Bring me a dream, Mr. Sandman. Make him the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen. It is 1958. President Eisenhower is in office, and the modern form of rock & roll is beginning to emerge. Don’t tell the Chordettes that, though. The mostly a cappella performances of “Mr. Sandman” and “Lollipop” by the Sheboygan harmonizing girls—Janet, Alice, Lynn, and Jinny—wowed the radio.
In this live TV performance, the Chordettes, who are frequently likened to a barbershop quartet, show off their skills. Do you recall all of the song’s “bum-bum-bums”? You’ll be astounded to learn that each member of the group sings a single “bum” in rapid succession. How did they accomplish that without a hitch?
Even as the racially explicit lyrics beg Mr. Sandman to bring them a handsome man to bed with, these women’s charm and long, proper gowns evoke a sense of past properness.
In a humorous scene created specifically for this performance, Mr. Sandman himself shows up on screen to take their call, and he’s incredibly attractive and youthful. Even as you swoon to the sound of the iconic “Mr. Sandman,” you’ll laugh at this insert shot.