MovieChat Forums > The Dodge Dancing Party (1955) Discussion > Seriously: WTF?

Seriously: WTF?

posted 11 years ago by nycruise-1
22 replies | jump to latest

What - exactly - was the kind of music Welk and this show were committed to promoting???

Welk had his orchestra and had made a name for himself in the "Big Band Era" - but his TV show was so far from this that I could never understand what this show was all about.

The Welk show/band played show tunes, pop 60s tunes and even funky 70s songs. Occasionally the band would revert to a familiar 40s song - but only rarely.

You can try to make the case that the show was about "pop" music, but then there are the numerous deviances from that: Mexican music, Country & Western and - most inexplicable of all - religious songs about the Lord and Jesus (Jeezzuss!)

Joanne Castle's "Honky-tonkying" on the piano and the various international folk songs/dances are more forgivable (Welk made his name by playing the polka originally).

The show just seems one big mashup of musical genres - none of which were ever really arranged/performed particularly well (with the exception of genuine "Big Band" songs).

"Don't call me 'honey', mac."
"Don't call me 'mac'... HONEY!"

[–] Gubbio 11 years ago

The show just seems one big mashup of musical genres - none of which were ever really arranged/performed particularly well (with the exception of genuine "Big Band" songs).

I agree with you. I wish he had stayed with the Big Band Sound.

I don't know who was advising him (some say his musical director, George Cates), but this show was more like a variety show -- like the old "Ed Sullivan Show" -- something for everybody. If you didn't like this act or performer, maybe you'd like the next one.

In the early years, the band was bigger and highlighted. In the 70's he started to hire all these amateurs, cutesie singers and dancers. The band was in the background. I assume he was trying to appeal to a younger demographic.

Most of them were insufferable. In my opinion, at that point, the show started to become unwatchable -- unless you wanted to mock them and laugh!

[–] nycruise-1 11 years ago

I'm watching a show from 1977 that is dedicated to "Country & Western" music.

What a disaster!

The Semonski Sisters absolutely destroyed "Sugartime," that former hit of the McGuire Sisters - not to mention that I don't think that tune sounds particularly "Country & Western."

Welk once claimed that any music on his show had to conform to the notion of "champagne music" - and/or that it had to be the kind of tune people would come away from the show humming.

There is nothing "champagne" when it comes to religious songs - nor are people going to come away humming those kinds of songs.

(Guess I'm following exactly the kind of approach you observed: "unwatchable - unless you wanted to mock them and laugh!")

"Don't call me 'honey', mac."
"Don't call me 'mac'... HONEY!"

[–] RvaBread22 7 years ago

Not to me, I love Country Music. I believe Countrypolitan songs are hardly any different from general Pop tunes. If you really want to get to it, most genres are influenced by other genres. What you think is "country" is another persons rock'n roll, etc. I love Gospel too. I think what made this show great is they were a variety show, not just boring 'ol hat Big Band which only appeals to dead people with no taste.

"Life is like a box of Krispy Kreme donuts".

[–] RvaBread22 7 years ago

BIG BAND IS LAME!!!!

Its a variety show with many great singers, dancers, and other talents. This show would be unwatchable with about 50 people on a clarinet/tuba playing music for dead people.

"Life is like a box of Krispy Kreme donuts".

[–] Gubbio 7 years ago

BIG BAND IS LAME!!!!

Its a variety show with many great singers, dancers, and other talents. This show would be unwatchable with about 50 people on a clarinet/tuba playing music for dead people.

As usual, Meade, you are showing your ignorance, and your redneck taste is in your ass.

Please stop replying to me with your nonsense.

[–] RvaBread22 7 years ago

Redneck taste? So liking Johnny Cash, Anita Bryant, Jim Nabors, Patsy Cline etc is "redneck taste". I guess rednecks have good taste then. I love all kinds of music, really. But I detest musical snobbery.

"Life is like a box of Krispy Kreme donuts".

[–] Bobby Briggs Briganza 7 years ago

Do you like big band jazz?

