BING CROSBY ENTERTAINS
THE MAKERS OF WOODBURY
FACIAL SOAP PRESENT BING CROSBY
In
the search for details of Bing Crosby’s radio appearances, the Woodbury Soap
programmes have proved more difficult to unravel than the secrets of the
Sphinx. Three complete shows from the
series plus an odd song, survive but despite countless hours, hunting through
scores of reels of microfilm and approaching every possible source for
information, the contents of a great proportion of the broadcasts remain unknown.
Having sailed through the, relatively, few
programmes, that comprised the ‘Music That Satisfies’ series, the reasons for
this sudden paucity of data has been frustrating, to say the least but I still
have the feeling that somewhere, perhaps some small town newspaper may hold
those ‘lost’ secrets which have eluded us.
In my possession, is a yellowing clipping from an
unidentified journal {the only indication of its source is a reference to
‘Stations WHAS and WKRC’ (Louisville? Cincinnati?) which
furnished full details for Programme No.15}.
It may be possible that these writings will access a larger audience
than we have previously enjoyed and so, I make this appeal to readers in the
USA to select just one or two dates for which we have drawn blanks and consult
their local libraries. Do not be
deflected by the footnotes to Programmes Nos.3, 70 and particularly, No.72
which suggest that Bing (if he had not already done so!) was ‘finding his feet’
professionally and was making his feelings known, in certain matters. The orchestra and other artistes might still
have welcomed a set agenda for rehearsals! Meanwhile, it is hoped that it will
be sufficient to say that it has been considered pointless to annotate the programmes,
‘details unknown’ or ‘further details unknown’.
You can be assured that every scrap of information that, so far, has
been uncovered is contained herein.
June 2003
– Since writing the above, directly due to the kind offices of Wig Wiggins and
Michael Feinstein, plus a little nagging from Malcolm Macfarlane and more
particularly, with the gracious permission of Kathryn Crosby, to whom we are
especially indebted, a quantity of further information has now come to light,
in the form of scripts (some of them annotated in Bing’s own handwriting),
together with timing sheets, details of some commercials and comedy routines.
A gross oversight must be corrected, immediately. The series for Woodbury had a title. This
was, quite simply, ‘Bing Crosby Entertains’.
Unfortunately, the compiler had been too bleary-eyed (or just plain
dumb!), to recognise the significance of a slogan that had stared him in the
face, on several occasions, during years of perusing microfilm of the
newspapers of the day.
But naturally, things are never quite as straightforward
as they might appear. Puzzles and
pitfalls lie in wait and at first sight, it might be considered fortunate that
we have the benefit of being able to hear two complete shows that have appeared
on microgroove issues and comparing them with these documents.
The first of these is the first show for the second season
(No.34). This has been represented on
two microgroove issues, (Spokane 1 - ‘Bing Crosby - On The
Air’ and on Totem LP1008 - ‘Bing Crosby - On The Air’). There are no less than four scripts/cue sheets for this programme, all
written by Claude Binyon. (Some indication of Binyon’s
lengthy association with Bing Crosby can be checked by reference to Fred
Reynolds’ book ‘The Road To Hollywood’).
These papers are dated up to six weeks before the
actual broadcast and to the layman, the cues seem so painstakingly, explicit,
as to border on ‘insulting’ to a thirty-one year-old singer with some 250 radio
appearances behind him . For example,
‘Orchestral number with Bing singing only one chorus – and that chorus should
be followed by at least 32 instrumental bars to give Bing a chance to catch his
breath before speaking’!
Had
we not had the aural reference, the problem would have been that no titles are
given to the orchestral items and there is no mention of the Boswell
Sisters. Two of the scripts are
virtually identical and for the musical items, Binyon
has left gaps and merely typed ‘Number 1 - Song by Bing and Orchestra’ or
‘Number 4 – Orchestra Number’ etc., and it obvious that, at this date, the
scriptwriter had no indication that either the Boswell Sisters or Georgie Stoll
Orchestra would be involved. A third,
undated copy, is almost a complete rewrite that was not used.
However, the fourth script appears to have passed
through Bing’s hands and we must surmise that the same disagreements, regarding the show’s theme song that arose in
the first series, (See press quote from ‘Variety’ – Programme No.3), surfaced
again, in the new season.
The
opening page, reads as follows: ‘MUSIC:
Few bars of new theme – Bing and Orchestra’. The words ‘new theme’ have been ruthlessly (?) struck out and Bing has
inserted, ‘Blue of Night’ – ‘16 Bars’! It is possible that the sponsors might have
preferred, ‘Beautiful Lady’, the number that was regularly played by the
orchestra, as a lead-in to commercials. There is still no mention of Connie,
Vet and Martha but the introduction for the Georgie Stoll Orchestra is written
exactly as broadcast. That is, with
exception of just one deleted line, ‘Listen to the boys who have been a
sensation on the Shell Oil program’. No
free plugs from the sponsors of Woodbury Soap!
Amid
a confusing jumble of pencilled arrows and crossing out, the crooner was,
apparently, also scheduled to sing, ‘Straight
from the Shoulder (Right from the Heart)’ and ‘Someday Sweetheart’. It seems feasible that these songs were
shelved to accommodate the Boswells’ appearances and both were to be used
later, on Programme No.36. In complete
contrast, the other complete show of which we have indisputable audio evidence
is Programme No.60 (Microgroove issues on Avenue International AV.INT1018 -
‘Bing Crosby At His Extra Speciale’
and Spokane 12 - ‘Bing In The Thirties’).
This is virtually word for word as scripted, excepting the deletion of a
single page of excruciatingly, unfunny dialogue with guest, Charlie Irwin.
Almost all of the second series for Woodbury Soap is
represented in the mass of papers, together with a few programmes from the
first series. Details of these latter shows (Nos.21, 22, 26 and 27) should be
the most authentic, having been compiled in retrospect, as timing sheets,
either from a rehearsal or, more probably, from the actual broadcast.
To illustrate, here is an example from Programme No. 22
of 12th March 1934:
MARCH 12/34
ORCHESTRA: FANFARE, SHORT ANNOUNCEMENT, BLUE OF THE NIGHT 0:25
BING CROSBY: 8 BARS PIGGY
0:37
ANNOUNCEMENT:
0:50
CROSBY: LOVE LOCKED OUT (2:17)
3:07
ORCHESTRA: SPIN A LITTLE WEB OF DREAMS (3:03)
6:10
THEME AND COMMERCIAL (1:00)
7:10
CROSBY AND MILLS BROTHERS: NAGASACKI (Sic) (1:50)
9:00
ORCHESTRA: YOU OUGHTA BE IN PICTURES (1:45)
10.45
CROSBY: THIS LITTLE PIGGY WENT TO MARKET (2:50)
13:35
THEME AND DRAMATISED COMMERCIAL (2:15) 15:50
ORCHESTRA: MOONLIGHT ON THE WATER (2:35)
18:25
MILLS BROTHERS: HEAVEN ON A MULE (Sic) (1:25)
19:50
ORCHESTRA: SWEET MADNESS (:35)
20:25
CROSBY: SPINNING WHEEL (Sic) (4.45)
25.10
THEME AND COMMERCIAL (1:25)
26:35
CROSBY: CARIOCA (1:40)
28:15
THEME AND COMMERCIAL, BLUE OF THE NIGHT, CROSBY,
TAG GOODNIGHT LOVELY LITTLE LADY AND CLOSING
(1:15)
29:30
There is also a handwritten breakdown of aggregate times which reads as
follows:
CROSBY 11:32
MILLS BROS
3:15
ORCH
7:58
OPEN & CLOSE 2:05
THEME & COMM 4:40
29:30
A further analytical page is headed, ‘TYPICAL SETUP WOODBURY’S PROGRAM’
and offers the following summary:
BING CROSBY (3 songs of about 2:20-3:00)
11:00
BOSWELL SISTERS (2 songs of about 2:20-3:00) 5:30
ORCHESTRA (3 songs of about 2:00-2:30) 6:30
OPENING AND CLOSING
2:00
COMMERCIALS
4:30
29:30
It should be pointed out that the times shown against Bing’s name would
not, accurately, reflect his total contribution, as he would also have been actively
involved, in the other four classifications, by way of introductions, ‘lead
ins’ and dialogue with Ken Niles. Bearing this in mind, a timing sheet for the
show of 16th April 1934 is marked, ‘WITH CROSBY ALONE’. The time allotted for Bing’s ‘singing’
chores, on this occasion, had increased to a shade under
fourteen minutes and required him to sing five songs.
The Mills Brothers had bowed
out on the show immediately preceding this and for the concluding broadcasts of
the 1933/34 series, no evidence has come to light of any other guest
appearances, suggesting that, apart from the usual couple of orchestral items,
he carried these last seven programmes, without other
support. Indeed, an edited version of the final broadcast of this first season
(No.33), was issued on Fanfare Records LP-40-140 - ‘Great Singers Of The 1930’s
- Live Broadcasts’ and the audio evidence contained therein reveals that, on
this occasion, he was obliged to sing, six numbers.
Recalling the slight
contretemps with the sponsors which was to occur later, in the Kraft Music Hall
series, regarding the possible overuse of his talents, the feeling is that this
‘extra’ burden would not have sat too well with Bing and there were indications
that he was pressing for ‘guests’ to share the workload. (Refer to quote from ‘Variety’ following
Programme No.72) Significantly, none of the 39 shows that comprised the last
season with Woodbury were aired without some form of additional, vocal or
instrumental assistance.
It is also noticeable that for
the last 16 of these programmes, Bing did not
participate in the sometimes, lengthy, commercials. This duty was mainly taken over by Ken Niles
and a ‘Miss Janet Parker’, who is variously described as being from ‘the
Woodbury staff’ or, more grandly as, ‘Woodbury’s well-known beauty consultant’.
The specimen timing sheet
reproduced above also illustrates the problems encountered by the researcher
who may be attempting to identify the correct titles of the songs used. Casual
abbreviation was the order of the day and is exemplified by the laconic, ‘8
Bars Piggy’. In this case,
head-scratching is unnecessary as the full title is shown later. By-passing the misspelling of ‘Nagasacki’, we are then confronted with, ‘Heaven On A Mule’
(‘Goin’ To Heaven On A Mule’) and ‘Spinning Wheel’
(‘The Old Spinning Wheel’) both of which are likely to pose problems when
consulting a purely, alphabetical song thesaurus. A few of the instrumental
numbers have proved to be difficult to trace and the titles shown in the scripts
have been taken, exactly as written.
Although there is still little
or no knowledge of half of the programmes that made
up the first series for Woodbury, this monumental and unexpected discovery must
be considered, a landmark in the chronicling of Bing Crosby’s early career on
radio.
The show had a 25.1 rating for the season putting it
in 14th. position for evening programs. The highest
rated evening program as assessed by the Co-operative Analysis of Broadcasting
for the 1933-34 season was the Eddie Cantor show (with
a Crossley rating of 50.2) with Rudy Vallee coming in at 39.0.
