MovieChat Forums > To Have and Have Not (1945) Discussion > Hoagy Carmichael has dated terribly, wis...

Hoagy Carmichael has dated terribly, wish he'd been cut

posted 14 years ago by gl-733-211404
49 replies | jump to latest

HC's singing persona has dated so terribly, it makes you even more amazed that Sinatra, Crosby and even Hope are so listenable today. His scenes were never needed. They could be cut now. He sings in a kind of whispery monotone whine, and could anything be more affected than that awful toothpick in his mouth, and his hunchy piano playing. I well remember than when I was a kid in the fifties, the answer to the trivia question, "most popular song ever recorded" was always Stardust by Hoagy Carmichael. Time has made him as unbearable as Phil Harris or Jolson. Not really a criticism of Carmichael, but a remark about time passing. And no, I don't think Lil Wayne is a great improvement. In seventy years Lil Wayne will be Hoagy Carmichael.

[–] Enrique-8 13 years ago

OP: whatever, man. HOAGY is a legend. Leave him alone!

Enrique Sanchez

[–] twmac 13 years ago

Saying that Hoagy Carmichael's scenes should be cut is nuts. He's not a Sinatra or Crosby and that's what makes him great in this picture. He adds character to the film, where someone with a beautiful voice would have been a distraction. His quirky manner and voice are a perfect fit for this film.

[–] asoloway 13 years ago

Your opinion stinks. Hoagy Carmichael is great.

"Don't feed the dog from the table from the plate on top of it!"

[–] jpolakas 13 years ago

OK, Hoagy did not have a beautiful, powerful voice. But he has written some great songs, classics, standards. He is an icon, an institution and his presence in THAHN is one of many gems in the film.

OP, can you whistle? :-))

"And the flowers bloom like madness in the spring." J.A.

[–] asoloway 13 years ago

Hoagy is great. Your taste stinks.

"Don't feed the dog from the table from the plate on top of it!"

[–] guely55 13 years ago

After i saw this movie for the first time some 15 years ago i went to buy Hoagy CD and after that some old vinyls. It seems as if you almost hate him. You are a strange old man.
Lil Wayne? Never heard of him/her. Whatever...

[–] zbacku 13 years ago

This has got to be one on the most 'stupid' comments about a movie.
Let's see. The movie was made in 1944. Almost 70 years ago. Heck, why don't we get rid of all songs from movies made 7 decades ago.

And Lil Wayne???????????? He done now. And NEVER was any good.

[–] ScotchRox 13 years ago

This has got to be one on the most 'stupid' comments about a movie.
Let's see. The movie was made in 1944. Almost 70 years ago. Heck, why don't we get rid of all songs from movies made 7 decades ago.

And Lil Wayne???????????? He done now. And NEVER was any good.

At first I thought that the OP was a troll stirring the pot. After checking his posting history, it's his ONLY post. So yeah, he is just stupid...

[–] bfried-1 12 years ago

I think HC's performances are one of the many highlights of this film. And I don't find Phil Harris or Al Jolson unbearable in the least. On the other hand, I think Lil Wayne is.......

[–] cajundancr 12 years ago

Hoagy was as cool in his day to many as Leon Redbone is these days to some; in fact, Redbone has performed some of Hoagy's standards. Neither Hoagy nor Redbone are to everyone's taste; certainly not to anyone raised on American Idol's 'talent'.

No need to cut him; he's part and parcel of the ambiance of the place/time of the film.