Oom-Pah-Pah

Last updated

"Oom-Pah-Pah" is a show tune with music and lyrics by Lionel Bart which appeared in the 1960 musical Oliver! , in which it is sung by Nancy and the crowd at the "Three Cripples" tavern. Although not an original music hall song, it recalls that genre. [1] In terms of both its tempo and suggestiveness, shares characteristics with such late 19th century songs as "Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay".

In the stage musical, the song opens Act II and does not contribute to the storyline. For the 1968 film version it was moved to near the end and given a dramatic purpose: Bill Sikes has refused to let Nancy take Oliver out of the pub and, unknown to him, to Mr Brownlow and rescue. He orders Bullseye to guard Oliver while he immerses himself in discussion with Fagin, so Nancy starts the song and gradually works the pub crowd into a raucous singalong, hoping their noise will drown out Bullseye's barking long enough for her to get Oliver away.

Related Research Articles

<i>Oliver!</i> English musical by Lionel Bart

Oliver! is a stage musical, with book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart. The musical is based upon the 1838 novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lionel Bart</span> English composer and writer (1930–1999)

Lionel Bart was an English writer and composer of pop music and musicals. He wrote Tommy Steele's "Rock with the Caveman" and was the sole creator of the musical Oliver! (1960). With Oliver! and his work alongside theatre director Joan Littlewood at Theatre Royal, Stratford East, he played an instrumental role in the 1960s birth of the British musical theatre scene after an era when American musicals had dominated the West End.

Leslie Bricusse OBE was a British composer, lyricist, and playwright who worked on theatre musicals and wrote theme music for films. He was best known for writing the music and lyrics for the films Doctor Dolittle; Goodbye, Mr. Chips; Scrooge; Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory; Tom and Jerry: The Movie; the titular James Bond film songs "Goldfinger" and "You Only Live Twice"; "Can You Read My Mind? " from Superman; and "Le Jazz Hot!" from Victor/Victoria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oom-pah</span> Rhythmic sound

Oom-pah, Oompah or Umpapa is an onomatopoeic term describing the rhythmic sound of a deep brass instrument in combination with the response of other instruments or registers in a band, a form of background ostinato.

Nancy (<i>Oliver Twist</i>) Character in the novel Oliver Twist

Nancy is a fictional character in the 1838 novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens and its several adaptations for theatre, television and films. She is a member of Fagin's gang and the lover, and eventual victim, of Bill Sikes.

<i>Oliver Twist</i> (2005 film) 2005 drama film directed by Roman Polanski

Oliver Twist is a 2005 drama film directed by Roman Polanski. The screenplay by Ronald Harwood adapts Charles Dickens's 1838 novel of the same name. It is an international co-production of the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic and France.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheila White (actress)</span> British film, television and stage actress (1948-2018)

Sheila Susan White was an English film, television and stage actress.

<i>Oliver!</i> (film) 1968 British musical drama film

Oliver! is a 1968 British period musical drama film based on Lionel Bart's 1960 stage musical of the same name, itself an adaptation of Charles Dickens's 1838 novel Oliver Twist.

<i>Oliver Twist</i> (1922 film) 1922 film

Oliver Twist is a 1922 American silent drama film adaptation of Charles Dickens' 1838 novel Oliver Twist, featuring Lon Chaney as Fagin and Jackie Coogan as Oliver Twist. The film was directed by Frank Lloyd. It was selected as one of the best pictures of 1922 by New York Times, Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times. Walter J. Israel handled the costuming. Studio interiors were filmed at the Robert Brunton Studios in Hollywood. The film's tagline was "8 Great Reels that make you ask for more. Will Hays says Jackie Coogan Films are the sort the World needs." A still exists showing Fagin training his wards to be pickpockets.

<i>Oliver Twist</i> (2007 TV series) 2007 British television series

Oliver Twist is a 2007 British television adaptation of Charles Dickens' 1838 novel Oliver Twist, written by Sarah Phelps and directed by Coky Giedroyc. It consists of five episodes, broadcast on BBC One from 18 to 22 December 2007. It aired on PBS' Masterpiece Classic in the United States on 15 and 22 February 2009, in two ninety-minute installments. In Australia, ABC1 also opted to air this series as a two-part special each Sunday at 8:30 pm from 20 December 2009.

