4 - Cole Porter (1891-1964), Something for the Boys
Something for the Boys Cole Porter (1891-1964) Episode 4 of 5 First broadcast: Thursday 31 July 2014 He was one of the most famous Broadway composers of his time, and many of his songs still live on in our consciousness today, this week Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Cole Porter.Cole Porter suffered a serious riding accident which left him with two crushed legs. His wife, Linda, demanded that his doctors save both Porter's legs, as she feared that an amputation would finish him. As Porter recuperated, he worked on the show Leave It To Me, followed by Du Barry Was A Lady. Reviewers in the UK reckoned that this second show wasn't the best of Cole Porter, but they did concede that even his second best was very good.The Second World War was now underway, but Porter continued to hold lavish entertainments, including pool parties where a number of attractive servicemen would always be invited along. His new musical, Something For The Boys, starred Ethel Merman and included one of Porter's popular patter songs, By the Mississinewah.Porter also became romantically involved with the dancer and choreographer, Nelson Barclift. Linda Porter was aware of her husband's homosexuality but, as long as it was kept private, she didn't mind. As Porter's affairs became more of an open secret around hollywood, their relationship became a little cool. However, the 1940s were to bring Porter his greatest success ever, with a show the critics had originally forecast would be a total flop, Kiss Me Kate. Music Played 17 items Cole Porter Overture, from Leave It To Me Conductor: John McGlinn. Orchestra: London Sinfonietta. Cole Porter Friendship, from Du Barry Was A Lady Singer: Johnny Mercer. Singer: Judy Garland. Orchestra: The London Studio Orchestra. Cole Porter Gavotte, from Du Barry Was A Lady Conductor: John McGlinn. Orchestra: London Sinfonietta. Cole Porter Dream Dancing, from You'll Never Get Rich Orchestra: Studio Orchestra. Singer: Fred Astaire. Cole Porter Since I Kissed My Baby Goodbye, from You'll Never Get Singer: DAVID ALLEN. Orchestra: Studio Orchestra. Cole Porter Overture, from Something For The Boys Orchestra: London Sinfonietta. Conductor: John McGinn. Cole Porter Something for the boys - By the Mississinewah Singer: Paul Laurence. Singer: Betty Garrett. Cole Porter Don't Fence Me In Singer: Ella Fitzgerald. Orchestra: Buddy Bregman Orchestra. Cole Porter Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye, from Seven Lively Arts Singer: Ella Fitzgerald. Orchestra: Buddy Bregman Orchestra. Cole Porter What is this thing called love, from Wake Up and Dream Singer: Frank Sinatra. Orchestra: The London Studio Orchestra. Conductor: Nelson Riddle. Cole Porter Miss Otis Regrets, from Hi Diddle Diddle Singer: Ella Fitzgerald. Orchestra: Buddy Bregman Orchestra. Cole Porter You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To, from Something to Shout About Singer: Frank Sinatra. Orchestra: MGM Studio Orchestra. Conductor: Nelson Riddle. Cole Porter Something To Shout About, from Something to Shout About Singer: Ann Hampton Callaway. Singer: Sandy Stewart. Performer: Studio-Ensemble. Singer: Arthur Siegel. Cole Porter Look What I Found, from Around the World in Eighty Days Singer: Sandy Stewart. Performer: Studio-Ensemble. Cole Porter Should I Tell You I Love You, from Around the World in Eighty Days Singer: Sandy Stewart. Performer: Studio-Ensemble. Cole Porter So In Love, from Kiss Me Kate Orchestra: Studio Orchestra. Singer: Patricia Morison. Richard Strauss Festival Prelude Conductor: Vasily Petrenko. Performer: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.