No. 1 16th October 1933
Announced by Ken Niles. With Lennie Hayton, his Orchestra and
Chorus and Mary Lou Raymond.
*Thanks
Medley:
Lennie
Hayton (Piano)
The Gold
Diggers’ Song (We’re In The Money) (Warren)
The Shadow
Waltz (Warren)
I’ve Got
To Sing A Torch Song (Warren)
Don't Blame Me Lennie Hayton Orchestra
*Tomorrow
By The Waters Of Minnetonka Lennie Hayton Orchestra
*The Last Round-Up
(Headline) “Bing
Crosby Returns To Air - Singer Heard On KHJ Today - Crooner To
Preside Over New Feature Event”
Bing Crosby the ace of crooning baritones returns to a
regular broadcast schedule over a nation-wide Columbia network with the first
of a series of half-hour programs originating in the studios of KHJ at 5.30
pm. In the new feature, Crosby will
serve as Master of ceremonies and sing, ‘Tomorrow’, ‘Thanks’ and the much
played and sung, ‘Last Round-Up’. His
long-time friend, Lennie Hayton,
will direct an orchestra and vocal Chorus and offer a piano solo and an
orchestral medley from ‘Gold Diggers Of 1933’
Lou (sic) Raymond, eighteen year old Californian songstress who made her network
debut recently on ‘California Melodies’ will be the special guest on the
inaugural program”
(‘Los
Angeles Examiner’ 16th October 1933)
Reviewed Monday,
8.30-9 pm. Style – Baritone and
Orchestra. Sponsor
– John H. Woodbury, Inc. Station – WABC (CBS network).
“Selling a product to the
women must of necessity use a program of definite appeal to them and in Crosby,
Woodbury Soap has chosen wisely. For
Bing is in the middle of a brilliant career and the motion picture successes in
which he appears add to his strength as a radio draw. Further, he has not been heard too often of
late and his performance is better than ever as to both voice and choice of
selections. On this particular program
he neither whistled nor dabbled in his famous impromptu obbligatos.
Lennie Hayton, an able accompanist, arranger and conductor, has
always shown a distinctive style about his work and Crosby, through past
association, naturally feels at home when Hayton
wields the baton or is at the piano. All
of which makes for efficiency.
With
Crosby and Hayton is a chorus of mixed voices that
comes in occasionally, while a good piece of showmanship was a solo by a
feminine vocalist about the middle of the program which seemed to offer the
precise bit of relief and contrast. Hayton also injected some piano parts played by himself for further diversity of the musical end of the
half-hour. Crosby himself offered an
excellent selection of ballads, mostly of the romantic type and closed with
‘The Last Round-Up’ for good measure.
Orchestral interludes were well done, smooth and soft, plus plenty of
rhythm.
Show
originated on the Coast, where Crosby, of course, is making pictures. Credits, done against a partly faded-out
musical background with the theme ‘Beautiful Lady’, leaned towards the lower
price of the product and its value as a complexion requisite. These were not overdone considering the background
of Woodbury, which was used by many grandmothers of today when they were girls”
(‘Billboard’
28th October 1933)
No. 2 23rd October 1933
Announced by Ken Niles. With Lennie Hayton, his Orchestra and
Chorus and Mary Lou Raymond.
*The Day You Came Along
The Peanut Vendor (Simons) Lennie Hayton Orchestra
*To Be Or Not To Be In
Love
Selections from ‘Girl Crazy’ Lennie Hayton (Piano)
Lazy Bones (Mercer/Carmichael)
Lennie Hayton Orchestra &
Chorus
*Goodbye, Love
*I Would If I Could But I Can’t
“Bing Crosby, dubbed by
scribes as ‘the triple threat’ entertainer of radio, stage and screen continues
his new Columbia network series from KHJ.
His numbers for the current release are, ‘Day Will Come Along’ (sic), ‘To Be Or Not To Be In Love’, ‘Goodbye
Love’ and ‘I Would If I Could But I Can’t’.
The Chorus will sing Lennie Hayton’s special arrangement of ‘Lazybones’ and Hayton will play a medley of numbers from ‘Girl Crazy’
(‘Los
Angeles Examiner’ 23rd October 1933)
No. 3 30th October 1933
Announced by Ken Niles. With Lennie Hayton, his Orchestra and
Chorus, Ed Lowry and Joan Marsh.
*This Is Romance
Savage Serenade Lennie Hayton Orchestra
Are You Makin' Any Money Lennie Hayton Orchestra & Chorus
*Shame On You
Mood Hollywood Lennie Hayton (Piano)
*Three Wishes
Weep No More, My Baby Lennie Hayton Orchestra
*After Sundown
“Spice is added to Bing
Crosby’s weekly program over KHJ when Ed Lowry, vaudeville comedian appears
as master of ceremonies and Joan Marsh is recruited from the motion picture
colony to sing a number with radio’s ace crooner. An augmented choral ensemble
and Lennie Hayton’s
Orchestra round out the bill”.
(‘Los
Angeles Examiner’ 30th October 1933)
“Controversy between Bing
Crosby and Woodbury Soap over what theme song shall prevail in that commercial
Monday night session over CBS, has been settled. Commercial and its agency, Lennon &
Mitchell, yielded to the baritone and henceforth, ‘In (sic) The Blue Of The Night’ stays in the program
and ‘Loveliness’ is out. Crosby argued
that the logical theme for the stanza was ‘Blue Of The
Night’, on the grounds that the song had been identified with him ever since
he’s been on the air. Sponsor and
agency’s contention was that the ‘Loveliness’ tune has always been the theme of
the Woodbury programs, no matter what name was connected with them and for
this reason the old bars should stick.
In answer to this, Crosby pointed out, that even though there were some
listeners who associated the ‘Loveliness’ melody with the product, it seemed to
him that the listener association of ‘Blue Of The Night’ and himself at the
opening of the program would be of greater benefit all round. Crosby and the combo headed by Lennie Hayton will broadcast the
Woodbury affair from New York starting November 13th, with the December 4th program, the origin will again be the West coast. Entry of Dale Winbrow
as Woodbury’s producer last week started with a verbal set-to between Crosby
and Winbrow, who had been sent out to the West coast
from New York by the Lennon & Mitchell agency. After introducing himself, Winbrow listened to the program that Crosby and his combo
pilot, Lennie Hayton, had
prepared for the next broadcast and gave voice to an opinion that rounded no
corners. The flare up that was provoked
from Crosby wound up with the warbler and Hayton
declaring themselves out of the show. The baritone’s management later prevailed
upon him to hold on while the situation was being straightened out with the
agency on the New York end. Winbrow’s previous air connection was as MC and plug-reader
on the Crisco Chipao show”.
(‘Variety’ 31st October 1933)
No. 4 6th November 1933
Announced by Ken Niles. With Lennie Hayton, his Orchestra and
Chorus.
*Ah! But Is It Love
Mama Inez Lennie Hayton Orchestra
Cinderella’s Fella (Brown) Lennie Hayton Orchestra and Quartet
*Weep No More, My Baby
Holiday Lennie Hayton (Piano)
*Going
I'll Be Faithful Lennie Hayton Orchestra
*Temptation
“Going Hollywood,” hit melody from the new motion-picture of the same
name, which he has just completed with Marion Davies, will be the featured
number of Bing Crosby’s program over WFBM and the Columbia network Monday from
7:30 to 8:00 p.m.
(The Indianapolis Times, November 6,
1933)
No. 5 13th November 1933
Announced by Ken Niles. With Lennie Hayton, his Orchestra and
Chorus.
*Night Owl
*Everything I Have Is Yours
*Yes, My Dear
Rosita Lennie Hayton Orchestra
Flying
Fingers
Lennie Hayton (Piano)
Chansonette Lennie Hayton Orchestra
Those two old friends and musical partners, Bing Crosby and Lennie
Hayton will combine their talents for another half hour presentation of melody
and song over an international network and The Bee radio at 5:30 o’clock. The popular
baritone of radio, stage and screen will offer three or four characteristic
selections.
(The Fresno Bee,
November 13, 1933)
No. 6 20th November 1933
Announced by Ken Niles. With Lennie Hayton, his Orchestra and Chorus, Kay Thompson & the Three Rhythm Kings.
“Bing
Crosby and Lennie Hayton
will be the central figures in a musical serenade, broadcast over an
international Columbia network today (KFRC 5.30 to 6 pm). Crosby will sing four popular selections,
including two from motion pictures in which he has appeared. Bing will also
serve as Master of Ceremonies for the broadcast and introduce the various vocal
and orchestral selections. The Hayton Orchestra will be heard in several sparkling
interpretations of hits of the hour.”
(‘San
Francisco Chronicle’ 20th November 1933)
“The
unusually improved Bing Crosby, whose crooning has been displaced by a
baritone voice of magnetic appeal, sings the latest in popularities via
WABC at 8:30. He will be assisted, of course, by that clever conductor,
Lennie Hayton, who does much to help Crosby maintain his rhythms.”
(‘The Brooklyn Times Union' 20th November 1933)
“Some of the
readers and listeners heap criticism upon my brow for mentioning from time to
time (Oh, how infrequently!) the name of Bing Crosby.
The call of the mass must be answered, however. After-midnight dialers may try KHJ between 12 and 1 if they care to hear
the king of crooners' latest works.
(‘Los Angeles Examiner’ 20th November 1933)
Meanwhile, big things afoot at KHJ. Bing Crosby, then the most popular
voice on radio and the seventh biggest box-office star, was hired by Woodbury
Soap to host a new CBS series beginning October 16, 1933. In order for Bing to
continue his day job at movie studios in Hollywood, the network agreed to base
the series at KHJ where it would be written and directed by staffers Pat Weaver
and Jack Van Nostrand.
Practically overnight, The
Bing Crosby–Woodbury Show became one of the top programs in the
country, and to Kay’s delight, Bing invited her and the Three Rhythm Kings to
be his guests on the November 20 installment. When asked by the Los Angeles Times how things
went, Thompson said she was most proud of the fact that “Bing tapped his foot” when she sang.
The foot tapping must have been sincere, because Kate and her boys were
invited back the following two weeks, and then, “as a result of listeners’ response” signed as regulars for a 13 week commitment through March 5
1934–far and away Thompson's most important national exposure to date.
And yet, she didn’t have much in the bank to show for it. While
Crosby was raking in $1,750 per show (plus additional earnings for movies and
records) Kay was limited to her all-inclusive salary of $200 as a KHJ staff
artist.
(Sam Irvin, Kay Thompson: From Funny Face to Eloise, pages
35-36)
No. 7 27th November 1933
Announced by Ken Niles. With Lennie Hayton, his Orchestra and Chorus, Kay Thompson & the
Three Rhythm Kings.
“A half hour serenade
from California will go on the air from 7:30 to 8 o'clock, the singers and
players being Bing Crosby and Lennie Hayton and his orchestra. Crosby will be
heard in four selections, accompanied by the orchestra, and Hayton will leave
the podium at one stage of the recital and play a piano solo of his own.”
