Noel Gay Articles

“The Moon Remembered, But You Forgot” (1939)

“The Moon Remembered, But You Forgot.” Words by Frank Eyton, music by Noel Gay. Composed for the comedy film Let’s Be Famous (1939). Recorded by Elsie Carlisle with orchestral accompaniment under the musical direction of Jay Wilbur on August 4, 1939. Rex 9610 mx. R3786-1.

Elsie Carlisle – “The Moon Remembered, But You Forgot” (1939)

“The Moon Remembered, But You Forgot,”  from the British comedy film Let’s Be Famous, was composed by Frank Eyton, an English popular lyricist most famous for having contributed to the words of “Body and Soul,” and Noel Gay, a prolific composer who also wrote such popular hits as “The Sun Has Got His Hat On” and “Lambeth Walk.” Its singer describes an outdoor anniversary rendezvous to which her partner does not show up. Left all alone in the presence of the evening moon, she engages in the pathetic fallacy, attributing to the moon human faculties, qualities, and emotions: memory, patience, certainty, and regret. Elsie Carlisle applies her best sincerity and pathos to this song on the first record she made for Rex Records (1939-1942). Rex was the last label that she was signed to, and it was there that she was reunited with musical director Jay Wilbur, who had played the same role in her career in the late 1920s and early 1930s, at Dominion, Imperial, and Eclipse. This was also the last record that Elsie made before war broke out in Europe.

“The Moon Remembered, But You Forgot” was also recorded in 1939 by Leslie “Hutch” Hutchinson, Maxwell Stewart’s Ballroom Melody, Lew Stone and His Band (with vocalist Sam Browne), and Betty Driver.

Announcement of Elsie Carlisle's having signed on to Rex Records
Announcement of Elsie Carlisle’s having signed on to Rex Records

“Just One More” (1932)

“Just One More.” Words by Stanley Lupino, music by Noel Gay. Composed for the film Sleepless Nights (1932). Recorded by Stanley Lupino and Elsie Carlisle in London on December 1, 1932. Decca F. 3319 mx. GB5275-3.

Stanley Lupino & Elsie Carlisle – “Just One More” (1932)

“Just One More” is the flip side of “I Don’t Want to Go to Bed” and is another Stanley Lupino/Noel Gay collaboration for the musical comedy Sleepless Nights. This Decca recording has Stanley Lupino singing a duet with Elsie Carlisle (who did not appear in the movie) and involves some remarkable spoken banter:

– “Hello, Elsie! How did you get on this side of the record?”
– “I came through the hole in the label!”

– “Wonderful! Lovely! Gorgeous!”
– “To what are you referring?”
“You.”
– “You don’t mean that.”
– “I do!”
– “Oh, you haven’t seen me in the morning!”
– “Oh, may I???
“Oh, Mr. Lupino!”

– “I love that curl on the back of your neck.”
– “Do you?”
– “Yes. May I kiss it?”
– “Oh, no.”
– “Ah, yes!
– “Oh, no!”
– “Ah, yes!”
– “Oh, no…”
– “I shall!”
– “You have!

There is a sound at end of the recording that is especially precious.  Listen for it, and Happy New Year!

“I Don’t Want to Go to Bed” (1932)

“I Don’t Want to Go to Bed.” Words by Stanley Lupino, music by Noel Gay (1932). Recorded by Stanley Lupino and Elsie Carlisle on December 1, 1932. Decca F. 3319 mx. GB5274-3.

Stanley Lupino & Elsie Carlisle – “I Don’t Want to Go to Bed” (1932)

An anthem praising the nightlife and its frolicking “nightbird company,” “I Don’t Want to Go to Bed” is part of the score of the 1932 movie Sleepless Nights.  Its lyrics were penned by comic actor Stanley Lupino (father of Ida Lupino), who was also the star of the film.  Elsie Carlisle joins him in a vocal duet in this Decca recording of the song — she did not act in the movie — and while she only sings for fifteen seconds, hers is a memorable contribution.  Particularly funny is her perky comment in the debate as to whether the merrymakers will go home or not:

“I appeal to you, Miss Carlisle!”
“Not to me! Tonight, I’m one of the boys!”

A photograph of the recording session makes it seem likely that Arthur Lally was the musical director. Elsie would record “I Don’t Want to Go to Bed” again later the same month in a duet with Sam Browne, accompanied by Harry Hudson’s Melody Men (as Rolando and His Blue Salon Orchestra).

Other 1932 recordings of the song were made by Billy Cotton and His Band (with vocalist Fred Douglas), Henry Hall’s BBC Dance Orchestra (with vocals by Les Allen), Harry Bidgood’s Broadcasters (as the Rhythm Rascals, with Tom Barratt singing), Ambrose and His Orchestra (with vocalist Sam Browne and spoken parts by Ambrose and Max Bacon), Tommy Kinsman and His Band (as the Fifteen Crimson Dominoes, with vocals by Fred Douglas and a spoken part by Tom Barratt), Roy Fox and His Band (Roy Fox and Les Lambert, vocalists), Harry Roy and His R.K. Olians (with vocals by Harry Roy, Bill Currie, and Ivor Moreton), the Durium Dance Band (with Sam Browne), and Jack Payne and His Band (with singing by Billy Scott Coomber, Jack Jackson, and Bob Easson, and spoken parts by Jack Payne and Leslie Holmes).

Stanley Lupino
Stanley Lupino

"The Idol of the Radio." British dance band singer of the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s.