Love Songs From The 50's Are As Pretty As Their Stars

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Song 1: A Summer Place (1959)

On this posting, I connect beautiful actresses from the late 50's and beginning 60's with beautiful songs from the same period. The connecting link is the movie they appear in.  Below are the images of the actresses and the song related movies they starred in. 

Today? Do we get pretty ladies singing romantic songs in movies? No, they'll fight on the screen as superheroes. Sigh.

Sandra Dee: A Summer Place

She starred in this sizzler which started a trend in the early '60s. The gossip movie about small towns, whispers, and dangerous teenage liaisons. 

The song was a hit staying for weeks on the charts of Billboard Hot 100. In Singapore, most moviegoers lapped up the movie and song for weeks. The book was a best seller too. And Sandra Dee became a teen idol as many local girls called themselves, Sandra Tan, Sandra Lim or Sandra Ng.

Song 2: Come September (1961)

Gina Lollobrigida: Come September

While Sandra Dee in 1960 became the sweet girl from next door, Gina Lollo was the sultry sex symbol in 1961 and a hit around the world. Singaporeans can never forget her in Trapeze with Burt Lancaster where she showed her hourglass figure and Come September with Rock Hudson, Bobby Darin, and Sandra.

The instrumental was heard everywhere over Rediffusion, the radio and coffee shops. Composed by singer Bobby Darin and performed by the famous Billy Vaughn and his Orchestra, Come September also played match-maker to Darin and Dee who got married.

Song 3: Moonglow (1955)

Kim Novak: Picnic

One of the prettiest actresses in the  late 50s Kim Novak was, personally, what Charlize Theron is today. Bewitching and with celebrity looks, she was incomparable. 

I shall never forget her in the movie, Picnic where she danced with William Holden and the enchanting medley of the Picnic theme song and the 1933 independent hit Moonglow lives forever. The youtube video says it all.

The poised and sensual Kim Novak dancing to the Picnic Theme Song with William Holden.

Song 4: Pretty Blue Eyes (1959)

Stella Stevens: The Nutty Professor

When I went to see The Nutty Professor starring Jerry Lewis I wasn't sure if the popular song, Pretty Blues Eyes by Steve Lawrence was referring to Stella Stevens in the movie, as depicted on the YouTube video but the lyrics fitted her like a glove.

But there she was outside the classroom door staring at her professor with forlorn eyes and our slapstick comedian mesmerized by her beauty. Stevens, on the other hand, was pretty cool handling our lovesick Professor with her come-hither poses. Nearly a million viewers for this 1963 movie and song. That's something.

Song: 5 Moon River (1960)

Audrey Hepburn: Breakfast At Tiffany's:

One could be your neighbor's daughter, another a sultry pussycat working in a nightclub and the third, someone's quiet mistress. But Audrey Hepburn was sophistication personified in this gorgeous movie laden with gold, silver, and shimmering diamonds.

Henry Mancini filled the cinema hall and screen with his everlasting song, Moon River, sung by crooner magnifico, Andy Williams. Both the movie and song were the greatest hits.

Moon River as sung by Andy Williams, 

😊 from the movie 'Breakfast At Tiffany'. 

The Capitol Cinema from the 50's onwards.

It's a landmark for motorists because it lies

on the crossroads at North Bridge and Stamford.

Many top hit movies were shown at this cinema.

At times some of these movies were accompanied

by stage shows performed by our local band boys and girls.