(‘The Courier Journal’ 27th November 1933)
“Bing Crosby planned to go
to New York earlier this month but changed his mind and remained in the
Southland, to rest at Palm Springs, between his weekly nation-wide broadcasts
which originate at KHJ at 5.30 pm. His
assistants on today’s program are Kay Thompson, the Three Rhythm Kings and Lennie Hayton and his Orchestra.”
(‘Los Angeles Examiner’ 27th November 1933)
Burt McMurtrie, CBS
commercial program mgr., is due back in New York, this week from his rush trip
to Los Angeles to put Woodbury soap's Bing Crosby-Lennie Hayton stanza on an even
keel. Network flew McMurtrie out to the coast three weeks ago when friction between
the agency’s (Lennon and Mitchell) producer on the program developed air performances
that weren’t to the commercial’s like.
(Variety,
November 28, 1933)
No. 8 4th December 1933
Announced by Ken Niles. With Lennie Hayton, his Orchestra and Chorus, Kay Thompson & the
Three Rhythm Kings.
Where The Blue Of The
Night Lennie Hayton Orchestra
“KFRC 5.30 to 6 pm With the brass section of Lennie Hayton’s Orchestra, uttering a stentorian version of ‘When (sic) The Blue of The Night’ another program featuring the singing of Bing
Crosby will get under way”
(‘San
Francisco Chronicle’ 4th December 1933)
“KHJ garners the honours
for variety shows with the presentation of Bing Crosby at 5.30 pm and the
release of ‘The Show’ at 8 pm. Crosby
will be assisted by Lennie Hayton’s
Orchestra, which is programmed to offer a novelty version of, ‘When (sic) The Blue Of The Night’, the Three Rhythm
Kings and Kay Thompson”.
(‘Los
Angeles Times’ 4th December 1933)
“Bing Crosby,
having discarded his plan to head eastward in November, will continue to
present his weekly singing affair from Los Angeles, thus costing his sponsors
extra shekels for line-reversal charges. He'll again have the snappy Rhythm
Kings trio and Kay Thompson as musical accoutrements, plus the incomparable Lennie Hayton, pianist
extraordinary. Hear the lot at 5:30pm on KHJ.”
(‘Los
Angeles Illustrated Daily News’) 4th December 1933
No. 9 11th December 1933
Announced by Ken Niles. With Lennie Hayton, his Orchestra and Chorus, Kay Thompson & the
Three Rhythm Kings.
*Bless Your Heart
Dinner At Eight (McHugh) Lennie Hayton, his Orchestra and Chorus
Not For
All The Rice In China
Kay
Thompson & the Three Rhythm Kings
*Beautiful
Girl
(a)
Kashmiri Love Song (Woodforde-Finden) Lennie Hayton, his Orchestra and Chorus
*Temptation
By A
Waterfall
Kay
Thompson & the Three Rhythm Kings
*Thanks
Tea For Two (Youmans)
Lennie Hayton Orchestra
*The Last Round-Up (a)
Note:
(a) International Club Crosby CD "Bing Crosby Entertains for Woodbury Soap" (2008)
(‘Los Angeles Examiner’ 11th December 1933)
“Bing Crosby interrupts a
Palm Springs vacation to interpret ‘The Last Round-Up’ at 8.30 pm tonight on
WJSV.”
(‘The
Washington Post’ 11th December 1933)
“Bing Crosby will offer
his interpretation of ‘The Last Round-Up’, in his program tonight (KFRC 5.30
to 6 pm). Kay Thompson and the Rhythm
Kings will be, hereafter, heard regularly with Crosby and Lennie
Hayton’s Orchestra.
Crosby’s other songs tonight will be ‘Bless Your Heart’, ‘Beautiful
Girl’, ‘My (sic) Temptation’ and
‘Thanks’. Hayton’s
Orchestra will be heard in ‘Dinner At Eight’, ‘The Cashmir (sic) Song’ and ‘Tea For
Two’. Miss Thompson and the Rhythm Kings
will present two specialities, ‘Not For All The Rice
In China’ and ‘By A Waterfall’.
(‘San
Francisco Chronicle’ 11th December 1933)
Bert McMurtrie, of
CBS, left for Hollywood late last week to remain as long as the Woodbury broadcasts emanate from there. That will probably be
until about Feb. 3. Woodbury show consists of Bing Crosby and Lenny Hayton orchestra.
The Network feels that the presentation needs personal handling locally.
(Variety, December 12, 1933)
No. 10 18th December 1933
Announced by Ken Niles. With Lennie Hayton,
his Orchestra and Chorus, Kay Thompson & the Three Rhythm Kings and The Mills Brothers.
*Heaven Only Knows
Did You Ever See A Dream Walking? (Revel) Lennie Hayton, his Orchestra and Chorus
You’re Gonna Lose Your Gal Kay Thompson & the Three Rhythm Kings
*Goodnight, Little Girl Of
My Dreams
From The Land Of The Sky Blue Water (Cadman) Lennie Hayton Orchestra
*Thanks
No More Love Kay Thompson & the Three Rhythm Kings
Sweet Sue (Just You) (Young) Lennie Hayton Orchestra
*Night And Day
Dinah
The Mills Brothers
Lazy Bones
The Mills Brothers
“A four
star Hollywood revue with Bing Crosby, Lennie Hayton’s Orchestra, Kay Thompson and the Rhythm Kings will
be heard tonight from Los Angeles.
Crosby will sing ‘Heaven Only Knows’, ‘Goodnight, Little Girl Of My Dreams’, ‘Thanks’ and ‘Night And Day’. Miss Thompson and the Rhythm Kings will
present, ‘You’re Gonna Lose Your Gal’ and ‘No More
Love’ while the Orchestra will play ‘Did You Ever See A Dream Walking?’, ‘Land
Of The Sky Blue Water’ and ‘Sweet Sue’”.
(‘San Francisco Chronicle’ 18th December 1933)
“Lured
to the coast by lucrative motion picture contracts, the Mills Brothers, amazing
exponents of harmony, with the ability to simulate orchestral effects with the
vocal chords, enter a new phase of their radio career as entertainers on Bing
Crosby’s Columbia program which originates at KHJ at 5.30 pm. They will offer their novelty arrangements of
‘Dinah’ and ‘Lazybones’. Crosby is
billed to sing ‘Heaven Only Knows’, ‘Goodnight Little Girl Of
My Dreams’ and ‘Thanks’. Lennie Hayton’s Orchestra
provides the orchestral features and Kay Thompson and the Three Rhythm Kings
continue to lend their talents to the show”.
(‘Los
Angeles Examiner’ 18th December 1933)
No. 11 25th December 1933
Announced by Ken Niles. With Lennie
Hayton, his Orchestra and Chorus and The Mills Brothers.
*Dinah
with
The Mills Brothers
A gala array of
talent will be heard will be heard with Bing Crosby at 5:30 p.m. Lennie Hayton’s
Orchestra, the Mills Brothers, Kay Thompson and the Three Rhythm Kings will be
heard.
(The Fresno Bee, December 25, 1933).
Lennie Hayton stymied by L. A. Union Rules Loses
Woodbury Acct.
Broadcast of Jan.
9 will be the last for Lennie Hayton on the Tuesday night Woodbury show over NBC. Account's dissatisfaction with the dance
combo under his direction is the cause. In agreeing to the withdrawal Hayton
admitted that he has found it difficult to maintain a first rate dance unit from
among the pickup men available to him in. Los Angeles. Pick of the town's musicians,
the leader pointed out, had permanent berths and the rules of the local union banned
them from doubling into other jobs.
(Variety, December 26, 1933)
No. 12 1st January 1934
Announced by Ken Niles. With Lennie
Hayton, his Orchestra and Chorus, Kay Thompson &
the Three Rhythm Kings and The Mills Brothers.
*You're My Past, Present And Future
Heaven Only Knows Lennie Hayton Orchestra
*Shine with The Mills Brothers
And I Still Love You Lennie Hayton Orchestra
You're Gonna Lose Your Gal Kay Thompson & the Three Rhythm Kings
*My Melancholy Baby
La Violetera Lennie Hayton Orchestra
We're In The Money The Mills Brothers
*I Surrender Dear
(‘San Francisco Chronicle’ 1st January
1934)
“Bing
Crosby's “noodling,” in the
cupboard of forgotten accomplishments for so long, has returned prominently
since Bing and the Mills Brothers joined company for the Monday evening
broadcast. “Dinah” last week and “Shine” this week show Crosby as a fellow who
sings anything and sings it well. I remember when he either dared not or cared
not to hit high notes. Now he goes one or two notes higher than necessary at the
finish of a song and his expression seems to express a satisfaction which might
be interpreted as "Well, Mr. Note, you were HIT. Right on the nose.”
(‘Los Angeles Examiner’ 3rd January 1934)
No. 13 8th January
1934
Announced by Ken Niles. With Lennie Hayton, his Orchestra and Chorus, Kay Thompson & the Three Rhythm Kings and The Mills Brothers.
*Mine
Old Spinning Wheel Lennie Hayton Orchestra
*Smoke Rings with The Mills Brothers
*Let's Fall In Love
By The Bend In The River Lennie Hayton Orchestra
My Old Man The Mills Brothers
Tony's Wife Lennie Hayton Orchestra
*Good Night, Little Girl Of My Dreams
(‘San Francisco Chronicle’ 7th January 1934)
“CBS brings startling information in headline manner that
Bing Crosby will broadcast from California. Where has he been? Mills Brothers
continue to form an important part of the program. Bing's reading of the
football summary last week was given in a manner which made numerous announcers
blush. Stumbling and confusion were conspicuous by their absence. He had all the
self-assurance of a Husing. The
Crosby broadcast is heard at the usual hour, 5:30 pm, through KHJ.”
(‘Los Angeles Examiner’ 8th January 1934)
“Gus Arnheim
and his orchestra will begin playing for Bing Crosby on Jan.15, and the Mills Brothers will continue to sing
on this program until February when Bing will return to the East.”
(‘Los Angeles Evening Herald Express’ 8th January 1934)
No. 14 15th January
1934
Announced by Ken Niles. With Gus Arnheim and his Orchestra, Kay Thompson & the
Three Rhythm Kings and The Mills
Brothers.
“Gus Arnheim’s Orchestra will make its initial appearance
with Bing Crosby over a coast to coast Columbia network from Los Angeles,
tonight. In
accompanying Bing, the Arnheim
Orchestra will resume the association built up during the days when Crosby was
making his first recordings. The orchestra will be led by Lou Kosloff. Another feature of the half-hour series will
be the unique harmonies and instrumental impersonations of the Mills Brothers.”
(‘San Francisco Chronicle’ 15th January
1934)
“This is the night when Bing Crosby and Gus Arnheim's Orchestra enjoy their radio
homecoming. Apart for the past three years, since both were featured in a
nightly broadcast, the combination is revived on Crosby's coast-to-coast program
at 5:30 o'clock, released here through KHJ. Much water has flowed beneath the
bridge since the Crosby-Arnheim
rhythm team last ruled the airialto. Bing has gone to a perch atop the crooning
field. Arnheim has gone to
dazzling heights in the orchestral world. There is sentiment attached to the
reunion. It may be noticeable.
