#Bennie Hayes Mysteries

[benniehayesmysteries]

Bennie Hayes Mysteries

[unicornery]

For my own amusement, I started tracking how the songs from the Billboard Hot 100 from this week in 1974 have been used in movie soundtracks. Feature Films only people! As you read, you will see the “gimmes” that made me think of the idea, but I’m putting this behind a cut because there ended up being so many which had a soundtrack match. As a reminder, you can follow along as I do the Hot 100 each week corresponding to which classic AT40 and VJ Big 40 get played on SiriusXM ‘70s on 7 and ‘80s on 8 respectively with my ever-changing Spotify playlist. 

100. “Beyond the Blue Horizon” - Lou Christie. This one is a cheat because when I looked it up on Spotify it showed up on the Rain Man soundtrack. The only song I could have told you off the top of my head was in Rain Main is the Belle Stars’ version of “Iko Iko.” Rain Man marked the first soundtrack appearance for Christie’s version. 

98. “The Air That I Breathe” - The Hollies. Very memorable appearance in The Virgin Suicides, which had the score done by, wait for it, French electronica duo Air. The song would go on to be heard in other movies. 

90. “Billy Don’t Be a Hero” - Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods. The Paper Lace version appears in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Both acts topped the charts with the song on opposite sides of the pond: Paper Lace in the UK and Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods in the US. [Update: the BD&H version may be in "To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday"] 

87. “Hollywood Swinging” - Kool & the Gang. This oft-sampled track first appeared in a feature film in the 2005 Get Shorty sequel Be Cool. 

84. “La Grange” - ZZ Top. Armageddon first, followed by others. 

68. “Band on the Run” - Paul McCartney and Wings.  I didn’t search for this at first because I didn’t think there would be anything, but then Jet was on the chart at #27, so I did a twofer search on imdb. Jet has not been in any films (save “One Hand Clapping, a rockumentary on Paul, which I don’t count for purposes of this discussion) but “Band on the Run” appears in The Killing Fields, in a shocking scene that contrasts the light tone of the pop song with the horrors of the Khmer Rouge’s executions of Cambodian citizens. 

66. “For the Love of Money” - The O’Jays. Has been used many times, according to IMDb the first feature film use was the Richard Pryor roman a clef (if I’m using that right, I only know it from Musings of a Cigarette Smoking Man) Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling. 

59. “Rock Around the Clock” - Bill Haley and his Comets. Notably used in Blackboard Jungle, the song is on this 1974 chart for its appearance in American Graffiti. 

55. “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo” - Rick Derringer. First one that comes to mind is Dazed and Confused bc I had that soundtrack, but it has been in others.

49. “Love’s Theme” - the Love Unlimited Orchestra. The swirling strings of this song indicate that someone is indeed falling in love. That’s my way of saying, if you think you haven’t heard this, you have. Imdb has it in Mean Girls, among others. 

47. “The Way We Were” - Barbra Streisand. The titular song of the 1973 film The Way We Were, starring Barbra and Robert Redford. A little long, but worth a watch bc Barbra is amazing in it. At the 1974 Academy Awards, Marvin Hamslich won Best Original Song honors for this tune, and was awarded Best Original Dramatic Score for his other musical work on the film. I always think of Lisa Loopner’s big crush on him.  

44. “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing” - Stevie Wonder. First feature film usage was the 1998 Eddie Murphy flop Holy Man, which surprised me as it’s such a good song, you’d think it would have been in something earlier. Notable given Eddie’s impression of Stevie Wonder he performed on SNL! 

42. “Rock On” - David Essex. Michael Damian’s cover (or remix as described by Patton Oswalt) was recorded for the 1989 2 Coreys classic Dream a Little Dream, and per imdb, David Essex’s original appears in the alternate-history comedy Dick, from 1999. 

37. “Oh Very Young” - Cat Stevens/Yusef Islam. Surprisingly, this sweet song appears in the gross-out bowling comedy Kingpin. 

36. “Jungle Boogie” - Kool & the Gang. This song may have been used in the most films and tv shows of any I’ve researched so far, but its first appearance was in Pulp Fiction. 

34. “The Payback - Part 1” - James Brown. First feature film appearance was in 1995′s Dead Presidents. A different James Brown track appears on the soundtrack for racist-ass Melly Gibson’s Payback from 1999. 

