The Phantom Dancer is presented by authentic 1920s – 30s singer, Greg Poppleton..

The Phantom Dancer, goes to the movies this week. In one of the vinyl sets in the last hour, you’ll hear movie songs hits by 1930s-40s German film star, Hans Albers. (You’ll also hear sets of Raymond Scott, Louis Armstrong and Woody Herman from live 1940s radio)

Hear the mix after the 27 Feb broadcast at radio 2ser.com

Why Hans Albers?

I am in the process of memorising the German lyrics for ‘La Paloma’. La Paloma is probably the most recorded Spanish song in history. It has become a quasi-folk song in many cultures. Written by Sebastián Yradier as a contradanza (the progenitor of danzon, mambo and cha cha cha), it was published in Madrid in 1859 as a ‘Cancion Americana con acompañamiento de Piano’.

The lyrics I’m learning are those sung by Hans Albers in the 1943 film ‘Grosse Freiheit Nr 7’. This is one of three films in the Nazi era that celebrated the individual rather than fascist corporatist ideas.

Also in this week’s Phantom Dancer we’ll hear a set of swing from live 1936 radio. Other sets are dedicated to 1940s dance orchestras and there’s two sets of music radio from the 1950s.

HANS PHILIPP AUGUST ALBERS…

…was one of the most popular German actors, and singers, of the twentieth century.

He was an actor in theatre and in more than a hundred silent films.

He then starred in the first German talkie Die Nacht gehört uns (The Night is Ours) in 1929. He was the big-mouthed strong man Mazeppa alongside Marlene Dietrich in her star-making film Der blaue Engel (The Blue Angel) in 1930.

Albers himself hit stardom that same year in the movie, The Copper.

In 1932 he starred in my favourite Albers film, ‘Quick’ in which he plays two roles, one being an English vaudeville clown, speaking German in an English accent.

Many of Albers’ movie songs became huge hits. We’ll hear four of them today on The Phantom Dancer, including ‘Gnaedige Frau komm’ und spiel’ mid mir’ from ‘Quick’. In the film he sings the song after sliding down a giant banjo on a theatre stage, then flying around the theatre until he lands on one of the balconies to serenade his lady love.

Although Albers became Germany’s most popular actor under the Nazi regime, he never supported the Nazis. He instead supported his Jewish girlfriend Hansi Berg. She left for Switzerland, then England in 1939, with Hans Albers continuing to financially support her until they reunited after the war. They stayed together until his death.

Nevertheless, he continued to star in major films during the war in ‘hero’ roles. After 1945, when the occupation powers didn’t want German heroes in German films, he was typecast in wise-aged-man roles.

He remained active in film and theatre until three months before his death due to alcohol related disease in 1960.

TWO PHANTOM DANCER VIDEOS OF THE WEEK!

Your Phantom Dancer ‘Video of the Week’ #1 shows Hans Albers as the singing hero in living Agfacolour.

It’s the song, La Paloma, from the 1943 movie, Grosse Freiheit Nr7. Enjoy…

Your Phantom Dancer ‘Video of the Week’ #2 shows Hans Albers as vaudeville clown, Quick.

It’s the song, La Paloma, from the 1943 movie, Grosse Freiheit Nr7. Enjoy…