Matt Monro Forum

I just listened to Sarah Kennedy play "Thou Swell" by June Allyson. I never knew June Allyson was a singer. But it was delightful. She had quite a unique style. Perhaps Lena and Harry have recordings. The Radio 2 "songs played list" said it came from The Great Magic Moments From The Musicals on MGM/EMI. But I couldn't find it on HMV's website. Is anyone familiar with this compilation? I love Rodgers & Hart's Thou Swell, but I can't remember what musical it came from.

Hi Paul, we don't appear to have any June Allyson recordings, but the MGM Musical Magic Moments that Sarah Kennedy mentioned we think you will find that this is the one.
That's Entertainment
The Ultimate Anthology Of MGM Music.
It can be seen on Amazon and HMV and CD Universe, all the tracks from the sound tracks from the films and there are at least Three songs with June Allyson from her films, including Thou Swell .
You can listen to the clips of each one. there are at least 134 tracks, so quite pricey.

Thanks very much for your research, Lena and Harry. I just located That's Entertainment on the HMV website. I think it's a bit too pricey and too much movie music for me. I'll keep searching for a June Allyson CD or Thou Swell on another single CD compilation. It stated that Thou Swell was from Words And Music; I don't recall that being a Rodgers & Hart musical. I'll check my Rodgers & Hart book later.

Hi Paul, Lena and Harry and all. The DVD That's Entertainment is a 3 DVD set. In the first DVD there are two June Allyson film clip's from musicals "Words and Music" which contain's Thou Swell and "Good News" which also stars Rat Pack member Peter Lawford.

June Allyson was one of MGM's top stars in the 1940's and 50's playing straight roles as well as starring in many musicals. My favourite role of June Allyson's was in the "Glen Miller Story" co - starring with James Stewart.


June Allyson passed away on the 8th July aged 88, after suffering ill health for many year's. She was a great film/movie star and will be sadly missed.

Paul, This musical was based on Rodgers and Hart's music.
Here on this web-site is June Allyson with the Blackburn Twins in Thou Swell.
www.brightlightsfilm.com/23/
Click on words an unsung masterpiece

Hi all--"Thou Swell" is a great song--I love it--it is so totally different, but as far as I am concerned Rodgers and Hart can do no wrong. I have quite a few different recordings of this song, but I only ever saw it on the "Thats entertainment " video/dvd..

My favourite memory of June Allyson was in "Little Women" where she played Jo March. There have been a couple of remakes of this film, but none can toucch the original.

Marian

Marian - I agree ... Thou Swell is a unique, cute little song. Blossom Dearie did a great take on it, as did Ella Fitzgerald and Diana Ross & The Supremes. Everyone: Have you heard these versions?

I also agree ... I can't think of one bad song written by Rodgers & Hart. The same goes for Jerome Kern and George & Ira Gershwin. Whereas I can probably name a dozen lousy songs written by Cole Porter. (I think he's highly overrated.)

Hi Paul--I do not know Blossom Dearie's version--but I do have Ella fitzgerald, and The Supremes, which is probably my favourite. I also have the same song recorded by--Tony Bennett ; Margaret Whiting : Joe Williams ; Natalie Cole : Nat King Cole : Frank Sinatra ; Sammy Davis Junior ; Stacey Kent ; Eydie Gorme ; Dawn Upshaw.

If I have a really favourite song, I like to collect as many different versions as I can, and sometimes play them one after the other, just to hear the different interpretations. It is really easy to organise that, either on my Itunes or my Ipod.

Does anyone else do that

Rodgers and Hart are definately my fave composers, closely followed by Rodgers and Hammerstein, and the Gershwins.

Marian

Hi Paul Marian, we also have those recordings of Thou Swell, barring Dawn Upshaw and Stacy Kent's versions, and Ella can do no wrong can she ! quite incompareable in our opinion.
We haven't dabbled with ipods or itunes yet Marian, and are really impressed how organised you are.
The youngsters in our family have all the latest technology gadgets and can't get to grips with our stereophonic equipment, volumes of catalogued music e.t.c so we can see that we now have to sensibly and rapidly move on.
Rodgers and Hart, Rogers and Hammerstein, Cole Porter. Irving Berlin
Sammy Cahn and Johnny Mercer, it goes on but they were among the best.
We enjoyed June Allysons movies, but will probably remember her mainly for her part as the wife of Genn Miller. played by James Stewart in The 1953 movie The Glenn Miller Story.

Hello all. Lena and Harry, Paul think's Cole Porter is overrated.
I too don't have an I pod etc.. I just listen to CDs on my CD player.

Hi Lena and Harry, and Robert--I will have to give you a lesson on how to organise your music on your computer with Itunes. You do not need an Ipod--but I have to say they are a great invention!!

Marian

Robert, we have been quite content with our now becoming antiquated equipment and CD players" but do see the advantage of ipods, specially when out travelling etc.
As for Cole Porter, we all have our opinions, and are entitled to them and it would be interesting to know what dozen songs Paul thinks are lousy. and Cole Porter's music over-rated In the history of composers of music and songs, no doubt all composers and writers of music have their critics, and Cole Porter no doubt over those years received his share, and from expert music critics who really know their business, so the answer really lies in his success. Cole Porter has made an enormous contribution to the Music World, his work and his songs are considered to be True Classic Gems. He is part of the Great American Songbook.

That sounds great Marian, but the thought of it frightens us.
Just tell us the first bit, ease us in bit by bit

Ok, Harry and Lena--honest it is easy. I will start a new topic on it, so that it does not get lost. In this category "entertainment"

Marian

Hello Lena and Harry, Mariana44 and everyone. So Cole Porter may have written a few not so good tunes, but he also wrote hundreds of great tunes

Mariana44, before I read what you say about I Tunes, can I say that I prefer the sound from my CD player speakers, a better quality than my PC. Also I have tried to download I Tunes a couple of times, but my Computer will not let me, something to do with 6.5 and 7.0 version.??