33. “Help Me” - Joni Mitchell.  Another why’d-it-take-ya-so-long shocker, this mellow tune first appeared in the 2018 sci-fi movie Kin, narrowly beating Welcome to Marwen from 2019. 

31. “The Entertainer” - Marvin Hamlisch. The title theme from the Redford/Newman team-up The Sting. Hamlisch won a record-tying third Academy Award in 1974 for Best Original Score for The Sting.  It seems at this time Best Original Score and Best Original Dramatic Score were separate categories. Hamlisch would win Grammys for both this and “The Way We Were,” eventually becoming an EGOT winner in 1995.

30. “Eres Tú” - Mocedades. This Spanish Eurovision entry notably appears in the buddy comedy Tommy Boy when Chris Farley and David Spade’s characters sing along with the radio. 

28. “Midnight at the Oasis” - Maria Muldaur. Catherine O’Hara and Fred Willard perform their own rendition in the Christopher Guest film Waiting for Guffman. That should be all you need, but imdb has the first film appearance for the song as 1995′s Falcon and the Snowman. 

24. “Let it Ride” - Bachman-Turner Overdrive. This lesser-known but not less great BTO jam has appeared in a handful of films, the first being Ash Wednesday, starring Elijah Wood and directed by Edward Burns and not Garry Marshall. Note: it does not seem to be in the Richard Dreyfuss gambling movie Let It Ride, a classic VHS cover of my youth. 

18. “Mockingbird” - James Taylor and Carly Simon. Memorably performed by Harry and Lloyd in the dog van in Dumb and Dumber, later joined by a Latinx family on guitar and vocals.  Before that, Beverly D’Angelo and Chevy Chase’s characters also sang it on their road trip in National Lampoon’s Vacation. I couldn’t find an instance where James and Carly’s version played in a movie but I am sayin’ there’s a chance. That it could be someday. 

16. “Tubular Bells” - Mike Oldfield. This instrumental is best known for being the theme to The Exorcist, but I was surprised to learn from the Wiki entry that it was not written for the film. Tubular Bells or something that’s meant to sound like it has been in a ton of other things, generally uncredited. Of note: Mike Oldfield would go on to do the score for The Killing Fields. 

14. “Seasons in the Sun” - Terry Jacks. Now here is the type of song that ‘70s haters point to as an example of the whiny wuss rock that they feel over-dominated the era. It’s not one of my favorites but I appreciate it for how weird it is. I suppose being translated into English from a French/Belgian poem will do that to ya. Before I did my search, I imagined I would find it in a Farrelly Brothers movie or two, possibly the Anchorman sequel. However, the only feature film match I found was the 2002 indie flick Cherish, a movie I have never seen despite being confronted by the cover many times at rental places over the years. Before today, when I watched the trailer, I would have told you it starred Jennifer Love Hewitt and was about “a band trying to make it.” It turns out I am thinking of the 1999 film The Suburbans. Anyway Cherish seems aggressively indie and very of-its-time in a way that makes me want to watch it. 

13. “Dancing Machine” - The Jackson 5. The song appears in the Blaxploitation spoof I’m Gonna Git You Sucka, as well as the movie of Starsky & Hutch.

11. “Lookin’ For A Love” - Bobby Womack. This was in the movie of The Ladies Man starring Tim Meadows as his SNL character Leon Phelps. I almost skipped this one but I’m glad I didn’t because Tim Meadows rules.

8. “The Loco-Motion” - Grand Funk Railroad (the single and album it was on are credited to Grand Funk). We have our second song from the Kirsten Dunst/Michelle Williams movie Dick. Since that was satirizing Nixon and Watergate, well done to the filmmakers for including these 1974 hits!  It appeared in one earlier film, My Girl 2. 

5. “Come and Get Your Love” - Redbone. Known to modern listeners for appearing in Guardians of the Galaxy. [Sidebar: if you can find a way to listen to the With Special Guest Lauren Lapkus episode T.G.I.G.O.T.G.OST (Thank God It’s the Guardians of the Galaxy Original Soundtrack) with Sean Clements and Hayes Davenport, do it!] The song first appeared in Dance Me Outside, a Canadian film about First Nations youth, which is a cool parallel with Redbone being composed of Native American musicians. “Come and Get Your Love” is also in Dick! 

