HE'S TOO DARN HOT

 


A scion of a wealthy Indiana family wrote some of America's most endearing songs and cultivated the idea of the "smart set." Cole Porter wrote songs and musicals that endured well into the 21st century. A gay man, Porter lived as openly as he could for his era. His clever lyrics and hummable melodies ensure that his songs will be performed for all time. To quote Cole Porter himself, he was, quite simply "The Top."


Born as the only child in a wealthy Peru, Indiana family, Cole Porter began music lessons at age 6, learning the violin, piano at age eight, and wrote his first operetta at age 10. He was sent to private school in Massachusetts and entertained classmates with his musical talents. Porter graduated as valedictorian of his class. He started Yale in 1909. His grandfather pushed him to study law. Porter majored in English and minored in music. He was a member of the whiffenpoofs (name checking Richard Gilmore!) and wrote the Yale fight song. He was also president of the Yale Glee club.


He began Harvard law school, but transferred to the music department. At the outset of World War I Porter moved to Paris where he worked for a relief organization. There he threw raucous, scandalous parties. He made friends with playwright Noel Coward and other notables of the day, calling themselves the "smart set." He met Linda Lee Thomas, a Louisville society divorce 8 years to senior. The two married, despite Porter being gay. Porter and Thomas gave each other's stability and social companionship.


In 1928 he wrote his first musical, which included the songs Let's Misbehave and Let's Fall In Love. In 1934 he was asked to write a musical showcasing Broadway star Ethel Merman. Porter wrote Anything Goes, featuring the songs Anything Goes, I Get a Kick Out of You, You're the Top, and Blow Gabriel, Blow. Porter and Linda moved to Hollywood where Porter plied his songwriting talents for the movies. Linda moved back to Paris, but in 1939 she returned to the states. She and Porter moved to Massachusetts. Porter had been injured in a horse riding accident, his legs crushed when the horse rolled over on him. He lived with chronic pain for the rest of his life.


Porter continued writing songs for Broadway and Hollywood. In 1948 he wrote Kiss Me Kate, which won the first Best Musical Tony Award. Linda died in 1954. Porter had a leg amputated in 1958 and spent the last 6 years of his life in seclusion. Cole Porter died in 1964 at 73 years old. His songs have been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Julie London, Rosemary Clooney, and many other music legends. Cole Porter will forever be remembered for the wit and word play he demonstrated in his songs; Porter was "an author who once knew better words."


SOURCES :

Cole Porter.  Wikipedia.

The Cole Porter Story ~ American Masters


FURTHER MEDIA : 

Kiss Me Kate 

Sutton Foster ~ Anything Goes

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