36-24-36
(Thirty Six - Twenty Four - Thirty Six)
1959



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Highlights
  • Written for the 1959, 20th Century Fox film, A Private's Affair, directed by Raoul Walsh, starring Gary Crosby, Sal Mineo and Barbara Eden.
  • A trio of energetic young men in boot camp are presented with a change to represent their unit in competition on a national television show.
  • Based on a story by Ray Livingston Murphy.
  • Nominated for a Golden Globe in 1960 for Best Motion Picture Musical.



Recording History
Rosemary Clooney, Here Come The Girls soundtrack
Lyrics
Think of Fourteen Ninety Two,
Numerically important to you,
Then there’s Seventeen Seventy Six,
Famous number in politics.

Nineteen Twenty Nine, you bet
Has a fame you can’t forget,
But speaking of numbers big or small,
What are the most famous numbers of all?
 
Thirty six, twenty four, thirty six,
That’s what guys really prize in chicks.
If she has that perfect fit
She gets my okay; that’s about the size of it—oop she bam! Oop-she bay!
 
She’ll appeal like a real work of art,
If she’s built to the hilt for the heart!
Since the day I learned to count I’m the one who picks
Thirty two, thirty three, thirty four, thirty five, thirty six, twenty four, thirty six!
 
Thirty six, twenty four, thirty six,
Oh, my friend, what a blend when they mix.
These are figures for a king any lovin’ day;
They add up to ev’ry thing—oop she bam! Oop-she bay!
 
Ev’ry town puts a crown on the queen,
Who can show she is no stringy bean!
By the numbers is the rule when I want my kicks
Thirty two, thirty three, thirty four, thirty five, thirty six, twenty four, thirty six!
 
Thirty six, twenty four, thirty six,
If you’re less then the press tells you, “Nix!”
If you’re like an hourglass ev’ry hour’s gay;
May these hours never pass—oop she bam! Oop-she bay!
 
Years ago who would know ‘bout your shape,
Now to claim wealth and fame, bring a tape!
Girls are girls and I’m so glad they’re not walking sticks
Thirty two, thirty three, thirty four, thirty five, thirty six, twenty four, thirty six!
 
I don’t mean miles an hour in a jet,
Winning numbers in roulette,
The license number on a car,
Or the distance to a star,
I am talkin’ ‘bout those lovely chicks with thirty two, thirty three, thirty four, thirty five,
Thirty six, twenty four, thirty six! 
36-24-36 from the 20th Century-Fox CinemaScope Production A Private’s Affair. Words and Music by Jimmy McHugh, Jay Livingston and Ray Evans. (Special Picture Release)