Post by neurosturgeon on Dec 8, 2017 3:51:56 GMT
I would disagree with you about the quantity and quality of the Rodgers and Hart song output, but I do agree the the movie "Words and Music" is pretty bad, except that it does showcase some great songs and performers.
Musical biographies of the 1940's are far from being factual representations of the lives of the composers featured. "Till The Clouds Roll By" had little to do with the life of Jerome Kern, as did "Rhapsody In Blue" did for Gershwin or "Night and Day" for Cole Porter. The flimsy stories holding the songs together were horrible, but the music was the thing.
Cole Porter's life did get a better retelling in "De-Lovely" but the music was sacrificed. The version of "Begin the Beguine" is unrecognizable, but Porter's life is more realistic., but very depressing. I think telling the story of Larry Hart would be interesting, but of little interest to anyone these days.
Musical biographies of the 1940's are far from being factual representations of the lives of the composers featured. "Till The Clouds Roll By" had little to do with the life of Jerome Kern, as did "Rhapsody In Blue" did for Gershwin or "Night and Day" for Cole Porter. The flimsy stories holding the songs together were horrible, but the music was the thing.
Cole Porter's life did get a better retelling in "De-Lovely" but the music was sacrificed. The version of "Begin the Beguine" is unrecognizable, but Porter's life is more realistic., but very depressing. I think telling the story of Larry Hart would be interesting, but of little interest to anyone these days.