It would be gross negligence to fail to mention the Mills
Brothers, who are part of the show. Originally signed for three weeks as guest
artists, they proved so popular that they were made a regular feature.
One can speak of Crosby and Russ Columbo in the same breath nowadays. In New York
they seldom saw each other and reports had it that they cared little if meetings
were never arranged. We've heard Crosby's story and we've had Columbo's. Apparently outside influence tried to
build a bitter feud between them. Since neither saw nor talked to the other,
each believed that he was the victim of disparaging remarks. Not long ago they
talked things over and found that the "battle of the baritones" was a fight in
which neither took part. Both are fine fellows, successes in radio and in motion
pictures. Crosby is pleasantly aggressive and a wit. Columbo, on the other hand, is a listener, who
allows the other fellow to talk.
Both are good looking, but widely different in type. Bing
is of medium height and stocky, with a light complexion. Columbo is typically Latin. About 6 feet tall,
he resembles the late Rudolph Valentino. His olive complexion is inherited from
Italian forbears.”
(‘Los Angeles Examiner’ 15th January 1934)
No. 15 22nd January
1934
Announced by Ken Niles. With Gus Arnheim and his Orchestra, Kay Thompson & the
Three Rhythm Kings and The Mills
Brothers.
*One Minute To One
My Dancing Lady (McHugh)
Gus Arnheim & his
Orchestra
*Someone Stole Gabriel’s Horn
with The Mills Brothers
Like Me A Little Bit Less (Love Me A Little Bit More) (Burton) Gus Arnheim & his Orchestra
*We’ll Make Hay While The Sun Shines
Sophisticated Lady (Ellington) Gus Arnheim & his Orchestra
*Mine
“A variety show built around Bing Crosby,
offering the harmonies of Gus Arnheim’s Orchestra and the vocal and instrumental
arrangements of the Mills Brothers will be heard over a nation-wide Columbia
network, today from Los Angeles.”
(‘San Francisco Chronicle’ 22nd January 1934)
“Kay Thompson, singer and pianist at KHJ, was called to St.
Louis on Friday by the serious illness of her mother.”
(‘Hollywood Citizen News’ 22nd January 1934)
“Bing Crosby features another song from Marion Davies'
latest Cosmopolitan production, Going Hollywood, which opens Thursday at Loew's State Theater, when he takes the air with Gus Arnheim's Orchestra today (5:30pm,
KHJ). Songs from this picture are among the finest in Bing's repertoire, and
little wonder, since he is the leading man in the production. This time it will
be "We'll Make Hay While the Sun
Shines," a tuneful score by Nacio
Herb Brown and Arthur Freed.”
(‘Los Angeles Examiner’ 22nd January 1934)
No. 16 29th January
1934
Announced by Ken Niles. With Gus Arnheim and his Orchestra, Kay Thompson & the
Three Rhythm Kings and The Mills
Brothers.
*Hits from ‘Going Hollywood’
“Bing Crosby will head another variety show to be broadcast
from Los Angeles with Gus Arnheim’s Orchestra and the Mills Brothers,
tonight.
Crosby will sing a group of solo numbers and will also serve as Master of
Ceremonies.”
(‘San Francisco Chronicle’ 29th January 1934)
No. 17 5th February
1934
Announced by Ken Niles. With Gus Arnheim and his Orchestra, Kay Thompson & the
Three Rhythm Kings and The Mills
Brothers.
*Little Dutch Mill
Our Big Love Scene Gus Arnheim & his Orchestra
*Sweet Georgia Brown with The Mills Brothers
Keep Young And Beautiful Gus Arnheim & his Orchestra
Just A Ladies Man The Mills Brothers
*After Sundown
My Little Grass Shack In Kealakekua, Hawaii The Mills Brothers
Final song by Bing not decided when press release issued.
Topping the variety show to be broadcast from California will be Bing
Crosby singing with Gus Arnheim’s orchestra, while the Mills Brothers will
contribute their special variations of musical numbers over WFBM and the Columbia
network Monday from 7:30 to 8 p.m.
(The Indianapolis Times, February 5, 1934)
No. 18 12th
February 1934
Announced by Ken Niles. With Gus Arnheim and his Orchestra, Kay Thompson & the
Three Rhythm Kings and The Mills
Brothers.
*Last Year’s Girl
Dancing In The
Moonlight
Gus Arnheim & his
Orchestra
*Smoke Rings (Eugene)
with The Mills Brothers
Mine
Gus Arnheim & his
Orchestra
My Old Man
The Mills Brothers
*The Day You Came Along
Goin’ To Heaven On A Mule The
Mills Brothers
Little Dutch Mill (Barris) Gus Arnheim & his Orchestra
*On The Wrong Side Of The Fence
“Bing Crosby, Gus Arnheim’s Orchestra and the Mills Brothers will
contribute their special type of entertainment on their program tonight, from Los Angeles. Crosby’s solos will
be ‘Last Year’s Girl’, ‘Day You Came Along’ and ‘On The Wrong Side Of The
Fence’. Other
tunes on the program are ‘Dancing In The Moonlight’, ‘Smoke Rings’, ‘Mine’,
‘My Old Man’, ‘Dutch Mill’ (sic) and ‘Going To Heaven On A Mule’.
(‘San Francisco Chronicle’ 12th February 1934)
No. 19 19th
February 1934
Announced by Ken Niles. With Gus Arnheim and his Orchestra and The Mills Brothers.
*So Shy
*Love Locked Out
*Our Big Love Scene
*Stay On The Right Side Of The Road with
The Mills Brothers
Got The Jitters
The Mills Brothers
Blue Moon The Mills Brothers
My Little Grass Shack In Kealakekua, Hawaii Gus Arnheim & his Orchestra
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes / You're Devastating Gus Arnheim & his Orchestra
Nothbng
But The Best / Walking In The Rain
Gus Arnheim & his
Orchestra
“A group of love songs will be sung by Bing
Crosby with Gus Arnheim’s
Orchestra and the Mills Brothers, broadcasting from Los Angeles, tonight. ‘So Shy’, ‘Our Big Love Scene’ and ‘Love
Locked Out’ are Crosby’s solo numbers and with the Mills Brothers, he will
offer, ‘Stay On The Right Side Of The Road’. The Mills boys will harmonise on ‘Blue Mood’ (sic) and ‘Got The
Jitters’
(‘San Francisco Chronicle’ 19th February 1934)
No. 20 26th
February 1934
Announced by Ken Niles. With Gus Arnheim and his Orchestra and The Mills Brothers.
Bing Crosby, Gus Arnheim’s Orchestra, and the Four
Mills Brothers will again entertain the nation with a half hour vocal
instrumental, and quartet selections at 5:30 p.m.
(The Sacramento
Bee, February 26, 1934)
No. 21 5th March
1934
Announced by Ken Niles. With
Carol Lofner’s Beverly Wilshire
Orchestra and The Mills Brothers.
*Shadows Of Love
Dancing In The Moonlight (Donaldson)
Carol Lofner’s Beverly
Wilshire Orchestra
*Ida, Sweet As Apple Cider
with The Mills Brothers
Easter Parade (Berlin) Carol
Lofner’s Beverly Wilshire
Orchestra
Jungle Fever
The Mills Brothers
Medley:
Carol Lofner’s Beverly
Wilshire Orchestra
Who Walks In When I Walk Out?
(Hoffman)
Sophisticated Lady (Ellington)
I Found A New Baby The
Mills Brothers
*Goin’ To Heaven On A Mule
*She Reminds Me Of You
*This Little Piggy Went To Market
(a)
Note:
(a) A few
lines only.
“Into the Bing Crosby Monday evening program, there enters
another orchestra. This time it is Carol Lofner, the mustachioed wand-waver, who undertakes the task of
accompanying the crooner, as well as co-featuring with special musical numbers.
Lofner bows into the picture
today, KHJ, 5:30, as Gus Arnheim
and his troupe bow out. It is an assignment on which Lofner will bend his best efforts, for it is a
Coast-to-Coast assignment, and such things often lead to other—and
remunerative—calls.
As far as Crosby is concerned, Arnheim filled the bill to satisfaction. But Gus is
called to San Francisco, and contracts there have been signed - he is on his
way.”
(‘Los Angeles Examiner’ 5th March 1934)
No. 22 12th March
1934
Announced by Ken Niles. With
Carol Lofner’s Beverly Wilshire
Orchestra and The Mills Brothers.
*This Little Piggy Went To Market
(a)
*Love Locked Out
Spin A Little Web Of Dreams (Fain)
Carol Lofner’s Beverly
Wilshire Orchestra
*Nagasaki
(b)
with The Mills Brothers
You Oughta Be In Pictures (Suesse)
Carol Lofner’s Beverly
Wilshire Orchestra
*This Little Piggy Went To Market
Moonlight On The Water Carol
Lofner’s Beverly Wilshire
Orchestra
Goin’ To Heaven On A Mule The
Mills Brothers
Sweet Madness (Young) Carol
Lofner’s Beverly Wilshire
Orchestra
*The Old Spinning Wheel
*The Carioca
*Goodnight, Lovely Little Lady
(a)
Notes:
(a) A few lines only in each case.
(b) An air check of this item was issued on the LP
PP-3 ‘Personalities On Parade
Volume 3’.
No. 23 19th March
1934
Announced by Ken Niles. With
Jimmie Grier and His Orchestra and Kay Thompson & the Three Rhythm Kings.
“Kay Thompson and the Rhythm Kings go back to the Bing
Crosby program tonight at 5.30 pm on KHJ, due to the absence of the Mills
Brothers, who are in San Francisco.”
(‘Los Angeles Illustrated Daily News’ 19th March
1934)
“A couple of weeks
ago we broke out with a rave about Kay Thompson’s work. To our way of thinking
she’s the best—east or west—of the present stock of feminine singers of popular
songs. She has everything in her voice that Crosby has in his. And the background
the Rhythm Kings usually afford her is no little help either.”
(Homer Canfield, Monrovia News-Post, March 19, 1934)
No. 24 26th March
1934
Announced by Ken Niles. With Jimmie Grier and his Orchestra.
“The husky young daddy known as Jimmie Grier was placed on
the Bing Crosby program last week (with his orchestra, of course) as an
experiment. In one program he was told to ‘make the grade.’ So successful was
his debut that the sponsor not only signed him for the remaining three weeks of
the broadcast but extended the broadcast eight additional weeks and gave Grier
the entire eleven weeks’ work. Four string instruments were added to the Grier
orchestra for this occasion. The Crosby weekly, therefore, instead of leaving
the air early in April, continues to May 27 - at so many thousand per week. The
combination is available this evening at 5:30 through KHJ.”
(‘Los Angeles Examiner’ 26th March 1934)
Highlights
5:30pm
KHJ—Bing Crosby and Jimmie Grier’s orchestra (D.L. CBS). Jimmie Grier’s orchestra wasn’t up to snuff on the Bing
Crosby broadcast last Monday...Perhaps the dance leader will whip his boys into
shape for today’s program.
