Over There

It will be a very warm weekend with some rain due on Sunday. Smokey air is back with the arson that is going on all over the place in the US and Canada.  

But let's focus now on having some fun with Saturday 9.

"Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!"

Saturday 9: Over There (1942)  

From Sam:

"Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!"

Saturday 9: Over There (1942)

... because it's 4th of July 

Unfamiliar with this rendition? Hear it here.

I had watched Yankee Doodle Dandy at least 12 times or more on TV as a kid and loved it.  When I was a little kid many of my teachers were older spinsters and they were unmarried because of WW1. So many young men of that generation died "over there" that there were not enough men for marriage.

Many towns in France were so bogged down with lead from bullets that the land is poisoned to this day.

These little towns still elect a mayor but no on can live in them.  World War ! was horrible.

The words.. "And we won't come back til its over over there" should really be." we won't come back".

The song is full of bravado and hopeful outlook for a war many now see as unnecessary at best.  Still.. the movie and the good hearts of American boys who went 'over there" are amazing.

The Four Cohans

1) George M. Cohan wrote this song in 1917, inspired by our country's entry into WWI. It was not only popular with the young men who enlisted, it was reassuring to their families. Tell us about a time when music was a comfort to you.

From Psalms:

2) "Over There" was revived at the start of WWII, and President Franklin Roosevelt cited this song specifically when he awarded Cohan with the Congressional Gold Medal. What's your favorite patriotic song?

There are a few.  One is My Country Tis of Thee based on God save the King but in our version God is our King.

I am also fond of the "Star Spangled Banner" because of the deep meaning behind those words. If you don't know the story get on the ball and hear it. It is amazing and heart rending.

Our national hymn, "God of Our Fathers" is another favorite of mine.

3) This rendition of the song is from the 1942 film, Yankee Doodle Dandy. James Cagney won an Oscar for his performance as George M. Cohan. Also nominated that year was Gary Cooper, who portrayed a different Yankee, Lou Gehrig, in Pride of the Yankees. Tell us about a movie biography you have enjoyed.

Well, Yankee Doodle Dandy is one big one I like a lot.  

4) Cagney had a rebellious streak. His boss, studio head Jack Warner, nicknamed Cagney, "The Professional Againster."  Cagney joked that he was proud of the title. How about you?  Are you rebellious?

Extremely. Always go my own way.      

summertime baseball

5) In the clip linked above, a woman sings with Cagney. Her name was Frances Langford, nicknamed the "GI Nightingale" because during WWII she performed for the troops at bases throughout Europe, North Africa and the South Pacific.   Do you have any nicknames?

Friends in school called me Angie or Ang. Others call me Chanala Hebrew affectionate for Chana (Hannah ) which means Grace just as Ann does.  But I use Ann since people who cant speak Hebrew pronounce it like Charlie Chan.. ugh.  No one.. absolutely NO ONE calls me Annie. or ever has! 

6) In 1942, when audiences were enjoying this performance of "Over There" in movie theaters, the fashion trend was for mothers and their young daughters to wear identical dresses. Moms would buy lots of fabric and patterns for the same casual day dress in both their own sizes and their little girls'. Can you sew?

Yes.  I took home ec which was 2 separate classes of sewing and cooking for 6 years in school and I was a girl scout from first grade through my senior year in high school and we learned sewing and embroidery and cooking , camping, etc. there..

7) The Fourth of July means we're in the middle of summer. Are you careful about applying sunscreen?

Nope.   It makes things worse and has been linked to skin cancer.  I will use zinc on the beach though. I try never to tan and so I have no wrinkles of crows feet, etc.

8) Mosquito bites an be a major summer annoyance. Are you scratching any itches right now?

Nope.

9) Celebrity chef Rachael Ray says she considers mini-hamburgers, or "sliders," the All-American food. What will you be eating this 4th of July? 

Hot Dogs, Sauerkraut, potato salad, baked beans, apple pie.