Born in Toronto in 1884, Walter Thomas Huston (father of John, grandfather of Anjelica) was one of America’s most distinguished stage and screen actors in the ‘30s and ‘40s, best remembered by some for his stage and screen portrayal of Sinclair Lewis’ “Dodsworth” and by others for his memorable “prospector” dance in John Huston’s “The Treasure ofthe Sierra Madre.”

He is also fondly remembered for the original recording of this song from the 1938 Broadway production “Knickerbocker Holiday.” Written (in a couple of hours) by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson after Huston requested a solo for his lead role, it was specially fashioned to match his limited vocal range.

Although the musical closed within a few months the song became a standard, with Huston’s recording topping the “Hit Parade” after his and Weill’s deaths (only a few days apart) in 1950, when it was featured in the film “September Affair”.

LISTEN TO TODAY’S SELECTION – Wednesday 12 September 

September Song

When I was a young man courting the girls

I played me a waiting game

If a maid refused me with tossing curls

I’d let the old Earth make a couple of whirls

While I plied her with tears in place of pearls

And as time came around she came my way

As time came around, she came

But, it’s a long, long while from May to December

And the days grow short when you reach September

And the autumn weather turns the leaves to flame

And I haven’t got time for the waiting game

 And the days turn to gold

As they grow few

September, November,

And these few golden days I’d share with you

These golden days I’d share with you

 And the wine dwindles down

To a precious brew

September, November,

And these few vintage years I’d share with you

These vintage years I’d share with you