(Carroll Nye, ‘Los Angeles Times’ 26th March 1934)
CBS studios
were swamped with telegrams and letters asking why the Mills Brothers
were not on the program with Bing Crosby last Monday night. The reason
is that the quartet's contract for the Crosby series was not renewed
because they have only a few days to finish the pictures they've
contracted for and make the steamer for Europe.
(Unidentified newspaper, 31st March, 1934)
No. 25 2nd April
1934
Announced by Ken Niles. With Jimmie Grier and his Orchestra, The Mills Brothers and Carole
Lombard.
*I Positively Refuse To Sing
*Love Thy Neighbour
*Once In A Blue Moon
*May I
“Carole Lombard, the screen actress, will make a
guest appearance on Bing Crosby’s radio program, today (KFRC 5.30 to 6
pm). Crosby
and his guest will take part in a dramatised preview of their new film, ‘We’re Not Dressing’. In addition, Miss
Lombard and Crosby will sing their outstanding solos and duets from the
score. These
melodies to be presented on the air for the first time, during the broadcast,
will include, ‘Love Thy Neighbour’, ‘May I’, ‘Once In A Blue Moon’ and ‘I
Positively Refuse To Sing’. Jimmie Grier’s Orchestra will furnish the
support”
(‘San Francisco Chronicle’ 2nd April 1934)
(As ‘Miss Lombard’ was not involved in any
‘outstanding solos or duets’ during the film, we must assume that this is
misinformation!)
“Tonight’s Bing Crosby broadcast will present a scene from
his forthcoming starring picture, ‘We’re Not Dressing’ which will be re-enacted
by Carole Lombard and the crooner. Four songs from the same picture will be
included in this program from KHJ at 5.30 pm. Jimmie Grier’s band, of course,
provide the musical background for Crosby’s crooning”
(‘Los Angeles
Times’ 2nd April 1934)
“Bing Crosby with the Mills Brothers and Jimmie Grier and
his Orchestra and Carole Lombard in a preview of ‘We’re Not Dressing’ WNAC at
8.30 pm”
(‘Boston Post’ 2nd April 1934)
No. 26 9th April 1934
Announced by Ken Niles. With Jimmie Grier and his Orchestra and The Mills Brothers.
*Your Love
(a)
*Old Roses
Exactly Like You (McHugh)
Jimmie Grier & his Orchestra
I Found A New Baby The
Mills Brothers
Cocktails For Two (Johnston/Coslow)
Jimmie Grier & his Orchestra
*You Oughta Be In Pictures
Midnight On Main Street
Jimmie Grier & his Orchestra
Nagasaki The Mills Brothers
*Your Love
*Without That Certain Thing
*Love Thy Neighbour
(a)
Note:
(a) A few
lines only in each case.
“Bing Crosby is a firm believer in the National
Recovery Act but in his own special version of it. Each day at five he
starts singing (with the addition of Boop-a-doops), ‘I’m quitting at six! I’m quitting at
SIX!’ – and, ladies and gentlemen,
at SIX he
quits. Smart
fella”
(‘Los Angeles Examiner’ 9th April
1934)
No. 27 16th April
1934
Announced by Ken Niles. With Jimmie Grier and his Orchestra.
*Love Thy Neighbour
(a)
Two Blue Eyes, Two Little Baby Shoes
(Morse) Jimmie Grier & his Orchestra
Call Of The Rockies (Tobias)
Jimmie Grier & his Orchestra
*Dixie Lee
Live And Love Tonight (Johnston)
Jimmie Grier & his Orchestra
*Love Thy Neighbour
Star Dust (Carmichael)
Jimmie Grier & his Orchestra
*The Boulevard Of Broken Dreams
*True
*She Reminds Me Of You
(a)
Note:
(a) A few
lines only in each case.
No. 28 23rd April
1934
Announced by Ken Niles. With Jimmie Grier and his Orchestra.
“Al Jarvis begins an ether contest on KFVD at
5.30 pm for the best slogan to describe Bing Crosby’s
personality” (!!?)
(‘Los Angeles Times’ 23rd April 1934)
No. 29 30th April
1934
Announced by Ken Niles. With Jimmie Grier and his Orchestra.
No. 30 7th May
1934
Announced by Ken Niles. With Jimmie Grier and his Orchestra.
*The House Is Haunted
*Goodnight, Lovely Little Lady
*The Beat Of My Heart
*Love Me
*Waiting At The Gate For Kate
Orchestral numbers
My Carolina Hideaway
The Carioca
Rain In My Heart
Riptide
Bing Crosby, who
sang “Goodnight Lovely Little Day” on a local screen last week, will feature
the number at 8:30 this evening over WGR. Also “Love Me” and “The House Is
Haunted.”
(The Buffalo News, May 7, 1934)
No. 31 14th May 1934
Announced by Ken Niles. With Jimmie Grier and his Orchestra.
No. 32 21st May
1934
Announced by Ken Niles. With Jimmie Grier and his Orchestra.
Woodbury
soap has expressed itself as anxious to recontract Bing Crosby for a minimum of
26 weeks, starting in the early fall, but the warbler prefers to refrain from
making a new deal until later in the summer. Meanwhile he will consider the
proposition made by a Sunday night food account and also one from a femme
accessories manufacturer, for whom it’s to be a debut in radio. Crosby has
decided not to come East this summer for nighters and deluxe picture house
stands.
(Variety, May 22, 1934)
No. 33 28th May 1934 (a)
Announced by Ken Niles. With Jimmie Grier and his Orchestra.
*May I?
(b)
*With My Eyes Wide Open I’m Dreaming
*I Knew You When
Blue Moon (Rodgers)
Jimmie Grier and his Orchestra
*Ridin’ Around In The Rain
*The House Is Haunted
*A Thousand Goodnights
Little Dutch Mill (Barris)
Jimmie Grier and his Orchestra
*May I?
Notes:
(a) An edited
version of the programme was issued on Fanfare Records LP-40-140 - ‘Great
Singers Of The 1930’s - Live Broadcasts’. All songs by Bing were included.
(b) A few lines only.
Items of interest abound in the lineup of broadcasts
tonight. For one thing, Bing Crosby, KHJ at 4:30 p.m., winds up his current
series. He’ll take a rest from radio throughout the summer months with current
plans calling for his return some time in September.
(Homer Canfield, Monrovia News-Post, May 28, 1934)
Bing’s the boss on
new Woodbury show
Woodbury
Soap through Lennen & Mitchell signatured Bing Crosby last week to a
39-week contract, which gives the singer complete authority over the program.
Account has set aside $6,000 for the program’s cast, writing and production,
with Crosby free to do his own picking of the other entertainers and the band. Account’s
new series will take a Tuesday evening spot (9 to 9:30 EST), with Sept. 18 the
starting date. Talent for the stanza will be booked through the Rockwell-O’Keefe
office which represents Crosby.
(Variety, July 3, 1934)
WOODBURY 1934 -1935 SEASON
The audience share during the season was 15.5
which left the show just outside the top twenty programmes.
No. 34 18th September
1934 (a)
Announced by Ken Niles. With Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra and The Boswell Sisters.
*Love In
Bloom
(b)
*I’m Hummin’, I’m Whistlin’, I’m Singin’ (c)
Heebie Jeebies
The Boswell Sisters
Medley:
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
Try To See It My Way (Wrubel)
I Only Have Eyes For You (Warren)
Dames (Warren)
*I Kiss Your Hand Madame
(b)
The Girl Friend (Rodgers)
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
*Just A-Wearyin’
For You
(c)
Why Don’t You Practice What You Preach? The
Boswell Sisters
*Love In
Bloom
*The Very Thought Of You
(b) (c)
Notes:
(a) The complete programme was issued on Spokane 1 - ‘Bing Crosby - On The Air’ and on Totem LP1008 - ‘Bing Crosby - On The Air’
(b) A few lines only in all cases.
(c) International Club Crosby CD "Bing Crosby Entertains for Woodbury Soap" (2008)
“It
comes out that the reason Bing Crosby didn’t choose Jimmie Grier’s band
for his coming series, apparently was, because he couldn’t get him. Seems
another sponsor wants Grier’s services, exclusively. But Crosby didn’t
do bad in selecting Stoll…Reason,
the Boswell Sisters went with the Crosby sponsor”.
(‘Los Angeles Illustrated Daily News’ 7th
September 1934)
“Boswell Sisters arrived in Los Angeles this
week to take up a thirteen week contract on Bing Crosby’s radio program,
starting September 18th. Crosby said this week he would forget the
old-time gingerbread and trick boo-boo’s he used to affect while singing and in
the new radio series will sing straight baritone”.
(‘Los Angeles Illustrated Daily News’ 18th
September 1934)
“America’s best crooner joins with America’s best girls’
trio when Bing Crosby and the Boswell Sisters join hands tonight in the first of
a new series of broadcasts. Backed by Georgie Stoll’s band, the nation
will hear them from KHJ at 5 pm”.
(‘Los Angeles Illustrated Daily News’ 18th
September 1934)
“Bing Crosby and New Orleans’ own Boswell
Sisters will make their season’s debut at 7 o’clock tonight on a network from Los Angeles through
WDSU. They
will appear together for the first time although, in the past, they have served
on separate programs for the
same sponsor.
They will be supported by Georgie Stoll’s Orchestra, a newcomer to
radio”
(‘New Orleans Times-Picayune’ 18th September
1934)
“Two
types of delivery, both the finest in their line and a first rate orchestra to
round it out.
This one sounded sure-fire on paper and lives up to all expectations on
the air.
Crosby is Crosby and calls for no comment. His four songs on this initial program rang
the bell. The
Boswells are more torrid than ever in their close harmony. This sister combination has withstood the competitive radio
gaff for a long while now and there is no indication of them
weakening.
The Georgie Stoll Orchestra, a Coast aggregation (program emanates from
there), is capable in both accompaniment and its own moments. Woodbury here, has
a Tuesday evening show that’s bound to be tuned in on”
(‘Variety’ 25th September 1934)
“Bing Crosby may have taken all the singing glory for
himself on last Tuesday’s opening broadcast but he distributed ample honors in
other directions. Georgie Stoll
was introduced as a ‘swell band leader’. Announcer Ken Niles was given
recognition and the Boswells were affectionately introduced. Crosby overlooked
no one, not even the twins. He spent so much time telling his audience
what fine people other were that he plumb forgot to build up himself”
(‘Hollywood Citizen News’ 21st September
1934)
No. 35 25th
September 1934
Announced by Ken Niles. With Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra and The Boswell Sisters.
*Please
(a)
*Long May We Love
I Only Have Eyes For You
The Boswell Sisters
Medley from ‘Belle Of
The Nineties’: Georgie Stoll & his Orchestra
My Old Flame (Johnston)
Troubled Waters (Trad)
*I Found A Million Dollar Baby
(In A Five & Ten Cent Store)
(a)
La Cucaracha
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
*I Love You Truly
And I Still Do The Boswell Sisters
*The Very Thought Of You
*The Sweetheart Waltz
(a)
Note:
(a) A few
lines only in each case.
