Joséphine Baker à l'Olympia, 1968

Joséphine Baker's concert at the Olympia Theatre in Paris, 1968.
Unfortunately, this revue does not feature La Baker at her best - the show was thrown together very quickly to assist Baker in obtaining money to save Les Milandes. Nevertheless, Baker performs a stunning rendition of "Quand je pense à ça".
Certainly the greatest revue that Baker ever put together was her 1959 "Paris mes amours", which, to date, is rare to find footage of.

[@cittaromap4163]

This was at the Olympia but years later she celebrated her big comeback at Bobino. I had the immense privilege and the honor to have worked with Miss Baker in 1975 @ Bobino. I was the youngest dancer in the cast . The show was called “ Josephine “ It was based on her life story celebrating her 50 years in show business from her humble beginning in St Louis to her triumphant comeback to Bobino. She used to call me “ her little page “ (Son petit page )cause of my age ! I just turned 18 th on April 1st 1975. luckily for me I have tons of memorable pics from the show as well as unforgettable stories of this short but amazing run. ! She was extremely engaged with all of the dancers .Wanting to know everyone ‘s names .Josephine really truly care about people She was a true legend immensely talented beautiful ,elegant ,generous , humble and compassionate. Josephine had many lives and reinvented herself many times throughout her long career. Miss Baker had the perfect combination of charisma and humanity . She would bring oranges for the entire company saying “ My children you need lots Vit C for strength and energy “ She was so right cause the rehearsals were long and grueling ,,,. Bobino ‘s stage was too small to accommodate a cast of 8 boys 12 girls 3 comedians 1 little girl who played young josephine and 1 gorgeous dancer who perform the famous banana dance ! So they had to transformed the stage by expanding it including moving the orchestra to the balcony and putting additional seats in the theater and building brand new dressing rooms to accommodate such a big cast all while we were practicing in the lobby of The theater for at least 10 days ! It was bit chaotic to say the list and quite cold being mid -February But no one seemed to care it was so exciting to be part of this legendary show ! Even though None of the big Paris music ‘halls like Le Casino de Paris ,Le Moulin Rouge or les Folies Bergère wanted to take the risk producing Miss baker mostly for insurance purposes There were already rumors circulating of her failing health but a small theater by Paris left bank called Bobino took a chance ...Josephine liked to rehearsed late at night after we were done practicing. She even enjoyed having her favorite dish Spaghetti bolognese around 1 am at a restaurant right across the theater. I was one of the lucky one to have diner with her and only few members of the cast at Jean-Claude Brialy ‘s restaurant called L’ Orangerie where Josephine would reminisce on her career. Saying humbly “Well I was lucky I just had a great body and nice smile “ !!! I Could believe how down to earth she was. I will never forget the very first time I saw her performing once the stage was finally ready. That night She was in the audience watching us dancing with huge smile on her face applauding many times throughout being so proud of the cast. After all she was watching part of her whole life story in front of her eyes. ... In fact during the promotion of the show a French journalist asked her. “ How does it feel to see your life story being played in front you and starring in your own life musical ? She replied “ it’s wonderful At least i will see what they think of me when I am still alive !!!! I When we were done the director Andre levasseur said “ josephine c ‘ est a vous “ she jumped on stage and belt a song from the Brazilian number called” Que c‘est bon de vivre” She seemed to be completely possessed by the rhythm of the Afro Cuban sound very reminiscing of “Princess Tam-Tam “ all those years earlier ...Her moves were so unbelievable. Her body was in perfect shape specially in her Chanel suit !!!! There is No way you would have guessed that this beautiful lady was in her late 60 ‘s. A goddess still !!!! What thrill for me. A true master CLASS ,,,,,,We rehearsed the show for about 1 month and half . We actually did more than 4 performances. We started with one week of previews on March 25 th special Press night on march 31 st to glorious reviews ! We had another full week of performances with a big opening gala on April 8 th with stars like Grace Kelly’s Sophia Loren & Alain Delon. We had another performance on the 9 th but She felt into a coma on the 10 th and past in the early hours on the 12 th. I was invited to her funeral at l ‘eglise de la Madeleine The service was extremely beautiful and so very emotional I went to Monaco cemetery recently to pay my respect for this Grande Dame 46 years later. Josephine paved the way for the Diana Ross Madonna Beyoncé and many other artists. A true legend. Unparalleled. ❤️❤️❤️. La Bakair Forever. 🍌 💃 🕺check clips and photos of Miss baker and I. At Josephine baker and me Cittaroma p “. Enjoy

