Discussion » Statements » Rosie's Corner » Inka Dinka Do I love you. That's what Jimmy Durante used to sing. He also said "Goodnight Mrs. Calabash wherever you are!" Who WAS she?
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Inka Dinka Do I love you. That's what Jimmy Durante used to sing. He also said "Goodnight Mrs. Calabash wherever you are!" Who WAS she?

Posted - December 27, 2018
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  • 46117
    It always sounded to me like it was someone he really, really loved.

    So, this makes sense...

    Comic Sonny King, who worked with Durante during his career, stated in an interview that the mysterious "Mrs. Calabash" was indeed Jimmy's late wife Jeanne Olson, but "Calabash" was a reference to Calabasas, California, where she was hospitalized in her later years.
      December 27, 2018 12:25 PM MST
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  • 6023
    At a National Press Club meeting in 1966 (broadcast on NBC's Monitor program), Durante finally revealed that it was indeed a tribute to his wife. While driving across the country, they stopped in a small town called Calabash, whose name Jean had loved. "Mrs. Calabash" became his pet name for her, and he signed off his radio program with "Good night, Mrs. Calabash." He added "wherever you are" after the first year.

    NBC Monitor, January 25, 1975 (sound clip at 48:08) From the Monitor Tribute Pages
      December 27, 2018 1:59 PM MST
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  • 113301
    :):):)
      December 28, 2018 5:02 AM MST
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  • 113301
    Thank you for the info Sharon. I appreciate it. He seemed to look upward (to heaven I supposed) when he said and he always smiled. I liked that a lot. Calabasas is a beautiful place. I did not realize that "Calabash" was Calabasas. I should have been able to figure it out but I never did but now I know thanks to you. Happy Friday! :)
      December 28, 2018 5:02 AM MST
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