“Bing Crosby and the Boswell Sisters will offer a rhythmic
half-hour during the second of their new series of the program at 7 o’clock
through WDSU.
Crosby will sing five new songs, the New Orleans trio will offer three
tunes and Eddie (sic) Stoll’s Orchestra will play several numbers, including,
‘My Old Flame’”
(‘New Orleans Times-Picayune’ 25th September
1934)
No. 36 2nd October
1934
Announced by Ken Niles. With Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra and The Boswell Sisters.
*Say It
Rock And Roll
The Boswell Sisters
The Continental (Conrad)
Georgie Stoll &
his Orchestra
*I Found A Million Dollar Baby
(In A Five & Ten Cent Store)
(a)
I’m In Love (Kreisler) Georgie Stoll & his Orchestra
*Straight From The Shoulder (Right From The Heart)
If I Had A Million Dollars
The Boswell Sisters
*Someday Sweetheart
Note:
(a) A few
lines only to introduce commercial.
Bing Crosby,
supported by the popular harmony trio, the Boswell Sisters, will be heard in
another stanza of West Coast melody and harmony Tuesday night at 8 o’clock over
WBBM, Chicago. Georgie Stoll and his
orchestra, newcomers to network broadcasting, support the singers.
(Belvidere Daily
Republican, October 2, 1934)
No. 37 9th October
1934
Announced by Ken Niles. With Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra and The Boswell Sisters.
*For All We Know
(a) (b)
*I’m
In Love
(b)
Medley: Selections from ‘Girl Crazy’ Georgie Stoll & his Orchestra
Embraceable You
Bidin’ My Time
I Got Rhythm
*I Never Had A Chance
(a)
Lost In A Fog The
Boswell Sisters
Chinatown, My Chinatown (Schwartz)
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
*The
Sweetheart Waltz
(b)
Karibali
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
Talkin’ To Myself
The Boswell Sisters
*For All We Know
Notes:
(a) A few lines only.
(b) International Club Crosby CD "Bing Crosby Entertains for Woodbury Soap" (2008)
“Bing Crosby and the popular trio, the Boswell
Sisters, will offer another half-hour of harmony and rhythm tonight over WDSU at
8 o’clock”
(‘New Orleans Times-Picayune’ 9th October 1934)
“Bingsie-Wingsie Crosby and Georgie-Worgie Stoll and Kensie-Wensie Niles,in their weekly broadcast from coast to
coast, are fast becoming favorites with the children. Stoll's interpretation
of a new musical score from a motion picture was the best musical work on the
program thus far. Stoll admitted his first broadcast with Crosby was not up to
expectation,but charged it to nervousness. Eastern
network moguls have announced themselves as satisfied with the work of the
orchestra.”
(‘Los Angeles Examiner’ 9th October 1934)
No. 38 16th October
1934
Announced by Ken Niles. With Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra and The Boswell Sisters.
*I Saw Stars
Shoein’ The Mare (Arlen)
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
Troubled Waters
The Boswell Sisters
*Out In The Cold Again
Star Dust (Carmichael)
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
Here Come The British (Bang! Bang!) The
Boswell Sisters
*Love In Bloom
*Don’t Let It Bother You
with The Boswell
Sisters
*The Moon
Was Yellow
(a)
Note
(a) A few
lines only. International Club Crosby CD "Bing Crosby Entertains for Woodbury Soap" (2008)
Bing Crosby and
the Boswell Sisters, reigning rhythm potentates, will hold court again over the
Columbia network and the Bee Radio Station, KFBK, from 6 to 6:30 p.m. This popular West Coast feature, originating
in Hollywood, also will present the syncopation of Georgie Stoll’s orchestra.
(The Sacramento Bee, October 16, 1934)
No. 39 23rd October
1934
Announced by Ken Niles. With Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra and The Boswell Sisters.
*You’re A Builder Upper
Pardon My Southern Accent (Malneck)
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
Twenty Four Hours In Georgia
The Boswell Sisters
*They Didn’t Believe Me
(a)
Medley from ‘Student
Tour’: Georgie Stoll & his Orchestra
A New Moon Is Over My Shoulder (Brown)
By The Taj Mahal (Brown)
Don’t Let It Bother You
The Boswell Sisters
*Goodnight, Lovely Little Lady (b)
*The Moon Was Yellow
Notes:
(a)
A surviving
script indicates that Bing may have introduced this item as, ‘They Wouldn’t Believe Me’. No trace has been found of a song matching
this title.
However, Jerome Kern’s, ‘They Didn’t Believe
Me’, written in 1914, enjoyed a minor revival in the fall of 1934, mainly due to
a successful recording by Morton Downey.
(b) A snatch
only to close a commercial.
No. 40 30th October
1934
Announced by Ken Niles. With Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra and The Boswell Sisters.
*Two Cigarettes In The Dark
(a)
*P.S.
I Love You
(b) (c)
Chinatown, My Chinatown (Schwartz)
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
The Very Thought Of You (Noble)
Georgie Stoll & his Orchestra
Down On
The Delta
The Boswell Sisters
*I’m Getting Sentimental Over You (c)
The Object Of My
Affection The
Boswell Sisters
‘Rain’ songs medley
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
*Two Cigarettes In The Dark
(c)
*A New Moon is Over My Shoulder
(a)
Note
(a) A few lines only
(b) Bing Crosby Enterprises CD - Bing Crosby Sings The Johnny Mercer Songbook
(c) International Club Crosby CD "Bing Crosby Entertains for Woodbury Soap" (2008)
Universal CD B0027588-02 "Among My Souvenirs - More Treasures from the Crosby Archive"
“From the land of the film folk will come the broadcast, tonight of Bing
Crosby, the Boswell Sisters and George Stoll’s Orchestra. This three-way
combination of tune purveyors will brighten the WDSU entertainment calendar from
8 until 8.30 pm”
(‘New Orleans Times-Picayune’ 30th October 1934)
No. 41 6th November
1934
Announced by Ken Niles. With Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra and The Boswell Sisters.
*I Saw Stars
Sweetie Pie
The Boswell Sisters
Diga Diga Doo
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
*Maybe
I’m Wrong Again
(a)
Vilia (Lehar)
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
It’s Written All Over Your Face
The Boswell Sisters
*Dinah
(a)
*A New Moon Is Over My Shoulder (a)
Note:
(a) International Club Crosby CD "Bing Crosby Entertains for Woodbury Soap" (2008)
“Bing Crosby, tonight, will sing ‘New Moon Over My Shoulder’, ‘I Saw Stars’ and
‘It’s All Forgotten Now’ (KFRC 6 to 6.30 pm)”
(‘San Francisco Chronicle’ 6th November 1934)
“Bing Crosby, the Boswell Sisters and Stoll’s Orchestra
will be heard in a series of popular melodies. Bing will sing, ‘A New Moon Over My
Shoulder’, ‘I Saw Stars’ and ‘It’s All Forgotten Now’ over WDSU at 8 pm”
(‘New Orleans Times-Picayune’ 6th November 1934)
No. 42 13th
November 1934
(a)
Announced by Ken Niles. With Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra and The Boswell Sisters.
*Love In Bloom
(b)
*If I Had A Million Dollars
(c)
Stay As Sweet As You Are
The Boswell Sisters
*Out In
The Cold Again
(c)
Old Man Harlem
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
*St. Louis Blues
(c)
with The Boswell
Sisters
Poor Butterfly (Hubbell) Georgie Stoll & his Orchestra
Alexander’s Ragtime Band
The Boswell Sisters
*Love In
Bloom
(c)
*Stars Fell On Alabama
(b)
*The Moon Was Yellow
(b)
Notes:
(a) It will
be a matter of conjecture that the later ‘Kraft Music Hall University’ routine,
attributed to Carroll Carroll,
had its beginnings here. For this and the next six programmes, after the opening theme, the orchestra
launches into ‘Boola Boola’ and the listener is transported
to the ivy-covered walls of ‘Woodbury Prep’. Ken Niles is president of the student body
and Bing, the venerable Dean. The Boswell Sisters are co-eds. It is worth
explaining that ‘Prep’ is not an abbreviation for ‘Preparatory’ but ‘is short
for preparation and Woodbury’s is the finest preparation of its type on the
market’!
(b) A few lines only.
(c) International Club Crosby CD "Bing Crosby Entertains for Woodbury Soap" (2008)
“Bing Crosby raises his voice to sing, ‘If I Had A Million
Dollars’, on his program with The Boswell Sisters, tonight. ‘Alexander’s
Ragtime Band’ and ‘Stay As Sweet As You Are’ will be sung by the Boswell’s. Other Crosby
numbers will include ‘Love In
Bloom’, ‘Out In The Cold Again’ and ‘Dinah’ (KFRC 6 to 6.30 pm)”
(‘San Francisco Chronicle’ 13th November 1934)
“The Boswell Sisters are scheduled to sing Irving Berlin’s
first song hit, ‘Alexander’s Ragtime Band’ and the popular ‘Stay As Sweet As You
Are’ while Bing Crosby has chosen ‘If I Had A Million Dollars’, ‘Love In Bloom’
and ‘Out In The Cold Again’ as his contributions when their program is aired
over WDSU at 8 pm”
(‘New Orleans Times-Picayune’ 13th November
1934)
No. 43 20th
November 1934
(a)
Announced by Ken Niles. With Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra and The Boswell Sisters.
Hot Cha Cha
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
Rain
The Boswell Sisters
The Moon Was Yellow (Ahlert)
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
The Lonesome Road
The Boswell Sisters
Selections from ‘Caravan’
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
Indiana
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
Rock And Roll
The Boswell Sisters
Note:
(a) Bing
opens the show by announcing, in a hoarse voice, that he will not be able to
sing. He had attended the football match between Santa Clara and St. Mary’s
University at the weekend in San Francisco. It rained throughout the game and
Bing did a lot of shouting in support. As a result he lost his voice. He takes
no further part in the show until the conclusion when he returns to announce
that next week he will sing songs from his new film Here Is My
Heart.
Did you hear Bing Crosby apologise last night for his inability to sing on his program? Bing, it seems, went to the Santa Clara-St. Mary’s football game Saturday (sic) and shouted himself hoarse. Which, we’re sure, means that Bing will keep away from football games if the soap company which sponsors him has anything to say about it.
(Ray Fitzpatrick, The Waterbury Democrat, November 21, 1934)
No. 44 27th
November 1934
(a)
Announced by Ken Niles. With Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra, The Boswell Sisters, Marian Mansfield and Kitty
Carlisle.
Your Guess Is As Good As Mine
The Boswell Sisters
Lost In A Fog The
Boswell Sisters
Scene from "Here Is My Heart" with Marian Mansfield
*Love Is Just Around The Corner
(c)
Scene from "Here Is My Heart" with Kitty Carlisle
*With
Every Breath I Take
(c)
*June In January
(c)
with Kitty Carlisle
*Maybe I’m Wrong Again
*Be Still My Heart
(b)
Notes:
(a) Unusually, the Boswell Sisters have the first
two vocals, allowing the bulk of the programme to be given over to a potted
version of Bing’s new Paramount release, ‘Here Is My Heart’. Kitty Carlisle
re-enacts her role, in the picture, as ‘Princess Alexandria’.
