Song:Can't We Be Friends
DVD:You're Invited To Spend the Afternoon at The Frank Sinatra Show
Though I don't believe that Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald ever recorded together, they did perform together on TV several times including this very charming performance of the old chestnut Can't We Be Friends complete with special lyrics. It is from a 1959 episode of The Frank Sinatra Show. And the great thing is you can get this episode in its entirety on DVD. Can't We Be Friends was written by the husband and wife team of Paul James and Kay Swift for the 1929 musical revue The Little Show. James was banker James Paul Warburg but Kay Swift was the first woman to score a musical with Fine And Dandy in 1930. Among those who recorded the song back then were Bing Crosby, Red Nichols and Ray Noble. Sinatra recorded it on his 1955 album In The Wee Small Hours arranged by Nelson Riddle. Ella recorded it with Louis Armstrong on the 1956 album Ella and Louis accompanied by The Oscar Peterson Quartet. Nelson Riddle was the orchestra leader on Sinatra's ABC variety show. So obviously they thought it would be a cute song for the two to perform. The show was recorded on Dec. 10, 1959 on a rainy day in Palm Springs. Other guests on this episode were Peter Lawford, The Hi-Los, Hermoine Gingold, Red Norvo and Sinatra's girlfriend at the time Juliet Prowse. They had just finished filming Can-Can. This episode is available on DVD complete with Timex commercials. On Amazon, search for The Frank Sinatra Show with Ella Fitzgerald. This clip is also available on a couple of other DVDs. But I like watching it within the context of the whole show. Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald performed together occasionally on TV in the 60s. But the first time is always the best. Here's Frank Sinatra & Ella Fitzgerald performing Can't We Be Friends on The Frank Sinatra Show Dec. 10, 1959.
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