JIMMY DURANTE: THE GREAT SCHNOZZOLA (TV)
Summary
This documentary is about the life and career of multi-talented performer Jimmy "The Great Schnozzola" Durante -- so nicknamed due to his prominent proboscis. The program begins with film historian Leonard Maltin talking about Durante being an "every man," a quality that resonated with audiences. Then, performances of "C'est Magnifique" (from 1953) and "You Gotta Start Off Each Day with a Song" (1951) are shown. His early life is detailed, as well as how he developed his mix of comic patter and musical numbers. His daughter, CeCe Durante Bloum, talks about her father's insecurities -- large nose, bald pate -- and how he used them to his advantage. A clip of Durante performing "It's Da Nose's Birthday" (1957) and "I Refuse to Wear a Beret" (1953) follow, after which Durante's second wife, Marjorie Little, recalls how ladies were attracted to her husband, illustrated in the number "Just Put Yourself in My Hands" (1952.) Durante's more sensitive side is exemplified by his rendition of "September Song" (1959). Finally, the program delves into his notable duets with other celebrities, including such stars as: Ethel Barrymore, John Wayne, a piano duel with Liberace, Carmen Miranda, and Frank Sinatra. Maltin and Bloum then offer their interpretations of Durante's famous closing line: "Goodnight, Mrs. Callabash, wherever you are."
Cataloging of this program was made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: 2001
- RUNNING TIME: 1:02:48
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:78773
- GENRE: Public affairs/Documentaries
- SUBJECT HEADING: Biography; Comedy/Variety
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV, 2001
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- John Scheinfeld … Executive Producer, Director, Writer
- David Leaf … Executive Producer
- Larry Adler … Executive Producer
- Mark S. Andrew … Producer
- Fred Applegate … Narrator
- Ethel Barrymore
- CeCe Durante Bloum
- Jimmy Durante
- Liberace
- Marjorie Little
- Leonard Maltin
- Carmen Miranda
- Frank Sinatra
- John Wayne