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If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)
Artist: Helen Kane
Author: Bert Kalmar/Harry Ruby/Herbert Stothart
Label: Victor
Year: 1928
From the Hammerstein stage musical Good Boy, where Kane introduced it with Dan Healy. She and her Oo-poo-pa-doo catchphrase later inspired Max & Dave Fleischer's cartoon character Betty Boop. They patented their creation with a voice-over by Mae Questel, once the winner of a Helen Kane lookalike contest. Kane sued the Fleischers and Paramount Studios for stealing her act. The court however ruled that Helen herself might have lifted the oo-poo-pa-doo gimmick, either from Baby Esther or Edith Griffith. Helen Kane first used the catchphrase in risqué tune That's My Weakness Now, B-side of her first Victor release Get Out And Get Under The Moon (1928). Fans reactions made her use it again in Button Up Your Overcoat.
Covers:
Debbie Reynolds [as Helen Kane in film Three Little Words]
Debbie Reynolds [as Helen Kane, dubbed by the real Helen Kane in Astaire-film Three Little Words]
Marilyn Monroe [in film Some Like It Hot]
Claudja Barry [ex Boney M]
Techno Twins [in medley with In The Mood]
Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby together with Ted Snyder co-wrote Who's Sorry Now (see there).
If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)