Taking A Chance On Love - Ethel Waters

From the film
CABIN IN THE SKY © 1943
Performed by Ethel Waters with Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson
Music ~ Vernon Duke
Lyrics ~ John LaTouche & Ted Fetter

[@Pentagonshark666]

Ethel Waters had most beautiful smile in the history of mankind.

[@Pentagonshark666]

Ethel was big mammy - In good way.

[@garymorris9571]

When Ethel Waters smiles, the world improves a little.

[@michaelklein5242]

One cannot resist smiling here and it's sure a beautiful feeling. One of the true pioneers in opening doors for future black performers and getting them enjoyed by more than black audiences, but people of all color. Believe me, performers like Sammy Davis, Lena Horne, and others had it rough, but things could have been even more difficult (if you can believe that!) if not for the efforts of Waters, Bojangles, Bert Williams and others.

[@potdog1000]

100% agree

[@kevinp.knoblett2212]

The combination of Ms.Waters' voice, facial expression, and ability to sell an emotion, will not come our way again.

[@togi55]

Has anyone ever had a more contagious (or beautiful) smile than Ethel Waters?

[@jamiephillips620]

Tom Gilbert Maybe Josephine Baker but that's about it @41

[@jamiephillips620]

Tom Gilbert Maybe Josephine Baker but that's about it @41

[@UPThoney4Life]

Ikr!! I didn't realize I had been smiling the entire video til the end when I felt my face relax. Watching this makes me happy, love it.

[@potdog1000]

Tom Gilbert no

[@ccaammiinniiito2]

@Tom...In addition to her highly creative style of singing, it was that very smile you mention that made her a universal singing and dramatic star challenging the social mores, customs, and traditions of the times. The smile was radiant and non menacing, inviting ALL to come sit at the table, speaking metaphorically, of course.

[@marybright710]

Sang it, Ms. Waters!

[@octoberfire13]

Liza Minelli's father really made history with this picture. I am so glad he did. Look at this magic and pure talent. One of my favorite movies ever

[@potdog1000]

one oppressed person helping other oppressed people

[@mediathreat]

anyone else really wanted to see ethel waters go all the way on this song hooch style?

[@LoliLoli83]

When entertainment was ENTERTAINMENT!!!!

[@bronxboy47]

Such a beautiful woman. She was one of the joys of my childhood. Just looking at her face lifted my spirits.

[@katefreeman7722]

Bronxboy47 me too

[@JeffreyRBroido]

Me, three.

[@martinperlich6695]

Kate Freeman nyp

[@clarakomada8991]

Fantastico, parabens, gostei demis

[@rosejenson525]

Dig the 40's and this song from the movie, 'Cabin in the Sky'.

[@Domilyons]

My girl was about to throw down, lol! That part always got me!

[@jerryj920]

Oct. 31: Happy birthday Ms Ethel Waters (1892-1977), the second African american to be nominated for an academy Award. Thank you and God bless. RIP

[@padroneoso]

What a cast - Ms Waters, Eddie Anderson, Lena Horne, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Rex Ingram, John Bubbles, and Bill Bailey. Superb, inimitably talented entertainers, each one a joy.

[@michaelklein5242]

We can thank director Vincente Minnelli, because MGM definitely was not interested in making this film. He got his way, but please note that unlike other big MGM musicals of that period, it was filmed in B&W, to save the studio money. However, we don't need color cinematography to enjoy the rich talents of an extraordinary cast and two top song writers.

[@taylordowning2533]

My favorite song and number from this amazing movie. Ethel Waters was beautiful and she had an incredible voice. The dancer Bill Bailey was quite handsome and Eddie Anderson was fantastic!

[@belasgirl6]

She shines in that movie..Petunia

[@alancooke1]

It must be one of the most 'joyous' songs ever written.

[@BonnieLKaye]

For anyone in love, this is the ultimate version of this song. I listen many times every year--year in and year out!!!

[@melodysanger103]

Remembering blues, jazz and gospel vocalist and actress Ethel Waters (October 31, 1896 - September 1, 1977) [10/31/2016]

[@malkeibro]

If Ethel's smile doesn't brighten your day, then something is seriously wrong with you...

[@bmjpdx9222]

And she's just the same in everything I've seen her in.

[@hoops4days15]

I was born in 1950 and Cabin in the Sky was one of my favorite movies when I was a kid !! Such a beautiful story.

[@murrayaronson3753]

Remember the composer Vernon Duke was born Vladimir Dukelsky in Russia, from where he fled after the Bolshevik coup. Duke and George Gershwin were good friends. I believe he's been recently reburied in either Russia or Ukraine.

