NIGHT OWLS UNITE!
Here’s a wonderful song — a catchy melody and irresistible lyrics by Herman Hupfeld, who also gave us AS TIME GOES BY, and two of my favorite songs, LET’S PUT OUT THE LIGHTS AND GO TO SLEEP, and I’VE GOT TO GET UP AND GO TO WORK.
Who better to sing it than the sweetly cunning Cliff Edwards? Here’s his studio recording of NIGHT OWL:
And this film clip from TAKE A CHANCE is just amazing — featuring Edwards, James Dunn, and June Knight, as well as a line of dancers who could learn any song and any steps instantaneously. (Some screenwriter had a jazz sensibility — the two musical itinerants, Edwards and Dunn, are “Duke” and “Louie”):
And as an extra treat — a clever YouTube video that begins with the Edwards version and then adds on the 1933 Paul Whiteman recording:
What a joy to watch and hear this. And the song is just as delightful in the daytime. I can vouch for that.
I would like a few of my dear friends who sing for a living to learn this one . . . let sweet hooting fill the countryside!
May your happiness increase!
Excellent post, and even more exciting to find out that this tune is on YouTube. This has always been one of my favorite of Edwards’ lesser known recordings. Beautiful song indeed.
Beautiful song, beautiful performance. Never heard it before; replayed it three times. Count me among the smitten. Great find!
And the film clip — which requires so much suspension of disbelief — is a joy: watch what CE, avian transplant, does with his eyes while singing. Corny and priceless, no?