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Song of the Day: The Godfather (“Manhattan Serenade”), music by Louis Alter, lyrics by Howard Johnson, with alternate lyrics by Harold Adamson, was first recorded in 1942 by both the Harry James Orchestra, with vocalist Helen Forrest and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra with vocalist Jo Stafford. It has shown up in so many films, including “My Man Godfrey” (1936) “Broadway Rhythm” (1940), and “Vertigo” (1958) . It even became the basis for the score to “Mouse in Manhattan“, a 1945 Tom and Jerry cartoon. Check out the original James and Dorsey recordings and the instrumental rendition that accompanied Corleone family consigliere Tom Hagen’s flight to Los Angeles in “The Godfather” (1972) [YouTube links]. My Film Music February Festival gets a two-day extension in honor of Oscar weekend! Stay tuned!