(b) A few lines only.
(c) International Club Crosby CD "Bing Crosby Entertains for Woodbury Soap" (2008)
“Bing Crosby (barring throat trouble) is to croon numbers
from the Rainger and Robin score
for the film, ‘Here Is My Heart’ on his current broadcast over KHJ at 6 pm. Special guests on
the program are Kitty Carlisle and Marian Mansfield, Paramount featured
players. The
Boswells will sing ‘Lost In A
Fog’.”
(‘Los Angeles Examiner’ 27th November 1934)
“Bing Crosby will sing ‘Love Is Just Around
The Corner’ from his forthcoming
picture ‘Here Is My Heart’ in his program from Hollywood, tonight. His other numbers
will be ‘Be Still My Heart’ and ‘Maybe I’m Wrong Again’. The Boswell Sisters
will sing about ‘Lost In A Fog’
(KFRC 6 pm)”
(‘San Francisco Chronicle’ 27th November
1934)
“Bing Crosby will play host to Kitty Carlisle and Marian
Mansfield, two of the featured players in one of Bing’s forthcoming movie
productions at 8 pm over WDSU. Some of the songs scheduled to be heard are
‘Here Is My Heart’, ‘June In
January’, ‘With Every Breath I Take’ and ‘Love Is Just Around The Corner’”.
(‘New Orleans Times-Picayune’ 27th November
1934)
No. 45 4th December
1934
Announced by Ken Niles. With Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra and The Boswell Sisters.
*June In January
Here Come The British (Bang! Bang!) The
Boswell Sisters
*Have A Little Dream On Me
*One Night Of Love
Stars Fell On Alabama
The Boswell Sisters
*Be Still My Heart
“Bing Crosby will sing ‘June In January’, the hit tune from his forthcoming
picture, ‘Here Is My Heart’, during his half-hour with The Boswell Sisters,
tonight. He
will continue with ‘Have A Little
Dream On Me’ and ‘One Night Of Love’. The Boswell Sisters have chosen ‘Here Come
The British’ and ‘Stars Fell On
Alabama’ (KFRC 6 to 6.30 pm)”
(‘San Francisco Chronicle’ 4th December 1934)
“Bing Crosby is scheduled to sing three songs on his program with the Boswell Sisters, to come from WDSU at 8 pm. They will be ‘June
In January’, from his forthcoming
picture, ‘Have A Little Dream On Me’ and ‘One Night Of Love’. The Boswell’s have
chosen ‘Here Come The British’ and
a hot arrangement of ‘Stars Fell On Alabama’ for their vocals”
(‘New Orleans Times-Picayune’ 4th December
1934)
No. 46 11th
December 1934
Announced by Ken Niles. With Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra and The Boswell Sisters.
*It’s All Forgotten Now
Serenade For A Wealthy Widow (McHugh)
Georgie Stoll & his Orchestra
*Stars Fell On
You Ain’t Been Living Right
The Boswell Sisters
My Heart, At Thy Sweet Voice
(Saint-Saens)
Georgie Stoll & his Orchestra
*Love Is Just Around The Corner
If I Had A Million Dollars
The Boswell Sisters
*One Night Of Love
*Stay As Sweet As You Are
(a)
Note:
(a) A few lines only.
“Bing Crosby will headline another half-hour program
through WDSU at 8 pm.
He will be assisted by the Boswell Sisters and Georgie Stoll’s
Orchestra.
Stoll will be featured in violin selections”
(‘New Orleans Times-Picayune’ 11th December
1934)
“When Bing Crosby’s eye fell on the Boswells while he was
crooning soulfully at a recent broadcast, he almost forgot to finish the song.
Connie had blacked out two of Martha’s and Vet’s front teeth, had done the same
for herself, and the three of them were grinning loathsome smiles at Bing.
Tonight Bing sings, "One Night of Love," and the Boswells grit their teeth to
offer "You Ain’t Been Livin’ Right’. KHJ at 6 o’clock”.
(‘Los Angeles Evening Herald Express’ 11th December 1934)
No. 47 18th
December 1934
Announced by Ken Niles. With
Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra,
Marian Mansfield and Pinky Tomlin.
*With Every Breath I Take
Serenade To A Wealthy Widow (McHugh) Georgie Stoll & his Orchestra
The Object Of My Affection
Pinky Tomlin
*Just A-Wearying For You
Maybe I’m Wrong Again (Bennett)
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
In The Middle Of A Kiss
Marian Mansfield
*Stay As Sweet As You Are
*Sweetie Pie
“Bing Crosby and The Boswell Sisters - Connie, Vet and
Martha will sing something old and something new in the way of rhythm numbers
during their program, tonight. Marian Mansfield, young songstress, prominently
cast in the new Crosby picture, ‘Here Is My Heart’ and Pinky Tomlin, pianist will be Crosby’s guests.”
(‘San Francisco Chronicle’ 18th December 1934)
“Bing Crosby and the Boswell Sisters - Connie, Martha and
Vet will sing something old and something new in the way of rhythm numbers in
their program on WDSU at 8 pm The old
favourite tune ‘Minnie The Moocher’ will be featured, ‘With Every Breath I
Take’, ‘Stay As Sweet As You Are’, ‘Just A-Wearying’, ‘Object Of My Affection’
and ‘Love Is Just Around The Corner’ are other current numbers included”
(‘New Orleans Times-Picayune’ 18th December
1934)
“A
local lad and a local lady will sing to the nation this evening as Bing
Crosby’s program begins a three week series of ‘guest artist’ shows
(KHJ 6.00). The lad is
Oklahoma’s fair-haired one, the affectionate Pinky Tomlin. With him will be Marian Mansfield who,
between radio and motion pictures, is quite a busy songstress these days. Gone are the
Boswells from Bing’s half-hour, their contract having run its course. On the way to the program are four boys and a guitar, the Mills Brothers. It is due to their
delay in reaching the Coast that the guest artist series is being presented”
(‘Los Angeles Examiner’ 18th December 1934)
“Boswell Sisters have been zipped from Crosby’s
show with Mills Brothers due on in a few weeks. Meantime Bing will pad with guest
stars”
(‘Variety’ 18th December 1934)
Conflicting views from four separate newspapers
(two for and two against) regarding the presence of the Boswell Sisters.
The first two from diverse parts of the country
are similar enough to have sprung from the same press release. Would this have
been issued with the knowledge that the girls’ contract had expired?
No. 48 25th
December 1934
Announced by Ken Niles. With
Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra,
Irene Taylor and Charles Bourne.
Jingle Bells (Pierpont)
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra with Choir
*Be Still My Heart
Toyland (Herbert) Georgie Stoll & his Orchestra
Ol’ Man River (Kern) Charles
Bourne (Piano)
*If I Had A Million Dollars
A Needle In A Haystack
Irene Taylor
*I Woke Up Too Soon
*Christmas Dawn In Harlem
My Moonlight Madonna (Scott)
Georgie Stoll (Violin)
with Orchestra
*Silent Night with cast
*June
In January
(a)
Note:
“Bing Crosby will lament that, ‘I Woke Up To Soon’, tonight, when he presents his
weekly program.
He will also sing, ‘If I Had A Million Dollars’, the hymn, ‘Silent Night,
Holy Night’ and ‘Be Still My Heart’ (KFRC 6 pm)”
(‘San Francisco Chronicle’ 25th December 1934)
“Bing Crosby will present Irene Taylor, well
known blues singer and Charles Bourne, eccentric jazz pianist, as guest stars on
his program from WDSU at 8 pm. Bourne, although he does not read a note of
music is known in musical circles as a brilliant and original pianist. He will furnish as
a highlight, his unique keyboard interpretation of ‘Old Man River’. ‘If I Had A Million
Dollars’, ‘Be Still My Heart’ and ‘I Woke Up Too Soon’ will be three of Bing’s
selections”
(‘New Orleans Times-Picayune’ 25th December 1934)
By 1936 (sic) we thought it was time to try “Silent Night” on the Christmas radio show. Perhaps some of you remember that show. As a finale, it had a short play, set on a college campus. I was supposed to be a professor bidding the students good-by for the holidays. The problem was that I had no home of my own to go to and would have to face Christmas alone. After a brief sequence of events, during which I cheered up another lonely soul, I heard “Silent Night” being sung outside my quarters, the students having come back to serenade me. I opened the door and joined in, singing a solo as the show ended. We received thousands of enthusiastic letters, and “Silent Night” has been part of the Christmas show ever since.
(Bing Crosby, writing in Good Housekeeping magazine, circa 1956)
(Burt
McMurtrie, producer of the Woodbury
show, speaking in 1979. As reproduced in Bing
Crosby—The Hollow Man, page 177)
No. 49 1st January
1935
Announced by Ken Niles. With
Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra,
Eddie McGill’s Negro Choir and Ginger Rogers.
*June In January
Okay Toots (Donaldson)
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
*Old Folks At Home
with
Eddie McGill’s Negro Choir
Isle Of Capri (Grosz) Georgie Stoll & his Orchestra
*I Love You Truly
See Four And Twenty Elders On Their
Knees Eddy
McGill’s Negro Choir
You’re The Top
Ginger Rogers
*Someday Sweetheart
“A phenomena
in broadcasting takes place in Hollywood today, with three important
network programs, originating simultaneously in the cinema capital at 6
pm. Bing Crosby’s show
originates in the studios of KHJ. Grace Moore signs in at the RCA studios and
Ben Birney and his lads go
through their paces at RKO. Eddy McGill’s Negro Choir which sang with
Crosby in his new Motion picture, ‘Mississippi’ appear on his current radio program”
(‘New Orleans Times-Picayune’ 1st January 1935 )
“Bing Crosby will sing ‘I Love You Truly’ and ‘P.S. I Love You’ on his program over WDSU at 8
pm. A big New
Year program of orchestral music and features are also carded for the program’
(‘Los Angeles Examiner’ 1st January 1935)
No. 50 8th January
1935
Announced by Ken Niles. With Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra and The Mills Brothers.
*What A Difference A Day Made
(a)
Take A Number From One To Ten
The Mills Brothers
*Winter Wonderland
Shine (Dabney)
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
*I Love You Truly
Maybe I’m Wrong Again (Bennett)
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
The Object Of My Affection The
Mills Brothers
*One Night Of Love
*What A Difference A Day Made
*Hands Across The Table
(a)
Note:
(a) A few lines only in each case.
“The Mills Brothers, ‘Four Boys And A Guitar’, return to the Bing Crosby
on Columbia programs by
KHJ. They
appeared with America’s ace crooner in his first picture, ‘The Big Broadcast’
and offered their unique harmonies on his network series, last
year”
(‘Los Angeles Examiner’ 8th January 1935)
“Four Boys and a Guitar - The Mills Brothers,
who form one of radio’s most popular harmony combinations, will be heard with
Bing Crosby on his program over CBS & WDSU at 8 pm, tonight. In 1931, without
official recognition, the Mills Brothers crashed the CBS Studios and managed to
get an audition. They were signed up as a feature and their
success was instantaneous”
(‘New Orleans Times-Picayune’ 8th January 1935)
No. 51 15th January
1935
Announced by Ken Niles. With Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra and The Mills Brothers.
