I didn't get Jimmy Durante (1893-1980) when I was a kid seeing him on TV, but things have changed. Born on the lower East Side of New York to Italian immigrants, Jimmy worked his way up and from the mid-1920s until his retirement in 1972, starred in vaudeville, stage, radio, TV, and film. People just liked him and his brand of humor. He was also known for his extensive charity work.
Durante's gravelly singing voice was certainly not classically good, but like Fred Astaire he could deliver a song with meaning. In recent years, I started listening to some of his music. This is Make Someone Happy, recorded by Durante in 1964. Music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. I've also enjoyed Durante's versions of Glory of Love and Smile.
And if you want to see peak performance Durante watch this clip from The Man Who Came To Dinner (1942). You won't regret it!
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