[@elisabethroux-groux3927]

Merci pour ce très beau témoignage

[@cittaromap4163]

@@elisabethroux-groux3927 Un Grand merci a vous Elisabeth .....Et si le Pantheon “ osait “ accueillir Miss Baker ? Je l ‘espere Car Josephine etait Une Grande dame à la personalité volontiers provocatrice et ambiguë a porté bien des luttes. ♥️ mon Twitter is #john40219786.

[@weewooweewoo906]

i cried reading this, quelle belle mrc

[@cittaromap4163]

Thank you so much. Glad you were touched by my experience with a true legend. ..I will never forget.

[@weewooweewoo906]

@@cittaromap4163 happy birthday on monday too 🙏👍❤️

[@geoffreyfox9801]

Josephine grew and kept getting better as a singer and entertainer as she aged. She kept improving. Most stars usually grow weak as they age. Josephine was just the opposite. Her vocal control grew strong and her energy and vitality remained extraordinary until her dying day.

[@Gatsbyesque]

It really is amazing to listen to her two studio versions of Jai Deux Amours back-to-back and hear the tremendous growth in her voice. The commitment to craft was unwavering.

[@andrewthornhill7042]

Wasn't she unbelievable? She just kept going until the end, unexpected as it was. The talent never diminished, the enthusiasm never wavered. She loved her audiences and they loved her right back. Has anyone read Phyllis Rose's 'Jazz Cleopatra'? It's all there....

[@barbiejake4801]

Andrew Thornhill 🥰🥰🥰

[@SheppardOfHermes]

Thank you for the info re the book

[@jmbcbataille9594]

Extraordinairy lady talentful A show like that...❤️❤️with more than one hour of life song with no playback 👍👍👍and danses and the changing of all those fabulous dresses 👗 At her age 😜😜😜❤️❤️❤️ Great lady for ever ❤️❤️❤️

[@75lillia]

une epoque de vrais et magnifique spectacle de scéne des costumes fabuleux un professionnalisme comme il n'en existe pratiquement plus.. tout était dans le réve dans le respect du publique.. bravo Madame ..les artistes aujourd'hui peuvent aller se rhabiller aucuns ne lui arrive a la cheville ...

[@firesong83]

I haven't spoken French in 50 years but this woman absolutely melts my heart.

[@SkipMoskey]

"Not at her best?" By what standard are you judging this wonderful, late-career performance in which Miss Baker dazzles and excites as she always did. And she pulled it off without sets, props, special-effect lighting or (apparently) any scripting. This performance captures what must have been the energy of one of her legendary night club performances.

[@mrlopez-pz7pu]

I was referring to the production, not Baker's performance.

[@unclewillieson5032]

well said

[@williamherndon5065]

That she'll be missed but never forgotten! a remarkable lady. Yes I believe in her Rainbow Tribe I'm so proud of her she came before me and left before I got to know her but I know who she is and I love her very much. Josephine Baker's Humanity has made my world a better place. Thank you!

[@RogerSayers]

Even at rest, She is still an amazing woman.

[@bellini7verdi]

a los 62 años..................y a los 69 a punto de cumplir 70............................era...........y es........la artista mas joven y potente.........y glamourosa...........estilosa.............con voz.siempre impresionante.................una estrella.............sin perdida de juventud.....................

