JUDY GARLAND & FRED ASTAIRE video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hrzo5SPaOvg
I wasn't Born in a Trunk like legend Judy Garland - but that didn't stop me from mimicking her at a 1973 German-American Red Cross Benefit on the Military Base I was living in Stuttgart.
This time, my late husband & our 2 children were watching & I especially got a thrill out of entertaining a German speaking audience.
Who knows what they were thinking when they saw our Hobo/Tramp Get-ups:
"The American Economy gone to Pot"? No, that was the 60's!
"Should they send our Country a "Schnitzel Care Package"? No, but keep the Lowenbrau comin'!
Whatever they conjured up; they showed their approval & loved the Act! My singing & dancing partner was an English woman who I hardly knew - but we both were fired-up to do this.
Blackening my teeth with Black Jack Chewing Gum & uncombed hair for "The Bed Head Look" - I went all out!
But most of all; I loved "Dressing Down" in the outfit I threw together from the Thrift Shop on the Base where I volunteered every Wednesday. We got first dibs on anything that came into the Shop that we wrote up; and I bought & sold 3 years worth!
The place was so intoxicating; it's very possible that I even bought my own stuff back!
Goods came from Generals to Enlisted Men to Civilians like us & their families - buying, enjoying & then letting others have the pleasure - but who are we kidding; so they could buy new stuff!
This bustling hub of activity was a godsend with ever-changing goodies making our lives livable far from home: From European Furniture & Coo-Coo Clocks to Ski's & Crutches - to anything you can live without!
I had so much fun; I opened my own Consignment Shoppe when I returned to the States & then wrote a How-to Book on the subject & yes; I even had "the proverbial Kitchen Sink"!
So yes; I remember "camping it up" in torn & tattered duds, watching the smiles as we sang the captivating song that came from Irving Berlin's pen.
Now, whenever I watch the DVD of MGM's 1948 "Easter Parade" - my heart pounds once again; as I wait for my Cue -
"We're a couple of Swells, we stop at the best Hotels,
But we prefer the country far away from the City smells...
...We would sail up the Avenue, but we haven't got a Yacht,
We would drive up the Avenue, but the Horse we had was shot!
We would ride on a Trolley Car but we haven't got the fare..
So we'll walk up the Avenue
Yes, we'll walk up the Avenue
Yes, we'll walk up the Avenue till we're there"!
This was the highest Grossing Movie of the Year & won an Academy Award for "Best Original Music Score".
Other songs in the movie was the dreamy "It Only Happens When I Dance With You", "A Fella With An Umbrella", "Steppin' Out With My Baby" & of course, "Easter Parade"!
Note: Gene Kelly injured his foot & gave up the part to Fred Astaire & the rest is History!
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V.Corso
OS Weekend Fiction Club
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Blinddream
Procopius
Rob St. Amant
Salon.com
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