PETULA CLARK :: THESE ARE MY SONGS :: OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL PARTNERSHIP! - SONGS FROM THE STAGE AND SCREEN (Sound Advice Issue #16

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OH, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL PARTNERSHIP! - SONGS FROM THE STAGE AND SCREEN

Petula's association with recording songs from the stage and screen is prolific having recorded in excess of over 200 songs from musicals written by the likes of Rodgers and Hammerstein, Irving Berlin, Charlie Chaplin, George and Ira Gershwin, Alan J Learner, Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Willy Russell to name but a few.

In a late career move, Petula made the successful transistion to the stage when in 1981 she opened to critical acclaim and made her West End debut in the London revival of The Sound Of Music. In 1990, Petula starred in her own musical Someone Like You which enjoyed a brief run in London's West End at The Strand Theatre (now The Novello) before making her Broadway debut as Mrs. Johnstone in Willy Russell's hit musical Blood Brothers at The Music Box Theatre. In 1995, Petula made a magnificent return to London's West End playing Norma Desmond in Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of Sunset Boulevard at The Adelphi Theatre.

Here we present the first instalment of a six part series showcasing songs from the stage and screen recorded by Petula. This unique series is presented in chronological order by recording date and includes facts, figures, ephemera and videos from our archive collection.

Join the discussion every Sunday on Twitter @Petula_Clark where we select our Sunday Show Tune recorded / performed by Petula.

Listen, debate and enjoy!

"Smile" (Modern Times; 1954 and 1968)

"Smile" is a song based on an instrumental theme used in the soundtrack for the 1936 Charlie Chaplin movie "Modern Times". Chaplin composed the music, inspired by Puccini's Tosca. John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons added the lyrics and title in 1954. In the lyrics, based on lines and themes from the film, the singer is telling the listener to cheer up and that there is always a bright tomorrow, just as long as they smile. "Smile" has become a popular standard since its original use in Chaplin's film. Petula recorded "Smile" in 1954, with accompaniment directed by Joe Henderson and issued in the UK on Polygon. In 1968, Petula recorded "Smile" again for her album "The Other Man's Grass Is Always Greener" produced by Sonny Burke and issued in the UK on Pye Records.

"We're A Couple Of Swells" (Easter Parade; 1954)

"We're A Couple Of Swells" is from the 1948 American musical film Easter Parade starring Judy Garland, Fred Astaire and Peter Lawford, featuring music by Irving Berlin. Petula's recording of this song is with the orchestra leader Billy Ternent and comes from the BBC Radio Light programme "Ternent's In Town" broadcast on 29 August 1954. The recording, presumed lost, was re-discovered in 2009 on a BBC acetate, some 55 years after it was originally broadcast and issued on the 2009 CD "Lost And Found" released by Stage Door Records.

"Fascinating Rhythm" (Lady Be Good; 1954)

"Fascinating Rhythm" is a popular song written in 1924 by George and Ira Gershwin. The song was first introduced by Cliff Edwards, Fred Astaire and Adele Astaire in the Broadway musical "Lady Be Good". Petula's recording of "Fascinating Rhythm" with backing by Laurie Johnson and His Orchestra was first issued in the UK in December 1954 on the Polygon label and was the B side to Petula's second UK chart single "Majorca" which peaked at #12 and remained in the UK charts for 5 weeks in 1955. Petula's recording was later reissued in 1956 on Pye Nixa.

"It's Foolish But It's Fun" (That Certain Age; 1957)

"It's Foolish But It's Fun" is from the 1938 American musical film "That Certain Age" starring Deanna Durbin and Melvyn Douglas. Petula's recording of "It's Foolish But It's Fun" was recorded in London in 1957 for her debut studio album "You Are My Lucky Star", issued by Pye Nixa.

"Sonny Boy" (The Singing Fool; 1957)

"Sonny Boy" is a song written by Ray Henderson, Bud De Sylva, and Lew Brown. The hyper-sentimental tearjerker was featured in the 1928 talkie "The Singing Fool", a musical drama, part-talkie motion picture starring Al Jolson. "Sonny Boy" became the first song from a movie to sell over a million copies. Petula's recording of "Sonny Boy" was recorded in London in 1957 for her debut studio album, "You Are My Lucky Star", issued by Pye Nixa.

"Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart" (Listen Darling; 1957)

"Zing! Went the Strings Of My Heart" is a popular song from 1934 with words and music by James F. Hanley. It was introduced by Hal Le Roy and Eunice Healey in the Broadway revue "Thumbs Up!". The most notable recordings were made by Judy Garland, who recorded it numerous times, including in the 1938 MGM film "Listen, Darling" and for Decca Records in 1939. "Zing! Went the Strings Of My Heart" was one of the first songs that Barbra Streisand recorded when she was just 13 years old. Petula''s recording of ""Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart" was recorded in London in 1957 for her debut studio album, "You Are My Lucky Star", issued by Pye Nixa.

"Alone" (A Night At The Opera; 1957)

"Alone" is a popular musical number, first performed by Allan Jones and Kitty Carlisle in the 1935 Marx Brothers film "A Night At The Opera". The lyrics are by Arthur Freed, with music by Nacio Herb Brown. The song was also performed by Judy Garland in the 1940 film "Andy Hardy Meets Debutante". Petula's recording of "Alone" was recorded in London in 1957 for her debut studio album, "You Are My Lucky Star", issued by Pye Nixa. Other notable recordings include Johnny Hartman's version for his 1959 album "And I Thought About You", and Sarah Vaughan on her 1957 live album "At Mister Kelly's".

"I, Yi, Yi, Yi, Yi" (That Night In Rio; 1957)

"I, Yi, Yi, Yi, Yi (I Like You Very Much)" was written for the 1941 film, "That Night in Rio", and was popularised by Carmen Miranda. The lyrics were written by Mack Gordon and the music by Harry Warren. Petula Clark's recording of "I, Yi, Yi, Yi, Yi" was recorded in London in 1957 for her debut studio album, "You Are My Lucky Star", issued by Pye Nixa. In 1990, a previously unreleased version of "I, Yi, Yi, Yi, Yi" recorded by Petula Clark in 1957 was discovered and issued by C5 Records on the album "You Are My Lucky Star" (C5CD 551). Top Right: In the 1940's, Petula regularly performed an impersonation of Carmen Miranda!

"Goodnight My Love" (Stowaway; 1957)

"Goodnight My Love" is a popular song with music by Mack Gordon and lyrics by Harry Revel, published in 1936. It was incorporated in the 1936 movie "Stowaway", where it is sung first by Shirley Temple and later by Alice Faye. Temple also sings part of the song as part of a medley in her 1938 film "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm". Sarah Vaughan recorded the song for her album Sarah Vaughan in Hi-Fi (1950) and Ella Fitzgerald recorded it on her Capitol 1968 release, 30 by Ella. Tina Louise recorded it for her one and only album, 1957's "It's Time for Tina" and Petula Clark's recording appeared on her debut studio album, "You Are My Lucky Star", issued by Pye Nixa.

"I Wish I Knew" (Diamond Horseshoe; 1957)

"I Wish I Knew" is a song written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren, which appeared in the 1945 Technicolor musical film "Diamond Horseshoe" (also billed as "Billy Rose's Diamond Horseshoe") starring Betty Grable and Dick Haymes. Petula Clark's recording of "I Wish I Knew" appeared on her debut studio album, "You Are My Lucky Star", issued by Pye Nixa.

"Slumming On Park Avenue" (On The Avenue; 1957)

"Slumming On Park Avenue" is a song written by Irving Berlin, which appeared in the 1937 American musical film "On The Avenue" starring Dick Powell, Madeleine Carroll, Alice Faye, George Barbier, and The Ritz Brothers. Petula Clark's recording of "Slumming On Park Avenue" was recorded in London in 1957 for her debut studio album, "You Are My Lucky Star", issued by Pye Nixa.

"As Time Goes By" (Casablanca; 1957)

"As Time Goes By" is a song written by Herman Hupfeld in 1931. It became most famous in 1942 when part of it was sung by the character Sam (Dooley Wilson) in the Warner Bros. movie "Casablanca" starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Paul Henreid. Petula Clark's recording of "As Time Goes By" was recorded in London in 1957 for her debut studio album, "You Are My Lucky Star", issued by Pye Nixa.

