At the Music Hall: If Love Were All, 1929

Image from "When Legends Gather."

I believe in doing what I can
In crying when I must
In laughing when I choose
Hey ho, if love were all
I should be lonely.

I believe the more you love a man,
The more you give your trust,
The more you're bound to lose.

Although when shadows fall
I think if only
Somebody splendid really needed me
Someone affectionate and dear
Cares would be ended if I knew that he
Wanted to have me near.

But I believe that since my life began
The most I've had is just a talent to amuse.
Hey ho, if love were all. 



Noël Coward published “If Love Were All” in 1929. He’d written this self-conscious song of loneliness for the operetta, “Bitter Sweet.” Many feel that the lyrics are somewhat autobiographical and speak of Coward’s thoughts of his own life. The song also had great meaning for Judy Garland who performed it as part of her Carnegie Hall shows. 

At the Music Hall: Easter Parade, 1933

In your Easter bonnet
with all the frills upon it,
you'll be the grandest lady
in the Easter Parade!

I'll be all in clover,
and when they look you over
I'll be the proudest fella
in the Easter Parade!

On the Avenue, Fifth Avenue,
the photographers will snap us
and you'll find that you're
in the rotogravure.

Oh, I could write a sonnet
about your Easter bonnet
and of the girl I'm taking
to the Easter Parade!

Oh, I could write a sonnet
about your Easter bonnet
and of the girl I'm taking
to the Easter Parade!




"Easter Parade" is a popular song written by Irving Berlin in 1933.  The song was introduced by Marilyn Miller and Clifton Webb in the Broadway musical revue “As Thousands Cheer.”

More notably, the song was performed by Bing Crosby in the film “Holiday Inn” (1942), which featured an Irving Berlin song focused on each major holiday.  However, most famously, in 1948, the song was performed by Judy Garland and Fred Astaire in a musical film which borrowed the name of its song as the film’s title.  The film—a long-time Easter tradition—also stars the crazy-eyed, disturbing Ann Miller and her machine-gun taps as well as the icky Peter Lawford and…his overall ickiness.  The film is described as “the happiest musical ever made” and that characterization has nothing to do with the fact that Judy was high throughout the entire picture.

The song was also featured in the Rankin/Bass special “The First Easter Rabbit,” in 1976. 

Interestingly enough, Irving Berlin originally wrote the melody in 1917.  At the time he called it "Smile and Show Your Dimple."   It was a tremendous flop.  But, the melody was good and Berlin trotted it out again in ’33. 

Enjoy this scene from the 1948 film.  

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

"Mama" would have wanted me to share this.  She also told me...she said, "Liza, bring Joey Bishop another martini."  And, then, well...Mr. Mayer was just...well, he was as big as a bear and Mama was...well, she told me that there was one time when I was at Great Adventure riding the roller coaster with Ann-Margret and Alice Ghostley  and well, Alice was so cold she...she stuck to the seat!  So, I've had the chance to work with some of the real greats...you know the greats!  Dick Gautier.  Lyle Waggoner.  Legends.  I got that quality from my father.  Mr. Vin-shen-tey Meee-nelli.  Oh, he was a fine, fine...This one time, Paul Lynde and I went to see Michael York in 'Othello' or 'Hamlet' or 'Madea Goes to Jail' or something and I broke the heel of my shoe and...well, Paul was a small man, so, he couldn't lift me, and then comes in Dom DeLuise or...no, it was James Coco.  So, we all drank him with whipped cream, and Paul was the center square so, it really wasn't Regis Philbin's fault.  You see?

Anyway...this is...Mama would have wanted me to share this.

From here, of course.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Mama would have wanted me to share this.  From here, of course.

At the Music Hall: If Love Were All, 1929

Image from "When Legends Gather."

I believe in doing what I can
In crying when I must
In laughing when I choose
Hey ho, if love were all
I should be lonely.

I believe the more you love a man,
The more you give your trust,
The more you're bound to lose.

Although when shadows fall
I think if only
Somebody splendid really needed me
Someone affectionate and dear
Cares would be ended if I knew that he
Wanted to have me near.

But I believe that since my life began
The most I've had is just a talent to amuse.
Hey ho, if love were all. 



Noël Coward published “If Love Were All” in 1929. He’d written this self-conscious song of loneliness for the operetta, “Bitter Sweet.” Many feel that the lyrics are somewhat autobiographical and speak of Coward’s thoughts of his own life. The song also had great meaning for Judy Garland who performed it as part of her Carnegie Hall shows. 

Antique Image of the Day: Judy Garland, 1959

Judy Garland
Harry Hammond, 1959
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Fabulous superstar and famous hot-mess, Judy Garland, spent a lot of time in London. In fact, she lived there for quite a time and was as popular in the U.K. as she was in the States. Here, we see a photo of Garland from 1959 which was taken by Harry Hammond (1920-2009) whose photography collection lives in the V&A. 

Hammond can be seen taking the photo as Garland poses in front of a mirror.

Hammond, a London native, bequeathed his collection of over 9,000 photos to the museum. These images chronicled the British popular music scene in the 1950s and 1960s. Previously, Hammond had served as a reconnaissance photographer during World War II.

By the way, I over-wrote today for some reason.  I guess I'm overly busy and wasn't paying attention.  SO--make sure to click "older posts" to see today's "Object of the Day," which is, of course, another wacky trade card.  Judy wants you to.  Just picture her on stage...all sweaty and disheveled...hands to her face, fingers outspread...gasping in song.  "Don't forget to shheeee the Object of the Day.  It'shhhh a trade card.  It's up to youuuuuuu, traaaaaade carrrrrrrd.  Traaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaade...Caaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaard."

At the Music Hall: Easter Parade, 1933

In your Easter bonnet
with all the frills upon it,
you'll be the grandest lady
in the Easter Parade!

I'll be all in clover,
and when they look you over
I'll be the proudest fella
in the Easter Parade!

On the Avenue, Fifth Avenue,
the photographers will snap us
and you'll find that you're
in the rotogravure.

Oh, I could write a sonnet
about your Easter bonnet
and of the girl I'm taking
to the Easter Parade!

Oh, I could write a sonnet
about your Easter bonnet
and of the girl I'm taking
to the Easter Parade!




"Easter Parade" is a popular song written by Irving Berlin in 1933.  The song was introduced by Marilyn Miller and Clifton Webb in the Broadway musical revue “As Thousands Cheer.”

More notably, the song was performed by Bing Crosby in the film “Holiday Inn” (1942), which featured an Irving Berlin song focused on each major holiday.  However, most famously, in 1948, the song was performed by Judy Garland and Fred Astaire in a musical film which borrowed the name of its song as the film’s title.  The film—a long-time Easter tradition—also stars the crazy-eyed, disturbing Ann Miller and her machine-gun taps as well as the icky Peter Lawford and…his overall ickiness.  The film is described as “the happiest musical ever made” and that characterization has nothing to do with the fact that Judy was high throughout the entire picture.

The song was also featured in the Rankin/Bass special “The First Easter Rabbit,” in 1976. 

Interestingly enough, Irving Berlin originally wrote the melody in 1917.  At the time he called it "Smile and Show Your Dimple."   It was a tremendous flop.  But, the melody was good and Berlin trotted it out again in ’33. 

Enjoy this version by Al Jolson as well as the "Easter Parade" trailer from 1948.