Hi there everyone! I am thinking about featuring a film/TV star once per month for people to become acquainted or re-acquainted with some of the greats of yesteryear. I will try (the big word is try) to post this on the first Tuesday of each month. This month is my mommy's birth month so I chose a star that was born on her birthdate (not the year though). If you have anything to add, please do so in your comments as I do always read them even if I am shamed to say I don't respond right away (slapping my hand for that one). So, without further ado, here is my first entry...
JIMMY DURANTE
BORN: February 10, 1893
DIED: January 29, 1980
AGED: 86 Years
DIED FROM: Pneumonia. Had suffered a stroke in 1972 and retired after this.
MARRIED: Twice to Jean Olsen in 1921. She died , suddenly, in 1943 on Valentine's Day. She did have a heart ailment but was not expected to go so quickly. He was devastated. He married Margaret Little in 1960. There was a 26 year age difference(anyone surprised at this?) and stayed together until his death.
CHILDREN: Adopted a girl, Cecelia nicknamed "CeCe" who became a champion horsewoman.
NICKNAME: The Big Schnoz or The Schnozzola. I think you can see why:)
This was a big man, not just in nose and comedy but, in heart. He started in Vaudeville ending up with Eddie Jackson & Lou Clayton where they sang and Jimmy would burst out with a joke in between the songs. This became a trademark for Jimmy. Later on, as he became famous, he made sure his old friends were always on his payroll, no matter what, and they would often appear in his films or TV shows. He starred with Buster Keaton in 3 big hits of the early 1930s, but Keaton's comedic style was snuffed out by Jimmy's, not by Jimmy's doing either(think studio interference), and, along with Keaton's drinking, the studio stopped making films with them as a team.
He was known for his great love of children and would often give his time and money to their needs. He would often help the "Fraternal Order of Eagles" (helps kids who are abused or handicapped) never asking for a fee when he performed nor ever asked them to pay for his travel or lodging but to take that money and give it back to the kids. This order changed their Children's Fund to Durante's name because he had, personally, raised over 20 million.
His distinctive voice, Lower-East Side mixed with screwing up the English language talking, and boisterous play made it easy to caricature him in animated shorts plus he was a hit on radio and TV never mind movies. On his Radio and TV Shows, he always ended the program with, "Goodnight Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are." For decades, people wanted to know who this lady was. There have been more than one theory but I believe it is the one where his first wife could not say Calabasas, CA and shortened it to Calabash, when they drove through the city. It became an in-joke for the two of them and he continued this on his show. Many of you heard his voice as the narrator of "Frosty The Snowman" and singing the songs from "Sleepless in Seattle". Actually, his musical recordings have been heard on many films even that dreadful "Joker" flick.
FILMS:
Blondie Of The Follies-1932
What? No Beer?-1932
George White's Scandals-1934
Sally, Irene & Mary-1938
Little Miss Broadway-1938
The Man Who Came To Dinner-1942
It Happened in Brooklyn-1947
The Great Rupert-1950
Bill Rose's Jumbo-1962
It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World -1963
This just cracked me up when I watched this movie (Jumbo)
His signature tune that he composed and Ben Ryan wrote the lyrics.
A classic
I hope you enjoyed this read and if you have anything new to share (or correct) be my guest. Have a great day!
Hi, Birgit!
ReplyDeleteThe first thing I'd like to express is that, when I was young, many of the stars of entertainment were born in the 1800s. That boggles the mind, doesn't it? Jimmy Durante was one of them and one of my favorites. He is a hoot as crusty old Smiler Grogan, the recently released con who crashes his car and literally kicks the bucket in It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. I enjoyed reading tidbits about Jimmy's life and career. How sad to lose your wife on Valentine's Day! My dad lost my mother the day after V-Day and never had a chance to give her the lovely card he had bought. I'll always remember that. Another thing I will always remember is receiving a Christmas card from my dad the day after he died. It's a keeper.
I am happy to read about Jimmy's generosity and charitable work and fundraising for needy children. When I played baseball in a 13 to 15 league, I wore the uniform of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the organization that sponsored our team. Yessum, I well remember Jimmy signing off his TV show with the line "Goodnight Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are." The explanation of its origin makes sense to me. It was a way for him to fondly remember his beloved first wife. That "what elephant" scene is a hoot. I also remember him singing that signature song. Jimmy Durante was a great showman. He was not handsome leading man material, but audiences loved him because he was the perfect type of guy to put a smile on faces during the Depression years and decades after. I also remember him singing "I'll Be Seeing You." He had that "suck it up and smile through your tears" mentality that characterized so many of the great stars of the early 20th century. That type of person is getting harder to find nowadays.
Thank you for profiling one of the entertainment greats who was a big part of my life in the 50s and 60s, Mr. Jimmy Durante. Have a wonderful Tuesday, dear friend BB, and I'll be back to see you tamale!
That is so sad yo hear about your dad and your mom. I bet that card is a keeper and you have it in a special place. You are so right that these stars and the way they viewed the world, is becoming more rare which is sad. We need to toughen up.
