Awhile back I was humming a little tune I remembered from a Chiquita Banana ad. Of course I went searching for it on YouTube. Here it is:

The voice of the tropical Chiquita banana is so inviting I had to find out who was behind it. Monica Lewis is an actress, singer and true Golden Age Siren. It just so happens that the collective pop-culture conscious was whispering to me again because Monica Lewis came out with her first book this May.

Her book is entitled Hollywood Through My Eyes: The Lives and Loves of a Golden Age Siren. I received a copy and had great fun not only reading about her lives and loves but seeing so many fabulous pictures. The book is hardcover, and reminds me of a coffee table book. Something you’ll want to keep out for display and not kept hidden on a shelf. The back cover is like a pop culture who’s who with images of famous actors, singers, producers & even a few politicians that have been part of Monica Lewis’s life.

“Monica’s book is filled with fun facts, and deep feelings. She hits all the right notes.”—Ginny Mancini, founder, Henry Mancini Institute and Society of Singers

Inside the pages we find pictures of her with Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra, Kirk Douglas, Danny Kaye, Elizabeth Taylor, Mickey Rooney, Dean Martin, and Jerry Lewis, Bob Hope, the list goes on. The stories take us from her childhood days where she says, “Music: We lived it, breathed it, spoke it”, to her radio broadcast days, her theatrical debuts, her talent as an advertising gem, her military camp shows and touring troupe days. We read and view the images of her lives and loves, without the usual Hollywood melodrama but instead a constant optimism.

Her marriage to producer Jennings Lang put her right in the middle of 70’s disaster films. She worked on blockbuster movies such as Earthquake with Ava Gardener, Airport 77 with Jack Lemmon, Olivia de Havilland & James Stewart, and Rollercoaster starring George Segal and Richard Widmark.

The term “lives” is a perfect fit because it’s surprising one person can pack so much into one life. Through her book, I learned not only a lot about Monica Lewis, but also a lot about Hollywood.

“I’m one of the millions who fell in love with Monica. After reading this book, I know why.”—Robert Wagner, veteran actor

Visit http://monicalewis.com and pick up your copy of her book Hollywood Through My Eyes: The Lives and Loves of a Golden Age Siren. Tell her Housewife in Hollywood sent you.

I was outside in the sun doing my Jack LaLanne  leg lifts while listening to “Hound Dog” on my mp3 player when it dawned on me I should find out more about Big Mama Thornton. I know a lot about Elvis and we’ve all heard his take on this classic tune but have you heard Big Mama’s version?

I looked up Big Mama Thornton and found out her real name was Willie Mae Thornton born in 1926 and died in 1984. She was a rhythm & blues singer, songwriter and the first to record the hit song “Hound Dog” in 1952. The song was #1 on the Billboard R&B charts for seven weeks. You might recall the song by Janice Joplin called “Ball & Chain”. Well Big Mama made that a hit first and then Janice did her own thing with it in the late 60’s.

I’ve mentioned before I like to listen when the collective conscious whispers to me. I’m glad I did because it turns out there is a musical performance going on now in Los Angeles starring Blues & Jazz legend Barbara Morrison.

If you’re in the area do like Big Mama would say, “Go on get!”

Get yourself over to a performance. Visit Barbara’s official site for more information. http://barbaramorrison.com/

A Blues Musical
“Howlin’ Blues & Dirty Dogs”
The life and times of “Big Mama Thornton”
Starring Blues & Jazz Legend Barbara Morrison
details Call : 310-462-1439
Where:
The Stella Adler Theatre
6773 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA.
When:
January 22, – April 12, 2009

Time:
8PM Thursday, Friday, Saturday,
3PM and 6PM on Sundays