Monday Side Session: Saying the Words

Yesterday, we saw how Kalmar and Ruby provided Duke Ellington with one of his biggest hits, Three Little Words, in 1930. Two years later, that same songwriting duo provided the musical heartbeat for what is arguably the greatest Marx Brothers movie of them all: Horse Feathers (1932).

Continuing our "Word" theme, today’s side session focuses on the delightful Ev’ryone Says ‘I Love You.’ I've always thought of this as a sort of sequel to Three Little Words, as everyone is now saying said words!

I've written about this song before, but I think it's time to revisit it in this context!

The Marx Brothers Connection

One of the best things about Horse Feathers is that every brother gets a crack at this song. You get the "straight" version from Zeppo, the harp-driven beauty of Harpo, the piano-pounding of Chico, and of course, Groucho delivering it with his trademark guitar-strumming sarcasm while sitting in a canoe.

Here's a link to a montage of all the brothers giving the song a whirl (with Spanish subtitles):

But while the movie is a comedy classic, the song was also a genuine hit for the dance bands of the day.

The Sweet & Bouncy: Anson Weeks (1932)

Let's go "Dancin’ with Anson!" Anson Weeks and his Orchestra give the song a treatment that is incredibly bouncy and fun. Featuring the Moreing Sisters on the vocal, this Brunswick record captures the optimistic, lighthearted spirit that kept people's spirits up during the early '30s.

The Classy Contender: Isham Jones (1932)

For a slightly more sophisticated take, we turn to the legendary Isham Jones. His band was always top-tier and "classy." This Victor record features violinist/vocalist Eddie Stone, and it shows how a great melody can move seamlessly from the zaniness of a Marx Brothers film to the high-end ballroom.

The Warehouse Favorite: Russ Carlson (1932)

Finally, from the depths of the Warehouse collection, we have Russ Carlson and his Orchestra on the budget Crown Records label. There’s something special about these less-discussed recordings. I especially enjoy the vocal here by Elmer Feldkamp - it’s a delightful performance that rounds out our look at how "ev'ryone" was indeed singing this song in 1932.

The Warehouse Find: Raie Da Costa (1933)

Everyone was saying it, but was anyone playing it? Yes, indeed! Popular South African born pianist recorded an extremely snappy instrumental version in 1933 for the British HMV label.

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Five very different versions of the same Kalmar & Ruby tune. Are you a fan of the "bouncy" Anson Weeks style, or do you prefer the Marx Brothers' original mayhem?

"To-Morrow is Another Day" (1937) - Part 2!

For another version of "To-Morrow is Another Day" from 1937's MGM feature "A Day at the Races," we welcome back Ted Fio Rito and his Orchestra and vocalist Muzzy Marcellino on Decca Records:

Much snappier tempo here!

Of note is that Ted Fio Rito had recorded another song with the same title for Victor Records in 1930:

That song is from the Warner Brothers film "Big Boy," but I won't share the sheet music as it features star Al Jolson in his typical makeup of the period.

I like the band arrangement, but Billy White's vocal sounds awfully dated, even for 1930. I think Muzzy Marcellino's arrival a few years later was an upgrade!

"To-Morrow is Another Day" (1937)

We return to the Marx Brothers with their second movie for MGM, "A Day at the Races" from 1937!

I agree with the prevailing opinion that it's not as good as their previous picture, "A Night at the Opera" although it has some very funny scenes. It drags more than "Opera" when the Brothers aren't onscreen and is just a bit too long.

In any event, Allan Jones is back as the pseudo-Zeppo character and one of the songs he sings is "To-Morrow is Another Day."

Here's a budget label version by Vincent Travers and his Orchestra:

I see a reference on YouTube that vocalist Buddy Blaisdell is actually Jimmy Blair, but I can't find any other confirmation. A comparison definitely indicates they do sound alike!

As for the song, it's interesting that the sheet music uses the now-archaic spelling of "To-Morrow" in the title!

And did Scarlett O'Hara hear the song somewhere?

"Collegiate" (1925)

Let's stay in 1925 with Fred Waring's Pennsylvanian for another college song!

This one is the aptly "Collegiate" on Victor Records:

Good mid-1920s college fun! And it's a Shimmy Fox Trot! Where's sister Kate?

But wait, there's more this time too!

The song was so popular that it spawned an early answer song - "Collegiate Blues" from the same writers (Moe Jaffe and Nat Bonx) in the same year!

And naturally the Pennsylvanians (with brother Tom Waring on lead vocal) recorded it too:

I love the meta-ness of the sheet music for "Collegiate Blues" including the artwork of the sheet music of "Collegiate" itself!

Of course, no discussion of "Collegiate" is complete without mentioning that Chico plays the song in "Horse Feathers," the Marx Brothers, well, collegiate comedy:

It doesn't get any more meta than Groucho breaking the fourth wall!

And Thelma Todd as the college widow? Is it too late to enroll for the 1932 term?

"Why Am I So Romantic?" (1930)

Sticking with the Marx Brothers, let’s go back to 1930 for their second film, Animal Crackers,” which was an adaptation of the brothers’ hit Broadway show. 

Notice that the sheet music shows that animal crackers haven't changed much in 90-plus years!

The original show featured songs by Bert Kalmar & Harry Ruby, some of which were included in the movie, but the movie added the song “Why Am I So Romantic?” also by Kalmar & Ruby. 

Here’s a version by Sam Lanin and his Famous Players with vocalist Scrappy Lambert:

 

Scrappy has such an early-30s sound (voice and nickname)!

 

"Alone" (1935)

We move to 1935 for MGM’s “A Night at the Opera” starring the Marx Brothers! 

The hit song from the movie was “Alone” by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown which was sung by Allan Jones and Kitty Carlisle, as made evident by the sheet music at the top of the page! 

To drive the point home even further, there was this alternate version that doesn’t even include the Marxes:

“A Night at the Opera” was the brothers’ first film for MGM and while it’s extremely entertaining, it does lead the boys into more conventional “movie” territory than their previous films for Paramount did.

In any event, Cliff Weston is back, this time with Tommy Dorsey’s band, to sing “Alone” for Victor Records:

Not typical TD, but a big hit and very evocative of 1935!

 

"Ev'ryone Says 'Love You'" (1932)

Also from my collection is the sheet music for another Kalmar & Ruby song, the delightful "Ev'ryone Says 'I Love You'" from the 1932 movie “Horse Feathers” starring the Marx Brothers. 

It’s really fun that each brother gets to perform the song within the movie! 

There were a few commercial recordings of the song at the time and they’re all good, but I really like this one by Russ Carlson and his Orchestra on Crown Records:

I especially enjoy the vocal by Elmer Feldkamp! 

I’ll throw it out there that “Horse Feathers” is my favorite Marx Brothers movie! 

One thing not to sleep on is that the back cover of the sheet music is this awesome ad for another Paramount picture from 1932: