Kaye

New Zealand Listener, Volume 21, Issue 539, 21 October 1949, Page 12

Kaye

T might be stretching the word a little to call Danny Kaye a genius; let us say that in his own line he has outstand-

ing talent. How long and arduously he practised to bring his tongue and lip movements to their present dazzling rate of-no, movement is hardly the word; pulsation is closer, is his own secret, and perhaps his press agent’s. Even at the dizziest speed his syllables remain distinct and are brought out with a crispness which keeps an audience alert and responsive. He has his own balmy, wistful line of comedy, admirably suited to such a piece as "The Little Fiddle," in which the wicked designs of a scheming glockenspiel are thwarted only just in time. But the next song he sang in 3YA’s Thursday evening corner for comedians was an obvious mistake by the record company. It was what is known to the trade as a ballad (romantic) and was entitled "The Moon Is Your Pillow." Mr. Kaye took it straight, doing his best to be a good imitation of Frank Sinatra, and if his other listeners were like me, they were waiting right through the record for him to burst out of his gyves and take the song to pieces with his bare hands. But he restrained himself, and it wasn’t until the last number, "Oh, by Jingo" that we heard the real Kaye again. And glad we were to have. him back; as Frank Sinatra, Mr. Kaye remains a very talented comedian.

G. leF.

Y.