Thursday, April 10, 2014

I for Burl Ives




BORN: June 14, 1909

DIED: April 14, 1995

AGED: 85 yrs from oral cancer

Married: Twice

"Silver and Gold, Silver and Gold...." Mr. Snowman himself from Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer. I have his Christmas album with these songs on it. Great Folk Singer who sang "Blue-Tailed Fly". Was brought to the House Un-American Activity trials and he spoke which did cause a rift between him and Pete Seeger-terrible, terrible, times. Under-rated actor who worked in Film, Theatre and TV. A rotund sweet man.

OSCAR:  The Big Country

FILMS: East of Eden, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Brass Bottle


25 comments:

  1. Yes, Burl Ives was under-rated as an actor, Birgit.
    Sorry I missed the Katherine Hepburn blog. She was a really great star.
    I'm enjoying these memories.

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    1. I always felt he was cute and wanted to hug him

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  2. Yes, I know him best from Rudolph. His legacy will live on for centuries because of those movies.

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    1. His Snowman lives on and on as does his singing and his acting

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  3. His Holly Jolly Christmas is my favorite Christmas song. Loved it as a kid and still love it now. :)

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    1. I love that song along with Silver and Gold

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  4. I grew up with Burl Ives the Snowman, and I still consider Holly Jolly Christmas to be one of my favourite Christmas songs, but once I grew up, I discovered Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and damn, that Burl could act!

    See ya 'round the web. All Things Kevyn.

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    1. Yes he could act-My favourite is The Big Country and I think he almost upstages Gregory Peck

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  5. In addition to Rudolph, my parents owned one of his folk albums that I played constantly (aged 8 or 9). Great memories. Donna's New Day

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    1. He had such a soft warm and embracing voice, how can one not like him

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  6. I liked him the best in Summer Magic with Haley Mills. He sang a cute song called "The Ugly Bug Ball." To this day when I come across Cat on a Hot Tin Roof on TV, I am surprised that is Burl Ives playing such an ugly character. He was good.

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    1. I never heard of that song but have to try to find it now. I know he seems so mean in that film and I think of him as the cuddly Snowman

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  7. His voice was one of the best things about Rudolph. The snowman even looked like him.

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    1. It does-that's what I love...I have to try to find that snowman

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  8. I didn't know he was brought before the House UnAmerican Activities Committee...but then, I suppose, who wasn't? Sigh. He WAS a sweet, jovial man!

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    1. He was and that time in life was full of fear and could cripple people's lives. I can not blame a person if they took the stand and spoke. He did not want to go but, like so many, wasn't really given a choice

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  9. Visiting from A/Z; cute theme you have going for A/Z. I do remember watching Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and Burl Ives voice with it.

    Good luck with the rest of the challenge!

    betty

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  10. Oh cool, one of my favorite sing-alongs! I didn't know who sang that song. Thanks for sharing! : )

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    1. he has such a wonderful voice and I love Blue tailed Fly now hum a few bars.."Silver and Gold...Silver and Gold...

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  11. Oh, boy....could he ever sing. He made me want to curl up in his lap :)
    Shells–Tales–Sails

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    1. Yes and I wish I could have when I was a kid

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  12. Oh man, I didn't realize he looked exactly like the snowman...

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    1. Yes and I love it that's why I want to have a snowman that looks like him

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  13. My grandmother had his Mother Goose Songs record...that's my earliest recollection and my intro to his songs. Seems like a lifetime ago.
    xxx Asha

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