" THE MAN THAT GOT AWAY" ARLEN AND IRA GERSHWIN TRIUMPH

" The Man That Got Away"-Arlen and Ira Gershwin Triumph: The classic1954 movie, A Star Is Born, was a showcase for the singing and acting of Judy Garland. Ira Gershwin teamed with Harold Arlen to create a number of wonderful songs that enhanced the dramatic aspects of the story. " The Man That Got Away " is what Arlen would refer to as a " torch" a song of lamentation and love gone sour. In the movie, Garland is in an after hours musicians hangout and sings these simple but dramatic lyrics " Ever since this world began, there is nothing sadder than, a lost,lost loser, looking for the man that got away." 
 Although the song was written for a female character played by Garland, there is a version for a male singer " The Gal That Got Away." Frank Sinatra had a major hit with his version with a fine arrangement by Nelson Riddle.

Both Garland and Sinatra were performers who could invest great dramatic emphasis in their singing; poignant and believable and embodying the spirit and intent of the song's story.

Garland Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYoc8h75KVM

Sinatra Link   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5W0ZOHopE8

Several other songs from  A STAR IS BORN  will be featured in the following several posts.