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When I was a little girl and behaved in an impolite manner, my parents would often correct me beginning, "Look, Madame Lazonga -- " and continuing with a statement of my behavioral error and what the proper way to act was. I knew I was crossing a line as soon as I heard that name. My question is, who the heck was Madame Lazonga, and why would she be associated with acting up? Was she a diva, used to getting her own way? A woman of questionable character?
It seems that Madame was a bit of a handful.
A quick bit of internet research has given me a variety of recordings by Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1939? and following) entitled Six Lessons from Madame LaZonga. There was also a movie by the same name in 1941, with Madame LaZonga played by Lupe Velez, and also featuring William Frowley (from I Love Lucy) and Shemp Howard (from The Three Stooges).
IMBD Six Lessions From Madame LaZonga
It seems that the movie was made to capitalize on the popularity of the hit song.
I'm not sure if the character and name were made up for the song, but I can't find an earlier reference. Anyone?
I am also unfamiliar with the movie, but you can read the plot summary on IMDB (link above). The song lyrics (If Madame likes you, the lessons are free.) link is below
Wow! Thanks so much, Glenn! My family has a common trait of creativity, but I'd always suspected that "Madame" was a reference to somebody rather than made totally made up. Given the generation of my parents, I think they were probably thinking of the Dorsey song. I'll keep a lookout for both the song and the movie so I can complete my education. (And maybe I'll learn the rumba, too. LOL!)
Martha Barnette
Grant Barrett
Grant Barrett
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