In The Cool, Cool, Cool Of The Evening was written by Hoagy Carmichael and Johnny Mercer in 1950 for a Betty Hutton movie that was never made. It resurfaced in the 1951 Frank Capra flick Here Comes The Groom. It was a bad Capra movie, but it starred Bing Crosby who introduced this Carmichael-Mercer classic to the world

We begin with Crosby and Jane Wyman from the movie:

In The Cool, Cool, Cool Of The Evening is actually more associated with Dean Martin than Crosby. Not many singers were able to steal a song from Der Bingle.

I’m a bit nervous about posting Sinatra’s version after the break. I hope Frank’s ghost doesn’t send Jilly Rizzo’s ghost after me.

Rosie Clooney and Harry James swing it up:

Bette Midler is a huge Rosie Clooney fan. In 2003, she recorded an album paying tribute to her musical idol.

Finally, the composer himself. Hoagy was a pretty fair singer/actor as everyone who saw him in To Have and To Have Not and The Best Years Of Our Lives can attest.

What would a Friday Cocktail Hour be without a jazz instrumental version of the week’s song? This time, Neil Hefti who is best known for his work as an arranger with Count Basie.

That’s it for this week. I wish we could all time travel and join the Mercers and Carmichaels on the town. A toast will have to do. It’s what Bogie, Betty, and Frank would want. Never argue with them.