Search engine for discovering works of Art, research articles, and books related to Art and Culture
Javascript must be enabled to continue!
“Liza Jane” Meets the Media
View through CrossRef
This chapter examines how “Liza Jane” songs appeared at crucial moments in twentieth-century popular culture. From the 1929 Mary Pickford film Coquette, to an early Mickey Mouse animation; from the Fibber McGee and Molly radio show to the 1960 Harry Belafonte television special New York 19, (not to mention the Andy Griffith show), tens of millions of listeners and viewers experienced “Liza Jane” songs afresh. Strikingly, Belafonte presented a mixed-race cast of singers, dancers, and musicians, which famously led his sponsor, Revlon, to cancel several future shows. The irony of this—a “beautification” company demanding the ugliness of segregation—proved that American popular culture had not yet transcended the ugly days of minstrelsy. At the same time, “Little Liza Jane” continued to appeal. The popularity of new media as well as the popularity of “Liza Jane” songs intersected, further installing these catchy tunes in the American consciousness.
Title: “Liza Jane” Meets the Media
Description:
This chapter examines how “Liza Jane” songs appeared at crucial moments in twentieth-century popular culture.
From the 1929 Mary Pickford film Coquette, to an early Mickey Mouse animation; from the Fibber McGee and Molly radio show to the 1960 Harry Belafonte television special New York 19, (not to mention the Andy Griffith show), tens of millions of listeners and viewers experienced “Liza Jane” songs afresh.
Strikingly, Belafonte presented a mixed-race cast of singers, dancers, and musicians, which famously led his sponsor, Revlon, to cancel several future shows.
The irony of this—a “beautification” company demanding the ugliness of segregation—proved that American popular culture had not yet transcended the ugly days of minstrelsy.
At the same time, “Little Liza Jane” continued to appeal.
The popularity of new media as well as the popularity of “Liza Jane” songs intersected, further installing these catchy tunes in the American consciousness.
Related Results
Plasma AR Alterations and Timing of Intensified Hormone Treatment for Prostate Cancer
Plasma AR Alterations and Timing of Intensified Hormone Treatment for Prostate Cancer
This randomized clinical trial explores whether hormone intensification at start of androgen deprivation therapy alters selection of androgen receptor (AR) gene alterations within ...
Sludge and Theory
Sludge and Theory
This chapter introduces the “Liza Jane” family of songs and puts forward a basic theoretical framework that explains the creation of “Little Liza Jane,” “Goodbye Liza Jane,” “Steal...
From the New Orleans Levee to the Hampton Institute
From the New Orleans Levee to the Hampton Institute
This chapter begins in New Orleans, where in 1876 journalist Lafcadio Hearn reported “Liza Jane” lyrics popular among roustabouts, or longshoremen, who worked the Mississippi River...
From the Bold Soldier Boy’s Songbook to the Cylinders of George W. Johnson
From the Bold Soldier Boy’s Songbook to the Cylinders of George W. Johnson
This chapter focuses on “Goodbye Liza Jane,” the most popular “Liza Jane” variant in nineteenth century popular culture. It begins with minstrelsy bandleader Eddie Fox, who in 1871...
The Constellation that Connects Langston Hughes and David Bowie, Antonín Dvořák and Nina Simone
The Constellation that Connects Langston Hughes and David Bowie, Antonín Dvořák and Nina Simone
This chapter presents the widening “constellation” of cultural heroes who embraced the “Liza Jane” family of songs. From the literary star Langston Hughes, to one of the greatest m...
“Liza Jane” Meets the Masses
“Liza Jane” Meets the Masses
This chapter begins with an overview of nineteenth century burnt cork (or “blackface”) minstrelsy, especially after it switched to a three-part format. From there, the narrative ex...