Ain't No Sunshine

 

Saturday 9: As Time Goes By (1958)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This song begins with, "You must remember this." Do you often write things down to help you remember? Yes. Wait. No. What was the question? It was not until late in life I was diagnosed with ADHD. It explained a lot.

 

2) The lyrics tell us that moonlight and love songs are never out of date. Tell us about something else that seems timeless. Romance. I spent Saturday night with an old girlfriend (we dated in 1991). We had the best time. It is bittersweet. I probably will never see her again.

3) Originally written in 1931, "As Time Goes By" is best known as the love theme from the 1942 film, Casablanca. According to the American Film Institute, there's only one song from a movie soundtrack that's more expressly identified with the film: "Over the Rainbow" from The Wizard of Oz. What song reminds you of your favorite movie? "Ain't No Sunshine" from Notting Hill.

 

4) This version is from The George Sanders Touch, an LP recorded by an Oscar-winning character actor. There is scant evidence that it sold well. Tell us about something you thought was a good idea at the time, but looking back, would have done differently. Certainly my last marriage. We got married for the wrong reasons. We were never in love. Need I go on?

 

5) This album was really something of a consolation prize for George. He worked with a vocal coach, hoping to win the romantic lead in the film version of South Pacific, but alas, the role went to a younger man. He had fun making this record instead. Have you recently taken lemons and made lemonade? I think that's what I'm doing with my life. Starting something new to meet new people.

6) He usually played suave but unsympathetic characters. That's why he gave his autobiography the self-aware title, Memoirs of a Professional Cad. What would you call your life story? Ask me in another decade or so. More chapters to be written.

 

7) The night he won his Oscar, George Sanders accepted the statuette, bowed deeply and then, safely behind the curtain and away from cameras, surprised onlookers by crying. Have you ever cried tears of joy? No. I've experienced tears of pride with my children, but of joy, as in from an event, no.

 

8) George Sanders wed perennial talk show guest and occasional actress Zsa Zsa Gabor in 1949. Sixteen years after their divorce, he married Zsa Zsa's less famous but also glamorous sister, Magda. After a month, George and Magda thought better of it and had the union annulled. Sam thinks this is one of the oddest romantic tales she's ever stumbled upon while researching Saturday 9. Have you ever known anyone who divorced one sibling and then married another? (Hallmark movies don't count.) No. But many have wanted to...

9) Random question: You're in a line of 25 people at the post office. How many of those other 24 are more patient at waiting than you are? None of them. I'd come back later if I couldn't wait.