LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

In the '40s and '50s Hollywood studios had success with biographical musicals based on the lives of great American songwriters. Till the Clouds Roll By (1946) profiles Jerome Kern, and Words and Music (1948), Rodgers & Hart; but these films are more about showcasing the composers' songs than presenting detailed accounts of their lives. The immensely popular Three Little Words, telling the story of lyricist Bert Kalmar and composer Harry Ruby, is different. Its strong storyline and wealth of great songs make it possibly the best all-around picture of its kind. Fred Astaire was cast as Kalmar, and popular comic Red Skelton as Ruby. Vera-Ellen portrayed Kalmar's wife, and Arlene Dahl played Eileen Percy, who eventually became Mrs. Ruby. Keenan Wynn, Gale Robbins, and Gloria DeHaven rounded out the supporting cast. Veteran director Richard Thorpe took the helm, and Hermes Pan provided the choreography. A 20-year-old Andre Previn signed on as musical director. The movie opened in 1950 to rave reviews and big box office. Surprisingly, Three Little Words is one of Fred Astaire's few films not to feature a "big dance solo". As Kalmar, he attempts to dance after a knee injury (the lyricist suffered one in real life), only to have his leg give out midway. However, the film devoted ample screen time for duets with leading lady Vera-Ellen, including "Where Did You Get That Girl?", the beguiling "Thinking of You", and the inventive "Mr. and Mrs. Hoofer at Home". Highlights of the film include "Who's Sorry Now," with Gloria DeHaven re-creating the song as introduced on stage by her mother, Mrs. Carter DeHaven. Skelton displays his vocal abilities in two duets with Astaire, "My Sunny Tennessee" and "So Long, Oo-Long." And of special interest is Helen Kane's famous Good Boy number "I Wanna Be Loved By You." While a 17-year-old Debbie Reynolds appears on screen, Kane herself provides the vocal, a stunning re-creation. This Turner/Rhino Handmade edition of Three Little Words marks the premiere of the film's complete soundtrack. Though no outtakes are included (everything shot or recorded was used in the final print), we've added six bonus tracks from another of Fred Astaire's M-G-M musicals, 1945's Yolanda And The Thief. With music by Harry Warren and lyrics by Arthur Freed, these songs make their audio debut here. Three Little Words is available as an individually numbered limited edition of 2,500 copies.
TRACK LISTING MAIN TITLE (1:40) WHERE DID YOU GET THAT GIRL? (2:21) SHE’S MINE, ALL MINE (2:27) MR. & MRS. HOOFER AT HOME (3:56) MY SUNNY TENNESSEE (0:53) SO LONG, OO-LONG (1:33) WHO’S SORRY NOW (2:16) COME ON, PAPA (2:23) NEVERTHELESS, I’M IN LOVE WITH YOU (2:23) ALL ALONE MONDAY (1:50) A HOME FOR TWO (0:37) ALL ALONE MONDAY (1:23) I WANNA BE LOVED BY YOU (0:35) I WANNA BE LOVED BY YOU (1:33) THINKING OF YOU (4:02) I LOVE YOU SO MUCH (2:03) THINKING OF YOU (REPRISE) (1:01) YOU ARE MY LUCKY STAR (0:47) THREE LITTLE WORDS (0:49) MEDLEY: MY SUNNY TENNESEE/WHO’S SORRY NOW/I WANNA BE LOVED BY YOU/SO LONG, OO-LONG; Etc. (1:09) THREE LITTLE WORDS(Finale) (0:42) MAIN TITLE (1:49) THIS IS A DAY FOR LOVE (2:51) I’VE AN ANGEL (3:34) BALLET/WILL YOU MARRY ME?* (12:40) YOLANDA (2:32) COFFEE TIME (4:07)