Is THIS the most UNDER APPRECIATED vocal performance OF ALL TIME?!!
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- čas přidán 22. 05. 2024
- Tonight we're taking a look at the stellar vocal technique on display by Bert Lahr back in 1939, performing 'If I Were King of the Forest'.
Original Video - • Wizard of Oz - If I We...
TIME STAMPS -
0:00 Intro
2:13 Performance
2:36 Analysis Start
3:07 Vibrato (Not Tremolo)
3:48 Super Fast Vibrato!
5:12 Sometimes it's Natural
5:50 Head Voice vs. Chest Voice
7:17 Singing in Character
8:19 WIDE Vibrato
13:20 Diaphragmatic Support
14:49 The Modern Equivalent?
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That lion sings with pride, that's the mane thing.
😂😂😂😂😂
Well punned!😄
🦁
Nice! 😂
From Wikipedia: "Many of Lahr's scenes took several takes because other cast members, especially Garland, couldn't complete the scenes without laughing. When warned that Hollywood had a habit of typecasting actors, Lahr replied, "Yeah, but how many parts are there for lions?"
Back in the day, this movie was shown once per year on network television in the U.S. Kids like myself would see it EVERY year without fail, as one of the year's big events.
I still love the movie, and I'm 63 years old.
I remember the same, it seemed to be shown around Thanksgiving. Loved it, I am now 65. We used to sing the "king of the forest" phrase as children, attempting to vibrato. I thank Fil for giving a us a professional appreciation of the performance, well over 60 years later(for me).
My sister knows right where the first commercial break was when it aired on network TV. 😂 She was watching it on video with my niece years ago and she suddenly said "Commercial time!" We all looked at her and busted out laughing.
@@sprite65 That's just great!
Yeah!
Oh for sure. I am 65 and such a big fan of this movie. And it is such an analogy on life. So so good. It was brilliant in its time and it is still brilliant!
This was such a treat and nice surprise Fil. My great aunt Mildred was married to Bert Lahr.
That is cool!
Wow!
Surely you're lion!
Wow that’s fantastic! Did they have children?
He started acting when he was 14 in Vaudville. He was trained, and professionally on the job, he would have seen all kinds of singing and acting. I don’t think people today understand that all the actors of the 30’s and 40’s were in show biz for 20-30 years before they were in films. Almost all sang and danced as well. Even standup comedians sang and danced. A rapper would starve to death in vaudeville.
Agreed Phillip - James Cagney was another classic example. Outside of his fame in gangster movies, you can see his real vaudeville versatility in films like Yankee Doodle Dandy, a movie I have always loved...
Some rappers can dance and sing, and many would have the same abilities if they had the same training as in Vaudville.
The best actors still learn to sing and dance. The Brits train with Shakespeare.
@@peztopher7297 And some of us Americans. I loved reading that to graduate RADA, all students have to sing a classical piece.
@@peztopher7297 I think Shakespeare was probably similar to vaudevillian In his day. In the US Hollywood has ruined Music, Theater and Movies. Also copyright laws have destroyed the music covering and local concerts and theater. If you don’t have ability to cover songs in performances you have to start writing your own music from your beginning. Few singers are composers or writers. Bands in the past learned their craft performing other artists songs. Until Music Streaming and copyright NAZI’s there were variety shows on every radio and television station. Artists made money from selling cover rights and sheet music.
I've watched the Wizard of Oz every year for 62 years. And this still makes laugh.😂
"put 'em up, put 'em up!" ❤🦁
RIGHT?! 😂❤
I must be in the same approximate age range as you are, because I’ve also watched it every year for as long as I can remember in my 69 years. It’s an incredible movie with talented actors & performers in every single role. There never has been anything like the original Wizard Of Oz in my lifetime, nor will there ever be. I’m so glad Fil decided to cover Bert Lahr’s performance.
@@barbarabutterfield2679 "Pullin' an axe on me, eh??"
@OwnedByACatNamedC.C. I just turned 67. Been watching it since age 5 and it never, ever gets old.
"I hope my strength holds out."
"I hope your tail holds out."
If you know, you know.
I do not know! What or who is this?
