A mini documentary about Frances Gershwin Godowsky, Frankie Gershwin. George and Ira Geshwin's little sister who was a artist of her own right. She loved to sing, dance and won awards for her painting.
I have met this delightful lady and visited her fabulous apartment in Manhattan's Upper East Side and played some Gershwin songs for her on her grand piano. And she liked my playing and wanted me to play for her daughter Alexis. That is the experience that I shall never forget. Thank you for bringing back the memories!
Just a lovely, and totally charming lady. I was an RN For mr godowsky. During his long illness. Frances was a grand story teller...and a lovely person...no airs or snobbishness. The months I spent with her were most enjoyable. Thank. You for bringing her to life on the video. Penny chrisman
A great lady. I still cherish a vinyl album of Frances singing the songs of George and Ira in her clear voice - surely the most honest of interpretations of the Gershwin songbook.
Thank you Leila Godowsky for making this film of your grandmother Frankie! The old film footage is Precious! I only wish there was some film made of Leopold Godowsky (the original) in his lifetime. Hard to imagine that there is none. Please do let us know if there is, even a glimpse..:)
A lovely film, beautifully put together. Thank you so much for sharing this and including the extra clips of George and Ira too. I remember being transfixed years ago when Ed Jablonski first showed me the wonderful clip of her dancing! Wonderful to see it again!
While attending a concert of Gershwin music, Frances sat right behind where I was seated. Being curious I turned around during the performance to catch a peek and she looked at me and glared like "What?" I never was so embarrassed.
If you would like to hear Frances,her album 'For George and Ira' is available as an iTunes download. I also have the vinyl mentioned below and can confirm that the download replicates that LP.
Hurray for Frances. She's so right about singers not knowing how to phrase. Even so-called top-level pop singers have no clue about phrasing. most of them can only manage about six words per breath.
Whoever created this video --- PLEASE CORRECT THE SPELLING OF "FRANCES" on the opening title! It's not "Francis" --- that's the male version of the name!
So this was produced by her daughter or grand-daughter...don`t you think they could have structured it in such a way as to show us about discrmination and ridicule of Jewish performers ie Fanny Briace. The doc makes the woman look like a clown. Unfair. Untrue. Nazi montage. Bad form.
