WEEK Extra 1 - Leslie Bricusse (2021)
Leslie Bricusse was born in Pinner, Middlesex in 1931 and died just a few days ago on 19 October 2021. He was an outstanding and award-winning composer, lyricist, and playwright who worked on musicals as well as writing music for movies. This week, Tonic Jukebox returns for one week only to celebrate his many achievements through a small selection of his words and music.
Monday October 25
If I ruled the world (LYRICS)
Pickwick is a musical with a book by Wolf Mankowitz, music by Cyril Ornadel, and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse. Based on the 1837 novel The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens, it is set in and around London and Rochester in 1828. It premiered in London's West End in 1963 with Harry Secombe in the lead role. In this clip you will also see a young Roy Castle.
Recording
Tuesday October 26
Pure Imagination (MUSIC AND LYRICS together with Anthony Newley)
Pure Imagination is a song from the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. It was written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley specifically for the movie. It was sung by Gene Wilder who played the character of Willy Wonka. Bricusse has stated that the song was written over the phone in one day.
Recording
Wednesday October 27
Who Can I Turn To? (MUSIC, LYRICS AND BOOK with Anthony Newley)
The Roar of the Greasepaint - The Smell of the Crowd is a musical with a book, music, and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley. The musical is best known for introducing songs that have become standards. These include A Wonderful Day Like Today and Who Can I Turn To?. The show title is a transposition of the phrase 'the smell of the greasepaint, the roar of the crowd', referring to the experience of theatre performers. It would be wrong not to include a performance by Newley whose singing/acting style was quite unique. You might prefer Sammy Davis Jr.
Sung by Anthony Newley
Sung by Sammy Davis Jr.
A second song from the same musical:
On a Wonderful Day Like Today from the original cast recording
Thursday October 28
Talk to the Animals (MUSIC AND LYRICS as well as SCREENPLAY for film)
Doctor Dolittle is a 1967 American musical comedy film directed by Richard Fleischer and starring Rex Harrison, Samantha Eggar, Anthony Newley, and Richard Attenborough. Leslie Bricusse was responsible for the music and lyrics, as well as writing the screenplay. The song, Talk to the Animals won the Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Original Song at the 40th Academy Awards.
Recording
Friday October 29
Victor/Victoria (LYRICS)
Victor/Victoria is a 1982 British-American musical comedy film written and directed by Blake Edwards and starring Julie Andrews, James Garner, Robert Preston, Lesley Ann Warren, Alex Karras, and John Rhys-Davies. The film was produced by Tony Adams and scored by Henry Mancini, with lyrics by Leslie Bricusse. At the suggestion of Jukeboxer, Daphne B, Judy and I watched this movie the other day, for the first time. It is worth seeing, though not one of my top 10 movies. I did enjoy the (director) Blake Edwards comedic touches which were reminiscent of the Pink Panther films. And I loved the art deco sets. Here are two song/dance routines. Both are great fun.
Le Jazz Hot
The shady dame from Seville
Weekend October 30/31
Two songs we have featured before on Tonic Jukebox, but I felt that they had to be included this week.
Thank You Very Much (BOOK, MUSIC, LYRICS and SCREENPLAY)
I have always enjoyed the 1970 film of Bricusse's musical Scrooge. This song was nominated for an Academy Award (Oscar).
At this point in the story the Ghost of the Christmas Yet To Come shows Scrooge the future.
Recording
What Kind Of Fool Am I? (BOOK, MUSIC and LYRICS with Anthony Newley)
Stop the World – I Want to Get Off is a ground breaking 1961 musical and one of my favourites
The central character, Littlechap, was portrayed throughout (in the original production) by Anthony Newley as a white face clown.
In this Award-winning song he looks back on his life with regrets. I have looked at many recordings online but can find no better than this.
Sung by Anthony Newley
And so we end this extra week of Tonic Jukebox. We will be back soon.
Monday October 25
If I ruled the world (LYRICS)
Pickwick is a musical with a book by Wolf Mankowitz, music by Cyril Ornadel, and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse. Based on the 1837 novel The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens, it is set in and around London and Rochester in 1828. It premiered in London's West End in 1963 with Harry Secombe in the lead role. In this clip you will also see a young Roy Castle.
Recording
Tuesday October 26
Pure Imagination (MUSIC AND LYRICS together with Anthony Newley)
Pure Imagination is a song from the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. It was written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley specifically for the movie. It was sung by Gene Wilder who played the character of Willy Wonka. Bricusse has stated that the song was written over the phone in one day.
Recording
Wednesday October 27
Who Can I Turn To? (MUSIC, LYRICS AND BOOK with Anthony Newley)
The Roar of the Greasepaint - The Smell of the Crowd is a musical with a book, music, and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley. The musical is best known for introducing songs that have become standards. These include A Wonderful Day Like Today and Who Can I Turn To?. The show title is a transposition of the phrase 'the smell of the greasepaint, the roar of the crowd', referring to the experience of theatre performers. It would be wrong not to include a performance by Newley whose singing/acting style was quite unique. You might prefer Sammy Davis Jr.
Sung by Anthony Newley
Sung by Sammy Davis Jr.
A second song from the same musical:
On a Wonderful Day Like Today from the original cast recording
Thursday October 28
Talk to the Animals (MUSIC AND LYRICS as well as SCREENPLAY for film)
Doctor Dolittle is a 1967 American musical comedy film directed by Richard Fleischer and starring Rex Harrison, Samantha Eggar, Anthony Newley, and Richard Attenborough. Leslie Bricusse was responsible for the music and lyrics, as well as writing the screenplay. The song, Talk to the Animals won the Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Original Song at the 40th Academy Awards.
Recording
Friday October 29
Victor/Victoria (LYRICS)
Victor/Victoria is a 1982 British-American musical comedy film written and directed by Blake Edwards and starring Julie Andrews, James Garner, Robert Preston, Lesley Ann Warren, Alex Karras, and John Rhys-Davies. The film was produced by Tony Adams and scored by Henry Mancini, with lyrics by Leslie Bricusse. At the suggestion of Jukeboxer, Daphne B, Judy and I watched this movie the other day, for the first time. It is worth seeing, though not one of my top 10 movies. I did enjoy the (director) Blake Edwards comedic touches which were reminiscent of the Pink Panther films. And I loved the art deco sets. Here are two song/dance routines. Both are great fun.
Le Jazz Hot
The shady dame from Seville
Weekend October 30/31
Two songs we have featured before on Tonic Jukebox, but I felt that they had to be included this week.
Thank You Very Much (BOOK, MUSIC, LYRICS and SCREENPLAY)
I have always enjoyed the 1970 film of Bricusse's musical Scrooge. This song was nominated for an Academy Award (Oscar).
At this point in the story the Ghost of the Christmas Yet To Come shows Scrooge the future.
Recording
What Kind Of Fool Am I? (BOOK, MUSIC and LYRICS with Anthony Newley)
Stop the World – I Want to Get Off is a ground breaking 1961 musical and one of my favourites
The central character, Littlechap, was portrayed throughout (in the original production) by Anthony Newley as a white face clown.
In this Award-winning song he looks back on his life with regrets. I have looked at many recordings online but can find no better than this.
Sung by Anthony Newley
And so we end this extra week of Tonic Jukebox. We will be back soon.