Thanks to Crazy Sam for today's questions! You can join in HERE!
Over There
Saturday 9: Over There (1942)
... because it's the 4th of July
Unfamiliar with this rendition? Hear it here.
... because it's the 4th of July
Unfamiliar with this rendition? Hear it here.
1) George M. Cohan wrote this song in 1917, inspired by our country's entry into WWI. It was not only popular with the young men who enlisted, but it was also reassuring to their families. Tell us about a time when music was a comfort to you. Funerals. Amazing Grace, Blessed Assurance, In The Garden, and so many more hymns sung at funerals/memorials are comforting with the promises of Heaven.
2) "Over There" was revived at the start of WWII, and President Franklin Roosevelt cited this song specifically when he awarded Cohan with the Congressional Gold Medal. What's your favorite patriotic song? The Star Spangled Banner still gives me goosebumps. I also love America, the Beautiful
3) This rendition of the song is from the 1942 film, Yankee Doodle Dandy. James Cagney won an Oscar for his performance as George M. Cohan. Also nominated that year was Gary Cooper, who portrayed a different Yankee, Lou Gehrig, in Pride of the Yankees. Tell us about a movie biography you have enjoyed. Well, one that Joe and I both loved and probably watched 8-10 times is The Temptations. So well done and the music is amazing.
4) Cagney had a rebellious streak. His boss, studio head Jack Warner, nicknamed Cagney, "The Professional Againster." Cagney joked that he was proud of the title. How about you? Are you rebellious? I don't think I have ever been rebellious. I'm a first-born by the textbook.
4) Cagney had a rebellious streak. His boss, studio head Jack Warner, nicknamed Cagney, "The Professional Againster." Cagney joked that he was proud of the title. How about you? Are you rebellious? I don't think I have ever been rebellious. I'm a first-born by the textbook.
5) In the clip linked above, a woman sings with Cagney. Her name was Frances Langford, nicknamed the "GI Nightingale" because during WWII she performed for the troops at bases throughout Europe, North Africa, and the South Pacific. Do you have any nicknames? There were two Terri/Terrys at the Museum so I was called Terri D (and some former co-workers still call me that). My dad sometimes called me TeeLee. Some friends in high school called me Kelly (maiden name) and some friends today just call me T.
An interesting fact about Frances Langford that I am happy to tell you about is that she was from Lakeland, FL, and we have The Frances Langford Promenade on our lovely Lakel Mirror. It is a Registered National Historical Place and we are quite proud of it and of her!
"The promenade was a feat of engineering, as it was built into the lake. New banks were dug around the shore to create space from which water could be pumped and a wooden superstructure erected to support the concrete walkway.
In 1946, the structure was named after Frances Langford (1913-2005), who grew up near Lakeland. FBIL’s more experienced readers will remember her successful Hollywood movie and radio singing career (“I’ll Be Seeing You,” “I’m in the Mood for Love”), which stretched from the 1930s to the 1950s. But she never forgot her roots in Lakeland, and the community was eager to honor her for her work with the USO, entertaining the troops with Bob Hope during World War II, and her visits to military hospitals. Her weekly newspaper column, “Purple Heart Diary,” told of those visits and urged public support for injured soldiers."
6) In 1942, when audiences were enjoying this performance of "Over There" in movie theaters, the fashion trend was for mothers and their young daughters to wear identical dresses. Moms would buy lots of fabric and patterns for the same casual day dress in both their own sizes and their little girls. Can you sew? Yes, I can sew. My mom was a wonderful and very accomplished seamstress. I'm not as good as she was... that patience thing I have going on. I don't remember wearing a dress like mom's but my two sisters and I had look-alike dresses a few times.
7) The Fourth of July means we're in the middle of summer. Are you careful about applying sunscreen? I burn in 10 minutes so I do my best to stay out of the sun. When I have to be out in the sunshine, I am sure to put on Factor 50 sunscreen.
8) Mosquito bites can be a major summer annoyance. Are you scratching any itches right now? No, but I also put on bug spray if I have to be out after dusk. If it bites or stings, it will probably find me. I am happy to just stay inside as much as I can.
9) Celebrity chef Rachael Ray says she considers mini-hamburgers, or "sliders," the All-American food. What will you be eating this 4th of July? I am going to the potluck at the Clubhouse so it just depends on what everyone brings to share. I'm taking a Jiffy corn casserole. I think there will be burgers and dogs.
Peace & Hugs!
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