[@marcdelente2456]

Je suis ému en voyant cette olympia 68 ou avec mon grand et ma grand mère ont était allez la voir j avai 8 ans je m en souvien avec passion car eux l aimaient depuis ces début. Joséphine baker une très grande dame qui est éternel et intemporel maintenant au panthéon et ces bien méritée même si pense a 61 ans que ca a pris du temps pour que cela soit fait.

[@gloriahanes6490]

Josephine Baker truly was a vision and her talent will live on for all eternity. I felt a strong connection to her at an early age of 3, and I have followed her work ever since for the last 63 years, and her performances always brings a tear to my eyes.

[@amandajones6481]

She was amazing, what a figure!

[@karlokater8766]

Amazing, wonderful lady!!!

[@adroutt1985]

The costumes alone are pure beauty. Voice was always in her own lane. Definitely knows how to put on a show while engaging with her audience. There would be no Tina Turner Beyonce Janet Jackson or many others if it wasnt for Josephine Baker

[@EricBrownBey]

True that.

[@rowley555]

she was a trailblazer

[@rowley555]

Such an expressive singer...she gives me chills

[@TheSusylaine]

Merveilleuse Joséphine... Toujours un plaisir de revoir vos spectacles, 40 ans après, vous restez la meilleure, l'unique, l'inoubliable... Quelle énergie, quel bonheur ...

[@gorand2940]

My God! What a lovely performer she was!!

[@juliusmaloney]

Wow! I've never seen Joséphine Baker in concert especially this latter part of her career. This is so exciting!!

[@BOHEMIANMEX]

Mexico never forget you. Rest in peace beautiful Josephine

[@breahsaldana3728]

Beautiful voice...God bless u

[@aaronharris6921]

I'm loving this.

[@jmsplummer]

I thoroughly enjoyed this performance. I thought it was fantastic. I love Josephine Baker and admire her greatly for her music and who she was a person. Extraordinary.

[@carrotjuse]

This is a remarkable historical document of an amazingly resourceful, brave, talented and beautiful human being! Thank you for posting!

[@TheVIVALAND]

un pièce magnifique ... merci :) gros bisous à joséphine ^^ ou qu'elle soit :)

[@brenda7101]

God I love this woman

[@gerardsatamian]

She's singing better than ever.

[@iluvrachellef]

Excellent Josephine Baker the year i was born💜🖤💜🖤💜🖤💜🖤

[@sugarlove]

GOD BLESS YOU JB!!!! GOD BLESS YOU!!!

[@adosscreenwriter1]

Amen

[@TheBeverly7]

BRAVO , JOSEPHINE!!!!!!

[@Andrefer2]

DIVINA! Grande Joséphine Baker, ícone da cultura mundial!

[@cliftonbowers6376]

Je ami solo...Merci Te..son mundia..Agree..

[@josephperez3435]

Before Grace Jones, Eartha Kitt, Beyoncé, La Lupe, Rihanna, Toni Braxton, Cher, Lola Falana and Tina Turner there was Josephine Baker, she was definitely one the classic original Divas!🎼🎶🎶🎤💃🗼🐆

[@tqnz-a5238]

Couldn't agree more and thank you for including La Lupe in your list of excellent Black Women Entertainers.

[@thediabolicalempath7246]

Merci beaucoup Josephine.

[@MrPeclo]

Une Grande Dame de la Chanson !

[@lesthebest3171]

Josephine Baker was one of the 20th Century’s Greatest Entertainers. This show proves she will endure forever. She won the hearts of Paris in 1925, but America never truly embraced her. Whenever I see the films, Katherine Hepburns Mad Woman of Chaillot (1968) and Marlon Brandos Last Tango in Paris (1972), I think if only they have given her roles to play in those two films, it would have given her the recognition she deserved in the land of her birth. Nevertheless this show at the Olympia is a great showcase of her enduring legacy. Viva France.

[@donnabillen6646]

LOVE...LOVE...LOVE😍

[@MrPeclo]

Gorgeous songs & Lady. Grande Dame !

[@siempremarisol]

THANK GOD FOR LA BAKER

[@jean-pierrelafay3774]

Magnifique. J'ai eu la grande joie de l'applaudir 7 ans plus tard à Bobino.

