MovieChat Forums > Remember the Night (1940) Discussion > Sterling Holloway sings!

Sterling Holloway sings!

posted 17 years ago by X-Evolutionist
21 replies | jump to latest

I love the song that Sterling Holloway (who played Willie) sings. I've loved him for years, since I first heard him read a story on Captain Kangaroo 40 plus years ago. His voice is unmistakeable. It was a rare treat to hear him sing.

If you can't remember the song, here's a site with the words and the tune:

http://www.homestead.com/45ohio/perfect.html

A PERFECT DAY (1909)
Words and Music by Carrie Jacobs-Bond (1862-1946)

When you come to the end of a perfect day,
And you sit alone with your thought,
While the chimes ring out with a carol gay,
For the joy that the day has brought,
Do you think what the end of a perfect day
Can mean to tired heart,
When the sun goes down with a flaming ray,
And the dear hearts have to part?
Well, this is the end of a perfect day,
Near the end of a journey, too,
But it leaves a thought that is big and strong,
With a wish that is kind and true.
For mem'ry has painted this perfect day
With colors that never fade,
And we find at the end of a perfect day,
The soul of a friend we've made.

X

www.X-Evolutionist.com
http://X-Evolutionist.spaces.live.com

[–] misspaddylee 17 years ago

One of the lovliest moments in this wonderful movie.

We get to hear good old Sterling warble in a few of his movies such as "Dumbo", "The Many Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh" and "The Jungle Book", but never as charming as in "Remember the Night".

Thanks for posting the lyrics to a song that once was a staple in every family's sheet music library. What songs do families share today that have such a lovely sentiment? I shudder to think.

"The sun is not kind. God should use a rose-amber spot."

[–] donofthedial 17 years ago

It's a wonderful moment in the film. I was watching it again the other night and it certainly sounds like it could be Sterling Holloway singing, but I was not sure and, so far, I have not seen any confirmation anywhere.

I wondered if it might be Cliff Edwards dubbing Sterling Holloway?

Just a thought and if anyone knows for certain one way or 'toher, please post back.

Merry Christmas!

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] donofthedial 17 years ago

I didn't know he sang in Disney films.

I went to the web site of the song's composer and it seems that the song was played at a much faster tempo by the composer and not necessarily not sung at the tempo SH sings it at in the film...yet his version seems so right. hewr version is supposed to be more 'jolly' than sentimental, it seems. Curious.

[–] misspaddylee 17 years ago

Sterling favours us with the following songs in Disney films:

"Dumbo" - Happy Birthday
"The Many Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh" - Little Black Rain Cloud
"The Jungle Book" - Trust in Me

"The sun is not kind. God should use a rose-amber spot."

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] misspaddylee 17 years ago

My sister tells a story of a teacher playing one of Sterling's records (it may have been Peter and the Wolf) for her class in grade nine. All the too-cool high school kids smiled and said "Pooh"!

"The sun is not kind. God should use a rose-amber spot."

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] X-Evolutionist 17 years ago

I rarely see him much in the movies, and it is always a treat.

X

www.X-Evolutionist.com
Reasons why I believe in God

[–] misspaddylee 17 years ago

He has nice bits in such classics as "Cheers for Miss Bishop", "Of Human Hearts" and "Meet John Doe". Keep your eyes on classic t.v., from "Gilligan's Island" to "Burke's Law", you might be lucky and run into Sterling Holloway.

"Wake me when we get to Purgatory."

[–] X-Evolutionist 17 years ago

He's working in a soda shop in Meet John Doe, as I recall. Thanks for telling me about the other ones.

X

www.X-Evolutionist.com
Reasons why I believe in God

[–] nateba 14 years ago

I've loved him for years, since I first heard him read a story on Captain Kangaroo 40 plus years ago. His voice is unmistakeable.

Right! It was "Herkimer the Lonely Doll"! I haven't thought about that in (mumble, mumble, mumble) years!

cinefreak

[–] X-Evolutionist 14 years ago

Hi nateba,

I appreciate you posting this information! I would love to get a copy of this somehow. I did google searches about it, but I can't see that it is available.

At least it is nice to talk to somebody who remembers something that means so much to me!

So, Thank you!

X

Reasons Why I Believe in God:
http://X-Evolutionist.com/

[–] nateba 14 years ago

After all these years it turns out that the song was titled "Herkimer the Homely Doll"! Who knew? Check out the link:

http://community.livejournal.com/theinferior4/267284.html

P.S. I found it!

http://www.sideload.com/cb/track/?id=25655

cinefreak

[–] X-Evolutionist 14 years ago

I have been listening to it over and over and over. It is so wonderful to hear something that I remember so fondly from my childhood.

I really appreciate you finding it and posting a link.

Thank you!!

X

Reasons Why I Believe in God:
http://X-Evolutionist.com/

[–] MurphyGobeau 8 years ago

Hi, X,

Thank you for sharing the words and the link for "The End Of A Perfect Day". The song is so very lovely, and the scene at the piano with Sterling singing is one of the special moments in this treasure of a movie. May I also add that I am so happy to read that you are an x-evolutionist. May God bless you.

[–] nutsberryfarm 7 years ago

yes, a classic tune.

🎄Season's Greetings!🎄

[–] pt100 10 years ago

Here he is doing Peter and the Wolf:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvTnRFJuHG4

And here's an audio interview with Holloway:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GD4Hv1E-6k

[–] ZurichGnome 7 years ago

Here's a YouTube video of Holloway singing it in the film:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F391_23ysbU

There seems to be some dispute with the copyright holder (NBC), so I don't know how long it will be available.

Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. - Arthur C. Clarke

[–] !!!deleted!!! (70601346) 7 years ago

It is a wonderful scene! He was hilarious too.

[–] liscarkat (16592) 5 years ago

I met Sterling one rainy night when my '58 Studebaker Scotsman broke down on the Santa Monica Freeway near downtown L.A. He stopped and asked what the trouble was, then he helped me clean out the carburetor and get the engine started again. I was broke and hungry, so he gave me one of his sandwiches. It was Swiss cheese on rye, very tasty.