Molly Picon

Molly Picon was about 50 when these recordings were made circa 1947, but she was already a legendary figure on both the Yiddish- and English-language stage. She had had her own theatre for many years and had already starred in a play based on her own life.

Picon specialized in comedic and sentimental roles, but also had a vaudeville act and was heard on radio. She later appeared on American television into the 1970s.

"Busy Busy," one of her most famous numbers, is a good introduction to her art. In it, Picon gives us a day in the life of a shopgirl, from the moment she gets up, through a subway ride, entanglements at work, and a night out at the fights. The humor and music are entirely expected, but completely charming.

While "Busy Busy" is primarily in English, with mainly familiar Yiddish terms thrown in, the flip side ("Believe It or Not") is entirely in Yiddish. I have no idea what it is about, but it involves a shiksa.

Abe Ellstein was a noted composer and conductor who accompanied Picon for many years.

Banner Records was formed to issue products for the Jewish market in 1946, was active for a few years, then reactivated in the early 1950s. The sound on this record is fair and the pressing is a bit noisy.