Comments on: Hoagy: Who’s That Cool Guy?

By: TCM’s Movie Blog

TCM’s Movie Blog — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 19:07:47 +0000

[...] years, particularly in her byplay with Charles Bickford in The Farmer’s Daughter and with Hoagy Carmichael in the neglected Night Song) As with her brothers, she struggled with her personal life, (enduring [...]

By: john

john — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:53:03 +0000

It is refreshing to read a mention of one of the least known of the great 20th century American composers. His music is so familiar and yet so uniquely his own that a Carmichael tune cannot be confused with other composers' tunes. I usually watch any movie I come across with his relaxed presence. He may not have had a broad range as an actor, but he was good.

By: moira

moira — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 18:20:46 +0000

Thanks so much for your responses to what Patricia (see above) described so aptly as "a special Hoagy Carmichael vibe that floats through the universe."In his seemingly offhand way Hoagy seems to have become part of the landscape musically and cinematically. His presence in any film and the sound of a few notes of one of his sublimely resonant songs are hard to describe to anyone who hasn't seen him or heard his music. Once seen or heard, however, the memory lingers and is easily recalled. It's great to learn that others might appreciate him too.

By: Al Lowe

Al Lowe — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:03:00 +0000

I am sometimes asked what my favorite movie is.I answer: To Have and Have Not. There's a lot of reasons but mainly because Howard Hawks movies are so much fun.But one is Hoagy, who adds a lot to the movie. Cricket asks Bacall if she is happy. "What do you think": she responds before she sashays out the door with Bogie.I didn't know "Skylark" was his. Linda Rondstadt did an incredible version of the song. And I always loved the Ray Charles version of "Georgia on my Mind."Thanks Moira for a needed and deserved blog.

By: Patricia

Patricia — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:10:40 +0000

Thanks for the salute to Hoagy. I think there's a special Hoagy Carmichael vibe that floats through the universe. The other day my sister phoned for no other reason than to say "Isn't 'Ole Buttermilk Sky' perfect?"

By: Medusa

Medusa — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:57:28 +0000

Wonderful post, Moira! I just love Hoagy Carmichael, too! His total lack of "actorish" artificiality in his movie roles was so refreshing and feels astonishingly contemporary when you watch him now. I haven't seen Night Song — another one I need to watch for — and thanks for linking to that YouTube vid; quite a lot of Hoagy material there!What a charming personality he was onscreen, and if he once fell out of style, I'll bet that will never happen again.Thanks for a terrific post, Moira!

By: Brockmeyer's Girl

Brockmeyer's Girl — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:17:39 +0000

Thank you very much for this! I've adored Hoagy from the first time I saw him in BYoOL. And once I started researching his music, I couldn't believe how many famous tunes he wrote that I hadn't been aware were his. I'm glad you mention "Night Song." This movie's not for everyone, but for a classical music lover, this one is full of all the passion I have for music and it's creation, and I never tire of watching it. Of course, one of those reasons is Hoagy's presence. He's particularly effective in that one, and he and Ethel Barrymore do indeed steal that movie right out from under the leads. They get all the fun dialogue.Thanks again for a wonderful post!