[@gooffgoff89]

She DID have a beautiful voice! I heard of her as a child. Now years later, I’m learning of her.

[@varadero1839]

Maybe I didn't read far enough among all the fine comments here. No one seems to have mentioned the original "Moon-Walking," fine dancing, and handsome older brother of Pearl Bailey, aka, Bill Bailey! He was one of the greatest performers! I can only hope that others will comment on his fine performance. James Power, I thank you so much for posting! varadero

[@Beautifulstar24]

He is really handsome

[@lawrencemorello9619]

I noticed the moon walk and have shared it widely.

[@telliastacticalfirearmsand2039]

Wow, when I look at him i can see a resemblance. Thanks for sharing that info.

[@telliastacticalfirearmsand2039]

Most if not all were self-taught dancers. No formal classes as we think of it today. I can watch cabin in the sky all day everyday

[@jillsalkin7389]

WOW!!

[@ssbbw00]

love listening to these older black singers they sang with feeling and they had great voices I loved this movie a all black cast

[@kingpedlar3998]

Composers are the basis for all this beautiful music, in this case, Vernon Duke

[@doriefann-purry4750]

Birthday Remembrance of Ethel Waters October 31, 1896 - September 1, 1977 She was an American blues, jazz and gospel singer and actress. She frequently performed jazz, big band, and pop music, on the Broadway stage and in concerts, but she began her career in the 1920s singing blues. MAY SHE CONTINUE TO REST IN ETERNAL PEACE!

[@ccaammiinniiito2]

@Dorie...1896. What an interesting year. It was at that time a young Homer Adolph Plessy was walking the halls of justice, seeking to overturn the mores, customs, and traditions of the time. Alas, it didn't happen. His plea fell on deaf ears. Yes, Plessy v Ferguson, 1896. In the year previous, another historic moment, took place when educator Booker T. Washington gave his famous address at the Atlanta Exposition.

[@Juliaflo]

Put on your thinking caps, take a road trip, and name another singer who passed away about one month later.

[@jackshenhouse]

'Cabin in the Sky' had an amazing collection of talent, but seeing & hearing Ethel Waters and Lena Horne perform in the same film is just a glorious treat.

[@devinspapa1]

Love to share with people who appreciate romance

[@cajsheen2594]

GREAT 👍 THANKS FOR LETTING ME HEAR! XXX

[@GlenDoll]

Can't watch this and not smile!

[@patrickryan1515]

Ethel Waters was such an unassuming lady with so very much to offer. We should see such humility these days; it would be so refreshing.

[@jdrosborough]

If she were alive today she's own the studio and the production company. 1943 Big time blues soul to that

[@rynichols]

What a performance

[@susantitus6133]

The Pasadena Film Society showed the movie Cabin in the Sky. I fell in love with this song.

[@buckoneal1888]

little moon walk action at 3:01 good stuff here!

[@leoray1234]

It's one of the loveliest lyrics I've ever heard, and one of the prettiest melodies...

[@opinionatedisntbad7528]

Ethel Waters must be rmembred", said John West. Well said.

[@StarCityFAME]

If only things were this simple and happy these days. What has happened to people? Blessed to have these memories on record. Great talents and great people.

[@ConcreteRose1985]

damn im just thinkin if it wasnt for YT, i wouldn't know a thing about these great and original music from such a talented woman like ethel waters

[@lawrencemorello]

voice of an angel

[@erflingnot]

Keep exploring one thing will lead you to another.... i’m just an old hippie! Music is the universal language all types never limit yourself when it’s all available.... mu I think music is it Legacy passed down through the centuries from one generation to another..... now with KZbin the sky is the limit

[@vintageincolor]

damn that dude is tap dancin the hell out of that song and ethel has a pretty smile it's so damn big a genuine!

[@thatwomanem]

Ethel Waters was an amazing woman with an amazing voice. I'm so thankful that my parents raised me listening to good music :D

[@charrissimarogers6627]

Black Hollywood history.

[@dannywoody5497]

Absolutely love this what a hit of love

[@michaelbrodsky1221]

Unforgettable--thanks. And what diction!

[@ccaammiinniiito2]

@Michael...That diction you mention was a must for those days. Without the hi tech advancements of the day, one had to speak such that the audience could understand the lyric and with the likes of Irving Berlin, Harold Arlen, Oscar Hammerstein, Dorothy Fields, Rogers and Hart, you definitely wanted to under those marvelous stories set to music in those days. Just listen to the diction of the lead singer of the Ink Spots, for starters. During that same timeframe, belting on Broadway was also the vogue of the day for the same reasons, the audience had to hear what was being sung. Ethel "The Merm" was a good example of "belting" a song. This, of course, is not to overlook Dolores Gray.

