Trivial Pursuit #72

[Mary_Ethel]

Trivial Pursuit #72#0

Posted: 3/2/05 at 5:15pm

When SINGIN' IN THE RAIN was in production, the film's songwriters Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed were aproached by the production team and told they needed to write a song for Donald O'Connor in a spot where he was going to perform slapstick comedy.

They were told to write something on the order of, well, Cole Porter's "Be a Clown" from THE PIRATE.

Brown and Freed responded with a number called "Make 'em Laugh."


When the production team first heard "Make 'em Laugh," they were all QUITE SHOCKED. How come?


GOOD LUCK, Everybody!!!

"I say YOU'RE the CUTEST one. No, I say YOU'RE the CUTEST One. And we go on like that from dawn to three."

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

re: Trivial Pursuit #72#1

Posted: 3/2/05 at 5:18pm

there was a nuaghty word?

"Picture "The View," with the wisecracking, sympathetic sweethearts of that ABC television show replaced by a panel of embittered, suffering or enraged Arab women" -the Times review of Black Eyed

[StickToPriest]

re: Trivial Pursuit #72#2

Posted: 3/2/05 at 5:19pm

'Make 'Em Laugh' is painstakingly similar to 'Be a Clown,' bordering on plagiarism.

I believe the producers were so scared of the plagiarism involved in the song (and of a possible law suit by Porter), that they wanted it to be re-written, but Freed made them keep the song in.

"One no longer loves one's insight enough once one communicates it."

The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.

[Allie]

re: Trivial Pursuit #72#3

Posted: 3/2/05 at 5:20pm

Oh geez, I think I just read this somewhere...

Because the melody is almost exactly the same as Be A Clown?

*crosses fingers*

[Mary_Ethel]

re: Trivial Pursuit #72#4

Posted: 3/2/05 at 5:20pm

VERY Creative Guess, Caroline, but unfortunately, you're heading down the wrong fork in the road right now...

"I say YOU'RE the CUTEST one. No, I say YOU'RE the CUTEST One. And we go on like that from dawn to three."

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

re: Trivial Pursuit #72#5

Posted: 3/2/05 at 5:20pm

wow, you two are good.

"Picture "The View," with the wisecracking, sympathetic sweethearts of that ABC television show replaced by a panel of embittered, suffering or enraged Arab women" -the Times review of Black Eyed

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

re: Trivial Pursuit #72#6

Posted: 3/2/05 at 5:21pm

dont worry M_E... i would never have gotten it, just like a never win any of those damn contests...

"Picture "The View," with the wisecracking, sympathetic sweethearts of that ABC television show replaced by a panel of embittered, suffering or enraged Arab women" -the Times review of Black Eyed

[Allie]

re: Trivial Pursuit #72#7

Posted: 3/2/05 at 5:24pm

EEK! I finally know the answer to a trivia question, and Priest got it before me!! I can't believe it.

[Mary_Ethel]

re: Trivial Pursuit #72#8

Posted: 3/2/05 at 5:27pm

Priest, you are 100% Correct! Man, you be on a Trivial Pursuit Roll


CONGRATULATIONS!!!

(And honorry mention to you, Allie--you were definitely on the right track.)


Yes, per THE WORLD OF ENTERTAINMENT!: THE ARTHUR FREED UNIT AT MGM, "Make 'em Laugh" WASN'T INSPIRED By "Be a Clown"--it WAS "Be a Clown."

The Melody, Rhythm, and structure of the two songs are NEARLY IDENTICAL.


And yes, Priest, you are quite correct. Arthur Freed was a little dense about the whole thing and saw nothing wrong with the song--and as the film's Producer, he insisted that the number stay in.

CONGRATULATIONS on another job well done, Priest!


Now for your bonus points: What did Cole Porter (the Composer/Lyricst of "Be a Clown") do when he saw SINGIN' IN THE RAIN and saw "Make 'em Laugh" performed?