Your film gods: Lee Van Cleef and Laura Gemser
http://tinyurl.com/pa4ud44

[–] RvaBread22 7 years ago

Not particularly. I like Country, Folk, Celtic, and Classical music.

"Life is like a box of Krispy Kreme donuts".

[–] Bobby Briggs Briganza 7 years ago

I see. All kinds of music.

Are you a fan of Charlie Pride? Is anybody goin' to San Antone...

Your film gods: Lee Van Cleef and Laura Gemser
http://tinyurl.com/pa4ud44

[–] RvaBread22 7 years ago

Yes. He's one of my favorite Colored Country Musicians.

"Life is like a box of Krispy Kreme donuts".

[–] communionsong 8 years ago

He was quite successful whatever music he played. He appealed to the older audiences and younger people who grew up with his show.

[–] julierom 8 years ago

In the sixties and early seventies, the show was top notch. The was a great balance of band numbers and vocal numbers and dancers. The Lennon Sisters became icons and are far and away the most popular and best remembered stars. None of the other Welk performers reached the degree of popularity they did. But, Lynn Anderson, who became a huge country star got her start with Welk. Steve Smith who was part of "The Blenders" quartet was a superb vocalist....he could croon with the of them. When he left Ken Delo came on to take his place and was mediocre compared to Steve Smith. I adored Sandi and Salli and later, the trio of Sandi, Gail and Mary Lou. They were sparkling and talented and beautiful and their blend was exceptional. Still, they couldn't top "The Lennons". Guy and Ralna were superb vocalists. Nobody could dance like Bobby and Cissy. Clay Hart took Lynn Anderson's place as the show's country singer and he should have become a major star! He was an incredible singer. Ava Barber filled his place when Clay left and was acceptable but paled in comparison to Lynn and Clay. But the last additions of Kathie Sullivan, the Aldridge's and the Otwell's and Jim Turner (Lord help us all).....what was Welk thinking???? But it wasn't the amateur hour as some have made the show out to be. The singers were a mixed bag...some talented ....some average...some below average (Turner). Final analysis....the show was overloaded with singers....some excellent some ok and some terrible as I said.

[–] Gubbio 8 years ago

I adored Sandi and Salli and later, the trio of Sandi, Gail and Mary Lou.

I have to disagree about Sandi and Salli. They were cute, but their singing was no more than adequate. Very common sounding, as was Mary Lou.

After the Lennons jumped ship, Lawrence spent the rest of his life, trying to create "groups" to fill the void. To wit, the Aldridge Sisters paired with the Otwell Twins. (Ostrich Sisters and Oddball Twins.)

And, the Semonski (SeaMonster)Sisters were an exercise in desperation -- and were excruciating!

What was he thinking? 😨

[–] julierom 8 years ago

Hi Gubbio....I thoroughly respect your opinions. But Sandi and Salli's voices IMO were not common sounding. They were exuberant and they added a modern touch to the show without it jumping the shark. When I listen to them on performances like "Rose Garden" and "Let's Make America What It Used To Be" ....I get chills! Something that I don't get from common sounding voices. They were more than cute as well....they were beautiful women who exemplified the clean and wholesome image the Welk show stood for. As for Mary Lou, I agree singing was Not her forte but she blended well with Sandi and Gail in the trio. She was an excellent dancer as well.

I think I've stated this before but from 1974 on the show's production values waned. He should never have hired the Aldridges, the Otwells, Kathie Sullivan and (ye gads), Jim Turner. Now his voice with that uncontrollable vibrato was annoying. I saw a show recently where he sand "Elvira" with Guy Hovis and the Otwells backing him up and it was cringeworthy!!!!! Truly, I don't know why Welk thought he needed another country singer at that point because he had Ava Barber, who had a great voice but was relegated to performing in a Sextet with Turner and The Otwells in the last years of the show. Not fair to her as she was great in her first years on the show. Turner couldn't hold a candle to her or Clay Hart. Clay was incomparable. The show could have done without those additions in the last years and featured the band more. The only new singers I liked at the end were Gail, Ron and Michael and Joey Schmidt, the young accordionist who was superb! He's now working as a musician in Nashville for Alan Jackson and I lament the fact that his accordion playing was put on the back burner.

