My Dog Likes to Listen To ......

[Michael]

But you are forgetting (probably wisely) Lita Roza's UK no.1 hit from the spring of 1953: How Much is That Doggie in the Window? Definitely a 'doggie song' if ever there were one......Woof! Woof![/COLOR]

Do you remember a TV programme called "Face the Music"? One of the members of the panel, John Amis, had a phenomenal knowledge of classical music, but Frank Muir found it unbelievable that this man had grown to adulthood without once having heard (or even heard of) "How much is that doggie in the Window."
Do you recall a version that came out some years ago in which the words of the chorus were sung backwards: "Window the in doggie that is much how." ?
You don't? You're lucky - I do!

[Peter]

Do you remember a TV programme called "Face the Music"? One of the members of the panel, John Amis, had a phenomenal knowledge of classical music, but Frank Muir found it unbelievable that this man had grown to adulthood without once having heard (or even heard of) "How much is that doggie in the Window."
Do you recall a version that came out some years ago in which the words of the chorus were sung backwards: "Window the in doggie that is much how." ?
You don't? You're lucky - I do!

Yes I recall the delightful show "Face the music". I suppose it was aimed at the older viewer but I was in my teens at the time. Who could forget the charming Joseph Cooper (who was a fine pianist) and the dummy keyboard or the strains of Walton's facade? Incidentally Walton appeared on the show on one occasion. The panelist know all was Robin Ray who knew every opus or Kochel number. They tried reviving the show in 2007 but it can never be the same as sadly they are all now long departed, except I think John Amis.

[Michael]

But you are forgetting (probably wisely) Lita Roza's UK no.1 hit from the spring of 1953: How Much is That Doggie in the Window? Definitely a 'doggie song' if ever there were one......Woof! Woof![/COLOR]

PDG, I haven't quite finished with the doggie in the window, I'm afraid. I meant to say this earlier but I got distracted. On Sunday, I was compiling a fifties CD for a friend and - I swear - I included that song. I hadn't read your post at the time. Anyway, I couldn't locate the Lita Roza version at the time so I used Patti Page's and I found it very annoying because the dog's "woof woof" doesn't come in on the right beat.
As there does not appear to be a website devoted to "How much is that Doggie in the Window", I wonder if you have heard Miss Page's version and if you share my dislike?
I know it's a rather esoteric subject and I am wondering if Philip has any opinions on the relative merits of the two recordings?

[Michael]

Yes I recall the delightful show "Face the music". I suppose it was aimed at the older viewer but I was in my teens at the time. Who could forget the charming Joseph Cooper (who was a fine pianist) and the dummy keyboard or the strains of Walton's facade? Incidentally Walton appeared on the show on one occasion. The panelist know all was Robin Ray who knew every opus or Kochel number. They tried reviving the show in 2007 but it can never be the same as sadly they are all now long departed, except I think John Amis.

I found John Amis to be the real show-off and he was always right. I recall one occasion when he was asked to identify a piece of music, and they played the opening of the "Eroica". He replied that it was the overture to an obscure opera by Mozart called "Bastien und Bastienne" and he was (more or less) right. There followed a brief discussion about Beethoven having stolen the tune but it seems very unlikely that B even heard of the opera. It wouldn't even have had to be a coincidence because the theme is an E flat arpeggio - playable on any bugle.
Now, I have to get back to the doggie in the window ...................

[PDG]

Hi Mike. I tried uploading Lita Roza's version, just for you, but found that the file was either too large, too bizarre or too off-topic. Sorry...

A folk-song arrangement, however, would be interesting...

[Michael]

Hi Mike. I tried uploading Lita Roza's version, just for you, but found that the file was either too large, too bizarre or too off-topic. Sorry...

A folk-song arrangement, however, would be interesting...

I have Lita's version but I just couldn't find it on the day in question.

( I clicked on the colour red - and it reads [COLOR="Red"] etc. before my message but it won't come out in red ......or any colour. Not that I'm bothered.
(And the first few notes of Beethoven's "Bundeslied" are identical with "Doggie in the Window".

[Michael]

Yes, the Doggie in the Window is a sort of reversed "Mannheim Rocket", so to speak.

Yes, the Russians did send up two dogs in a rocket, soon after Sputnik.

[Michael]

Is this true? If so, did they ever return? Or were they somewhat "barbecued" on re-entry?

It's true. See below:


http://www.spacetoday.org/Astronauts/Animals/Dogs.html

[Joy]

And don't forget about all the monkeys that were sent into space!

[Joy]

I saw! Poor mutts. I wonder what those dogs liked listening to in space...

Maybe 'Fly Me to the Moon' although they didn't quite get that far!

[Michael]

I saw! Poor mutts. I wonder what those dogs liked listening to in space...

Well, at least the poor doggies had a window.

[Michael]

Maybe 'Fly Me to the Moon' although they didn't quite get that far!

Moonlight Sinatra?

[PDG]

Well, at least the poor doggies had a window.

How much did it cost?...

[Michael]

That was paneful.