And if sometimes she exploited it, why, heavens above

[sovay]

Last night's discovery: Elsa Lanchester and the Turnabout Theatre. I knew she'd done cabaret and music-hall in her youth, but I had no idea she'd ever recorded any of it. Imagine my delight to discover Songs for a Smoke-Filled Room (1957) and Songs for a Shuttered Parlor (1958)—as I wrote to nineweaving, "I don't know who wrote most of these, but I'm going to have to find out. They make me incredibly sorry that Elsa Lanchester and George Formby, Jr. were never on the same stage." To wit—

Never go walking out without your hatpin
The law won't let you carry more than that
For if you go walking out without your hatpin
You may lose your head as well as lose your hat
—"Never Go Walking Out Without Your Hatpin"

If you peek in my gazebo as you are passing by
You will see a sight that will delight the most fastidious eye
If you peek in my gazebo, you'll no longer be a free beau
If you think that you will be, oh, why not try?
—"If You Peek in My Gazebo"

When you own a porch and a garden wall
And friends like Pottington and MacFaul
You're being pretty wise
For when you sit, you can pick and choose
Oh, it's so much easier on the shoes
Than too much exercise
—"When a Lady Has a Piazza"

And why get tangled with electric cords and a blooming billowing bag
When all you need is a bit of spit and your finger and a rag?
—"If You Can't Get in the Corners"

Linda was a lady with loads and loads of charm
At parties she was always in demand
She had one parlor trick her lady friends viewed with alarm
But the gentlemen all thought that she was grand
—"Linda and Her Londonderry Air"

Who wrote most of these songs, it seems, was Forman Brown, who I really should have heard of before now, because he sounds awesome. Ditto the Turnabout Theatre, which closed in 1956 after fifteen years of sold-out shows—what's not to love about an evening of marionettes plus double entendre? And Lanchester's capacity for character voices, which I would not exactly have guessed from Bride of Frankenstein. I only wish I could have seen the skits that went along with them. Time machine, somebody. Is that too much to ask?

I'd follow it to Boston, but that would never do
I shouldn't like competing with the entire Harvard crew
Your face may be your fortune, but I like a different view
I'm glad to see your back . . .

Comments

[teenybuffalo.livejournal.com]

This is wonderful, thank you for finding these songs. I'd been meaning to look her recordings up for ages, and never had the chance. Now I have to figure out what's up with my computer and make it play them, because I have to hear how Elsa Lanchester sounds doing comedy.

[sovay]

Now I have to figure out what's up with my computer and make it play them, because I have to hear how Elsa Lanchester sounds doing comedy.

I think she's terrific. Enjoy!

[cucumberseed.livejournal.com]

These are amazing.

[sovay]

These are amazing.

I'm still looking for most of the other album. I'll let you know what I find.

[negothick.livejournal.com]

People have compared my hair to Elsa in Bride of Frankenstein for years--even more so, what with the white streak.
But I didn't know we had a taste for cabaret and double entendres in common! How I wish I could have seen these in person.

[wakanomori.livejournal.com]

Thanks -- this is fascinating! I'd not heard any of her songs before (though I think my dad knew a few of them). Interesting that she had such a strong US presence; I'd never have made that connection with Formby, but I guess Hollywood demanded it? I have to agree they could have made a great team -- a quick look around shows they both did panto at the Liverpool Empire, but a few years apart.

(Music sharing works -- I've just added a George Formby album to my iTunes purchases)

[sovay]

Interesting that she had such a strong US presence; I'd never have made that connection with Formby, but I guess Hollywood demanded it?

I think she and Charles Laughton were permanently in Hollywood from about the mid-thirties on. I just hadn't realized she kept up with the cabaret here.

I have to agree they could have made a great team -- a quick look around shows they both did panto at the Liverpool Empire, but a few years apart.

Alas!

(Music sharing works -- I've just added a George Formby album to my iTunes purchases)

Glad to have brought a little ukulele into your life. Enjoy!

[handful-ofdust.livejournal.com]

Man, there's just something innately hilarious and skeezy about the word "gazebo". I also love how happy and goofy she looks on both covers.;)

[sovay]

Man, there's just something innately hilarious and skeezy about the word "gazebo".

"Too late! You have awoken the gazebo. It catches and eats you."

I also love how happy and goofy she looks on both covers.

I feel deprived now that I've only ever seen her in black-and-white movies.

[ap-aelfwine.livejournal.com]

Fascinating. I've only listened to the one about the hatpin, but it's charming and well-crafted.

Thanks for sharing!

[sovay]

I've only listened to the one about the hatpin, but it's charming and well-crafted.

I can't believe there was this amazing mid-century songwriter I knew nothing about. I'm not quite sure I'd place Forman Brown on a level with Noël Coward right now, but give me a few more songs and maybe I would. Some of the internal rhymes are impressive.

Thanks for sharing!

Welcome! Hope you enjoy the rest.

[larryhammer]

Ah -- now this is one of the streams out of which we got Flanders & Swann.

Awesome in its own right too.

---L.

[sovay]

Ah -- now this is one of the streams out of which we got Flanders & Swann.

There is a giant four-disc box set of Flanders and Swann—including very early recordings from Oxford and parodies of Britten by Max Adrian—I dearly covet. Now I've been reminded and I'm back to being depressed. I don't think people do revues anymore. I have no idea what satirical songwriters are supposed to do with themselves unless they're Weird Al.

Awesome in its own right too.

I am glad you approve.

[larryhammer]

*catching up*

My parents have the Flanders & Swann box set. I ripped the good parts -- Drop and the animal songs album (I never did take to Another Drop, and the extras are middling at best). Worth it just for those two, though.

---L.

[ron-drummond.livejournal.com]

Yet another cultural realm about which I am all but wholly ignorant. Your joy at your discoveries is dearly compelling.

[sovay]

Your joy at your discoveries is dearly compelling.

I'm glad to share. More people should be able to sing "If You Peek in My Gazebo"!