Thursday, May 13, 2010

Everything's Coming Up Rosie!!

Today's video treat features my favorite female singer of all time, Rosemary Clooney.  You'll recognize this clip from the movie White Christmas, in which she starred with Danny Kaye, Vera Ellen, and the man who would become a great friend, mentor and duet partner over the next several years, Bing Crosby.

Rosemary, originally from Mayesville, Kentucky and aunt to dreamy George Clooney, got her start singing with her sister in a big band back in the 40's. She recorded many albums over the years and starred in several movies, but my favorite will always be this performance in White Christmas.

My husband bought me the collector's version of White Christmas a few years back, and I was so tickled to find that you could actually click an option that offered Rosemary doing commentary throughout the entire movie!  She talked about how much she loved making this film and what a thrill it was to work with Bing.

This is my favorite song of Rosie's.  I think she just SMOKES it!  Once again, like in the Get Happy Judy Garland number, the male dancer choreography is a bit bizarre, but you've got to give them credit for trying something different!! Rosemary talked in the DVD commentary about the gloves they made her wear in this number. She said they were rhinestone and caught on EVERYTHING!  She had to be very careful not to GRAB anything during the scenes, or she'd be stuck!

Also, notice at 2:00 minutes in, that's a young George Chakiris as one of her dancers.  George would later go on to star as Bernardo in West Side Story.  Rosemary said they got PILES of fan mail from that single shot of him, all from young girls wanting to know who that young hot dancer was!

So, here she is!  The actual number starts at 1:00 in, so skip to that if you want to avoid the opening scene.  Hope you enjoy it, and that you have a very Rosie weekend!

35 comments:

Hearts Turned said...

Thanks so much for that video--what a wonderful way to wake up this morning...you were my first stop today!

She was a beautiful singer--and you're right--she really smoked it!

Hope you're having a wonderful day!

lifeshighway said...

Great clip this morning. I usually don't think of Rosemary Clooney as being smokin' but she did in this number. Enough that I ignored the male dancers because that choreography was just awkward.

Jean said...

I watched this movie for the 1st time this Christmas...shameful I know! She is wonderful. My father was a big Rosie fan and to watch her and know how much he loved her warms my heart!
Thanks for this :)

Unknown said...

She had a distict style and beautiful voice.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for that video, I enjoy it..I think she was gorgeous, and wonderful!

Anonymous said...

She's a beautiful and wonderful entertainer. Thank you for this treat.

Lisalulu said...

wow, thanks!! And I loved the extra features you offer, like costume items and ... Look Who Was ALSO in this film. Way cool, made me smile. this musical made me happy. Its going to be a good day.

Teresa Evangeline said...

Just wonderful. And, George Chakiris, too. Sigh

Pam said...

Loved here! She was a beauty and a great entertainer!

CentFla said...

It has been wonderful around the house this morning hearing YOU sing this pretty song Joan!

christy rose said...

That was a great clip of her. I enjoyed knowing some facts before watching it. It made it even more enjoyable to watch and listen to. Thanks for sharing her with us this morning. :)

Bossy Betty said...

I remember seeing Rosemary for the first time when I was about 13 and being fascinated with her singing! Love her voice.

Oh, and I would like those guys all dressed in black just to follow me around the house in case I feel like breaking out in song.

Sylvia K said...

Great way to start my day! She was always a favorite! And I was swooning over George Chakiris even though I was nearly old enough to be his mother! Fun, memory evoking post for the day! Love it! Have a wonderful weekend!

Sylvia

Unknown said...

I was so enjoying that, I was suddenly surprised when the clip stopped!! It's a wonderful film which I'm sure no-one ever tires of seeing every year! The first photo in your post shows what an attractive woman she was.

Cheeseboy said...

Wow, she is smoking.

Unknown said...

So great!

Lindsey Buck said...

White Christmas is FANTASTIC. And I love her too... I instantly started humming 'Mambo Italiana' with this post.

Pat said...

White Christmas is my all time favorite movie and just adore Rosemary Clooney...I'll be humming that song for the rest of the day.

Joanie said...

I love White Christmas and I love Rosie's wonderful voice!

Sassy Salsa girl said...

Yes, I loved her in White Christmas!

Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit said...

Fabulous!!

Everyday Goddess said...

I love the glamour! What a great voice, I've never really heard much of her. Thanks for the enlightening glimpse.

Liz Mays said...

That's a must see for me every single holiday season. She was so classy looking and boy, could she sing! I didn't know about that dancer though.

ReformingGeek said...

That's back when entertainers had class. I've forgotten what that is like.

Carolina M. Valdez Schneider said...

Oh, she's a true artist. And what a voice, huh? White Christmas is one of those classics that everyone should own. Thanks for letting us get a closer view of her.

Kelly said...

I love White Christmas

Writing Without Periods! said...

She was awesome. I loved her in all she did, especially White Christmas.
Mary

yonca said...

Thanks for the video.I enjoyed watching her again today.

Lori said...

That was beautiful! And what about that dress? Wouldn't you just feel stunning and glamorous in a dress like that?

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

Her voice is so heavenly. I'm learning much from your wonderful blog. Thanks!
Have a rosie weekend and new week yourself!
Robyn

Robyn's Gift said...

It's a family tradition to watch "White Christmas", "It's a Wonderful Life", and "Christmas Story". Thank you for calling attention to such a great movie.

Lee said...

i'm not going to read thru all 81 previous posts, but you have to admit this was rather risque for the time...quite tame compared to today's music videos...and i absolutely loved it, thank you for sharing!

mercy said...

I absolutely love White Christmas. I usually see it every christmas. I know it so well I can quote almost the whole thing. My favorite bit is when the two main guys are in the dressing room discussing how the one needs to get married and have 9 kids so the other one can have time to himself. Love it.

Tahereh said...

omg so awesome!! loove White Christmas!

Brandi said...

Wonderful clip! And I absolutely love White Christmas.

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