Peace to you!

[–] Gubbio 8 years ago

We essentially agree that Welk had too many singers.

I don't care for country, but I can say that Ava and Clay had good voices.

Guy and Ralna had a nice sound, with Guy having a strong voice -- if he could control his "twang."

Gail and Ron would have been nothing without Michael's beautiful tenor.

• Aldridges, the Otwells, Kathie Sullivan and (ye gads), Jim Turner.

Enough to make me run, screaming, from the room !!! 

[–] julierom 8 years ago

Hey....you hit it right on the head about Gail, Ron and Michael....Michael made that trio! He was fantastic! As I love country you know why I like Clay and Ava but that Jim Turner......horrible. His voice was not pleasant to listen too...he had a horrible tone and he couldn't control his vibrato. And Kathie Sullivan was just bland...they stuck her in boring accompaniments ...just her and the piano being played by Bob Smale or Bob Ralston and although Tom Netherton was easy on the eyes and had a great voice, they often stuck him too with just the piano behind him and he came off rather bland as well. I couldn't take Joe Feeney most of the time either...his Irish tenor was too nasal! Natalie Nevins was like Kathie Sullivan too.....boring. But, to me, Jim Turner had to be the worst singer ever to appear on the show. He was a disaster!

[–] Gubbio 8 years ago

And Kathie Sullivan was just bland...

I agree; never cared for her.

I've often wondered what niche Natalie Nevins was supposed to fill. Zimmer was his soprano. Why hire Nevins?

Welk promoted Norma Zimmer as this "grand lady of song," like a latter day Jeanette Mac Donald. Did you ever notice that her solos were usually on some opulent set, as if she was the Queen Mother?

I've read that Welk paid close attention to fan mail, and the fortunes of his "family" depended on how well the public liked them.

I agree that Netherton had one of the better voices, while Jimmy Roberts sounded like one of my uncles, singing around the house. It always amazed me that he had a career -- and fans.

Joe Feeney was equally hard to take. But, I noticed on some of the reunion shows, his voice deepened with age, and he actually lost most of that nasal quality and wasn't that bad.

[–] julierom 8 years ago

"The Blenders" we're a great singing group! Those guys were clean cut young men with good looks and a wonderful blend. Steve Smith had a voice like velvet!

Something else I noticed from the earlier years until about 1972. The songs were pre recorded and the singers and musicians Lyp-synched the words while the musicians pretended to play. But it sounded great.

[–] Gubbio 8 years ago

The songs were pre recorded and the singers and musicians Lyp-synched the words while the musicians pretended to play.

This always interested me; there was a discussion on it on a now defunct TV board.

I have a hunch that the musicians and singers WERE performing LIVE for the studio audience -- but in post-production, a pre-recorded sound track was laid down to match the video.

Jo Ann Castle's piano segments, for example, often sounded prerecorded. A lot of times there were "oohs" and 'aahs" from an unseen chorus (often sounding like the Lennon Sisters). But, you could clearly see Jo Ann pounding the keys, and the keys reacting. How do you fake that? These people were musicians, not actors.

This is how it's done in the movies. People often sing along with their prerecording, which looks more natural than lip-synching. But, the mics on the sound stage are dead and picking up nothing. Only the prerecording is being fed to audio track of the film. 

[–] RvaBread22 7 years ago

At least its not *beep* music!

"Life is like a box of Krispy Kreme donuts".

[–] RvaBread22 7 years ago

Jim Turner was not horrible. He just wasn't anything special.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb6i9MWv8gw

"Life is like a box of Krispy Kreme donuts".

[–] RvaBread22 7 years ago

You do realize Pop music is short for "Popular" which includes Country Music, Gospel, Rn' B, swing, etc. Open your mind a bit.

"Life is like a box of Krispy Kreme donuts".