<i>Id Do Anything</i> (2008 TV series) British television series

I'd Do Anything is a 2008 talent show-themed television series produced by the BBC in the United Kingdom and broadcast on BBC One. It premièred on 15 March 2008. The show centred on a search for a new, unknown lead to play Nancy and three young performers who would play Oliver Twist in the 2009 West End revival of the British musical Oliver!.

Monks (<i>Oliver Twist</i>) Character in Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist

Edward "Monks" Leeford is a fictional character and one of the main antagonists in the 1838 novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. He is actually the criminally-inclined half-brother of Oliver Twist, but he hides his identity. Monks' parents separated when he was a child, and his father had a relationship with a young woman, Agnes Fleming. This resulted in Agnes' pregnancy. She died in childbirth after giving birth to the baby that would be named Oliver Twist.

<i>Nice Girl?</i> 1941 film

Nice Girl? is a 1941 American musical comedy film directed by William A. Seiter and starring Deanna Durbin, Franchot Tone, Walter Brennan, Robert Stack, and Robert Benchley. Based on the play Nice Girl? by Phyllis Duganne, the film is about a young girl who finds herself attracted to one of her father's business partners who comes to town to give her father a scholarship for his dietary studies.

<i>Other Planes of There</i> 1966 studio album by Sun Ra and his Solar Arkestra

Other Planes of There is an album by the American Jazz musician Sun Ra and his Solar Arkestra. Recorded in 1964, the album had been released by 1966 on Sun Ra's own Saturn label. The record was reissued on compact disc by Evidence in 1992.

'Granted, the selection is certainly not as abrasive and demanding as later efforts, although there is strident involvement from everyone within the dense arrangement. The brass and reed sections provide emphasis behind an off-kilter and loping waltz backdrop. All the more impressive is how well the material has held up over the decades. Even to seasoned ears, the music is pungent and uninhibited, making Other Planes of There a highly recommended collection.' Lindsay Planer

<i>Rosalie</i> (1937 film) 1937 film by W. S. Van Dyke

Rosalie is a 1937 American musical film directed by W.S. Van Dyke and starring Eleanor Powell, Nelson Eddy and Frank Morgan. An adaptation of the 1928 stage musical of the same name, the film was released in December 1937. The film follows the story of the musical, but replaces most of the Broadway score with new songs by Cole Porter. The story involves the romantic entanglements of a princess in disguise and a West Point cadet.

Preston Shannon was an American electric blues and soul blues guitarist, singer and songwriter.

James Royce Shannon, born James Royce, was an Irish-American composer and lyricist. He was nationally prominent and active at the time of Tin Pan Alley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Schunkeln</span>

Schunkeln is the name in the German language used to describe a certain rhythmic movement to the beat of a song, people link arms and sway side to side on the spot. This is done either standing or sitting were people move side to side on their seats via the upper body. Sometimes people will also move backwards and forwards, as well as stand up sit down movements.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bnois King</span> American blues and jazz musician

Bnois King is a Texas Blues and Jazz guitar player, vocalist, and composer. He most often played guitar and rhythm guitar, and acted as the main vocalist and original song writer for the Smokin' Joe Kubek Band, touring and equally billed with Kubek after 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oliver Tree</span> American singer, record producer, and comedian

Oliver Tree Nickell is an American singer, songwriter and record producer. Born in Santa Cruz, California, Tree signed to Atlantic Records in 2017 after his song "When I'm Down" went viral and released his debut studio album Ugly Is Beautiful in 2020. He achieved international recognition with his songs "Life Goes On" in 2021, and "Miss You" in 2022. He released his second studio album Cowboy Tears on February 18, 2022, and his third studio album Alone in a Crowd was released on September 29, 2023.

References

  1. The Cambridge companion to the musical. Cambridge University Press. 2002. p. 119. ISBN   9780521791892.