"It's The Natural Thing To Do" (Double or Nothing and Rhythm On The River; 1957)

"It's The Natural Thing To Do" is a song written by John Burke and Arthur Johnston for the 1937 and 1940 Paramount Pictures films "Double or Nothing" and "Rhythm On The River" starring Bing Crosby. Petula Clark's recording of "It's The Natural Thing To Do" was recorded in London in 1957 for her debut studio album, "You Are My Lucky Star", issued by Pye Nixa.

"Afraid To Dream" (You Can't Have Everything; 1957)

"Afraid To Dream" is a song from the 1937 Fox musical film "You Can't Have Everything" which starred Alice Faye, Don Ameche and Tony Martin, and was the film debut for Gypsy Rose Lee. In the film, "Afraid To Dream" was sung by Don Ameche and reprised by Alice Faye and Tony Martin. Petula's recording of "Afraid To Dream" was recorded in London in 1957 for her debut studio album, "You Are My Lucky Star", issued by Pye Nixa.

"You Are My Lucky Star" (Broadway Melody of 1936; 1957)

"You Are My Lucky Star" is a song from the 1935 MGM musical film "Broadway Melody of 1936" which starred Jack Benny and Eleanor Powell with music by Nacio Herb Brown and lyrics by Arthur Freed. Petula's recording of "You Are My Lucky Star" was recorded in London in 1957 for her debut studio album, "You Are My Lucky Star", issued by Pye Nixa.

"Ordinary People" (Zip Goes A Million; 1957)

"Ordinary People" is a song from the West End stage musical "Zip Goes A Million" with a book and lyrics by Eric Maschwitz and music by George Posford, based on the 1902 novel Brewster's Millions. It premiered in London in 1951, starring George Formby, and ran for 544 performances before going on a national UK tour in 1953. Petula's recording of "Ordinary People" is a live recording performed with George Formby and originates from the 1957 TV broadcast "Val Parnell's Saturday Spectacular - The George Formby Show" for Associated Television (presumed lost) which, was discovered on an acetate in 2017 and issued for the first time on CD by Stage Door Records for the compilation album "Lost West End Vintage".

"Long Before I Knew You" (Bells Are Ringing; 1957)

"Long Before I Knew You" is a song from the 1956 Broadway musical "Bells Are Ringing" which starred Judy Holliday with a book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green and music by Jule Styne. Judy Holliday reprised her Broadway starring role in the 1960 film of the same name, which also starred Dean Martin. Petula's recording of "Long Before I Knew You" was issued in 1957 on Pye Nixa and was the flip to "Alone" which peaked at #8 in the UK singles chart.

"Tout Ce Que Veut Lola (Whatever Lola Wants Lola Gets)" (Damn Yankees; 1957)

"Tout Ce Que Veut Lola (Whatever Lola Wants Lola Gets)" is a song from the 1955 Broadway musical "Damn Yankees" which starred Gwen Verdon as Lola with music by Richard Adler and lyrics by Jerry Ross. Petula's recording of "Tout Ce Que Veut Lola (Whatever Lola Wants Lola Gets)" was recorded and issued in 1957 on the Vogue EP "Chante En Francais". Such was the success of the French EP, Pye Nixa issued the EP in the UK in 1958 entitled "Petula Clark Sings In French".

"I've Grown Accustomed To His Face" (My Fair Lady; 1958)

"I've Grown Accustomed To His Face" is a song from the 1956 Broadway musical "My Fair Lady" which starred Julie Andrews and Rex Harrison. The musical is based on George Bernard Shaw's "Pygmalion", with book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe. Petula's recording of "I've Grown Accustomed To His Face" was issued in 1958 and featured on the 6 track Pye Nixa EP "My Fair Lady" alongside other songs from the musical recorded by Lita Roza, Max Miller, Ray Ellington, Marion Ryan and Gary Miller.