Same type of underrated as Jean Stapleton singing Those Were The Days for the TV show theme song.
I'm 76years old now. My mother told me this was the first movie she ever saw in color. There were so many 'firsts', unique special effects and technical innovations in this movie. Coupled with the extraordinary talent of the actors and their interpersonal chemistry, this is a standout movie that will never lose it's appeal.
It was one of the first movies *anyone* saw in color, as it was made at the dawn of color movies.
My father saw it in 1939 in its original release. He said the line was wrapped around the block.
It would have been interesting to see Buddy Ebsen as the Tin Man as he was originally cast, but he was allergic to the silver paint.
@@Px828 Completely gives the lie to the people who say it flopped when it first came out. But because the film was so expensive it took a while for it to make back its investment.
Just like Gone With the Wind. Same year, color and really good movie!
‘Sounds a little bit like a sheep’
Exactly what a cowardly lion would sound like.
One of my all time favorite movies, with stellar performances all around.
Thanks for doing this 👑
I didn’t even think of that angle-brilliant 😀
I remember Bert doing Lay's Potato Chip commercials in the 60's, and Margaret Hamilton doing Maxwell House coffee commercials as well.
Me, too!
The best part is that I now understand what it is that makes a muskrat guard his musk.
I studied classical voice for years and, after training, I realized how remarkable this was. It was also a parody of formal voice training. His overdone fricatives, rolled "r"s, and ultracrisp consonants are a riot, and just barely overdone. I wanted to end a recital with this song and there was no way I could have pulled it off. I did "Open Sesame," from P.D.Q Bach's "The Seasonings" instead. I also always thought his vibrato was a goat trill at the beginning. I never picked that up. Great work from both you and Mr. Lahr.
His "machine gun" or "sheep" style vibrato has always been so entertaining. Having you do a deep dive on this, was deeply fascinating.
Sorry, it's annoying to me.
Tangent comment: This movie has the best insult I've ever heard, "What would you do with a brain if you had one?" Second place goes to Bogart in Casablanca after Peter Lorrie's character says, "You hate me, don't you, Rick." Bogie replies, "If I gave you any thought, I probably would." Subtle, but effective.
Both movies are just jammed with quotable lines
I actually have a favorite line in this movie!! How long you stay fresh in that can!! Lol 🤣🤣
"Some people without brains do an awful lot of talking, don't they?" - Scarecrow
I LOVE that you picked this! Lahr’s cowardly lion never gets old!!!
I never thought we'd be following the yellow brick road with Fil! LOL I was prepared for this to be funny, and it is a bit, but it's also fascinating! I've watched this for almost 70 years now, and never really thought about what it took for Bert Lahr to sing this. Thanks for making me appreciate this performance even more!
That is the Truth ! 😊
I just saw the Wizard of Oz in a real movie theatre for the first time last weekend. As opposed to the small screens I've always seen it on it was wonderful. It stands up and more in every way even after 85 years. If you get a chance, go!
I agree that seeing it on a movie screen is fantastic after a lifetime of watching it on TV, but wow, it really was a bit shocking how cheesy Munchkin land looked. Many of the “flowers” were pinwheels, and the stream running through one scene was clearly a blue (wrinkled) shower curtain with water running over it. Still a classic, though.
I'm envious! I saw both Gone with the Wind and Lawrence of Arabia re-releases on movie screens, and will forever remember them. This movie would be perfect!
@conniedean1977 I had a friend who. I. 1990 had never seen Oz I color - her father refused to buy a color TV at that late date! So I rented it and we watched it on my 19" TV. She was simply awed. I would love to see her react to it in a theater, no matter the cheesiness 😊
Oh, I would love that!
@@nickimontie My sister and I got to see Gone With the Wind for... I forget which anniversary it was. It was wonderful! (Though I hated the intermission. Totally killed the mood.)
The line and his delivery of "The chipmunks genuflect to me" gets me every time 😂
Those people were all seasoned veterans of musical theatre/vaudeville.
They sang every night with no amplification or monitors and they had to be heard by the audience :)
Heard when they whisper by those in the back seats.
For some reason yesterday, driving home I started singing this. I do not know why, it just came to me. And today, I see this.
