Saturday 9

 Saturday 9: Cry (1952)

1) In this song, Johnnie Ray assures us we'll feel better if we cry. Do you agree? Usually.

2) He also mentions waking from a dream, believing it was real. Has that ever happened to you? No.

3) Because this record was such a massive hit, Johnnie Ray was nicknamed "The Prince of Wails." Without looking it up, do you know who is currently the Prince of Wales? First of all, Prince Charles is Prince of Wales. Second of all, GAWD! This record is awful. I can't get over that it was a hit. But it was #1 for weeks!

4) To cash in on the success of this single, 20th Century Fox cast Johnnie Ray in a big-budget musical, There's No Business Like Show Business. Today it's best remembered as a Marilyn Monroe movie. Have you seen many of Marilyn's films? I think I've seen them all. (Tip: Avoid River of No Return.)  

 

See her final, unreleased performance

If you're really a fan, watch this. It's about 45 minutes of footage from Something's Got to Give, the unfinished 90-minute movie she was fired from. The bosses said she was late too often (she was) and that she simply wasn't any good anymore. See for yourself. I think she was adorable and the studio bosses were just tired of her expensive shenanigans. They were in for a surprise when they tried to replace her and Dean Martin quit, exercising a clause in his contract that gave him co-star approval. No Marilyn, no Dean. So they hired her back, but she died before they could restart. 

 

PS The movie was eventually finished with Doris Day and James Garner and retitled "Move Over, Darling." 

5) After graduating from high school, Johnnie worked at low-paying jobs, including bus boy and soda jerk. He found he made better tips when he began playing piano in restaurants. Have you ever worked for tips? Back in my long-ago high school days, I got tips on top of what I charged when I was a babysitter.

6) In 1969, Johnnie was in the news a lot again because he performed with Judy Garland during her European tour and was best man at her wedding to Mickey Deans. Tell us what you wore to the most recent wedding you attended. For my niece's wedding last fall, I wore a long cranberry velvet jacquard jacket over a matching knit top and black leggings. It was literally the only time I dressed up in 2020.

7) In 1952, when this song was a hit, Mr. Potato Head made his debut. It was the first toy advertised on television. What TV commercial have you seen recently? Broadway Joe wants us to get all the medicare benefits we deserve!

8) Also in 1952, chlorophyll was all the rage for banishing bad breath. Colgate led the way by adding it to their toothpaste. Do you use gum, mints, mouthwash, or breath strips? I brush my teeth throughout the day, so I don't usually use these.

9) Random question -- Congratulations! You won a free three night/two day weekend for two in Las Vegas! The weather is predicted to be sunny and 65º each day you're there. It's 12:00 noon on your first day. Are we most likely to find you: a) gambling in the casino or b) having breakfast in bed or c) outside, enjoying the sun and the sights? Outside! Definitely outside. First of all, Las Vegas is best place ever for people watching. Secondly, it's been so cold here and I'm so sick of being cooped up!