[@jean-pierreturgeon10]

chanceux

[@cittaromap4163]

Alors vous m ‘avez vu danser !!!!

[@roddielumsden1501]

I love you Josephine with all my heart and soul xx

[@TheSusylaine]

Cet homme à dû avoir le plus merveilleux et extraordinaire instant de sa vie.... seul au monde avec Joséphine... barbichou....

[@Doninthevenet]

grande dame !

[@detlevbrackmann6317]

what a great show - but the best show was her last entry at the Bobino in 1975 before she died unexpectadlly. I've got the live LPs ...

[@michaelstuckey2087]

happy birthday, Queen

[@schulze0]

Unvergleichlich elegant ! Wunderbar !

[@nelsondelapena9926]

great artist!!!! shes a superstar

[@elisabethzajac2449]

Ce qui est bien chez les artistes, c'est que ce soit cette dame qu'était Joséphine BAKER par exemple ou d'autres grand chanteurs, ou comédiens, ils sont naturels en leur comportement, c'est ce qui les différencie des autres gens, et c'est ainsi que j'ai toujours été de tout jeune, vu que j'ai une âme artistique pour chanter, peindre, aimer la vie avec ce qu'elle apporte de beaux, d'agréable.

[@dbfeldi]

oh wow, I love her, never heard of her before...and love the outfit

[@poemia52]

fabuleuse artiste dame au grand cœur dans la vie....

[@shamatshamat6147]

Lynn Whitfield did a great job portraying her in the HBO film

[@adroutt1985]

That role was made for Lynn whitfield

[@tonymongo1789]

que maravillosa mujer, no conocia la historia de esta artista que llego tan lejos . y que hermoso ponerse a bailar con el hombre al que invito a subir al escenario con ella, Una grandfe.¡¿

[@brunoarmellini544]

Much love!

[@Lyxandro1]

WOW. What an artist!!!!!

[@tonymongo1789]

This woman reached whatever she wants and more ¡¡

[@craigsmith6468]

Her voice got MUCH better as she aged.

[@luluzulu8947]

A very odd comment By the sites host ,Advising this wasnt Josephine,s best,Any great fan of "La Baker" has seen all she has done before and at this stage in her life,its wonderful xxx

[@mrlopez-pz7pu]

I was referring to the production, not her performance. and I do not need lessons concerning Baker's later career.

[@hosotaje]

Merci,superbe vidéo,merveilleuse Josephine,c'est dans cette revue qu'elle chantait Donnez moi la main! avez vous cette vidéo?

[@MichaelAuthorAllAges]

And... MORE JOSEPHINE! Hooray!

[@olispagna5170]

SO BEAUTIFUL JOSEPHINE 💖

[@Lyxandro1]

MAJESTIC :)

[@Bochanable]

Diana Ross would have been wonderful playing Josephine's life. As much as I enjoyed the HBO telepic, it is with sweet regret that Diana, who loved her, did not get to see it come to fruition. If you ever get an opportunity to see her award winning "An Evening with...", Diana does a wonderful tribute to the great lady.....fully made up to imitate the latter days of the ladies' life. In the meantime, I marvel at the fact that I did get to see Josephine during her final tour of the states. She pla

[@iluvrachellef]

Bochanable Miss Ross was fantastic that evening playing Bessie Smith and Ethel Waters also👌👌👌👌

[@cgleisberg3355]

Yes and no, because if D.ROSS played her role, people can see only Ross instead of Baker.

[@shajane]

I agree. I just recently saw the HBO version again after having seen it when it first aired in the early 90s. Lynn was wonderful but Diana Ross would have better captured the physicality and litheness of Josephine who had a slender but strong dancer's body...a true "showgirl" body type. Diana's Josephine would have better captured and displayed the "je ne sais quoi" that made Josephine so special. Lynn's performance pretty much assumed it as a given in the way the screenplay was written.

