Donald O'Connor. Call Me Madam, 1953. What Chance Have I With Love?

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Donald O'Connor. Call Me Madam, 1953. What Chance Have I With Love?
Dances And Musical Numbers Staged By: Robert Alton.

Happy 100th Birthday Donald O'Connor.

Donald David Dixon Ronald O'Connor.

Born: August 28th 1925. Chicago, Illinois, USA. – Died: September 27th 2003. Los Angeles, California, USA. Age 78.

In a book that Mr. O’Connor kept, he has a quote that is short and beautiful.
– “I’m just drifting along with the breeze – Dancing soft shoe”.

And on Donald O’Connor’s 100th Birthday, we still get to enjoy his artistry, thanks to his works preserved on film/video and most importantly through his family’s dedication to collating and preserving his legacy.

Mr. O’Connor wasn’t just an entertainer, he was a Triple Threat. He was a gifted artist who was humble and respectful of the arts, including knowing how to entertain his audiences, from his early days on Vaudeville, Film, TV and Live Shows. However, he was also a husband and a father.

I spoke with Mr. O'Connor’s daughter Alicia recently. I would like to thank Alicia for taking the time to talk about her Dad.

As we talked, Alicia shared fond memories of her Dad and I got to hear about the artist we all watch on TV, Stage or the big screen and also about the private side of Mr. O'Connor.

Whilst we all love to watch Mr. O'Connor perform even 20 years on, his family still miss and grieve of the loss of their father deeply.

Alicia spoke about her Dad greeting friends and fans.

“He was always personable making sure he greeted everyone that approached him.”

“Those intimate slices of life were the special moments of his metamorphosis from Donald the entertainer to Donald the person – husband, father, friend. I could see his satisfaction, joy, exuberance, happiness, struggles, frustrations, disappointments, all of it!”

Donald O'Connor a song and dance man with a career spanning well over 60 years from Vaudeville, Movies, TV, Broadway and Stage, who was best remembered for his roles in Francis the Talking Mule and the dance scene “Make ‘Em Laugh,” in Singin’ in the Rain, 1952.

Mr. O’Connor talks about his humble beginnings.

"By the time I came along, my mother and father had left the circus and were in vaudeville. They called the act The O'Connor Family - Royal Family of Vaudeville. There was singing, dancing, comedy, acrobatics and barrel jumping in the act.

During Mr. O'Connor years of working Vaudeville, he would go on to perform with the big names, George Burns, Gracie Allen and Marx Brothers to name a few.

Mr. O'Connor’s first major film credit came in 1938 starring alongside Bing Crosby and Fred MacMurray in Sing, You Sinners.

With over one hundred credits to his name, Mr. O'Connor’s other notable movies he appeared in, I Love Melvin (1953); he danced and sang Life Has Its Funny Little Ups And Downs on roller skates. Irving Berlin Musicals, Call Me Madam (1953) singing It's A Lovely Day Today. There's No Business Like Show Business (1954).

Mr. O'Connor would also appear on various TV Shows, such as, The Red Skelton Hour, DuPont Show of the Month, The Jackie Gleason Show, The Dean Martin Show, The Hollywood Palace and also his appearance on The Donald O’Connor Show, with the show running from October 9th 1954 – September 10th 1955 for 19 episodes.

Mr. O'Connor appeared on Broadway in Bring Back Birdie, 1981 and Show Boat, 1983, including performing the same role as Cap’n Andy in the touring production.

Just as Vaudeville changed with the onset of silent movies and then the era of sound in movies, so too did the era of making movies change for Mr. O’Connor. By the late 1950’s the studio system era was changing, including some of the type cast roles only being offered to Mr. O’Connor. He dedicated more time to stage musicals, cabaret (The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies, including shows in London) and musical compositions (Reflexions d'un Comique).

What a charismatic artist, man and life Mr. O’Connor had. Always the artist and this was still evident in his last film appearance as a dance host in the movie Out To Sea, 1997.

Donald O’Connor summed up his life as an artist.

"I was born and raised to entertain other people. I've heard laughter and applause and known a lot of sorrow. Everything about me is based on show business. I think it will bring me happiness. I hope so."

On September 27, 2003, aged 78, Donald O'Connor passed away.

Up until the end Mr. O'Connor was always humorous. Alicia said his last words were "I'd like to thank the Academy for my lifetime achievement award that I will eventually get."

Did You Know?

Mr. O'Connor’ musical accomplishments included conducting his works with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

The Brussels Symphony Orchestra also recorded some of his works.

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