Harry James plays, Helen Forrest sings, Woody Allen listens [by DL]

"I know it well, that melody. . ."
This was the first venture of the team of Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn, who wrote many of Sinatra's songs from the late 40s ("Time After Time," "Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are," I Fall in Love Too Easily," etc). Sammy, who wrote the words,had the habit, when working on a new lyric, to close, his eyes, listen to a theme, and come out with a title phrase. Jule played the theme and Sammy went into a trance, then burst out, "I've heard that song before!" "You can't have heard that song before," Jule said, paranoid as all songwriters are about their music. . .

Harry and Helen recorded the song on July 31, 1942, the day before the devastating musicians' strike started.

And now here's Benny Goodman and company with "Perfidia" for Helen (pictured above left) to sing. and if you're wondering what Betty Grable is doing here (bottom right), well, folks, the GIs' favorite pin-up girl of World War II married Harry. It is possible that both Helen's autobio and Betty's could have the same title: "I Had the Craziest Dream." I had it, too, one time period removed.

As for Woody, watch his movies (.e.g "Hannah and Her Sisters") and you'll see how deeply he loves the sound of Harry James's trumpet. -- DL

Comments

[Vincent Katz]

Thanks for this post!! This is one of Vivien's and my favorite songs! (BTW, we saw "A Bronx Tale last night, and De Niro gives a big shout out to Sammy Cahn at the end).