[@ivanamerlo9275]

Jai vu le chateau de Milland. Cetait formidable vraiment

[@carlosnobili9348]

au PANTHEON 👏👏

[@michaelneel4828]

Walter Winchell said her talents come a dime a dozen in NY ! I WILL GIVE YOU A DIME & BRING ME ONE PERSON THAT COULD ENTERTAIN AS THIS GREAT LADY DID UNTIL HER DEATH !!!

[@EricBrownBey]

He such a ignorant comment.

[@crom7704]

Muy buen a cantante

[@nickdimarco7502]

She puts on a better show just standing there then many performers with backup singers dancer and visual effects. She was marvelous!

[@xjohnnydsonx]

If she is noty at her best at 60 +, I don't know what is. Take in the context of it's times. By then she was 40 years past her historic prime! Still a great proffessional and a joy to see. #Thanks for posting

[@BusterStronghart]

She was unique and compassionate and as much in love with her audiences as they were in love with her. A special shelf for her above the top-most shelf.

[@bellini7verdi]

sin perder jamas......ser la mejor............................la gloria de la compostura artistica emocional incomparable..............................que vivan las grandes...................que son bastantes...............toda una historia musical.........imposible de abarcar en un simple comentarioi......................

[@usielra1861]

Magnífica voz. Con un estilo muy propio.

[@xjohnnydsonx]

mrlopez2681 I hope you don't mis-understand me. I was replying to the caption with the upload. Just to be clear, I was impressed with what I saw and thought I had made it clear. In that as a newcomer to her later work I was very impressed having only seen 1920's stuff and assumed she had gone into obscurity. Many thanks to her fans that post her later stuff. I will certainly explore more of her work and life story.

[@jsmith3980]

Enchanting.Another world ...another time.

[@JCChristHeartCollective]

she is so lovely

[@leprincedesfraisesletigree2564]

Excellent orchestre !

[@rickyruiz2560]

she could sing in French I. love. this. lady what a. beautiful. person

[@carolmirelez170]

I just love Josephine Baker! Amazing woman! ❤️❤️❤️

[@BroccoliBeefed]

Unfortunately most people in the USA didn't know who she was because she became an expat and sang and recorded mostly in French which most of USA doesn't speak or understand

[@franckpaugam]

Je la decouvre alors qu'elle est déjà au panthéon ,quelle femme.!

[@carlosayala8171]

So lovely ❤

[@bellini7verdi]

por mas que la veo........mi adoracion es mayor...........es una crack del arte total y absoluta................y una voz exquisita...........y un saber estar....de lo que se espera de una estrella.......y ella lo era es y sera .desde siempre y para siempre.......................

[@prudhommeirena7064]

Jairais voulu la connaitre merci madame

[@IsabelRamos-sn4iu]

Good to hear on a rainy,Day .

[@zoukwil]

Divine Superstar! I LOVE YOU!

[@chitasworld7391]

That's A SHOWGIRL!!!

[@tennis288]

What is the name of the song she is singing when dancing with the gentleman?

[@leprincedesfraisesletigree2564]

minute 13, Josephine fredonne BLUE MOON la plus belle chanson d 'Elvis !

[@marcdelente2456]

Ont peu constaté qu elle ne ce ménage pas d ou ça cette fatigue en fin de carrière et tout ça pour ces enfants et puis elle a de l allure la grande dame Joséphine sans égale même au 21 eme siècles . Ya plus de grande dame du music hall.

[@oskafanga265]

D A R I N G>>>>freeeee and damn wonderful..

[@kym-bellacoleman689]

The Architect!

[@Gl6619]

It would have been interesting to see her and Duke Ellington do something together, they seem similar in so many ways, even look like they could have been related.

[@cg4428]

CAN'T IMAGINE BEING THAT GUY

[@nicolasperezsosa9878]

sería bueno que este video fuera restaurado es decir pasarlo a una mejor calidad de imagen.

