Here's a rare treat - a rare film clip from 1929 of Joan Crawford singing, and a great performance of the same song by the Victor studio band The High Hatters.
Joan was one of the stars of MGM's musical spectacular "The Hollywood Revue of 1929." She is introduced as "the the personification of youth and beauty and joy and happiness." She sings "Got A Feelin' for You," written by Jo Trent and Louis Alter. Not only does she sing convincingly, she also does an energetic flapper dance accompanied by a chorus of male singers.
Although her career in films is badly tarnished today through the
controversial accusations of her daughter Christina, Joan Crawford was
one of the screens brightest stars during the late 1920's and early
1930's. She made the transition from silent films to talkies
flawlessly. Her classic beauty was eclipsed by only a select few. And
her screen persona was mesmerizing. Perhaps fellow actress and Crawford's long-time nemesis Bette Davis summed it up best: "Christ, that broad had a face."
In July 1929, the Victor studio band The High Hatters, under the direction of Leonard Joy, recorded "Got A Feelin' For You." Frank Luther is the vocalist on this record, and the muted jazz trumpet solo is by Mike Mosiello.
Download The High Hatters - Got A Feelin' For You.mp3
I think I'll also throw in the other side of the record, "Low Down Rhythm," written by Raymond Klages and Jesse Greer. This song was also featured in The Hollywood Revue of 1929 as part of a song and dance routine by June Purcell and female chorus. Frank Luther is the vocalist on this side also, and Mike Mosiello again is the trumpet soloist.
Download The High Hatters - Lowdown Rhythm.mp3
And here is Joan Crawford:
PS - a bit of poking around on YouTube revealed that all of The Hollywood Revue of 1929 is available (including June Purcell's rendition of "Low Down Rhythm" and all the film's the rare 2-color Technicolor sequences) from twentiesDOLL12213.
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