4. “Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me” - Gladys Knight & the Pips. Another SNL feature pops up on our list, 1994′s It’s Pat: The Movie. 

3. “Hooked on a Feeling” - Blue Swede. ALSO known to modern listeners as being from the GOTG, but possibly only in the trailer? I’m fuzzy. The song ALSO also appears in Dick, and its first feature film appearance was Reservoir Dogs. 

2. “Bennie and the Jets” - Elton John. You know it, you love it, you cackle at the gag in Mystery Team. IMDb has this song down as first appearing in the low budget feature Aloha, Bobby and Rose, from 1975. It is ALSO in My Girl 2, with proper credit for Sir Elton. 

1. “TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)” - MFSB featuring The Three Degrees. IMDb says this appeared in the Al Pacino film Carlito’s Way, and I have no reason to doubt them because it means we are done! Thanks for readin’ and rockin’ along. 

[papermoonloveslucy]

LUCY THE STAR-GAZER! ~ Part Two

On “Here’s Lucy,” more than any other series, Lucille Ball used her vast network of Hollywood celebrities as guest stars!  Here are some of the famous and near-famous who braved Lucy’s comedy Olympics!  

LUCY FACES THE MUSIC:  THE MUSICIANS 

LAWRENCE WELK

Welk was a musician, accordionist, bandleader, and television impresario, who hosted the television program “The Lawrence Welk Show” from 1951 to 1982 on ABC. Like Lucy, one of his favorite words was “Wonderful!” Welk was to music, what Lucy was to comedy - classically old school in a changing world.  He was one of the most mentioned celebrities on “The Lucy Show” and played himself on “Here’s Lucy.” 

RUDY VALLEE

Vallee started his career as a saxophone player and singer and became a popular bandleader, hosting a hit radio program in the 1930s. He played himself on the very first episode of “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” in 1957.  Here he plays himself, dealing with the changing music scene head-on! 

PATTY ANDREWS

Patty and her sisters, Maxene and LaVerne, were one of the most successful women’s singing groups, with 19 gold records and sales of nearly 100 million copies.  With Patty on her own here, Lucy and Kim pose as her sisters to perform some of their greatest hits!  

DINAH SHORE

Dinah Shore was a singer, actress, and television personality, and the top-charting female vocalist of the 1940s. She rose to prominence as a recording artist during the Big Band era.  She played herself here, one of Lucy Carter’s favorite singers. 

PHIL HARRIS 

Phil Harris was a bandleader who became a comic radio star as a Jack Benny sidekick in the 1930s. He played a songwriter named Phil Stanley on “The Lucy Show.”  He was sometimes the butt of jokes on the series for his reputation for drinking. Here he plays himself and sings his signature song “That’s What I Like About the South.”   

‘TENNESSEE’ ERNIE FORD 

Ford was the first and only celebrity to make three guest star appearances (playing a variation on himself) on “I Love Lucy.”  A popular country singer of the 1950s, this was his first credited ‘acting’ job, before his big hit with the song “Sixteen Tons” in 1955.  He then appeared (also as a variation on himself) on “The Lucy Show.”  This is his fifth and final appearance on a Lucille Ball sitcom, playing a singer named Ernie Epperson.

LIBERACE

Dubbed “Mr. Showmanship,” he enjoyed a career spanning four decades of concerts, recordings, television, motion pictures, and endorsements. At the height of his fame, from the 1950s to the 1970s, Liberace was the highest-paid entertainer in the world, with established residencies in Las Vegas, and an international touring schedule.  Prior to this episode playing himself (of course), his only appearance with Lucille Ball was the musical film ‘Best Foot Forward’ (1943).

SAMMY DAVIS JR.

Davis was a singer, dancer, actor and comedian noted for his impressions of actors, musicians and other celebrities. His comic talents were a good match for Lucille Ball.  He later matched wits with Archie Bunker on “All in the Family.”  Playing himself here, he sings “And When I Die.”

WAYNE NEWTON 

One of Lucille Ball’s favorite singers, Newton makes his second appearance as himself on “Here’s Lucy,” having also played himself on “The Lucy Show.”  He is one of the best-known entertainers in Las Vegas, known by the nicknames the ‘Midnight Idol,’ ‘Mr. Las Vegas’ and ‘Mr. Entertainment.’ Here he performs “I’ve Got the World on a String” and “Tumbling Tumbleweeds.” 