"Darn That Dream" (Swingin' The Dream; 1959)

"Darn That Dream" is a popular song with music by Jimmy Van Heusen and lyrics by Eddie DeLange, published in 1939. It ranked as number one in 1940 when a recording was released sung by Mildred Bailey for Benny Goodman and His Orchestra. The song was later introduced in the Broadway musical "Swingin' the Dream". Petula's recording of "Darn That Dream" was arranged and conducted by Billy May and was recorded in Hollywood in May 1959 at Universal Recording Studios for her second studio album "Petula Clark In Hollywood" issued by Pye Nixa in 1960.

"Mama's Talking Soft" (Gypsy; 1959)

"Mama's Talking Soft" is a song that was written for the 1959 Broadway musical Gypsy with music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents. "Mama's Talking Soft" was written for the characters Baby June and Baby Louise but was cut from the production because the staging required the little girls to stand on a platform elevated above the stage, which terrified the young actress playing Baby Louise and partly because the show was running too long. Petula's recording of "Mama's Talking Soft" was arranged and conducted by Don Ralke and was recorded in Hollywood in May 1959 at Universal Recording Studios for her second studio album "Petula Clark In Hollywood" issued by Pye Nixa in 1960.

"Where Are You Now That I Need You" (Red Hot & Blue; 1959)

"Where Are You Now That I Need You" is a song from the 1949 Paramount Pictures musical comedy film "Red Hot & Blue" which starred Betty Hutton with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser. Petula's recording of "Where Are You Now That I Need You" was arranged and conducted by Billy May and was recorded in Hollywood in May 1959 at Universal Recording Studios for her second studio album "Petula Clark In Hollywood" issued by Pye Nixa in 1960.

"I'm In Love Again" (Up With The Lark; 1959)

"I'm In Love Again" is a song from the 1924 musical "Greenwich Village Follies" written by Cole Porter. The production was later staged in London in 1927 at The Adelphi Theatre as "Up With The Lark". Petula's recording of "I'm In Love Again" was arranged and conducted by Pete King and was recorded in Hollywood in May 1959 at Universal Recording Studios for her second studio album "Petula Clark In Hollywood" issued by Pye Nixa in 1960.

"There's A Small Hotel" (Billy Rose's Jumbo, On Your Toes and Pal Joey; 1959)

"There's A Small Hotel" is a 1936 popular song composed by Richard Rodgers, with lyrics by Lorenz Hart. Originally written for, but dropped from the musical "Billy Rose's Jumbo" (1935), it was then used in "On Your Toes" (1936), where it was introduced by Ray Bolger and Doris Carson and also interpolated in the film version of "Pal Joey" (1957) with Frank Sinatra and Nelson Riddle. Petula's recording of "There's A Small Hotel"" was arranged and conducted by Billy May and was recorded in Hollywood in May 1959 at Universal Recording Studios for her second studio album "Petula Clark In Hollywood" issued by Pye Nixa in 1960.

"Too Darn Hot" (Kiss Me Kate; 1959)

"Too Darn Hot" is a song from the 1948 Broadway musical "Kiss Me Kate" written by Samuel and Bella Spewack with music and lyrics by Cole Porter. "Kiss Me Kate"" is based on the Shakespeare play "The Taming of the Shrew" and was Porter's response to Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! and other integrated musicals; it was the first show he wrote in which the music and lyrics were firmly connected to the script, and it proved to be his biggest hit and the only one of his shows to run for more than 1,000 performances on Broadway. In 1949, "Kiss Me Kate" won the first Tony Award presented for Best Musical. Petula's recording of "Too Darn Hot" was arranged and conducted by Don Ralke and was recorded in Hollywood in May 1959 at Universal Recording Studios for her second studio album "Petula Clark In Hollywood" issued by Pye Nixa in 1960.

What is your favourite stage or screen song from this decade? Sound off by dropping us an email - we'd love to know what your favourite is!

Corrections and submissions are gratefully accepted.

Researched, compiled and created by Steven Warner & Tim Hutton
Selected graphics by Ray Leaning @ Muse Fine Art & Design

Images / videos / ephemera from the Petula Clark Archive - Warner / Hutton Collection. Multimedia files used on this website and our social media platforms are presented for entertainment and study purposes only and are used within the guidelines of the fair use law. Copyrights held by the various / respective owners who may request their withdrawal by e-mail