DeleteHi Birgit...Jimmy was one of my dear old Mums favourites...hope you are doing okay its been gales all weekend but apart from loosing some flashing on the gable we are okay...take care xxxx
ReplyDeleteHe was great. I’m glad I picked someone that your mom loved. Youbare getting hit with some major storms for sure" keep safe!
DeleteWonderful Idea. I had heard that Mrs. Calabash referred to his first wife but never heard the explanation. I remember him from television when I was growing up in the 50's
ReplyDeleteIt makes sense and when I saw parts of his show and heard his ending, I knew it meant something very close to him so this makes sense.
DeleteI certainly remember It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. Nice that he helped children.
ReplyDeleteIt is great how much he helped children and took no money at all..paid his way. It was a small part in Mad World but it set everything in motion.
DeleteHi Birgit - this is a great idea - I'll enjoy reading them. I certainly know of him - and now a little more. Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI’m glad you will enjoy reading about these stars.
DeleteBirgit,
ReplyDeleteI remember Jimmy Durante in the children's animation, Frosty the Snowman. You knew in a heartbeat who it was when you heard his distinctive voice. He was such a funny guy. I learning a little more about him with the tidbits you shared. Thanks for the smiles!
Yes, he was so good as the narrator and, even when I was a kid, I knew who it was. I love it that I was alive at the time he was too plus so many others.
DeleteJimmy Durante was a beautiful human being! Thanks for this enlightening biography. I remember him well and love the movie, It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. Don't feel bad about not responding to comments, Birgit. I'm just now getting to mine from Jan. 24.
ReplyDeleteHe was a good soul. Thank goodness I’m not the only one.
DeleteI think this is a wonderful monthly event. I have actually heard of him (surprise). What a great way to start this new monthly theme. I was impressed by all the information you shared on Durante, dear Birgit.
ReplyDeleteI’m glad you will like this and that you know him.
DeleteDurante is like Louis Armstrong and Carol Channing: someone who's a great singer even though they don't have a perfect voice. His version of "September Song" tears my heart out every time I hear it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-ldVj34Sfo
ReplyDelete"That note was given to me by Bing Crosby. And, was he glad to get rid of it!" Pure comedy genius. That and "Ah... dat's a trrrrumpet!"
He could really put his heart into it. In one of his movies, his character had a son in the Navy. The last scene was set in a nightclub, and in he walks as the son, dressed in a sailor's uniform, catches his father's eye, and yells "Pop!" Durante-as-dad says "Junior!" and they have a reunion on this crowded dance floor. I always thought that was such a great scene...
I know that song well and almost chose that one here. He did put everything into whatever he did. I can see that when he sings Inka Dinka Doo. I don’t think I saw that film with him and his son.
DeleteHi Birgit,
ReplyDeleteLOVE this idea!! A great opening subject to begin with as well.
I remember seeing Jimmy on TV when I was a wee one, he was always so accessible, charming and funny. My parents were big on the various variety shows that peppered the television landscape at the time and he was a frequent guest on many. His voice was imperfect but distinctive and full of feeling able to make anything he sang his own.
He was much too singular for big screen stardom but he added zest in support to any film he was in. He was a hoot in The Man Who Came to Dinner, It Happened in Brooklyn and Sally, Irene and Mary.
I'll be looking forward to see who you turn your eye to each month!! :-)
I am so glad you like this idea and hope you like others I will choose of which I don’t know yet..hahahaa. I remember Jimmy on variety shows as well and how I miss the variety show. There were so many and then..poof! He was always great as the character actor more than a lead. I still have to see The Man Who Came To Dinner and hope to finally see it this year...we shall see.
DeleteI think you'll really love The Man Who Came to Dinner! What a cast-Jimmy of course, Billie Burke, Grant Mitchell, Mary Wickes, Reginald Gardiner and the big three Bette Davis (more subdued than usual), Monty Woolley who is inimitable and Ann Sheridan who blows in like a cyclone and steals everything but the furniture whenever she's onscreen!
DeleteI know who he was, but I don't think I've seen any of his films. I should rectify that.
ReplyDeleteYou need to!
DeleteOh I like this idea! I'm always learning about new classics from you. I recognize him from Little Miss Broadway, but I don't think I've seen him in anything else.
ReplyDeleteHe was great on tv and the variety shows that were big in the day. I hope to see more of him as well.
DeleteMy favorite of his when he was in "Frosty the Snowman." That probably makes me unsophisticated.
ReplyDeleteI’m just as unsophisticated as you because I love Frosty.
DeleteGood idea, Birgit! I first became familiar with Durante on various TV variety shows we'd watch when we were very young. How can you forget a guy like this? And I always loved his song "Good Night." As a teen, I used to listen to a nightly all-sports radio show out of Cleveland hosted by Pete Franklin. This was way before when all-sports radio (or television) was a thing and each night he would close his show at midnight by playing Jimmy Durante's "Good Night." That's how and why I grew fond of this tune.
ReplyDeleteI applaud this new feature! I can't say I truly know Durante. I've seen Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad... but I think that's it.
ReplyDelete