STEVE LAWRENCE & EYDIE GORME

Steve and Eydie were one of the most popular singing married couples in show-business, headliners in Las Vegas and around the world. Eydie had a hit with “If He Walked Into My Life” from the musical “Mame,” which Lucy then sang in the film version.  

ANN-MARGRET

Ann-Margret is one of Hollywood’s most enduring sex symbols, singers, and actors. Craig and Ann-Margret perform the song “Country Music” by Steve March, the son of Mel Torme and adopted son of Arnaz family friend, Hal March. 

FRANKIE AVALON

A recording star and musician, Avalon’s movie career took off when paired with Annette Funicello in “Beach Party” (1963) and its string of sequels. He played Teen Angel in “Grease” (1978) and considers “Beauty School Dropout” to be his most popular song.  He previously played Tommy Cheever on “The Lucy Show” in 1967 but here plays himself.  He memorably impersonates Sonny Bono opposite Lucie Arnaz as Cher.      

PETULA CLARK

Clark is a British-born singer and actor who became well-known for her pop hits “Downtown”, “I Know a Place”, “A Sign of the Times”, “Color My World”, “This Is My Song” and “Don’t Sleep in the Subway”. She was dubbed ‘the First Lady of the British Invasion’.  Playing herself (and pregnant) she appears here with her real-life husband Claude Wolff.     

JOHN DAVIDSON 

Davidson is a singer / actor who appeared on Broadway and television, and made the transition to game show host with “The Hollywood Squares.”  Davidson plays music professor John Kleindorf here, and sings  “Happy Together” and “I Believe In Music.”  

BUDDY RICH

Rich first appeared with Lucille Ball as a member of the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra in “DuBarry Was a Lady” (1943).  Widely considered one of the most influential drummers of all time and known for his virtuoso technique, power, and speed, Rich was billed as ‘the world’s greatest drummer’ during his career.  Naturally, here he is teamed with Desi Arnaz Jr., a drummer like his father. 

DONNY OSMOND

Donny began his career singing with his brothers, The Osmonds.  Osmond became a teen idol in the early 1970s as a solo singer, while continuing to sing with his older brothers.  Here, as himself, he sings “Too Young” (to Eve Plumb!) and “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again” with Lucie Arnaz. 

WELCOME TO THE CLUB: NIGHTCLUB PERFORMER SUPERSTARS!

TOTIE FIELDS

Fields was a nightclub comedienne whose first big break came on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” After that, she appeared on many TV talk and variety shows. This appearance (as Mrs. Poopsie Butkus, the milkman’s wife)  was just one of handful of 'acting’ jobs.  Fields also sang her signature tune, “You’re Nobody Till Somebody Loves You”  as part of the episode.

JOAN RIVERS

The legendary performer was a stand-up comedian, actress, writer, producer, and television host. Rivers gained prominence in 1965 as a guest host on “The Tonight Show,” interviewing Lucille Ball three times.  Here she plays jury member Joan Reynolds.

JIM BAILEY

Bailey was spotted by Lucille Ball and had this episode written for him.  He became one of the world’s most famous female impersonators, transforming himself into such stars as Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, Peggy Lee, and Phyllis Diller, who he impersonates here, although he also appears out of drag, singing “Fever” with Lucie Arnaz.  

FOSTER BROOKS

Brooks’ drunk act went over well with crowds at Las Vegas nightclubs and on television. He was a frequent guest on talk and variety shows and several Dean Martin celebrity roasts.  Here he plays an alcoholic mystery novelist, David Benton Miller, that Lucy helps finish writing his latest book.

RICH LITTLE

Is a Canadian nightclub comic who became famous for his vast repertoire of impressions. His screen career began in 1964 and he appeared on virtually every TV talk and variety show over the next thirty years.  He was known as “The Man of a Thousand Voices.”   Here he does John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart and Jack Benny on the episode. 

MY NEXT GUESTS:  TV HOSTS!

