The Annotated ‘Zip’

The song Zip is one of the highlights of Pal Joey. It is a thinly disguised spoof of striptease artist Gypsy Rose Lee, who had introduced a new “high-class” form of stripping: she recited intellectual patter while taking her clothes off. The song features numerous references to people and things much better known in 1940. We provide here an annotated Zip with the obscure references explained. (There are 18 Notes–you may need to click on the post’s title above to see all of them.)

Zip! Walter Lippmann (1) wasn’t brilliant today.
Zip! Will Saroyan (2) ever write a great play?
Zip! I was reading Schopenhauer (3) last night.
Zip! And I think that Schopenhauer was right.
I don’t want to see Zorina (4),
I don’t want to meet Cobina (5).
Zip! I’m an intellectual.
I don’t like a deep contralto,
Or a man whose voice is alto.
Zip! I’m a heterosexual.
Zip! It took intellect to master my art.
Zip! Who the hell is Margie Hart (6)?
_
Zip! I consider Dali’s (7) painting passé.
Zip! Can they make the Metropolitan (8) pay?
Zip! English people don’t say clerk, they say clark.
Zip! Anybody who says clark is a jark!
I have read the great Cabala (9),
And I simply worship Allah.
Zip! I am just a mystic.
I don’t care for Whistler’s mother (10),
Charley’s Aunt (11), or Shubert’s brother (12).
Zip! I’m misogynistic (13).
Zip! My intelligence is guiding my hand.
Zip! Who the hell is Sally Rand (14)?

Zip! Toscanini (15) leads the greatest of bands.
Zip! Jergens Lotion does the trick for his hands.
Zip! Rip Van Winkle on the screen would be smart.
Zip! Tyrone Power (16) will be cast in the part.
I adore the great Confucius,
And the lines of luscious Lucius (17).
Zip! I am so eclectic.
I don’t care for either Mickey; Mouse or Rooney make me sicky!
Zip! I’m a little hectic.
Zip! My artistic taste is classic and dear.
Zip! Who the hell is Lili St. Cyr (18)?
_
NOTES:
(1) Walter Lippmann (1889-1974), influential American writer, journalist, political commentator and adviser to Presidents.
(2) William Saroyan (1908-1981), Pulitzer-Prize-winning playwright and author. Plays include The Human Comedy and The Time of Your Life. Gene Kelly was appearing in the latter play when he was cast in Pal Joey.
(3) Arthur Schopenhauer (1788 -1860), important German philosopher who believed that man’s desires (physical, sexual and emotional) could never be fulfilled.
(4) Vera Zorina (1917-2003), prominent ballet dancer and choreographer; second wife of George Balanchine. She starred in Rodgers & Hart’s I Married an Angel.
(5) Cobina Wright, Jr. (1921- ), socialite and actress. Bob Hope parodied her on his radio show; she sued; and joined the cast of the program.
(6) Margie Hart (1913-2000), New York-based striptease artist.
(7) Salvador Dali (1904-1989), surrealist painter.
(8) Metropolitan Opera, famed New York opera company. In 1940, radio broadcasts began and the Metropolitan purchased its opera house from wealthy supporters, creating a financial burden not experienced before. The Metropolitan Orchestra performed Rodgers’ Ghost Town in 1939.
(9) Cabala (or kabbalah), tradition of Jewish mysticism dating back to Abraham.
(10) Whistler’s mother, famous 1871 oil-on-canvas painting by James McNeill Whistler of his mother.
(11) Charley’s Aunt, an English farce in three acts by Brandon Thomas; first performed in 1892.
(12) Lee (1873-1953) and Jacob (1879-1963) Shubert, brothers and theatrical impresarios.
(13) misogynistic, showing a dislike and mistrust of women.
(14) Sally Rand (1904-1979, burlesque dancer best known for her fan dance.
(15) Arturo Toscanini (1867-1957), renowned musical conductor, primarily of the NBC Symphony Orchestra.
(16) Tyrone Power (1914-1958), handsome leading man of the American cinema.
(17) Lucius Beebe (1902-1966), journalist, gourmand and overall dandy. Dubbed “Luscious Lucius” by columnist Walter Winchell.
(18) Lili St. Cyr (1917-1999), striptease artist. Sometimes known as the “Anatomic Bomb.”

Notes for the “Annotated Zip” © 2008 LBC