SilentComedians.com

tap dancer · Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 63

Hi everyone,

I noticed on the Harry Langdon Facebook page a scanned picture of sheet music with Harry Langdon's face on it. The song is titled is "Lulu", with words and music credited to Harry Langdon.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3361317&id=27414425321&ref=album

Does anybody know further info about this song, or about Harry's musical abilities?

nifwiggl · Site Admin Joined: 27 Oct 2006 Posts: 1132

tap dancer,

I think this would be around the time of "Hallelujah I'm a Bum" I just checked the soundtrack listing with no luck. It's gotta be early 30's.

Robin · Joined: 22 Jun 2007 Posts: 114

I've only seen this film once, but Harry definatly did sing some song in Hallelugha I'm A Bum.

tap dancer · Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 63

Yeah, I'm intrigued by this mystery song. I'd like to know what it sounds like. If I ever come across it I'd be interested in learning to play it.

I haven't seen Langdon's last film "Swingin' on a Rainbow", but I know that it's a musical. For anyone who's seen the film, how is it, and what were your impressions of Harry's performance in that film?

tap dancer · Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 63

Hi everyone,

FYI--I came into contact with Kristy, the nice lady who maintains Harry Langdon's Facebook page. She told me a little bit about how she posted Harry's sheet music for his song "Lulu" on Facebook.

Kristy saw Harry's song for sale on e-bay a year or two ago and tried to bid on it but was outbid at the last second by another enthusiastic Harry fan. So, unfortunately she did not had the pleasure of playing and listening to the song, but she managed to cut, paste, and save the picture of the song cover sheet while it was still listed on e-Bay.

I know it was mentioned in William Schelly's book that songwriting was one of Harry's hobbies....Well, whoever bought that sheet music is one lucky fan. I hope we can all hear one of Harry's songs someday!

booklover · Joined: 28 Dec 2006 Posts: 644

That makes me wonder about the "Beautiful Girls" soundie, in which Harry's singing (and even talking!) is dubbed by Cliff Nazarro. Harry had a decent enough voice, so why not let him do the talking and singing? Or just get Cliff Nazarro to do the video instead? Strange.

Ian Elliot · Joined: 26 Jun 2007 Posts: 295

One early '30s entertainment column stated that Langdon could play nine instruments. I have a strong suspicion that he wrote or collaborated on the two songs performed in TIED FOR LIFE, which can be seen (sort of) here:

http://www.archive.org/details/Tied_for_Life_Harry_Langdon

He sings and plays a banjo briefly in THE FIGHTING PARSON, but AFAIK Langdon's musical talent is best showcased in A SOLDIER'S PLAYTHING, where he performs "Oui Oui" very capably and delightfully.

booklover · Joined: 28 Dec 2006 Posts: 644

PickingPeaches · Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Posts: 162

tap dancer · Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 63

Picking Peaches, I had contacted William Schelly, (the author of Harry Langdon's first major biography and also a member of this forum), and he couldn't tell me anything further about Harry's original song compositions...maybe this can be a project for further research???

PickingPeaches · Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Posts: 162

tap dancer · Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 63

Hi everyone,

Here is some intriguing, updated info regarding Harry's song "Lulu", as well as Harry's other song. Ed Watz stated the following on Harry's Facebook page:

' "Lulu" was one of two songs written by Harry that were published in 1933. The other song was "Good Little Black Sheep of Angels." They were published as sheet music through an arrangement that Harry's producer, Arvid Gillstrom, had with his distributor, Paramount. Offhand I think Harms Music Publishing issued both songs. Bing Crosby, who was also appearing in Gillstrom's Paramount shorts, was featured on the cover of "Black Sheep of Angels". Incidentally, Harry's friend and co-star, Vernon Dent, sang this song in their two reeler "Marriage Humor". Mabel Langdon suggested to me that "Lulu" never became a hit because people confused he title with an older hit from the 1920s "Don't Bring Lulu". Hope this helps.'

Thank you so much Ed--you really are considered the original and foremost authority on Harry Langdon in recent years. Now I'm gonna go look for some Harry sheet music! Smile

PickingPeaches · Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Posts: 162

Thank you so much for posting this wonderful information over here TapDancer. It's much appreciated in the biggest of ways. This is very good news because this also means we just might have a chance to hear it after all. Oh my the beautiful Vernon Dent sang it?!! Wow! I want to hear him sing it. Vernon had thee most splendid singing voice I've ever heard before and seems most fitting because he and Harry were best of friends. I'm so excited I can barely type straight.....lol!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

I also am hugely grateful for all of your hard work into reviving Harry's facebook page. It's been a delight to see us Harry fans are not only still out there but very hungry for anything related to our best beloved one Harry Langdon. Though I'm not a member of facebook, it's been super awesome to see DAILY activity on Harry's facebook page and Harry fans coming together to share their love of our Little Efl. I thank you and everyone who participates, especially Ed who has had first hand experience with the Langdons, in posting additional information we were not aware of. It is as priceless to us all.

I'm also very happy to see his facebook page come alive because "if" his surviving family members do watch his page from afar, I want them all to know how deeply Harry Langdon has touched us and changed our lives. Of course in my case he also healed my life from the tragedy that was taking place. For those of us that know of Harry, he's very special. He's not like all the other comedians and only those deeply touched and moved by Harry on the inside of their soul can truly understand. He's thee most unique personality that ever lived and still to this day. Woops, when my love for Harry starts to come out......it's unstoppable!

I have some GOODIES coming next week my precious little Harry friend!!! Can you hear me screeching in delight....Eeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! Next week!!!! Both of them!!!! Thank you so much sweetie for pulling the information over here as well. (Sending you HUGE hugs and a gentle tip of my hat!)
_________________
"I don't want no apple now....I'll eat my apple after now." --- Harry Langdon from "The Head Guy"

A Tribute to Harry Langdon:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSlabEgd20A

PickingPeaches · Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Posts: 162

We do have an update regarding LuLu!

Most of you know the news already thanks to the facebook community but TapDancer and I are in contact with someone who has xerox the LuLu songbook and will be sending the copy to Tapdancer in the next few weeks. We're super excited about the news since us Langdon fans thought we would never hear what Harry's songs sound like. I'm happy to report we soon will.

Also there is a Harry Langdon page on facebook for those interested.

I also have a page that's 95% Harry Langdon, including never before seen photos of Harry Langdon. That page is under the name of Jessica Carlson. If you go to the Harry Langdon page, just scroll below to some pics/likes and articles and you'll find my name. Just click on that name and you'll be taken directly to my page.

I'll provide both links below:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Harry-Langdon/27414425321

http://www.facebook.com/jessica.carlson.908

You will have to be LOGGED in to view the page.
_________________
"I don't want no apple now....I'll eat my apple after now." --- Harry Langdon from "The Head Guy"

A Tribute to Harry Langdon:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSlabEgd20A

tap dancer · Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 63

Hi everyone,

Just to add to Miss Peaches' update. The person who has a xeroxed copy of "Lulu" is none other than renowned silent film accompanist Ben Model. As soon as he finishes his current projects, he will pdf the file to Peaches and me within the next few weeks.

Exciting news indeed! Smile