[@stefanoo618]

Pure gold!!!

[@iamplaymaka]

Love this…wish I was still existing in the 40s & 50s. My past life brought me here….

[@AjPoliMusic]

I LOOOOOOOOOOOVE THIS SONG!! This is ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITE PART FROM THE MOVIE CABIN IN THE SKY!!! If you have NOT seen this movie, it is a must see, in which this video is from! I LOOOOVE THIS SONG!! They were ALL SO TALENTED!!! Patunia (not sure how to spell it) was Ms. Waters character name in this movie! ONE MY ALL TIME FAVORITE MOVIES!!

[@ccaammiinniiito2]

@Aj...That was quite a movie. An interesting anecdote here. The cat fight between Petunia and Georgia Brown ignited the emblematic snapping of the fingers as end punctuation among the black gay community. Nowhere could you go in the US without finding blak gays repeated that symbol. "Read, Miss Thing!" lol!!!!

[@Wolverine49456]

I agree, it's a great song sung by a true legend in a wonderful movie

[@thatwomanem]

What a voice...what a woman!

[@1234pouvez]

This film was released in 1943. You see Bill Bailey, Older Brother of Pearl Bailey doing the Moon Walk fifteen years before Michael Jackson was born.

[@jayyoung4534]

I adored everything about her: the infectious smile, incredible diction, the emotion put into her singing -- the works. Although she doesn't sing, I feel Oprah Winfrey picks up where Ethel Waters left off. Both women present a powerful presence in just one frame. Fortunately for me, I had the pleasure of chatting briefly with this great lady when I was about to board American Airlines for Virginia and she was deplaning at LAX long ago. Fate hasn't been kind to me. I keep losing influences in my life that made an otherwise miserable life bearable. For example, Whitney Houston would've had a great career in both singing and acting: "The Bodyguard." I had wanted to see her in a reboot of "Sunset Boulevard," in which she'd take the Gloria Swanson role, with Kevin Costner in the William Holden role. But fate hasn't been kind to me.

[@potdog1000]

a beautiful talented lady who exuded class

[@dave327ful]

What a dynamite song is Taking a Chance On Love!

[@songanddanceman100]

As is mentioned further down in these posts -- The tap dancer is Bill Bailey. No mention, though, of George Bassman, the,orchestrator, who wrote that great arrangement!

[@AuntieCass]

I would like to see the "new jacks" try to dance like either of these men! (and check out the moonwalk!)

[@syourke3]

Absolutely brilliant! Timeless and priceless! Great song and great performance!

[@brendalyon7242]

I love this woman’s voice and this movie 🍿

[@gmaureen]

I can't remember how I first happened to know of Ethel Waters, perhaps from an old movie, but it seems she's always been part of my life. I just adored her.

[@jjtruth3507]

Wow! Her voice sparkles & her delivery is emotional & silky. Excellent.

[@KeisOhtsuka]

Sublime rendition. 😮

[@leonardogarcia4071]

BEAUTIFUL

[@susanlawson6939]

Beautiful Lady and a voice like a angel

[@lawrencemorello]

my words zakly!

[@AnyNameIsFine]

beautiful

[@BTURNER1961]

Cabin in the Sky was a Broadway musical which premiered in oct of 1940 in the Martin Beck theater for a run of 156 performances to good reviews. Ethel here, is reprising the role of Petunia that she originated (as does Rex Ingram ). This song was a replacement number written when Waters complained about "We'll Live All Over Again". This one became the hit of the musical.

[@celiahildabusciglio5836]

maravillos ethel whaters, bellísima voz junto a ella fitzgerald y billie holiday

[@ammofuzztone]

That's Bill Bailey, doing the Moon Walk (original moves that Michael Jackson copied) and a number of steps that James Brown drove us wild with. What a great number, and Ethel's singing is perfect!

[@dwannbrown2565]

DANCERS DO WHAT THEY DO, WHICH IS STEAL EACH OTHER'S STEPS!! THE GREAT BILL BAILEY, STOLE IT HIMSELF!! NO BIGGIE LOL

[@criatividadesemfim]

Yes...I wrote this before read Your commentary.

[@travisjohnson5978]

This is one of my favorite films! The musical selections are excellent and Ethel Waters is just always AMAZING!!

