Everybody start to swing

Hemerocallis "Fragrant Returns", lapping up the sunshine! [click to embiggen] At least that's what it's supposed to be - but it's more "buttercup" than "lemon" yellow, and if it is scented, I can't smell it!

The glorious heatwave that has held sway over the UK all week is having its last shout today (29C/84.2F) - from tomorrow, we're forecast to get back to near-normal temps with some showers by mid-week.

While the temperatures are still "up there", how about something totally cool, courtesy of Fred, Ginger and today's "birthday boy" Benny Goodman?!

Benny Goodman - Sing Sing Sing (with a swing)

Perfection.

Giving thanks for Fred and Ginger

Having a very quiet, laid-back day today, as a Sunday should be. [I was going to tackle the leaf-strewn garden, but it's been drizzling and miserable, and threatening rain all day...]

With that in mind - how about an old tradition? An ironing film!

Who better to introduce it, but the irrepressible Steve Hayes aka Tired Old Queen at the Movies?

Tired Old Queen at the Movies: Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers in The Barkleys of Broadway

Superb.

They just HAD to see it...

[click to embiggen]

...and who could blame them..?!

Ginger Rogers, Busby Berkeley - We're in the Money

Busby Berkeley - Shadow Waltz

Simply breath-taking. And ninety years ago!

[Shame we're not actually experiencing "the hottest weather in years". It's pissing down again...]

Dancing Queen

During this period of mourning, everything revolves around thoughts of HM The Queen, methinks.

I have already featured Her Maj's love for Duke Ellington, and The Lambeth Walk, but also among her avowed favourite numbers was this one, to which she and Philip used to love to twirl:

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers - Cheek to Cheek

Well, I suppose it is traditional for me to feature dance music to mark the end of another working week...

If the queue ever goes down - curent estimate is up to a 24-hour wait! - I might try and go to pay my respects to Her Majesty. I'm not overly optimistic, mind you.

I feel like peckin' and bunny huggin'

Yesterday was the 85th birthday of that immensely talented Great Man of Showbiz, Mr Jerry Herman! He has a special place in our hearts here at Dolores Delargo Towers, being the creator of such faboo musicals as Hello Dolly!, La Cage Aux Folles, Dear World, Mack and Mabel and Mame.

On this Tacky Music Monday, to brighten up the start to another no doubt godawful week in the stuffy office, here's a song from the latter. Usually known for the version by Angela Lansbury, here's not one, but two renditions of That's How Young I Feel - first an unexpected one from Miss Ginger Rogers and her "safety gays":

Ginger Rogers - That's How Young I Feel

...outdone and outshone (of course) by this bizarre version, featuring the combination of Miss Carol Channing and Mr Tommy Tune!

Carol Channing and Tommy Tune - That's How Young I Feel

I wonder if Mr Herman's singing this to himself?

Jerry Herman (born 10th July 1931)

Heaven, I'm in heaven

BBC 2 seems to be having a bit of a "Fred and Ginger fest" today, bringing back the traditional idea of showing old classic black'n'white musicals in the afternoon (as they always used to when I was younger).

I am in the mood for the music of Irving Berlin and some beautifully-executed Art Deco dance scenarios (when am I not?), so without further ado let us indulge ourselves in the elegance of Let's Face the Music and Dance:

Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers - Let's Face the Music and Dance

And here, from today's matinee Carefree is their wonderful "hypnotic dance" to Change Partners:

Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers - Change Partners

How life should be.

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers

A little Ginger

Another centenary today - the original icon of glamorous Hollywood during the Great Depression, Miss Ginger Rogers!

By all accounts in real life a complete bitch - she always maintained a fanatical Republicanism, and informed on numerous fellow stars and individuals in the movie industry to the MacCarthy anti-Communist witch hunts - she nevertheless was a radiant figure on that silver screen...

Fred & Ginger - Smoke Gets In Your Eyes (Roberta, 1935)

Now if THAT doesn't cheer us up on a wet Saturday, I don't know what will!

Ginger Rogers on Wikipedia