Crazeeeeeeee
I hope for all your fellow travelers sake that you were stopped in traffic with your windows down. Would have made everyone’s day! 😅❤
@@juliajones1425 My singing causes drivers to pull over as they think a siren went off. :)
No other movie has withstood the test of time like TWOO
Bert Lahr had spent decades as a hoofer and performer on the Vaudeville circuit. His biggest problems in The Wizard of Oz stemmed from the 90+ pound weight of the cowardly lion costume. Not only was the costume very heavy, it was so hot he was drenched in perspiration and had to be cooled down frequently.
Oof I can only imagine.
That costume was restored a few years ago, and I recall them doing a photoshoot with his son wearing it -- and his son looks just like him.
Poor Bert.
Decades later Fred Gwynne suffered the same problems being repeatedly made up as Herman Munster for the TV series - including dramatic weight loss for a larger man.
@@harmanx. How unfortunate for Bert Junior.
Just because of the endless re-watchability of this movie, I consider the W of Oz the best movie ever.
Yeah!
IF I ONLY HAD VIBRATO: When I was a young singer I heard others using vibrato. I liked it but I couldn't make it happen. It was a mystery to me then for some reason I thought about the Cowardly Lion and realized what he was doing. So I copied his exaggerated and then harnessed it. Since then I sing with vibrato any way I chose. That has been 52 years! Thanks Burt!
Nice to see old Bert being remembered.
Fil I'm Amazed and so proud of your range of Interest, and your accuracy of analysis. As a lifelong musician it warms my heart to see it
Charles Nelson Riley, an American comic actor, made a career using a version of Bert Lahr’s vibrato laugh.
I've seen 'Wizard' probably 70 times since I was 5 years old. Such great memories!
It held 'event viewing' status in our household, and was recorded once home video recorders became widely available and affordable to Americans.
May Bert and his Oz cast peers rest in eternal peace. Thank you so very much for such wonderful, warm memories.
I enjoyed this. Thanx Fil! This reminds me of Danny Kaye. He was another musical performer who had a silly way about him like Bert. Their acting combined with their vocals were great.
65 yrs old here…my family watched this every year when on TV. Always one of our favorite scenes, especially for our mom. Thanks for sharing!
And yet, astonishingly, there are no commercial music releases by him.
This movie has never been surpassed, and Bert Lahr is the best part of it.
You mean no movie has been better than Wizard of Oz? I mean, there's a lot of great film out there. I don't think i could make your claim.
@@trekkiejunk It is a matter of opinion. I know somebody who believes that "Holmes and Watson" is the best movie ever made. I don't think anyone but him has made that claim.
@@trekkiejunkIt's sort of like the world's greatest guitar player, there are so many of them
Thank you Fil! Bert Lahr was an amazing comedian, actor, and his style of singing is wonderful. Also this song is so well written. Listen carefully to the words and the use of the words!
Regarding Bert Lahr being the best part, I'm certainly inclined to agree. But then I think "Wait- what about Frank Morgan? And Margaret Hamilton? And Judy?" See what I mean?
It might indeed be one of the most creative vocal performances of all time.
Such a great performance from beginning to end. He gets my favorite line in the film. I didn't notice it until I was an adult. He asks the Tin Man, "How long can you stay fresh in that can?".
There’s a lot of fun insults that are easy to miss when you’re kid .
One of my sisters use to imitate the lion at the beginning of this song and we use to laugh so much. Love the Wizard of Oz! Thanks Fil!
In high school I used to do the same thing to make my best friend laugh! I'm glad to see that others had fun imitating this, too. (But of course Bert Lahr was the best at it!) :-)
Your sister is not alone- my husband STILL sings it! Definitely one of our very favorite movies.
This amazing performance goes under the music radar because it was too funny. I love this scene
This was my go-to bit as a kid to entertain the grandparents. Now my grandkids like when I sing like Bert Lahr...
To be honest, I would have never thought that what Burt Lahr did was even remotely technical. Thank you for bringing this to light. He really was much more talented that what I suspected. Thanks Fil!
