I grew up watching Pearl Bailey. She was a staple of 1970s variety television, popping up as a much welcomed guest to liven up  shows with her warmth, sass and savvy. And later, I did have the opportunity of seeing her marvellous turn as Frankie in Otto Preminger’s Carmen Jones (1954) singing ‘Beat Out Dat Rhythm on Da Drum’ (“Gypsy Song”).  But I’ve never seen her as young and beautiful, as charismatic, as she is in this wonderful simple number, from Variety Girl (George Marshall, USA, 1947): ‘I’m Tired’

José Arroyo