That's Entertainment! Page #7

---

with the picture...

and let Mama play the role of Dorothy

in The Wizard of Oz.

We're off to see the Wizard

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

You'll find he is a whiz of a Wiz

If ever a Wiz there was

If ever oh ever a Wiz there was

The Wizard of Oz is one because

Because, because, because,

because, because

Because of the wonderful things he does

I'm afraid there's no denyin'

I'm just a dandelion

A fate I don't deserve

I'd be brave as a blizzard

I'd be gentle as a lizard

I'd be clever as a gizzard

If the Wizard is a Wizard who will serve

Then I'm sure to get a brain

A heart

A home

The nerve

The Wizard of Oz finally did it for Mama.

With Ray Bolger, Jack Haley,

and Bert Lahr...

she really started off

on the road to success.

Whatever rocks or bumps

there were in that road...

she never let it show in her films.

For Mama, it was straight up all the way.

Somewhere over the rainbow

Way up high

There's a land that I heard of

Once in a lullaby

Somewhere over the rainbow

Skies are blue

And the dreams that you dare to dream

Really do come true

Someday I'll wish upon a star

And wake up where the clouds are far

Behind me

Where troubles melt like lemon drops

Away above the chimney tops

That's where you'll find me

They're writing songs of love

but not for me

A lucky star's above

but not for me

With love to lead the way

I've found more skies of gray

Than any Russian play

could guarantee

Clang, clang, clang went the trolley

Ding, ding, ding went the bell

Zing, zing, zing went my heartstrings

From the moment I saw him I fell

Chug, chug, chug went the motor

Bump, bump, bump went the brake

Thump, thump, thump

went my heartstrings

When he smiled

I could feel the car shake

He tipped his hat and took a seat

He said he hoped

he hadn't stepped upon my feet

He asked my name, I held my breath

I couldn't speak

because he scared me half to death

Howdy Doody!

Chug, chug, chug went the motor

Flop, flop, flop went the wheels

Stop, stop, stop went my heartstrings

As he started to go then I started to know

How it feels

When the universe reels

If you like-a me, like I like-a you

And we like-a both the same

I like-a say this very day

I like-a change your name

'Cause I love-a you and love-a you true

And if you-a love-a me

One live as two, two live as one

Under the bamboo tree

How can I ignore

The boy next door

I love him more than I can say

Doesn't try to please me

Doesn't even tease me

And he never sees me

glance his way

Summer Stock was Mama 's final film

for MGM.

Her last days of shooting here

were devoted to this number...

which a lot of people including myself

feel was one of her very best.

Forget your troubles

Come on get happy

You better chase all your cares away

Shout hallelujah

Come on get happy

Get ready for the judgment day

The sun is shining

Come on get happy

The Lord is waiting to take your hand

Shout hallelujah

Come on get happy

We're going to the promised land

We're heading across the river

Wash your sins away in the tide

It's all so peaceful on the other side

Forget your troubles

Come on get happy

You better chase all your cares away

Shout hallelujah

Come on get happy

Get ready for the judgment day

Forget your troubles

Come on get happy

Chase your cares away

Hallelujah

Get happy

For the judgment day

The sun is shining

Come on get happy

The Lord is waiting to take your hand

Shout hallelujah

Come on get happy

We're going to be going

to the promised land

Shout hallelujah

Come on get happy

You better chase all your cares away

Shout hallelujah

Come on get happy

Get ready

Get ready

Get ready

For the judgment day

Thank God for film.

It can capture a performance

and hold it right there forever.

And if anyone says to you,

"Who was he or who was she?

"What made them so good?"

I think a piece of film answers that

question better than any words I know of.

My generation...

Well, we're just beginning.

It takes a lot of film

and a lot of experience...

and a lot of talent to become a real star.

Now here's somebody who I think

qualifies on all of those counts. Oh, boy!

Mr. Bing Crosby.

You know, one soundstage,

well, it looks pretty much like another.

But a backlot, out here

where they shoot the exteriors...

that seems to me that the backlot

reflects the personality...

the character of its studio.

This was the biggest...

and I think, perhaps,

the best backlot in all of Hollywood.

Of course the old backlot looks

a little shabby right now, sort of scruffy...

kind of an illusion on an illusion...

but that's because

most Hollywood filmmakers...

they don't use backlots any more.

They prefer the real thing.

Hollywood.

Hollywood.

I remember when I did

my first musical at this studio...

they designed a big production number.

It was all to take place

in the vast Manhattan Railroad tunnel.

Of course we didn't bother

to go to New York City.

MGM simply recreated

Grand Central Station...

added a couple of thousand extras

and filmed the whole number right here.

Once again

Goodbye, pal

Out where they say

"Let us be gay"

I'm going Hollywood

I'll ballyhoo greetings to you

I'm going Hollywood

Say, while you sleepyheads

Are in that hay

I'll be dancing

I'm gonna be dancing

With a sun-kissed baby

And I'm on my way

Here's my beret

I'm going Hollywood

Well, it was vigorous, spirited anyhow.

I was, what you might call,

a casual participant in MGM musicals...

because over 20 years went by...

between the little effort

which you've just seen...

and my next attempt.

And I found fantastic changes

had occurred.

They had color, all stereophonic sound,

even wide screens.

And MGM, in a loose moment,

had decided to give me another chance...

in a little pastiche

to be called High Society.

This starred Grace Kelly, Louis Armstrong,

and Celeste Holm...

and was directed by Chuck Walters.

Oh, yes, there was another

featured performer in that.

What was his name?

A brash young newcomer. A Frank...

A clever kid.

He had a lot to offer, too. Frank...

Well, you'll recognize him

when you see the footage.

Have you heard about dear Blanche

- Got run down by an avalanche?

- No.

Don't worry, she's a game girl, you know.

Got up and finished fourth.

- The kid's got guts.

- Having a nice time?

Grab a line.

- Have you heard that Mimsie Starr

- What now?

- She got pinched in the Astor Bar

- Sloshed again, eh?

She was stoned.

- Well, did you evah?

- Never

What a swell party this is

- I'm going to have a drink.

- I may have a bit of the bubbly myself.

- I'm going to dance.

- Don't get hurt.

Oh, no.

- It's great

- It's great

- It's grand

- So grand

It's wonderland!

- We sing

- We sing

- So rare

- So rare

Like old Camembert!

Like baba au rhum!

Don't dig that kind a croonin', chum.

You must be one of the newer fellas.

Have you heard?

It's in the stars

Next July we collide with Mars

Well, did you evah?

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes