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Rosemary Clooney Come On-a My House

March 10, 2012 by · Comments Off on Rosemary Clooney Come On-a My House 

Rosemary Clooney Come On-a My House, Girl singer Rosemary Clooney, who invited listeners to “Come On-a My House,” is brought to life in the world-premiere musical Tenderly, which is currently playing Dayton, OH’s Human Race Theatre Company.

Cry-Baby and 9 to 5 Broadway cast member Tory Ross inhabits Clooney in the 90-minute production that began performances Feb. 21 and will continue through March 4. Kevin Moore directs Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Musical.

Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman co-authored the musical that incorporates Clooney’s hits “Come On-a My House,” “Mambo Italiano,” “Tenderly,” “Half as Much,” “Hey There” and “This Ole House.”

According to the authors, “Everything appealed to us about the potential work from Rosie’s amazing personal story and her journey through very difficult times followed by a wonderful comeback – to the beautiful music that became her signature songs as an artist – to the fact that her roots are right here in Ohio and Kentucky. She faced many, many difficult times, some very heartbreaking, but she rose above it all and came out a winner. Her life is a lesson in overcoming obstacles and still being grateful, hopeful, and full of life.”

Ross is joined by Scott Stoney, who plays a host of roles including the doctor, friends and family of Rosemary.

Scott Woolley serves as musical director/arranger, with scenic/costume designer Bruce Goodrich and lighting designer John Rensel.

Vera Ellen

December 12, 2010 by · Comments Off on Vera Ellen 

Vera Ellen, Perhaps one of the greatest Christmas movies of all time, White Christmas does not have many children or a fat Santa Claus delivered presents. Instead, White Christmas is the story of two old army buddies had artists (Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye) who meet a sister act (Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen) en route to Vermont for the season of entertainment vacation. With a bit of collusion, all four end up at the same station, which is headed by the commander of the army of former days. The inn has seen better days, but things are about to see when the boys bring their big show in New York. Christmas in Vermont with all that snow – what could be better!

This film from 1954 is one of the strongest holiday memories of my childhood and I’ve seen countless times. Hilarious performance of music, including the genius of Crosby and Kaye perform the memorable song “Sisters”, the beauty of snow at Christmas, for a film that is centered on the “White Christmas” this song is one of the finest Christmas films ever made. The romantic angles are so stupid, with everyone trying to get everyone engaged or married, and that Clooney and Crosby struggle against their mutual attraction, autumn Kaye and Ellen in a romance easy. Dance alone in this film is spectacular, not to mention exceptional voice talents of Bing Crosby. Everyone is so beautiful and well suited to their parts, and the musical numbers are ideally placed and the feeling of nostalgia so strong that it is difficult not to fall in love with the film. Danny Kaye is particularly funny and warm, with Crosby as the strong center of all production. Pointing to only two hours, the film sails. Regarding the Christmas movies or musicals go, you can not do better.

This special “anniversary” edition DVD – the anniversary he celebrates is quite clear – is a spectacle of two discs full of reviews, interviews, video, and memories in time for Christmas.

Rosemary Clooney recorded an audio commentary by the film, and I suddenly understood why having two or more persons to a comment can often offer better content, because it’s much more difficult to remain seated and the monologue of a film on your own, but with another person, you can play each other and the memories seem to come easily. Perhaps Ms. Clooney had not seen the movie in a while, but she was very taken with her and often forgot to comment on what was happening, instead of laughing and acting like someone whispering behind you in theater. After a while it happens, and offers an interesting insight into different places or people.

The image quality of the film itself is not great: scratches, discoloration, and problems persist grains, although it appears to have been cleaned, it is clear that without major renovation work has been devoted in this version.

The special features will be interesting to anyone who grew up with the film or fans of various actors. Notably missing is a special kind of discussion or Vera Ellen, although the other three main stars are represented by their own 12 – 15 minutes of individual biographies. Well, the biographies of a way – short pieces on each include interviews with friends, family, and experts (movies, music, or history). Here “Stories Backstage White Christmas” and “Rosemary’s Old Kentucky Home” (the latter focuses on her home in Kentucky, which has been transformed into a museum Rosemary Clooney with the assistance of Miss America winner Heather Henry French). Also included are “Bing Crosby: Crooner Christmas,” “Danny Kaye: Joy to the World,” “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” and “White Christmas: Looking back with Rosemary Clooney “The Rosemary Clooney is actually quite interesting (it notes with something in the amount of joy, even if Vera Ellen could dance, she could not sing), as is the song Irving Berlin, and they are all interesting to watch but not very well put together. There are three other items on the disc, two trailers and a horrible infomercial for a piece that pushes the staging revitalized strongly enough, although if you already have the movie, I can not imagine wanting to see a rate cut version of perfection, not least on stage. All the bits are optimistic video, naturally, with little mention of anything but the warm glow of Christmas and the exceptional talent of the stars and filmmakers.

The packaging is quite good, with more cases of fake snow that flutters across the front of it (a note on the back reveals that the snow is not the consumer, so do not get any funny ideas). A pack of eight postcards of various scenes of the film is also included, which is good, but really, what are we supposed to do with these? When released, the DVD case is simply a matter of two DVD discs.

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