[@mjdr_4ever319]

Its nice that this is in color. Finally we get to see her real skin tone. I'm surprised I thought she was darker. But I guess with B&W photos it is difficult to tell ones true skin tone. All I could tell is that she was darker than white people lol. But she was what the African American community would call a light skinned woman which shouldn't really be surprising since she was half white afterall

[@jadon360]

Stop fishing for controversy. She was NOT half white. She was a light skinned full blooded african american woman, As full black people come in all shades. Every time a black person is pretty or does something wonderful like josephine they have to be considered biracial or else it's to hard to comprehend that a black person could be beautiful and talented all on their own without at least some help from a white person. Cut the bull crap.

[@mjdr_4ever319]

You obviously haven't read her biography which was written by someone who knew her personally. Once you read it then tell me what you think. She was biracial, get over it. It is no big deal. Its a matter of facts, not race or skin color GET OVER IT!

[@mjdr_4ever319]

I only said that cause it was the only time I saw her in color not to stir up anything. It is you who for some reason find what I said offensive like I was saying that she was biracial cause she was pretty or light skinned. I was just stating the facts, obviously you have a problem with that.

[@jadon360]

And there were several other books written about Josephine that you obviously did not read yourself. Her father was a BLACK vaudville performer named Eddie Carson. Josephine had to lie about her ancestry (Depending on who asked her) because there were narrow minded ppl like you who felt she could only be great and justifying your likeness for her by claiming she was biracial. SHE WAS NOT. She was also married to a White Man in France, so in order to not be questioned she sometimes claimed to be biracial. And for your information i have read several books on Josephine and even interviewed her Nephew for a College newspaper, so i indeed no what im speaking of. And if go to a video of Billie Holiday and Dorothy Dandrigde im sure you'll say their biracial too.

[@mjdr_4ever319]

Actually I have read 3 biographies about her so I do know of this Eddie Carson who you is claimed to be her father okay. I don't see any resemblance at all. But if you chose to believe that he is her father doesn't bother me at all because whether she was fully African American or not does not affect the remarkable legacy she left. Sorry if her ethnicity means so much to you

[@blunevoyance]

💖💖💖💖💖💖

[@khalil_Lee]

Amazing ❤❤❤ Dose anyone know the name of the first song she sang?

[@AuxaneST]

"Avec" I believe...

[@bellini7verdi]

CON JOSEPHINE LA EDAD NO EXISTE......ES LA MIJER MAS GRANDE ......LA ARTISTA MAS INCREIBLE.......PURA VITALIDAD...........TOMAD NOTA........ARTISTAS DE HOY DIA...DE TRES AL CUARTO............

[@BroccoliBeefed]

I used to think she was mainly a dancer, but I was told this simply was not true. Most of her career was singing in the studio and on stage.

[@VolkColopatrion]

her career was varried at different times in her life. she got her break from being the funny "chorus girl" in the black vaudeville and of course getting the BIGGEST break with her banana dance in Paris. Fastfoward a few decades and she the grande damme in her role as Marry Queen of Scots signing Ave Maria with her shadow cast on the stained glass. so yeah. hell of a difference.

[@stanibol]

Wonderful. JB was one of a kind, tho I get flashes of Cher imitating Edith Piaff in an eccentric Freddie Mercury moment. Lynn Whitfield captured JBs grace but not quite the Tiger spirit.

[@jmdevotion]

1906/1975

[@bellini7verdi]

NADIE HA MOVIDO EL CUERPO A ESA EDAD COMO ELLA.....UNA MUJER PODEROSA HASTA EL MISMO DIA DE SU MUERTE.........VIVA JOSEPHINENNNNNNNN

[@jitzel1000]

hola yo soy josephine laguna manita arriba pork bailo y canto a mis 12 años jejejeje ella nacio un 3 de junio yo naci un 3 de febrero

[@BOHEMIANMEX]

Anyone here can tell me the name of the song at 20:54 please?

[@Lex142]

+BOHEMIANMEX "Ribbons down my Back" from "Hello Dolly"

[@BOHEMIANMEX]

Thank you so much

[@YukonBloamie]

Wow... Maude started 4 years later.