vele, Cinquantanni fa, Gioventù, Lasciati andare, Villanella, Faccetta nera, Francescamaria, Me ne frego, Ritorna il legionario, Bandiere al sole e Ti saluto and e vado in Abissinia.
Meme Bianchi, born Magda Merope Bianchi (Porto Ceresio, April 26, 1907 - Milan, October 25, 2000), was a popular Italian singer of the 1930s.
She inherited the ability to sing from her mother, Ida Viale, an opera singer, and from her grandmother, Merope Bavestrelli Bianchi, also an opera singer. From her grandmother she also inherited her middle name, which as a child she could not pronounce, she used to pronounce Merope as Meme and from thereon Meme became her nickname.
She grew up in Porto Ceresio and obtained a primary school teacher diploma, but her father did not want her to take up the teaching profession, so as a young woman she began to work in her fathers customs office at the train station.
In the years between the word war one and world war two, some of her family members in Porto Ceresio had started a theater company and in the summer they performed stage plays in the newly built theater. At the end of the show, the audience asked Meme to sing and one evening in 1933, a talent scout for a record label, offered her to audition in Milan. Under the pretext of running some errands, Meme auditioned and got a record deal thanks to her great vocal range, her soft voice and her clear diction.
She recorded hundreds of records, many under the orchestral direction of Mario Mariotti, who would later become her husband. She becomes the first singer of EIAR, performing with the famous orchestras of Petralia and Barzizza. On the radio she played operettas such as Al Cavallino Bianco and The Four Musketeers, the famous broadcast show with Nunzio Filogamo linked to a prized competition.
She also made numerous recordings with the orchestra of Maestro Enzo Ceragioli for the Odeon label.
In 1936 she was with the group Schwarz. Singer/actress in the Bertoldissimo stage play. In Greece she inaugurated Radio Athens and in Switzerland Radio Monteceneri; she went on many tours throughout Italy and abroad with the group I Divi del Microphone.
In 1939, at the church of SantAmbrogio in Porto Ceresio, she married maestro Mario Mariotti (1889-1975), composer, arranger and director of the Odeon record label, for whom she recorded at the time.
At the outbreak of the war she continued to perform in the theater and for soldiers she gave recitals accompanied by a single accordion, one of such performances was on the destroyer Grecale. As a thank you, the sailors lined up in a row in front of her and they gave her their rations of coffee.
In 1958 she retired to her hometown, resuming her job at her fathers customs office at the the train station.She passed away in Milan on 25 October 2000.
I hope you enjoy this as much as I have.
Best wishes,
Stu
Please Note: I do not claim copyright or ownership of the song played in this video. All copyrighted content remains property of their respective owners.")
