Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

MIRANDA, Carmen

(b Maria do Carmo Miranda da Cunha, 9 Feb. '09, near Lisbon, Portugal; d 5 Aug. '55) Singer, dancer. To Brazil as a child; sang on radio '20s; recorded, made four films '34--8, becoming well known as exponent of carnival rhythms such as marcha and samba; to USA '39 for Broadway revue The Streets Of Paris with Abbott and Costello: her first act finale with 'South American Way', wearing six- inch heels and her trademark headgear made of fruit, made her an instant star, billed as 'the Brazilian Bombshell'. Spoke little English at first, made comic accent a plus; strong personality, cosmetics and costumes made big hit with press. First hit was 'Mama Eu Quero' '41, with Banda do Lua, incl. singer/guitarist Jos‚ Carioca, from film Down Argentine Way with Betty Grable and Don Ameche; Springtime In The Rockies '42 incl. a bizarre version of 'Chattanooga Choo Choo'; The Gang's All Here '43 incl. Busby Berkeley choreography in 'The Lady With The Tutti Frutti Hat' and Ary Barroso's hit sing 'Brazil'. Other Miranda hits on Decca incl. 'Cuanto La Gusta' '48 (samba written by Barroso, from film A Date With Judy, with Xavier Cugat), 'The Wedding Samba' '50, both with the Andrews Sisters. On Broadway in Olsen and Johnson's Sons O' Fun '41; other films incl. That Night in Rio '41, several more. She continued in clubs, topped the bill for a season at the London Palladium '48, toured Cuba '55; she died of a heart attack while preparing a TV spot with Jimmy Durante. She was caricatured affectionately in a Bugs Bunny cartoon, by Jerry Lewis singing 'Mama Eu Quero' in film Scared Stiff '53 and in countless night club acts.