IT LOOKS LIKE A BIG NIGHT TONIGHT
(Egbert Van Alstyne (m) / Harry Williams (l) )
Arthur Collins / Byron G. Harlan 1908
Also sung by:
Billy Murray
Ann Sheridan / Bob Murphy / Jack Carson / Dennis Morgan
(in the 1944 film ‘Shine On Harvest Moon)
Old Peters was a patsy
His wife she ruled the day
He didn’t dare go out at night
Unless she was away.
So once he took the family
And put them on a boat
Then he’d go out and have some fun
That I must be the goat.
Then Peter dashed uptown
And said to bachelor Brown...
It looks to me like a big night tonight
Big night tonight, big night tonight
For when the old cat’s away, why the mice want to play
And it looks like a big night tonight.
(short bridge)
They started out that evening
To paint the blooming town
Said Peters, let’s be devilish
I’m with you sure said Brown.
They got some chorus ladies
And took them out to dine
Then both of them decided
They would corner all the wine.
And every time it came
They’d warble this refrain...
It looks to me like a big night tonight
Big night tonight, big night tonight
I sent the folks out to see
But they can’t see through me
So it looks like a big night tonight.
(short bridge)
Old Peter’s like a lily
Began to fade away
They piled him in a cab
And took him home at break of day.
But when they turned the corner
He gave a fearful shout
A light was in the window
And his wife was peeking out.
Don’t leave me boys said he
Your pity I can see...
It looks to me like a big night tonight
Big night tonight, big night tonight
I sent the folks out to see
But their home ‘Holy G’ boys...
It looks like a big fight tonight.
NOTES:
During 1903, the recording industry started shifting from piano to orchestra
accompaniment and this recording is one example of such a shift.
This song was recorded on an Edison Gold moulded record in 1908. Edison produced
these between 1902 and 1912 and they were made of metal. They spun at 160 rpm
and lasted from 1.5 to 2.5 minutes. This song’s cylinder number was 9985. It
was the rule of the day to track recordings in this fashion. These recordings
were popularly referred to as Edison Phonograph Music Cylinders.
(Transcribed by David Story - December 2013)
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As performed by Bob Murphy, Jack Carson, Lynn Martin (as the singing voice of
Ann Sheridan), Dennis Morgan & Chorus in the 1944 Warner Bros. film "Shine On
Harvest Moon":
MURPHY:
I saw your show last night and I heard you sing that song.....
It looks to me like a big night tonight
A big night tonight, a big night tonight
For when the old cat's away
Then the mice wanta play
Oh, it looks like a big night tonight
MURPHY: And who are you?
CARSON: I am the Great Georgetti
MURPHY: We want no magic here
CARSON: But with magic I do anything
MURPHY: Let's see a can of beer
CARSON: I can disappear completely
Pull rabbits from cigars
I've sawn a lot of things in half
But them ain't candy bars
MURPHY: Well you don't have to try
CARSON: No, am I a lucky guy
Woah! It looks to me like a big night tonight
A big night tonight, a big night tonight
Instead of staying in jail
We'll be spending the bail
Oh, it looks like a big night tonight
MURPHY: Next! Oh, Miss Bayes
MARTIN: I sorta like this hoosegow
It's comfortable and clean
I always went for Irish cops
MURPHY: You're a sweet colleen
MARTIN: I know that you'll protect me
'Cause you're so brave and large
I feel like stepping out tonight
Say, how's about it, Sarge
MURPHY: I'm helpless to resist
This case is now dismissed
ALL: Ooh, it looks to me like a big night tonight
DRUNK: A big night tonight
MURPHY: Go on, you're tight
MARTIN: You're with the cream of the crop
When you're out with a cop
ALL: Oh, it looks like a big night tonight
MURPHY: C'mon, Turkey
MORGAN: Well here we are together
So comfy in the clink
We nearly spent the night in here
MURPHY: I heard you clipped again
MORGAN: We sure enjoyed our visit
You've all been very kind
But now we're getting out of here
That is if you don't mind
MURPHY: You're absolutely free
MORGAN: Then come along with me
ALL: Hooray! It looks to me like a big night tonight
A big night tonight, a big night tonight
MORGAN: So let the jail tumble down
And we'll all go to town
ALL: Oh, it looks like a big night tonight
(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - December 2013)
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