The Adventures of Addie & Millie!
The original 'Sweet Adeline' first appeared as a song in 1903. Legend has it that it was written by a little-known American song writer and was inspired by a girl who worked at the music counter of a New York department store. It became a hit in 1904 when it was performed by a popular close harmony group called The Haydn Quartet. Since then it has been in and out of fashion over the years.
In Charlie Chaplin's 1922 silent film, 'Pay Day', four men sing 'Sweet Adeline' outside a bar. In 1926, Max Fleischer and Red Seal Pictures released an animated version of 'Sweet Adeline', In 1939, Mickey Mouse serenades Minnie Mouse with 'Sweet Adeline' in 'The Karnival Kid'. It was briefly performed in the 1930 Looney Tunes short 'The Booze Hangs High'. It was performed by a quartet of sea turtles in the 1930 film 'The Haunted Ship'.
The song was performed by the Marx Brothers in their 1931 film 'Monkey Business'.
The song was performed by Edgar Kennedy, Robert Armstrong, William Cagney and Bud Jamison in the 1934 film 'Flirting With Danger'. In the 1935 Looney Tunes short, 'Gold Diggers of '49', it is sung by a barbershop quartet. The song was performed in the Howard Hawks comedy film 'Ball of Fire' in 1941. It featured in the 1942 Preston Sturges comedy, 'The Palm Beach Story'. The song was featured in a 1952 episode of the TV show 'I Love Lucy'. In 1961, Bing Crosby included the song in a medley on his album '101 Gang Songs'. The Seekers used the song was in their 1968 album, 'Live at the Talk of the Town'.
In 1993, the Simpsons episode 'Homer's Barbershop Quartet' features the song.
Since then, it appears to have fallen out of fashion as a song. However, the lovely name lives on, and on November 30th 2022, our own 'Sweet Adeline' made her appearance. She is the daughter of Paul Nelson and his partner Jenny Ross. She also happens to be the great granddaughter of our resident 'Bard' and he has persuaded us (with a large cash contribution) to run a regular photo feature on his little bundle of joy. Here then is the 36th showing, which also includes news and pictures of Addie's baby sister, Millie who has just turned 1 - Enjoy!
My Story (and Millie's)!
Episode 36
Yippee! This is the month when I have my birthday – and I will be 3 this time. Daddy says at this rate I’ll be drawing my pension soon. Silly daddy. I haven’t even started school yet. As well as November being my birthday month, on the 5th it was Bonfire Night. Daddy told me why we have this special night and sometimes we burn the Guy on the bonfire. Daddy told me and Millie that once, a long time ago, there was a man called Guy Fawkes who tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Fortunately, he was caught in time before he could do it and that we burn a figure of him on the bonfire to show how pleased we are that he didn’t succeed. I wonder then why daddy turned to mummy and whispered, ‘Perhaps it’s a pity they caught him in time.’ Unfortunately, we didn’t have a guy to burn but we did have a bonfire - and fireworks as well.
We also went to Blackpool to see the illuminations. They were wonderful and Millie and I loved them even when daddy said he was glad he wasn’t paying the electric bill for all those sparkling lights.
We did a little early Christmas shopping. I thought what a silly thing to do when Santa brings us everything we need. Can’t understand why daddy laughed and said ‘Oh to be young and innocent.’
And then on the 30th it was my birthday – and party time. All my friends came and there was a big play house with slides, a ball pit and lots of other things to play with. Some of my friends threw balls out of the play house cage and Millie had a busy time picking them all up and putting them back inside the cage. I heard someone say that she would make someone a good wife sometime in the future. I hope that it’s not to soon as we still have a lot of playing to do together.
We had our usual trips out including a trip to see great nanna Margaret in her nursing home. She does enjoy seeing us all and we always get a big smile from her.
Well, that’s about it for November, so until next month, Millie and I will say bye, bye xxx
Hi everybody, this is Millie trying to get a word in edgeways. I must tell you that next month is great nanna’s birthday. We are going to have a party for her in the nursing home. I’m sure that she will enjoy that. And I am sure that you will all know that it will be Christmas in December and Addie and I have been wondering just what Santa will bring us as we have both been very good girls (me especially
Adeline's (and Millie's) Picture Gallery
Guess where we're all going I'll give you a clue Yes! It's Blackpool
We're off Christmas shopping He's laughing at you daddy You looking at me
Feeding time for dolly No! It's not a mess of pottage A gleesome threesome
So this is Star Wars daddy - I like it Looking for a sand witch - get it Just messing about
Let's have a wheelie big bonfire Well I'm doing my bit A roaring success - Where's the chestnuts
Just follow me sis' My Jaffa oranges come from there Following in father's footsteps
Addie's away so gonna play all day I'm joining the National Elf Service Let's get this party started
You've gotta have ballons at a party And here's another I was expecting a bigger cake than that
Ah! that's more like it My big sister is 3 today - So all together - Hip Hip Hooray
Happy Birthday dear Addie - Happy Birthday to you
Goodnight and God bless from us all at Friar Hill Barn until our next adventure!