Ask “Mr. Music”
Jerry Osborne



FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 13, 2000

DEAR JERRY: Our son is dating a young woman named Amy, and when my husband and I were introduced to her we both began singing the chorus of the Ray Bolger song, “Once in Love with Amy.”

We don't remember the movie the song came from. Do you? Is it is available on video? Amy is coming to visit over Thanksgiving, and we'd love to show her the video.
—Nancy Guzzetta, Muskego, Wisc. (petenancy22@hotmail.com)

DEAR NANCY: The film that features Ray Bolger singing “Once in Love with Amy” is titled “Where's Charley?”

Released in 1952, it is the Hollywood remake of a 1948 Broadway musical — also starring Ray Bolger — which ran for 792 performances.

When issued as a single, in early 1949, Bolger's “Once in Love with Amy” made the Top 20 (Decca 40065). Both Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin released fine versions of the tune, but Bolger's became the most popular. All three recordings are available on assorted CD packages; however, none of my usual film sources list “Where's Charley?” as being available for home video purchase.


DEAR JERRY: There is an old movie, starring Troy Donohue and Suzanne Pleshette, the name of which is something like “Roman Adventure.”

An Italian song, perhaps titled “Al Di La,” is played throughout the movie and in at least one scene is sung by a man with a beautiful voice.

What is the correct name of the song, and who is the gentleman singing? Can I get this recording?

This may not be enough information but it is all I have. Sure hope you can help me
—Cathy Ulvestad, St. Petersburg, Fla. (jcmcneace@aol.com)

DEAR CATHY: You have provided plenty of information. Now it's my turn. “Al Di La”is the featured song from this 1962 film, titled “Rome Adventure,” and it became a Top 10 hit that summer (Warner Bros. 5259). The vocalist is an Italian singer-actor named Emilio Pericoli.

Besides the single, “Al Di La” is also found on the “Rome Adventure” soundtrack album (Warner Bros. 1458).

There are two other terrific recordings of this tune worth mentioning; one by Connie Francis (MGM 13116), another by the Ray Charles Singers (Command 4049).

DEAR JERRY: I have been trying to find a copy of an album by a band called Lancelot Link and the Evolution Revolution. Have you ever heard of it? What information can you provide about it?
—Bob Sandfort Jr. (rpsj2@juno.com)

DEAR BOB: The title of this 1970 album is the same as the group, “Lancelot Link and the Evolution Revolution” (ABC-715).

The LP is an offshoot of the short-lived 1970 TV series, “ Lancelot Link — Secret Chimp.” In the series, Lancelot Link, a member of the fictitious pop band, “Evolution Revolution,” works for the Agency to Prevent Evil — or APE. How's that for an appropriate acronym?

One single, “Sha-La I Love You” (ABC 11278), by this band, also came out in 1970.

The LP currently books for $15 to $25.

DEAR JERRY: Most of what I read about Bobby Goldsboro says his first hit was “See the Funny Little Clown.” However, I believe his first hit to be one called “Molly.”

Please clarify this for me.
—David L. Bonenberger, Richfield, Minn. (dbonenbe@att.net)

DEAR DAVID: The answer depends on how one defines “hit.” Either tune could be considered his first hit. “Molly,” a 1962 issue, is Bobby's first charted song, though it only reached No. 70. In my opinion, anything making the Top 100 should be considered a hit.

In early 1964, “See the Funny Little Clown” became an immense hit, winding up in the nation's Top 10. Of more than two dozen charted Bobby Goldsboro singles, only the No. 1, mega-hit, “Honey,” fared better than “See the Funny Little Clown.”

IZ ZAT SO? In 1964, two years after Troy Donohue and Suzanne Pleshette shared a scripted romance in “Rome Adventure,” they married in real life.

As is often the case with Hollywood couples, their marriage didn't last much longer than it took to make the movie. They divorced that same year.






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