Bethlehem Porgy and Bess

[Kalo]

this clip

Wow...

That should set the cause of getting past White Guilt back several millennia.

Or more.

Just as I always envisioned it -- a narcissistic/masochistic heterosexual singing to a lesbian.

You mean EVERYBODY doesn't envision it that way?! Damn! There's another of my illusions shot to hell!

Though, come to think of it, it may be a *little* unfair to refer to Mel as a lesbian.

Greg M.

Torme suits the role of Porgy in at least one way: he's lame.

Is it my imagination, or was there just a touch of sarcasm in the way Steve Allen said "But you've never heard it sung this way" ?

[gmonahan]

this clip

Wow...

That should set the cause of getting past White Guilt back several millennia.

Or more.

Just as I always envisioned it -- a narcissistic/masochistic heterosexual singing to a lesbian.

You mean EVERYBODY doesn't envision it that way?! Damn! There's another of my illusions shot to hell!

Though, come to think of it, it may be a *little* unfair to refer to Mel as a lesbian.

Greg M.

Torme suits the role of Porgy in at least one way: he's lame.

Is it my imagination, or was there just a touch of sarcasm in the way Steve Allen said "But you've never heard it sung this way" ?

That's possible. Allen was very bright and a fine jazz connoisseur, but it's also possible he was just trying to be complimentary. Despite my wise-ass remark (I couldn't resist!), I've always liked Mel's singing. I just think he was *really* "miscast" as Porgy!! As for Frances Faye. Whoa. Twilight Zone time!

Greg M.

[Christiern]

I think George Formby and Hermione Gingold would have made a more suitable Porgy and Bess, but who's to say they didn't turn it down. Perhaps MG can tell us what happened, he once stayed in the same hotel as Alpha Blondy, and she never could keep a secret.