Another YouTube from 'A Day at the Races'

Well,

I found this on YouTube, and it's way to good not to embed here. This is Ivie Anderson, the vocalist that convinced Duke Ellington to on occasion feature a female singer. Also, performing as part of the crowd are members of the Ellington orchestra. They are uncredited in the film, as Duke though their appearances weren't up to his standards. He is to be credited for that opinion. He understood stereotypes and didn't want any possibility of it happening here; although he had nothing to be concerned with in this scene.

Most amazing, besides Ivie's singing, is the heavy-set guy she dances with. He is incredible, and that 'split'. WTF! Yes, the last frame of his face might be considered a little stereotyped, but, you see, it's not! It's an expression of such pure joy, and if that's racist, there's something wrong here.

Ivie, BTW, died a few years after her scenes here - of asthma. Something nobody dies of anymore. Her death, and not the expression on the dancer's face, is wrong!!

Enjoy!



Also, for the film-o-philes among us, and especially the Marx Bros.-philes, yes, there is the musical number in 'Duck Soup' called 'All God's Chillun Got Guns', and it is the same tune. Remember that 'Duck Soup' has Groucho saying 'This means war!' several times. The general theme in 'Duck Soup' is quite different from 'A Day at the Races'. Although, there are plenty of cross-references in the two films. I guess it's just part of what makes watching a Marx Bros. movie so interesting and rewarding.

There is a lot of opinion on the airwaves - Internet - about why the Marx Bros. included so prominently rather long sequences featuring Black singers, dancers, musicians and actors. I find it all rather unimportant. Oh, the theories - the Marxes were Jews and understood persecution and status as a minority. Perhaps. But missing the point entirely. You see, the Marx Bros. were funny, and Black musicians and dancers and actors were superb. You don't need an excuse when you have that kind of ability.

It's like a lot of people I, on occasion, talk to. During this last election, they fell neatly into two camps. One group said that if B. Obama becomes President of the US, we will become a Muslim (!) nation. The other group said that change is coming and a good thing. These were very polarized groups. I have always felt that politics plays itself out. And that the country survives even the worst leadership - no comment intended here. But I was surprised by the fervor, even violence, expressed by some. Get over it. Have a drink.

Well, I am getting a little more personal and serious than I intended here. So, I will stop.

Full stop.

Rich