"I say YOU'RE the CUTEST one. No, I say YOU'RE the CUTEST One. And we go on like that from dawn to three."

Updated On: 3/2/05 at 05:27 PM

[Mary_Ethel]

re: Trivial Pursuit #72#9

Posted: 3/2/05 at 5:34pm

I guess Priest had to step out...

So I throw his question up to the Board:

What did Cole Porter do when he first saw "Make 'em Laugh"?

"I say YOU'RE the CUTEST one. No, I say YOU'RE the CUTEST One. And we go on like that from dawn to three."

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

re: Trivial Pursuit #72#10

Posted: 3/2/05 at 5:35pm

"wow! that song is great! why didn't i write something like that earlier!?"

"Picture "The View," with the wisecracking, sympathetic sweethearts of that ABC television show replaced by a panel of embittered, suffering or enraged Arab women" -the Times review of Black Eyed

[Mary_Ethel]

re: Trivial Pursuit #72#11

Posted: 3/2/05 at 5:37pm

Again, VERY Creative, Caroline, but I still think you're a little, shall we say, off the beaten path with your answer...

"I say YOU'RE the CUTEST one. No, I say YOU'RE the CUTEST One. And we go on like that from dawn to three."

[StickToPriest]

re: Trivial Pursuit #72#12

Posted: 3/2/05 at 5:37pm

I'm not sure what Porter's initial reaction was, but I know that he never sued, due partly to his gratitude toward Freed for hiring him to work on the film The Pirate during a dragging point in Porter's career. The Pirate, ironically, is where 'Be A Clown' came from.

"One no longer loves one's insight enough once one communicates it."

The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.

[Mary_Ethel]

re: Trivial Pursuit #72#13

Posted: 3/2/05 at 5:42pm

Priest, you are SO GOOD it's starting to FRIGHTEN ME!!!


Yes, Porter did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about "Make 'em Laugh"--due to BOTH the reasons Priest documented for us and the fact that Mr. Porter was in fact, a true gentleman.

WAY TO GO, Priest!


And your prize? Well, tomorrow, you're doing to be hired to do a wild comedy routine on a living room set in... Hollywood during the Silent Era! I think they even have plans for you to dance up and down those scenic drops of walls--but watch out for THAT LAST one--it's a killer!!!

Enjoy the rest of your day, everyone!

"I say YOU'RE the CUTEST one. No, I say YOU'RE the CUTEST One. And we go on like that from dawn to three."

[Allie]

re: Trivial Pursuit #72#14

Posted: 3/2/05 at 5:45pm

Do I get a consolation prize? My hat shop's not doing so well. I guess the ladies in Yonkers aren't into that kind of thing anymore.

[StickToPriest]

re: Trivial Pursuit #72#15

Posted: 3/2/05 at 5:45pm

Plus due to the fact that, I think, he hardly needed the money from such a lawsuit.

"One no longer loves one's insight enough once one communicates it."

The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.

[Mary_Ethel]

re: Trivial Pursuit #72#16

Posted: 3/2/05 at 5:45pm

"Be a Clown":

I'll remember forever,
When I was but three,
Mama, who was clever,
Remarking to me;
If, son, when you're grown up,
You want ev'rything nice,
I've got your future sewn up
If you take this advice:

Be a clown, be a clown,
All the world loves a clown.

Act a fool, play the calf,
And you'll always have the last laugh.

Wear the cap and the bells
And you'll rate with all the great swells

If you become a doctor, folks'll face you with dread,
If you become a dentist, they'll be glad when you're dead,
You'll get a bigger hand if you can stand on your head,
Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown.

Be a clown, be a clown,
All the world loves a clown.
Be a crazy buffoon
And the demoiselles'll all swoon.

Dress in huge, baggy pants
And you'll ride the road to romance.
A butcher or a baker, ladies never embrace,
A barber for a beau would be a social disgrace,
They all'll come to call if you can fall on your face,
Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown.

