I have, over the past four years, mentioned in more than one blog post my love, since childhood, of the book Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster. It was one of the few books that both my sisters, my mother, and I all agreed was terrific (very hard to get all the Michie women to agree on any one title). I read it and reread it, and have read it a couple of times as an adult (as a matter of fact, I think it's about time for another reread). I have also mentioned, on numerous occasions, my love affair with musicals and men who can dance, men like Fred Astaire. Well, imagine my complete shock, when, a number of years ago, I was searching for Fred Astaire movies at our library in Connecticut and came across Daddy Long Legs.
How could no one have ever told me that one of my favorite books had been made into a musical with one of my favorite dancers? How rude of the universe to have kept this fabulous movie, quite a lovely adaptation of the book, if different, a secret from me all these years. Oh, but am I ever glad I found it, and oh is this scene in which this, one of my favorite songs (I did happen to know Something's Gotta Give. I just didn't happen to know it was from this movie), is sung, so perfect. Look at how well Astaire and Caron acted that (he commanding and sure, but hopeful; she skeptical and coy, but sure). They act, and they sing this fabulous song, and then, well, then...they dance! I rewound and watched this scene more times than I care to admit, once I'd seen the whole movie. (Is everyone tired of hearing me sigh all the time on Music Monday? Sorry.) Sigh!
7 comments:
It was one of my favourites as a kid, too.
I've always loved this film and consider it one of Leslie Caron's best. (I prefer it to "An American in Paris" although that's sacrilege to some.) I frequently tell Kendall that we should adopt a college-age French girl. I wonder why she never goes for it. They just made a stage musical of "Daddy Long Legs" that was playing here and is possibly Broadway-bound.
Thank you for that, Emily! I love the book but have never seen the film, I'll have to find it. And another copy of the book come to that. I don't think I ever owned it, always borrowed it from the library.
I love Fred! He's not the best of singers but he is among the best of dancers and a consummate professional. This is one Fred movie I haven't seen, so thank for bringing it to my attention!
Stefanie, You may also enjoy Astaire in "Funny Face", with Audrey Hepburn and "Silk Stockings" with Cyd Charisse. If you haven't seen them you owe it to yourself.
I read your comment on Charlotte's Web, and thought I'd have a quick look at your blog - firstly I was so pleased to see that you, like me, loved Daddy Long Legs (introduced to me by my mother) but then your next sentence blew me away "...all the Michie women...." that includes me, I am a Michie (by marriage) and in the UK it is a fairly uncommon name as it originates (like my husband) from Aberdeen. Right now we are living in Beijing and I'd take a substantial bet that we are the only Michies in China!
Lilian, how could it not be, huh?
Danny, Hmmm...I wonder why Kendall is so opposed to that. :-)! Look forward to seeing it on Broadway with you and the family if it makes it.
MFS, shopping for the book and then watching the movie sounds like a perfect way to spend a Saturday to me.
Stef, a must-see-movie if you love Fred. And I'm with Anonymous on Funny Face (love that one). I haven't seen "Silk Stockings," though, so that's one for me to find.
Herschelian, another Michie? Wow! There are very few of us in the U.S., as well. Yes, we do originate in Aberdeen. Funny, last weekend, I was having dinner with a cousin who informed me that his father went over to Aberdeen to look for Michie Castle and discovered it was nothing but a pile of rocks.
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