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| "Thanks for the Memory" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Single byBob Hope andShirley Ross | |
| from the albumThe Big Broadcast of 1938 | |
| A-side | "Two Sleepy People" |
| Published | 1938 byParamount Music |
| Recorded | 1938 |
| Genre | Traditional pop |
| Label | Decca |
| Composer | Ralph Rainger |
| Lyricist | Leo Robin |
"Thanks for the Memory" (1938) is apopular song composed byRalph Rainger with lyrics byLeo Robin.[1] It was introduced in the 1938 filmThe Big Broadcast of 1938 byBob Hope andShirley Ross, and recorded byShep Fields and His Orchestra featuringJohn Serry Sr. on accordion in the film and vocals by Bob Goday onBluebird Records (B-7318, 1937).[2]Dorothy Lamour's solo recording of the song was also popular, and has led to many mistakenly believing over the years that it was she who sang the tune with Hope in the film (in which Lamour also appeared).
In the film, Ross and Hope's characters are a divorced couple who encounter each other aboard a ship. Near the film's end, they poignantly sing one of the many versions of this song, recalling the ups and downs of their relationship[3] - then they decide to get back together.
In the fifth verse, Robin recalled the couple's romantic weekend in Niagara. His original lyrics were: "That weekend at Niagara when we never saw the falls." However, the line was rejected by producers who feared it was too suggestive. Robin was furious, and a bitter row ensued with neither side giving way. Finally, a compromise was reached that had Bob Hope singing, "That weekend at Niagara when wehardly saw the falls." Robin never forgave this censorship; he considered it ridiculously prissy and thought it ruined the song. However, the way Shirley Ross responds with, "How lovelythat was!" indicates that "never" was indeed the better choice.[4]
The song won theAcademy Award for Best Original Song,[1] and became Hope'ssignature tune, with many different lyrics adapted to any situation. In 2004, it finished No. 63 onAFI's 100 Years...100 Songs survey of top tunes in American cinema.
The success of the song resulted in another film starring the same couple. This follow-up film toThe Big Broadcast of 1938 is somewhat confusing because it was given the titleThanks for the Memory but the song of that name does not feature. The main song from this latter film was "Two Sleepy People" and this is often bracketed with its forerunner as the best romantic duet of Bob Hope's career. It was written in September 1938 byHoagy Carmichael with lyrics byFrank Loesser, and was once again performed byBob Hope andShirley Ross. The filmThanks for the Memory was released in 1938.[5]
