Celebrity Jukebox #6: Barbara Stanwyck

When I first announced this series, George set me a little challenge.

Well, actually he set me three.

The first one, I failed miserably at. To be honest, I had to google Mercedes McCambridge, just to make sure she wasn't a delusion of George's fevered imagination. Turns out she's not. This is her in Giant, one of the only three films James Dean ever made...

And this is her (uncredited) in The Exorcist. Really. Google it if you don't believe me.

But there were absolutely no songs (that I could find) which mention her name. The closest I got was this...

Paul Revere & The Raiders - Powder Blue Mercedes Queen

I had more luck with George's second suggestion though. The lady at the top of the page is Barbara Stanwyck, who, back in 1944, was the highest paid actress in the USA. Which probably made her the highest paid actress in the world. Unless the Lithuanian film industry was especially lucrative at the time.

Here she is in perhaps her most famous role, Double Indemnity. Well, it's the only one I could think of, besides The Thorn Birds.

This is Quella, a contemporary Prog-Punk-Metal band from Brighton. I bet they'll be right up George's street...

You've taken it all

And in my quiet panic

I channel Barbara Stanwyck

And there's fire in my eyes

 

Personally, I prefer this, from one of my favourite Aussie bands, The Lucksmiths...

But honey, there's no hurry

I would hate to make you panic

I feel like Fred MacMurray

And you look like Barbara Stanwyck

As to George's third suggestion... we'll save her for another day. Because I need more space...