Throwback Thursday Musical Showcase: Kirk Douglas Sings and Dances "A Whale of a Tale" 72 Years Ago

Kirk Douglas was a leading box-office star throughout the 1950s, known for serious dramas, including westerns and war films. During his career, he appeared in more than 90 films and was known for his explosive acting style. He was named by the American Film Institute the 17th-greatest male star of Classic Hollywood cinema.  

Douglas was born Issur Danielovitch in Amsterdam, New York, the son of Bryna "Bertha" and Herschel "Harry" Danielovitch. His parents were Jewish immigrants from what is now Belarus, and the family spoke Yiddish at home.

His father's brother, who emigrated earlier, used the surname Demsky, which Douglas' family adopted in the United States. Douglas grew up as Izzy Demsky and legally changed his name to Kirk Douglas before entering the United States Navy during World War II.

But serious dramas were not his only acting roles. Douglas sang and danced a popular tune, A Whale of a Tale, in Walt Disney's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, a 1954 American science fiction adventure film. Adapted from Jules Verne's 1870 novel, the film also starred James Mason, Paul Lukas, and Peter Lorre. Photographed in Technicolor, the film was one of the first feature-length motion pictures to be filmed in CinemaScope. It was also the first feature-length Disney film to be distributed by Buena Vista Distribution. 

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was a critical and commercial success, being especially remembered for the fight with a giant squid, as well as Mason's definitive performance as the charismatic anti-hero Captain Nemo. The film won two Academy Awards for its art direction and special effects.

Here is a video of Kirk Douglas singing A Whale of a Tale from the movie. The full movie is available to watch on YouTube. Enjoy!  

 

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