Him singing this is one of the stand-out parts in the movie. Side story. My Dad was four years old when this movie came out and remembers taking the train to town with my grandmother to see it. He got so scared during the movie my grandmother had to leave the theater.
I was almost 6 years old when the movie was re-released in 1949 and I was lucky enough to experience the absolute magic of that door opening onto the wonderous world of Munchkinland and beyond! Truly a treasured memory.
That performance ALWAYS makes me laugh. It’s genius.
That voice, that vibrato blew me away even as a kid. Fantastic! Good on you for bringing him and his performance to light…
Reportedly, Bert Lahr had never heard of the Wizard of Oz when his agent called him and told him to audition for the role of the lion. (The L. Frank Baum book was published in 1900 and had been something of a sensation, and it had even been made into a movie in the silent movie era in 1910.) He had no preconceived notions about the role.
Frank Baum Oz books were just a jumping off point for the movie..
One of my favorite cinema performances. What a pleasant surprise.
I remember growing up there were only three movies that were shown every year on TV. The Wizard of Oz, The Sound of Music and It's A Wonderful Life. I was always team Scarecrow (If I only had brain) but The Cowardly Lion did have a majestic voice. Thanks.🌈
Cinderella was aired every year, and I remember the song lyrics, “In my own little corner in my own little chair I can be whatever I want to be…” ❤
Ten Commandments on Easter. "Moooses, Moooses, Moooses"
And Peter Pan starring Mary Martin (a filmed version of a live performance I believe)
I would like to add Laurel and Hardy in 'March of the Wooden Soldiers (1934)', aka 'Babes in Toyland. It was usually shown on TV around Thanksgiving.
Loved when the toy soldiers pushed the mean Barnaby and his Bogeymen back into the underworld of Bogeyland. Fav scenes include a marching soldier losing his head walking through a doorway, the mouse dropping bomblets from his tiny blimp, and of course Stan and Ollie activating the toy wooden soldiers to the rousing instrumental of 'March of the Toys'.
He did this PERFECTLY, as a Lion who was finding his ROAR again! Hail, Dorothy!!!! Wonderful, Fil, LOVE this!
I never realized how much talent and technique was required until your analysis of this song...I really enjoyed this...Thank you...
This performance is admired and remembered. Maybe young people aren't aware how very cool it was. That's what happens over time. Bert was classic.
I love this! God knows how many times I watched this movie as a kid. I remember sitting at the kitchen table gluing red sequins on shoes so I could dress as Dorothy for school in third grade 😄. This is such a fun song, and it's really interesting to look at the technique behind it!
It’s SUPPOSED to sound funny!! A wonderful vocal performance that is hilarious!
Love those songs! The singing was impeccable! No tricks
Timeless movie. I can still hear my mother and aunts and uncles singing along through the whole movie,haha . If you haven't, you owe it to yourself to watch the whole movie.
Thanks so much for featuring this classic. Lahr was the only character among the three (Scare Crow, Tin Man and Lion) to get two songs. Lahr actually had a 3rd number called "The Gitterbug" that was edited out for the final cut. I suspect that the writing and musical team of Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg had great fun in playing to Lahr's epic range of talent. The only problem for Oz was that it came out the same year as Gone With The Wind and was overshadowed at that years' Academy Awards. It was not at the time the classic that it has become. In my view, Lahr is so incredibly talented that he steals the show, in a good way, every time he has a part. Great to feature this. Big thanks.
My father (a musician) said that you have to be good to be comedically bad. Another example: Jack Benny on violin.
My favorite character-the cowardly lion played by the incandescent Bert Lahr. My favorite line is:” What makes a muskrat guard his musk? COURAGE!” Thanks ‘Sir Fil’ for this so, so very much, Marianne ❤😊 4:35
I think I liked the scarecrow the most, at least today that's what I think.
He definitely puts the ape in apricot.
@@jerryw6699 I agree with you. The scarecrow 4VR
Mine too
"What have they got that I ain't got?"
Playing it half speed was a great move. It helped to understand the vibrato more visually 👏
I'm so glad you are reminding us of one of the most durable characters. Thank you.
