Rex Reed & Polly Bergen talk about Ira Gershwin (full interview)

Rex Reed and Polly Bergen discuss their show "Ira Without George: The Lyrics of Ira Gershwin."

[gwenniegirl]

Nice to hear these stories. A lost era.

[jaygatz]

Ira's lyrics for Ziegfeld Follies of 1936 (with Vernon Duke) are brilliant. Fortunately, it's on CD.

[jslasher]

Wonderful interview. The so-called 'good ol days' they talk about are sadly long gone.I, too, have glaucoma, thus understanding Mr Reed's condition all the more. Polly is such a lovely person; loads of talent, but sadly forgotten today for the most part.

[glenysdiane]

I love the casual way these two pros interact. It's like being at a cool little party. No doubt about it, Ira Gershwin was a great talent.

[nonenoneonenonenone]

What was the occasion for this discussion?

[ccaammiinniiito]

They're talking about a great era in American music.  For example, among a herd of others, "My Ship" was one of my all time favorites.  I liked it as done by Nancy Wilson, and I enjoyed the way jazzman Miles Davis treated it in his timeless "Miles Ahead." 

[PetravanNuis]

Does anyone know what songs were in the show they are discussing “Ira Without George?”

[DaveWollenberg]

When did Rex and Polly record this interview? Please let me know. Thanx!

[jaygatz]

Speaking of cats, Rex's eyes have been altered into cat's eyes. Strange . . .

[captainnice]

Don't be to hard on Rex Reed's "looks" in this interview. The dark circles under his eyes tells me that he most likely had an eye condition (like glaucoma)for which he had to use eye drop medication daily. Once that eye drop medication drips from your eyes and touches your skin underneath it can cause the skin discoloration we see under Rex Reed's eyes. Eye doctors will tell you try not to let the eye drop medication touch your skin because it will cause skin discoloration. I believe this is this skin discoloration that we see under Mr. Reed's eyes.

[larrysmith]

looks like Rex had just had his eyes done...

[wlawrencer]

Actually, Ira used the name Arthur Francis so as not to appear to be cashing in on George's growing fame. And George was two years younger than Ira, not four years. George wrote lyrics on toilet paper? Ridiculous. He didn't write lyrics and he didn't writ on toilet paper. Rex Reed doesn't know much about this subject.

[smokypnguin]

Rex Reed doesn't know much about anything.
He's one of the shittiest critics of all time.