the problem

with Martha Raye is that she was two distinct performers. the comedienne was too broad for my taste. however the singer cd be superb. no less a jazz great than Anita O'Day claimd Raye was the biggest influence on her style.

I just saw a silly 1937 picture calld "Waikiki Wedding." in Raye's one musical number we see her dilemma at work. the song begins seriously & we hear the skill of which she was capable. then Paramount makes her revert to schtick & she mugs her way thru.

here's a picture I took of MR in Beverly Hills in 1988.