Queen of Noir

Claire Trevor, “Moanin’ Low” from KEY LARGO

KEY LARGO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vh8veUgPt8 

I do my own MOVIES—
I do it with Words

The lives of poets & writers—
that really doesn’t interest me
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Nobody’s perfect in this old world—
especially fucked-up actors

Instead I let my mind meld—
with some actor or actress’ Muse
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Muse to Muse communiqués—
the usual surreal Automatic Writing

Faulkner did it with Raymond Chandler—
writing the filmscript for THE BIG SLEEP
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Stream of consciousness, I suppose—
most of the time I don’t think about it

Like Billy Wilder letting Gloria Swanson—
Ad lib Norma Desmond in SUNSET BLVD
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I just let it happen spontaneously—
impromptu improvisation outta the blue

Muses get that way sometimes, honey—
Grande Guignol queens especially
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I’ve learned to fasten my seatbelt, baby—
Bette Davis with her Bumpy Night Routines

Nothing quite like ALL ABOUT EVE—
George Sanders as wicked Addison DeWitt
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I’ve learned to swish like Tony Curtis—
and Jack Lemon in SOME LIKE IT HOT

I’ve learned to fly over Kansas fast—
after watching awful IN COLD BLOOD
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I’ve been paranoid & scared to death—
like poor Joan Crawford in SUDDEN FEAR

I’ve let thugs like handsome Jack Palance—
use & fuckin abuse me like an old whore
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PANIC IN THE STREETS in the Big Easy—
getting undone in Lafitte’s during Mardi Gras

I’ve known a lot of old queens ending up—
Miss Havishams in GREAT EXPECTATIONS
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I’ve known has-been divas like Claire Trevor—
Singing “Moanin Low” in tragic KEY LARGO

I’ve felt the same way sometimes late at night—
wind blowin outside cooped up with some hoods
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I’ve known some really nice Stiff Ones—
like in Tourneau’s I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE

I’ve been had by lots of smooth Lounge Lizards—
straight outta MONSTER FROM THE BLACK LAGOON
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I’ve even fallen in love maybe once—
That be THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL

All these Hollywood fantasies end up being—
Monsters of the Id outta FORBIDDEN PLANET
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But that be Okay because I haven’t given up—
I’m still looking for the perfect exquisite Lover

My one & only handsome SON OF FRANKENSTEIN—
Even if he be ugly with lots of awful stitches
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That’s when I’ll sing “Moanin Low” just for him—
Just like Claire Trevor in KEY LARGO