Yesterday, thanks to something that turned up in my Facebook feed, I learned of this episode of “The Danny Kaye Show” from 1964. Not only is there a wonderful send up of a concerto – with Art Carney, no less – there’s also some modern dance choreographed by Tony Charmoli, and a cameo by Rod Serling. The episode opens with a seasonally appropriate sketch at Castle Dracula. (Series regular Harvey Korman answers the door.) All in all, I found it ridiculously entertaining.
I’ll cue it right up to the concerto sketch at the first link. Of course, Kaye is horsing around, but his grace and musicality are evident. He’s a very convincing conductor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbnG9tG2X5w&t=2118s
Later in life, he did indeed make appearances conducting many symphony orchestras. Kaye had no formal musical training. He couldn’t even read sheet music. When it was noted he was able to get a better sound out of orchestras than some professionals, Kaye chalked it up to pure memorization. There’s no question, the man had a highly-developed ear and an unerring sense of timing.
Here’s the complete episode, also featuring Jamie Farr.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbnG9tG2X5w
Is Art Carney really playing the piano? Years later, on “The Tonight Show,” Carney claimed he was a frustrated pianist and that the instrument was really his first love. He even studied, he observed, for “about seven or eight minutes.” Here he is, tickling the keys for Johnny Carson.
Of course, we all know he also helped Ralph Kramden cram for the $99,000 Answer.
These were true entertainers. Gaze upon your past, America. It will come again no more.