"Thoroughly Modern Mille" and "The Jazz Singer"

[Act0r721]

Posted: 10/29/07 at 8:54pm

So, I watched "The Jazz Singer" today and noticed that the finale song "Mammy" is "Muqin" in TMM.

I have never seen TMM. Is there an explicit reference to this?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/29/07 at 8:58pm

"Mammy" is considered one of those old-fashioned racist songs which was generally sung and performed in blackface.

In Millie, it's sung in Chinese, which is why it's so funny. Once the audience realizes what song it actually is, they crack up.

I actually thought it was the most clever and original part of Millie.

[me2]

Posted: 10/29/07 at 8:59pm

The joke in TMM is that it's a song about mother in another language, quoting the Al Jolson mammy bit. It was hilarious knowing the history of "Mammy" as a song/concept.

Does that make any sense? Can anyone else add?
Broadway Blog: Show Business: Take a Second Look

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 10/29/07 at 10:35pm

I always thought it was strange/funny that the brothers spoke Cantonese and sang in Mandarin. Go fig.

[BrianS]

Posted: 10/29/07 at 10:37pm

There is actually choreo for that number that imitate the famous Jolson "down on one knee with his arms stretched out waving his hands" move. Supertitles over the stage translated the Chinese lyrics. It was pretty funny.