By Paul Goldfinger MD, Editor @ Blogfinger.net. Re-posted.
Barry Levinson (b. 1942) is a film director known for his work featuring the city of Baltimore. I’ve always loved his movies, especially “Diner” and “Avalon. ” He also directed “Good Morning Vietnam” and “Rain Man.”
In 1987 he made the third in his Baltimore series—“Tin Men” starring Danny DeVito (a Jersey guy born in Neptune Township,) Richard Dreyfuss, and Barbara Hershey.

Danny DeVito on the Asbury beach July 29, 2002 during the Springsteen launch of “The Rising.” Paul Goldfinger photo. © Blogfinger.net
The film, set in 1962, is about the con-men who sell aluminum siding door-to-door in Baltimore. The characters and dialogue are wonderful including several scenes with the guys sitting in a diner discussing television, gambling, women, money and their adventures as tin men. It features a soundtrack from the 1960’s including our song below by the Nat King Cole Trio, recorded in 1940.
“Sweet Lorraine” is a jazz classic written in 1928. There have been several hit versions, and the Cole Trio rendition is the one featured in “Tin Men.”
Here it is:
I think that “Sweet Lorraine” is one of the best musical tributes written as a paean to a woman with a particular name. I found a list of 200 songs that contain a woman’s name in the title. These are the ones that have Sweet——: Lorraine, Mary, Melissa, Annette, Caroline, Virginia and Adeline.
But here is my list of favorite songs with a woman’s name in the title: (feel free to add your favorites:)
1. Judy is a Punk
2. Jennie From the Block
3. Wake Up Little Susie
4. Song for Myla Goldberg
5. Patricia the Stripper
6. Help Me Rhonda
7. Long Tall Sally
8. Lonesome Suzie
9. Christine Sixteen
10. Believe Me, Natalie
11.Run Around Sue
12. Donna and Blitzen
13. Mrs. Brown You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter
14. And finally my favorite: Don’t Walk Away Eileen
The difference between Gloria by the Cadillacs and Gloria by Them is like night and day. The Cadillacs, a black doo-wop group, released their beautiful ballad in 1954.
Van Morrison and Them released their raunchy three chord classic in 1964. Van’s version has been covered by The Doors, Jimi, Bruce, Petty, Bon Jovi, and innumerable never famous bands
I prefer Gloria by a group called Them. Van Morrison singing the lead.
Gloria sung by the Cadillacs
Editor’s note: Here is our post about “Gloria” performed by the Cadillacs:
https://blogfinger.net/2013/06/26/a-doo-wop-litmus-test-gloria/
OGrover has another girl named Gloria in mind.—-Paul
O course, my favorite is Linda. The slow version by Buddy Clark and the up tempo by Jan and Dean
“Me and Bobby McGee”— yes, Bobby was a girl when this song was written.
Rockin’ Robin
Just walk away Rene
What about Ronnie (Four Seasons) and Michelle(Beatles).
Lydia, Oh Lydia (The Tattooed Lady) Groucho Marx!
Sad Lisa
Editor’s note: Thanks Ogrover—Here’s Groucho with Lydia