JOHNNY CARSON

Carson was a talk show host and comedian, best known for his 30 years as host of “The Tonight Show” for which he received six Emmy Awards. Carson and Lucille Ball appeared together many times on TV specials and award shows. Carson played himself on “Lucy Moves to NBC” in 1980.  

ED McMAHON

McMahon was a comedian, actor, singer, game show host, and announcer. He is most famous for his thirty year run as Johnny Carson’s sidekick, announcer, and second banana on “The Tonight Show.”  In his first appearance on “Here’s Lucy” he played himself with Johnny Carson.  In his second he played a bank loan officer named Ed McMillan. In 1977 he acted with Lucille Ball on “Lucy Calls the President” where he became the only other actor besides Desi Arnaz to play Lucy’s husband on television!  

ART LINKLETTER

Linkletter was the host of “House Party” (aka “The Linkletter Show”) which ran on CBS radio and television for 25 years, and “People Are Funny,” on NBC radio and TV for 19 years. He was mentioned on “The Lucy Show” and where he also played himself in 1966.  

ALAN FUNT

Funt is best known as the producer, director, and host of the hidden camera show “Candid Camera.” He produced “Candid Microphone” on radio before moving the format to television in 1948.  Here he not only plays himself, he also plays a con-man pretending to be Funt.  It was a stretch for him, as he was not an actor.   

STAGE TO SCREEN: BROADWAY BRILLIANCE!

HELEN HAYES

Hayes was known as ‘The First Lady of the American Theatre’. She won a 1932 Oscar for “The Sin of Madelon Claudet.” On Broadway, she won Tony Awards in 1947, 1958, and a special Tony in 1980. She has had two Broadway Theatres named after her.  Hayes threw herself into television and screen work after being diagnosed as allergic to stage dust!  Lucille Ball was in awe of Hayes, who played an Irish widow named Kathleen Brady. 

ROBERT ALDA

Alda originated the role of Sky Masterson in Broadway’s “Guys and Dolls,” winning the 1951 Tony Award.  He was seen in a variety of character roles (usually eligible bachelors) on both “The Lucy Show” and “Here’s Lucy.”  

HOWARD KEEL

Keel was discovered by Oscar Hammerstein II during auditions for John Raitt’s replacement in Broadway’s “Carousel” in 1946.  After that, he also went on to play Curly in “Oklahoma!”  Here he plays big game hunter Stanley Livingston, on the trail of the wild Gorboona, in what is widely considered the worst episode of the series!  What’s worse, it is a non-musical episode!  

JACK GILFORD

Gilford began his career in the Amateur Nights of the 1930s moving on to nightclubs doing satire and pantomime. He was nominated for Tony Awards for Best Supporting Actor in the musicals “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” (1962) and “Cabaret” (1966).  Here he plays a driving instructor with Craig behind the wheel and Lucy as back seat driver! 

SPORTS & POLITICS: PLAYERS IN THE LIMELIGHT!

O.J. SIMPSON

An alumni of the University of Southern California and winner of the Heisman Trophy, he is is former NFL running back for the Buffalo Bills (1969-77) and the San Francisco 49'ers (1977-78). Once a popular figure with the public, he is most well known today for his trial and acquittal for the murders of his former wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman.

JOE NAMATH

Joe Namath was a record-setting and award-winning professional football player.  His career on the gridiron began in 1965 with the Jets and ended 1977 with the Rams. Nicknamed ‘Broadway Joe’, he also was an actor doing stage, screen, and television commercials.

JACK LaLANNE

LaLanne was a nationally known exercise guru who owned a chain of health clubs and hosted a long-running television show from 1952 to 1983. 

SAM YORTY

Yorty was the mayor of Los Angeles from 1961 to 1973.  During his tenure he earned numerous nicknames from both admirers and detractors, such as Travelin’ Sam, Airplane Sam, Shoot-From-the-Lip Sam, the Maverick Mayor, Mad Sam Yorty, Scrappy Sam, Suitcase Sam, Saigon Sam, and the Reform Republican. In 1997, a survey of urban historians and political scientists rated Yorty the third worst big-city mayor in the USA since 1960.  

BEST FOR LAST: THE QUEEN OF COMEDY!

LUCILLE BALL

Ball plays herself in this episode where she meets the mother of a look-alike contestant, Lucy Carter.  Ball was the star of three hit television shows and numerous Hollywood films.