Singer and actress Carmen Miranda (Portugal, Feb.9, 1909 - USA, Aug.5, 1955) has her best memorial in the hearts of her fans, including Brazil Carnival revelers who fill the country's streets with Carmen-inspired costumes every year. But in 2009, Brazil and Portugal celebrated her birth centennial with exhibits and other events such as film showings and debates.
Carmen, known in the US as the "Brazilian Bonbshell" and in Brazil as the "Pequena Notável" (Fantastic Little One), was born in Marco de Canaveses, Portugal, but considered herself Brazilian at heart. Her legacy is remembered in the Carmen Miranda Museum, in Rio de Janeiro, which displays several of the dresses she wore in her movies and other objects donated by her relatives.
Carmen Miranda Videos
Enjoy these YouTube videos which show Carmen Miranda singing Brazilian music classics:
- O Que é Que a Baiana Tem?
In this video posted by Doni Sacramento, you see Carmen Miranda in the Brazilian movie Banana da Terra, dressed in full baiana regalia for the first time in a movie. From here on, covered in balangandãs (jewerlry laden with charms), Carmen was to personify her own unique version of the graceful baiana described in the song.
The historical value of the video segment is all the greater because it features the first recording by "O Que é Que a Baiana Tem?" songwriter Dorival Caymmi (1914-2008). His is the deep voice doing a duet with Carmen halfway through the song. Journalist Daniela Thompson has more details about the rare footage in a Feb.7, 2009 post in her music and culture blog Daniella Thompshon on Brazil.
- Mamãe Eu Quero
One of the most parodied and mimicked performances on Earth proves to be ultimately inimitable. Carmen Miranda sings "Mamãe Eu Quero" (by Vicente Paiva/Jararaca) in Down Argentine Way, a 1940 Hollywood movie.
"Mamãe Eu Quero" - whose title and chorus do not mean "I Want my Mamma", but literally "Mamma I Want" (to nurse, or mamar), is one of the most popular Carnival marches (marchinhas de Carnaval) of all times and you'll often dance to it in Brazil street Carnival parades and at Carnival Balls.
Mamãe Eu Quero lyrics (in a different order from Carmen's performance)
- Tico-Tico no Fubá
Carmen Miranda's exuberance makes black and white look as bright as a rainbow as she sings the funny and speedy chorinho by Zequinha de Abreu (1880-1935) about a tico-tico (Rufous-collared Sparrow) that's constantly trying to eat his corn flour.
Carmen also performed the song in the movie Copacabana (1947)