[@Beautifulstar24]

That was superb. It's too bad Hollywood was so racist, the dancer Bill Bailey, should have been a superstar. He was handsome, talented, and had charisma. He and Dorothy Dandridge could have become a dancing team in the 1940's.

[@GRTVO]

He's dancing was wonderful but there are some mannerisms for example dancing with open palms that makes him look amaterish and I wonder if he was encouraged to dance that way for the film. There is another clip and he doesn't dance like that.

[@lawrencemorello9619]

yes, yes, yes

[@barbaraannhenderson9049]

Her husband in the movie had some sharpe moves we as a people can do anything let's love like we us too.

[@Juliaflo]

Who could star in a remake of this today?

[@bobinobaker]

Wunderbar - wonderfull !

[@henrirousseau9541]

My favorite song, always thought it was Ella's from the 1950's. The lyrics were clever enough to stand with 'Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered' Glad to see where it came from. Gotta watch more Ethel.

[@IrishLass124]

I LOVE this song and Ethel Waters! Fantastic ...

[@jimfoard5671]

I loved Cabin In The Sky.

[@ccaammiinniiito2]

The other way around. Garland sounds like Waters. It's interesting that many of the songs in Garland's repertoire duplicated Waters'. And remember records show the works by Waters were put to vinyl as early as 1927. Garland would've been five years old, so it's not likely that Waters would sound like Garland!

[@K_Dog253]

Omg. Love it

[@momeetamee007]

reading the book God in the Garden, she sang at Billy Graham crusades...I googled her and was sooo happy to recognize that big smile...I recalled her lovely face from.black and white movie night on TBN. my mom and I watched her in Cabin in the Sky. very grateful for youtube haha thanks for posting...even learned she was bisexual and born out of a rape God is great!

[@Blackjesus3]

i need this dvd

[@rzorro178]

What a talented and beautiful woman! That smile, alone would make you fall in love!!

[@erflingnot]

Yes yes yes....Go take a chance on “cabin in the sky” it’s one of my favorite movies and music and dancing are strictly top shelf.... story the acting... I am sure someone will find a reason.... Watch it again and again. Consider the time and the place in history..... Step off the regular track go explore read some biographies and some backstory..... broaden your horizons..... Break some ground Ignore nothing.... there are things to be learned.... but don’t let the things you learn take away from the joy of their performances.

[@pilouetmissiou]

Delicious

[@vmfleming1]

Wish I could go back to days like this....even though I wasn't even close to being born yet! Great skills! Love it!

[@lemartravis1]

That Smile 😊

[@MrPeteandPete]

I love the lyric. You are very lucky.

[@octoberfire13]

Such a masterpiece. Ethel Waters ---- just -- mmmmmmm so divine.

[@cubannaked]

She was so sweeeet in this song!

[@ccaammiinniiito2]

Whenever Waters appeared on television, the cameramen took special pains to zoom in on a closeup of one of song's most accomplished singer/actress. The drama of her style was punctuated by facial expressions seem in these days on the late Whitney Houston. Both had the same acting a lyric approach to singing. In fact, I sometimes think Ethel Waters came back as Whitney Houston. Ethel Waters MUST be remembered!

[@dwannbrown2565]

SHE IS REMEMBERED!!!

[@cheyenne86]

I just love this, she has such a pretty voice

[@Zockania]

such a nice music and athmosphere

[@37ELC]

Moonwalking at 2:59. Classic movie.

[@mamajedijaws4938]

So glad we can see this today. Wow that dancing. Golly Ethel's voice is a slice of heaven.

[@frankbishop7010]

She was the best.

[@Arkelk2010]

They are good lyrics that show some of the best of American music writing. Would you accept a "thank you" on behalf of your grandfather?

[@MichaelAuthorAllAges]

Great song. Great lady. Liked, shared and subscribed. :-)

[@alexvlasny9755]

Genuine, joyful and contagious! Can’t help to fall in love!

[@jamerarubiano]

James browns steps came largely from those of these pioneers I saw the “Moonwalk”; the “Camelwalk”…ain’t nuh’n wrong widdit…just givin them their flowers

[@emomarcelor]

Luminous. Thanks you.

[@jonathanjacob7557]

I wish they would remake this movie in color with a new cast

[@sdh74]

As part of my introduction to songs on Sunday morning, I am going to whistle as I play the organ before I bring the choir or the soloist . . . #BringinItBack

[@reyalpEleluku]

a very great singer

[@christopherdavis80]

Ethel has always been such a favourite. A woman of such talent.