Be a clown, be a clown,
All the world loves a clown.
Show 'em tricks, tell 'em jokes
And you'll only stop with top folks.
Be a crack jackanapes
And they'll imitate you like apes.

Why be a great composer with your rent in arrears,
Why be a major poet and you'll owe it for years?
When crowds'll pay to giggle if you wiggle your ears?
Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown.

Be a clown, be a clown,
All the world loves a clown.
If you just make 'em roar
Watch your mountebank account soar.

Wear a painted mustache
And you're sure to make a big splash.

A college education I should never propose,
A bachelor's degree won't even keep you in clo'es,
But millions you will win if you can spin on your nose.
Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown.

Be a clown, be a clown,
All the world loves a clown.
Be a poor silly ass
And you'll always travel first-class,

Give 'em quips, give 'em fun,
And they'll pay to say you're A-1.
If you become a farmer, you've the weather to buck,
If you become a gambler, you'll be stuck with your luck,
But jack you'll never lack if you can quack like a duck
(Quack, quack, quack, quack)
Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown.


Music and Lyrics: Cole Porter


Copyright © ASCAP. All rights reserved.

"I say YOU'RE the CUTEST one. No, I say YOU'RE the CUTEST One. And we go on like that from dawn to three."

[Mary_Ethel]

re: Trivial Pursuit #72#17

Posted: 3/2/05 at 5:49pm

"Make 'em Laugh":

Make 'em laugh
Make 'em laugh
Don't you know everyone wants to laugh?
(Ha ha!)

My dad said "Be an actor, my son
But be a comical one
They'll be standing in lines
For those old honky tonk monkeyshines"

Now you could study Shakespeare and be quite elite
And you can charm the critics and have nothin' to eat
Just slip on a banana peel
The world's at your feet

Make 'em laugh
Make 'em laugh
Make 'em laugh

Make 'em...
Make 'em laugh
Don't you know everyone wants to laugh

My grandpa said go out and tell 'em a joke
But give it plenty of hoke

Make 'em roar
Make 'em scream
Take a fall
But a wall
Split a seam

You start off by pretending
You're a dancer with grace
You wiggle 'till they're
Giggling all over the place
And then you get a great big custard pie in the face
Make 'em laugh
Make 'em laugh
Make 'em laugh

Make 'em laugh
Make 'em laugh
Don't you know all the world wants to laugh?

My dad said "Be an actor, my son
But be a comical one"

They'll be standing in lines
For those old honky tonk monkeyshines

Make 'em laugh
Make 'em laugh
Don't you know everyone wants to laugh?

Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha
Ah ha ha ha ha ha
Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha
Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

Make 'em laugh, ah ah!
Make 'em laugh, ah ah!
Make 'em laugh, ah ah!

Make 'em laugh
Make 'em laugh
Make 'em laugh!


Music: Nacio Herb Brown
Lyrics: Arthur Freed


Copyright © ASCAP. All rights reserved.

"I say YOU'RE the CUTEST one. No, I say YOU'RE the CUTEST One. And we go on like that from dawn to three."

[Mary_Ethel]

re: Trivial Pursuit #72#18

Posted: 3/2/05 at 5:53pm

Surie, Allie, I'll throw in a few free speech lessons for you--but PLEASE REMEMBER--It's: "And I CAHN'T Stand Him!"

"I say YOU'RE the CUTEST one. No, I say YOU'RE the CUTEST One. And we go on like that from dawn to three."

[Mary_Ethel]

re: Trivial Pursuit #72#19

Posted: 3/2/05 at 5:59pm

Interesting point, Priest, but I'm thinkin' plenty of Artists with TONS OF MONEY would have sued because of such a blatant rip-off...

"I say YOU'RE the CUTEST one. No, I say YOU'RE the CUTEST One. And we go on like that from dawn to three."