I don't recall when I first saw the movie. But, some images and characters are permanent. They have lasted for me, for 70 years. The cowardly lion. Absolutely wonderful.
There is a small surprise "blooper" in that scene with Bert and Judy that is hard to see unless you are looking for it. After his being mean to Toto, Judy comes to him and slaps him. At that point, he starts crying. Watch Judy's face at that point and keep your eyes on her face. She apparently was very fond of Bert, and at one point in his crying, she smiles briefly and buries her chin in Toto (who she is holding tightly to her chest) to hide the smile. His crying was so funny, she fell out of character, but it stayed in the film.
I'm gonna look for that next time.
I've always seen that, but, never thought that it was because she broke character. I just thought that she was giggling because he was being so whiny.😂
@@thequieterubcomethemoreuhe1198 hah! I didn't think of that. But if someone was being whiny, would you smile in an endearing way, or put on a repulsed look? This isn't my conjecture on the smile. It's long been recognized as a "blooper". Think of it this way. Bert was a well known, and well loved character dating back to Vaudeville. He was a mature gentleman and that was how Judy knew him in real life. Suddenly, here he is making baby crying sounds and tears are streaming down his face as he's dressed up as a hairy lion - something completely out of character for him. The ONLY reaction a 16 year old girl would have would be smiling at his portrayal of his a crybaby lion. At least, that's my take.
@@Lilliputian63
That's funny. 🤣 I'm not arguing that you are incorrect. It is possible.
Probable?🧐
I'm 57 years old & have watched this since I was 5 yrs. old & I watched it with my children over & over. I still rewatch it frequently, as an adult. It has been my fave.
I have always perceived this, the same. And after considering your explanation, 🤔I still do.
I can only assess it as logic because my reaction to anyone who is emotionally out of control or dramatic is to laugh at them or harshly, correct them. She did that when she smacked him on the nose. 🤣
Naturally, when he whined about being corrected, the logical mind laughs at the continued, emotional display.
(But, I laugh too at his antics so.....her giggle may have been impulsive).
I just don't see Judy breaking character, at all. I think those who 'believe' that she broke character, underestimate her @16 yrs old. She was far more mature & disciplined than that.
Had you given me a source where the 'rumor' is changed into a fact? I'd change my mind, with a woooof, and a woooof & a rrrrrrrrroyale growl.......wooooof!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
@@thequieterubcomethemoreuhe1198 Well, I have you by a few years but I won't tell you by how many. I'm sorry, I'm not going to spend a second trying to convert you. If you believe that people smile when someone is being annoying/whiny, that's your prerogative. I'd suggest you use Google to search out all the mentions of Judy smiling. I think you'll see that few agree with you. But c'est la vie!
Under appreciated from a technical POV maybe, but not for Bert's entertaining delivery. These songs, and even many of the special effects, from The Wizard of Oz have held up remarkably well.
Hi Fil,
This was a fun way to end the weekend. A hop, skip and a jump with you down the Yellow Brick Road! This is such a classic movie and I don’t think anyone else could have played the Cowardly Lion as well as Bert. This was a great analysis and Bert really pulls out all the stops, vocally, comedy-wise and acting. So fun to look at his vibrato and how much it lent to his/ this performance of the Cowardly Lion. Great job breaking down his vocal abilities and talent. Thanks for this fun video today! Debbie☮️
OMG, Fil, I can't believe you are analyzing Bert Lahr's timeless Cowardly Lion song. He was a genius. Wizard of Oz was a groundbreaking modern fairy tale and the movie is a timeless classic
FINALLY this is analyzed.. and with the respect it deserves. Thank you!
Wow! That was so much fun to see & hear. This brought back a lot of memories of watching the classic "Wizard Of Oz". Bert Lahr was such a great character for the cowardly lion!
Beyond classy ❤
As a kid I was just entertained, never thought of how talented they were
One of my all time favorite movies...from childhood to now 71 !! Magic!!
Excellent Fil!
Most of us would simply acknowledge this as a great comedic performance yet you have taken a deeper dive into the finer points of the matter.
Really good stuff, Fil.
A requested vid? Wow! What a great viewership you have.🤗
To think a movie this old stood the test of time. Amazing.
