Born to Jewish immigrants in Brooklyn, red-haired Kaye became one of the world's best-known comedians. He learned his trade in his teen years as a tummler in the Catskills. In 1941 he appeared in the Broadway show, Lady in the Dark and performed the famous number "Tchaikovsky," by Kurt Weill and Ira Gershwin, in which he sang the names of a whole string of Russian composers at breakneck speed, seemingly without taking a breath.
According to The New York Times, when he appeared at the London Palladium music hall In 1948, he "roused the Royal family to shrieks of laughter and was the first of many performers who have turned English variety into an American preserve." Life magazine described his reception as "worshipful hysteria" and noted that the royal family, for the first time in history, left the royal box to see the show from the front row of the orchestra.
Kaye made his film debut in a 1935 comedy short subject, entitled Moon Over Manhattan. His feature film debut was Up in Arms (1944). He starred in several movies with actress Virginia Mayo in the 1940's, and is well known for his roles in films such as The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947), The Inspector General (1949), White Christmas (1954), Knock on Wood (1954), The Court Jester (1956), and Merry Andrew (1958). Kaye starred in two pictures based on biographies, Hans Christian Andersen (1952) about the Danish story-teller, and The Five Pennies (1959) about jazz pioneer Red Nichols. His wife, Sylvia Fine, wrote many of the songs Danny Kaye became famous for. Some of Kaye's films included the theme of doubles, two people who look identical (both played by Danny Kaye) being mistaken for each other, to comic effect.
Kaye starred in a radio program of his own, The Danny Kaye Show, on CBS in 1945-1946. Despite its clever writing (radio legend Goodman Ace, Sylvia Fine, and respected playwright-director Abe Burrows were the writers for the show) and performing cast (including Eve Arden, Lionel Stander, and big bandleader Harry James), the show lasted only a year.
He hosted his own variety hour on CBS, The Danny Kaye Show, from 1963 to 1967. Kaye also did a stint as one of the What's My Line? Mystery Guests on the popular Sunday Night CBS-TV program. Later, Kaye also served as a guest panelist on that quiz show. Years later, Kaye also guest-starred in episodes of The Cosby Show and of the 1980's remake of The Twilight Zone (see The New Twilight Zone).
Kaye's influence was felt beyond the entertainment world in the world of professional sports as well. Kaye was the original owner of the Seattle Mariners along with his partner Lester Smith, from 1977-81.
During the 1950s, Kaye also acted in a pantomime production of Cinderella, in Sydney, Australia, where he played the role of "Buttons", Cinderella's stepfather's servant, and also Cinderella's friend.
In many of his movies, as well as on stage, Kaye proved to be an able actor, singer, dancer and comedian, often having his comedic talents showcased by special material written by his wife, Sylvia Fine. He showed quite a different and serious side as Ambassador for UNICEF, and in one of his few dramatic roles in the memorable TV-movie Skokie, in which he played a Holocaust survivor. Before he died in 1987, Kaye also demonstrated his ability to conduct an orchestra during a comical, but technically sound, series of concerts organised for UNICEF fundraising. Kaye received two Academy Awards, an honorary award in 1955 and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1982. In his later years he took to entertaining at home as chef—he had a special stove installed in his patio—and host. He specialized in Chinese cooking.
Kaye died in 1987 from a heart attack, following a bout of hepatitis. He left a widow Sylvia Fine and a daughter Dena. He is interred in the Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York. His grave is adorned with a bench that contains friezes of a baseball and bat, an aircraft, a piano, a flower pot, musical notes, and a glove.
Choreography
Danny Kaye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Especially where dancing is concerned
Chaps, who did taps
Aren't tapping anymore, they′re doing choreography
Chicks, who did kicks
Aren't kicking anymore, they're doing choreography
Hips, who did steps
Through the air they keep flying, like a duck that is dying
Instead of dance it′s choreography
In this song, Danny Kaye laments the changes that have occurred in the world of theater, particularly in the dance aspect of it. He starts off by asking what has happened to the theater, and specifically notes how it has changed in relation to dancing. He observes that the world of dance has transitioned from original tap and kick routines to formulaic choreography. He is disheartened that these once unique dance styles have been replaced with routine moves which lack creativity and originality. The lyrics mention how dancers who would once bring the house down with their amazing steps have now been reduced to imitating artificial moves, like a dying duck struggling to keep itself airborne. The lyrics seem to convey a sense of loss and disappointment at how the art form of dance has changed over time.
Overall, the song appears to be a commentary on how art and creativity have been replaced with formulaic and robotic routines, which are no more than showy tricks with no real heart or soul. The song's message is that while choreography is important, it should not overshadow the unique styles and creativity of individual dancers. In essence, the song is a nostalgic look back to a time when performances were rawer and more authentic.
Line by Line Meaning
The theater, the theater, what's happened to the theater?
The singer is questioning the current state of theater.
Especially where dancing is concerned
The singer is focused on the changes in dancing in theater.
Chaps, who did taps
Men who once did tap dancing.
Aren't tapping anymore, they're doing choreography
Men have moved away from traditional tap dancing to more modern choreography.
Chicks, who did kicks
Women who once did high kicks.
Aren't kicking anymore, they're doing choreography
Women have moved away from traditional high kicks to more modern choreography.
Hips, who did steps
Dancers who used to do impressive dance moves.
That would stop the show in days that used to be
These steps were once very impressive and got a lot of attention.
Through the air they keep flying, like a duck that is dying
Dancers are now doing repetitive and unimpressive moves.
Instead of dance it's choreography
Choreography has replaced traditional dance moves in theater.
Writer(s): Irving Berlin
Contributed by Kaelyn A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Aj122454
I swear Vera Ellen was the inspiration for the original Barbie Doll. It came out around this time.
@augustgirl
Andrea Johnston I think the same. I saw this and thought" Holy, Barbie Doll".
@_veronica_r
Umm... It was based off of someone's daughter named Barbra (Barbie for short)
@jilllybarger6645
The name came from Ruth Handler's daughter, but the original idea came from a novelty doll sold in Germany. The Lilli doll was based on a cartoon that appeared the Bild newspaper. The character was a call girl and the dolls were popular "gag gifts" for men.
@persebra
@@jilllybarger6645 Thanks for that info, i had not heard that. looked into it and the poor german inventor of the doll got totally hosed and ripped off!
https://www.history.com/news/barbie-inspiration-bild-lilli
@NoliMeTangere1163
I've always suspected that too.
@AnnaP-qk4qm
Danny Kaye had such a wicked sense of humor; he could be so insane and funny at the same time. This movie wouldn't have worked half as well without him.
@stynway59
What is sad is that he spent the whole shoot trying to befriend Bing Crosby, who would have nothing to do with him. Jealousy?
@williamchadwick7948
David Randall Kaye's idea of "making friends" was fisting. Der Bingle said, "Even I can't get drunk enough for that, buster.'
@randywhite3947
Crazy to think that Fred Astaire and Donald O Conner were nearly in his role.