That’s what makes a movie classic ❤
You were right, Fil. This was fun and your explanation was very interesting. I've enjoyed the movie for over 60 years but never gave this technique much thought. Thanks!
how wonderful. thank you for this short visit to my childhood.:)
What impresses me about Fil is not only does he understand vocal technique and talk us thru the vid, he also is able to sing/reproduce/demonstrate the vocal technique (mostly,'lol) to make the explanation truly coherent.
Y’a Fil can sing anything and I love his demos!
Thank you Fil for highlighting one of my favorite scenes from one of my favorite movies. As a child I remember looking forward to watching it around Thanksgiving every year since the early 1960s!
Bert Lahr was very talented, a real class act - whose contribution added immensely to the enjoyment of 'The Wizard of Oz', one of the most popular, and technically perfect (IMO) films of all time.
Still want to know what makes the Hottentots so hot. 🤔
What puts the ape in apricot?
You should revisit Judy Garland's Over The Rainbow one more time, but with a twist: pitch "correct" it yourself as best as you can so we can hear firsthand how badly the process mangles the art. It would also be helpful to have such data to see if a model can be derived to reverse the process based on the characteristics of the distortion.
100 years ago there were pianos, organs or some other musical instrument in homes. People made their own entertainment. You sang songs that were churned out on sheets in NYC. Written by prolific American composers. Music theaters, dance halls and stages were in every small town in America
This was so fun! Thank you, Fil 🎉❤
Fil: what he is doing is extremely difficult, and you can hear what a good singer he is.
Also Fil: demonstrates the technique and nails it.
Fil…you are an absolute treasure. I wish you would release more of your own music, or even the fantastic covers you do. Keep making music!
I first saw this movie in a theater when I was around 7 years old. (I am now 77) I was going to day camp and this was a real treat for us. I was so fascinated with the movie that, when it ended, I stayed wanting to see it again. You could do that back then. The camp counselors had ushered us out thinking they had everyone in tow. They finally realized I was missing and came back for me. I was very disappointed! I have seen this movie so many times since. Unlike the rest of us, it never grows old. And the music is certainly timeless. 😎
Do we get the Scarecrow and Tinman analysis also. Please do. These entertainers are the real deal vocally. Such a fun way to end a rainy Sunday. Thank you so much for this.
Bert Lahr was absolutely perfect for this role, and as a kid, I LOVED this performance. I 100% imitated it SO many times, and I'm sure it was a master class in vocal control that I didn't even know I was taking. 🤣
I love "The Wizard of Oz"..!! The MGM movie was very corny and silly, but the performances were enduring & adorable. Those ef'fin monkeys gave me nightmares when i was just a rug-rat, and my Mom had to put a bucket of water by my bed to get me to sleep. It also helped that it was raining cats n dogs outside so impossible for the Wicked Witch to get me..!! But,,, Frank Baum's 'Wizard of Oz' novel is fantastic, and really a masterpiece in American Literature. written in 1890's and first published in 1900, when Yoga first came to USA by Swami Vivekananda. Baum masterfully intertwined Hinduism and Eastern thought into the book, which is written for both children, and the Adults reading the book to them. I HIGHLY recommend this classic story to everyone.!!
Fil.. as always you’ve given us an excellent breakdown/reaction to this classic performance. As many others have mentioned - I’ve watched this movie/video pretty much every year since I was a child - so 65+ years… It never grows old, and as a matter of fact I’m more impressed, and appreciate it more now than when I was younger. It’s especially impressive when one factors in how the costumes in those days would have made the roles so much more challenging than any actors today could even imagine!
We all as kids tried too sing this at one time or the other in the 70s it gave us goosebumpys lol
Bravo, Fil. You put the ape in apricot.
" If I were the King of the Forrrrest"! Ment to to be humorous. Also Lion like.... Extreme..
Thank you for your service and expertise.
Wings of Pegasus!!!!
WoZ is my favorite movie. Dorothy was my heroine 🧚🏼
Even when I was a kid I realised that this was a difficult song that he sang very good and managed to get laughs at the same time. As an adult, it is wow! How is this never mentioned in a "difficult songs to sing while acting as a lion in a 90 pound suit" contest? Probably because Bert Lahr was the only one to ever do it.
His performance really embodied the character of the Cowardly Lion so well. This song has the perfect blend of the soft, mincing style and the gravelly, bombastic roar. He knows he's a Lion, and has that dramatic flair for it, but he's also generally such a gentle creature that he keeps his light, romantic side on his nonexistent sleeve.
In ways, the end of Hakuna Matata, where we hear Simba as an adult for the first time, has echoes of this song. He blasts out with his full enthusiasm as the refrain picks up, but then immediately softens into a delicate harmony with the other guys, complete with a flamboyant "oooh" and the precise, almost tiptoeing "ma-ta-ta."
(And right now I'm realizing there are a fair few Wizard echoes in Lion King in general- giant floating guy, enemy with green mysterious scenery and infinite flunkies, funky mentor that comes and goes faster than the protag can follow, a buddy who's smarter than he thinks, and more.)
I so loved seeing you enjoy and appreciate Bert's amazing singing on this song! 😄From the age of five (62 years ago)I remember being awestruck by his voice and knowing it was something special.
Whenever I think of this tune, I think of my cat lurking about the back yard. Bert Lahr was amazing! Thank you, FIL, for this nostalgic and fun song!
Thank you, Fil, for this fun analysis! The Wizard of Oz is a timeless classic, and I've seen it several times, and enjoyed it. Congrats on 367k subscribers! Rock!
This is awesome. When I was a child i was afraid of the Lion until I could see he wasn't going to harm the others on the journey. The best part is when he dove through the window, fleeing the wizard.
Tragic that Bert didn't appear in more movies.
Loving this Oz analysis series!
The “Wizard of Oz”, was always looked forward to with great excitement in our home, growing up. Still enjoy watching after all these years! The Cowardly Lion was everyone’s favorite. Thanks Fil for analyzing Bert Lahr’s memorable performance. So nice watching your reaction to this!!
I always loved the lion. When he thought someone had his tail, but he was holding it himself, it was so funny 😂😂 My brother always wanted to play the lion part 😊 He was my favorite, but I was afraid of the "Flying Monkies" 😂 Hope you have a Great week, Fil ❤️
I was always afraid of the wicked witch.
I used to sit on my aunt's lap during the Thanksgiving TV showing. When the flying monkets showed up I'd bounce on her knees and say, "Cover my eyes! Cover my eyes!" They were so scary.
Bert in 1938s Shirley Temple "Just around the corner" film you can hear the same voice you instantly know its him even without seeing him.
When he sings Forest, I don't know that that was so much of a vibrato as it was stopping the air and starting it again. I can imitate that.
I was curious if Bert Lahr had training for his voice and acting. But, his talent was, from what I could find so far, totally natural. He didn't have professional training aside from what he learned from having a career that started out in burlesque and vaudeville. I discovered his son, John, wrote a biography of his dad, Notes on a Cowardly Lion: The Biography of Bert Lahr. Thanks for a fun analysis, Fil!
Bert would have got his training doing Vandeville.
A little technical note. The recordings for films in those days were optical (on film) rather than magnetic tape (didn't arrive in the US until after WWII), which meant they could be edited by splicing. Also the munchkins' voices were recorded at an undercranked speed to pitch them up.
One of my all time favs. Now I can watch with my other fav, Fil! Much appreciation for the talents of Harold Arlen (music) and Kip Harburg (lyrics) who wrote the songs for this movie.
Thanks for this fun trip down memory lane, Fil! I think Bert would get a kick out of this and would love that we're still appreciating his talents still in 2024. :-)
omg I sooo love that movie, The lion was my favorite
My favorite line is when he pulls his tail and yells OW! When the crew asks what's wrong, he says someone pulled his tail 😂😂
@@nickimontie "You did it yourself!" My sister and I have somehow incorporated this line into everyday life. :)
IKR lol
AGREED, 100%!!! Most all of the greatest Hollywood stars came directly from the vaudeville stage, which is where they honed their skills to such a degree of perfection. This is the same place where people like Milton Berle and Judy Garland got their incredible chops.