*Hands Across The Table
(a)
*I Woke Up Too Soon
My Melancholy Baby (Burnett)
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
Love Is Just Around The Corner
The Mills Brothers
*It’s Dark On Observatory Hill
Isle Of Capri (Grosz) Georgie Stoll & his Orchestra
It’s My Night To Howl
The Mills Brothers
*Hands Across The Table
*Take A Number From One To Ten
(b)
*You’re Not The Only Oyster In The Stew
Notes:
(a) A few lines only.
(b) A snatch only, a cappella.
“Bing Crosby will feature the lively ditty, ‘An Earthful (sic) Of Music’
during his broadcast with the Mills Brothers, tonight’
(‘San Francisco Chronicle’ 15th January 1935)
“The popular potentate of song, Bing Crosby,
will feature the selection, ‘An Earful Of Music’ during his broadcast with the Mills
Brothers and Georgie Stoll’s
Orchestra over WDSU at 8 pm”
(‘New Orleans Times-Picayune’ 15th January 1935)
“Last week in New York, while Bing Crosby’s program was on,
a young lady called up CBS requesting Bing to include ‘One Night of Love’ in the
halfhour. The production
department explained that Bing was in Los Angeles. ‘Oh, that’s all right,’ she
replied a la Gracie Allen. ‘When you phone, just be sure to ask him to sing the
chorus three times.’ Tonight Bing sings "I Woke Up Too Soon," and the Mills Brothers offer, ‘It’s My Night
to Howl’.” KHJ at 6."
(‘Los Angeles Evening Herald Express’ 15th January
1934)
No. 52 22nd January
1935
Announced by Ken Niles. With Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra and The Mills Brothers.
*Home On The Range
(a)
*With Every Breath I Take
Sleepy Head
The Mills Brothers
*I’m Getting Sentimental Over You
I Never Knew (I Could Love Anybody) (Pitts,
Egan, Marsh) Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra
No Lovers Allowed
The Mills Brothers
*Blue Moon
*Home On The Range
Note:
(a) A few
lines only
“Bing Crosby rues the day he went on the air and made a
prediction about the outcome of Alabama/Stanford football game. He’s supplied
twenty-one fraternity houses with ping-pong tables as a result of his lack of
psychic powers.”
(‘Los Angeles Examiner’ 22nd January 1935)
“A program of sweet and hot tunes will be
offered tonight when Bing Crosby sings a number of hit tunes from his recent
pictures, accompanied by Georgie
Stoll’s Orchestra and the four Mills Brothers with their characteristic
interpretations of a Harlem jazz band.”
(‘San Francisco Chronicle’ 22nd January
1935)
“At 8 pm, Bing Crosby, accompanied by the
orchestra under the direction of Georgie Stoll and with the four Mills Brothers will
be heard in a program of popular tunes. The program will originate from the West
coast and will come over CBS through WDSU”
(‘New Orleans Times-Picayune’ 22nd January
1935)
“He sings on the radio. He is at the top, largely because
his name appears in most radio and motion picture columns daily. One would
imagine he hires a high-salaried staff of publicity men. On the contrary, there
is no one to ballyhoo his name. His office staff consists of a few secretaries, a business
manager, a check-signer, a buffer. If he never had his name in a column it would
suit him perfectly. One of my most grievous offenses would be to miss his name for a day. Now, should I or not? His feelings, I
imagine, would be injured were I to neglect him for a twenty-four hours. ‘I am
slipping,’ he probably would say. ‘Ray doesn’t care for my stuff any longer.’ I
am not cruel, I would not harm a
flea, much less him. Therefore, to keep everyone satisfied, even those who write
and say ‘Is he the only man on the air?’ I maintain my policy of each day
squeezing in a mention for the fellow who doesn’t really care two hoots: Bing
Crosby.”
(‘Los Angeles Examiner’ 22nd January 1935)
No. 53 29th January
1935
Announced by Ken Niles. With Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra and The Mills Brothers.
*Stay As Sweet As You Are
(a)
*Believe It, Beloved
I Get A Kick Out Of You (Porter)
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
Sweet Lucy Brown The Mills Brothers
*Tiny Little Fingerprints
My Melancholy Baby (Burnett)
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
When We Fell Out Of Love
The Mills Brothers
*Stay As Sweet As You Are
*Hands Across The Table
Note:
(a) A few lines only.
“Bing Crosby will have a new bag of vocal tricks
for the radio audience during his broadcast tonight, with the Mills
Bros.”
(‘San Francisco Chronicle’ 29th January 1935)
‘Bing Crosby is scheduled to have a new bag of
vocal tricks for the CBS-WDSU audience during his broadcast at 8 pm. The Mills Brothers,
not to be outdone, will emulate a four-piece orchestra in rhythm and blues
numbers. Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra
complete the program’
(‘New Orleans Times-Picayune’ 29th January
1935)
No. 54 5th February
1935
Announced by Ken Niles. With Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra and The Mills Brothers.
*Love In Bloom
(a)
*Blue Moon
Medley: Selections from ‘Girl Crazy’
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
Moaning
The Mills Brothers
*Blame It On My Youth
Body And Soul (Green)
Georgie Stoll (Violin)
with Orchestra & Joe Sullivan (Piano)
An Earful Of Music
The Mills Brothers
*Love In Bloom
*You’re The Top
*Soon
(a)
Note:
(a) A few lines only in each case.
“A half-hour of rhythm will be offered by Bing Crosby and
The Mills Brothers during their
broadcast from the West Coast through CBS and WDSU at 8 pm. Georgie Stoll and
his Orchestra will form the musical background”
(‘New Orleans Times-Picayune’ 5th February 1935)
No. 55 12th
February 1935
Announced by Ken Niles. With Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra, The Mills Brothers and Joan Bennett.
*Soon
(a)
*You
And The Night And The Music
On The Good Ship Lollipop
(Whiting/Clare) Georgie Stoll & his Orchestra
Medley: Selections from ‘Anything Goes’
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
Sweetie Pie The Mills Brothers
*Down By The River
Scene from "Mississippi" with Joan Bennett
*Soon
*It’s Easy To Remember
*I’ll Follow My Secret Heart
(a)
Note:
(a) A few lines only in each case.
“Bing Crosby and The Mills Brothers will feature selections from the
new Paramount picture, ‘Mississippi’, in which the crooner is featured, during
their program tonight. Among the selections to be sung are, ‘Easy
To Remember’; ‘Soon’; ‘Down By The
River’; ‘Pablo You Are My Heart’ and ‘Roll On (sic) Mississippi’
(‘San Francisco Chronicle’ 12th February
1935)
“Joan Bennett is scheduled to appear as guest star with
Bing Crosby when the popular singer makes his microphone appearance with George
Stoll’s Orchestra at 8 pm over CBS and WDSU. Joan and Bing will present a scene from their
picture ‘Mississippi’ and the Mills Brothers will add to the program with
several harmony numbers”
(‘New Orleans Times-Picayune’ 12th February
1935)
No. 56 19th
February 1935
Announced by Ken Niles. With Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra and The Mills Brothers.
*I’ll Follow My Secret Heart
(a)
*Tiny Little Fingerprints
The Carlo (Brown)
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
Tell Me What You Mean
The Mills Brothers
*Soon
You Fit Into The Picture
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
What’s The Reason?
The Mills Brothers
*Old Folks At Home
*I’ll Follow My Secret Heart
*Isle Of Capri
(a)
Note:
(a) A few lines only in each case.
Bing Crosby croons
with the Mills Brothers again tonight on KHJ at 6. He sings “I’ll Follow My
Secret Heart,” “Easy to Remember” “Way Down Upon the Swanee River.” The Four
Boys and their Guitar ask “What’s the Reason I’m Not Pleasin’ You?” and “Tell
Me What You Mean.” Georgie Stoll’s orchestra pays “Carlo,” “Gilded Lily” and “Lost
in a Fog.”
(Los Angeles Evening Post Record, February
19, 1935)
No. 57 26th
February 1935
Announced by Ken Niles. With Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra, The Rhythmettes, Three Shades of Blue and The Mills
Brothers.
*It’s Easy To Remember
(a)
*Isle Of Capri
Restless (Johnston)
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
Sweeter Than Sugar
The Mills Brothers
*Sweet Music
Heat Wave (Berlin)
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
Sweet Lucy Brown
The Mills Brothers
*It’s Easy To Remember
with The Rhythmettes
& Three Shades of Blue
*Throwin’ Stones At The Sun
*Just One More Chance
(a)
Note:
(a) A few
lines only in each case.
“Bing Crosby, available over CBS and WDSU at
8.30 pm. Crosby is carded to sing. ‘Tiny Little
Fingerprints’, ‘Isle Of Capri’,
‘Throwing Stones At The Sun’ and ‘Sweet Music’”
(‘New Orleans Times-Picayune” 26th February
1935)
No. 58 5th March
1935
Announced by Ken Niles. With Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra and The Mills Brothers.
*Just One More Chance
(a)
*I Believe In Miracles
Liza (Gershwin)
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
That Pretty Baby
The Mills Brothers
*You
And The Night And The Music
Karibali
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
You’re The Top The
Mills Brothers
*Just One More Chance
*Got Me Doin’ Things
*My Heart Is An Open Book
(a)
Note:
(a) A few
lines only in each case.
“Only a few years ago, three young fellows known
as, ‘The Rhythm Boys’ were broadcasting during dance intermissions at The
Cocoanut Grove.
One song, in particular, was requested chiefly because of the throaty,
rhythmic intonations of one member of the trio. The singer was Bing Crosby: the song, ‘Just
One More Chance’.
Bing revives it on his current Columbia over KHJ at 6
pm.”
(‘Los Angeles Examiner’ 5th March
1935)
“Crosby repeats ‘Just One More Chance’ - Bing
Crosby’s first hit song will be repeated by him over CBS and WDSU at 8 pm. ‘You
And The Night And The Music’ will also be included on his list”
(‘New Orleans Times-Picayune’ 5th March
1935)
No. 59 12th March
1935
Announced by Ken Niles. With Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra and The Mills Brothers.
*Down By The River
*If The Moon Turns Green
*Fare Thee Well, Annabelle
*Soon
It’s An Old Southern Custom
The Mills Brothers
Where Were You On The Night Of June The Third? The Mills Brothers
Hasta Manana Georgie Stoll & his Orchestra
Little White Gardenia
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
“The Mills Brothers make their final appearance on Bing
Crosby’s program over KHJ at 6 pm. Beginning with Bing’s March 19th broadcast,
the first of a group of guest artists will share the microphone with the
crooner.”
(‘Los Angeles
Examiner’ 12th March 1935)
No. 60 19th March 1935 (a)
Announced by Ken Niles. With
Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra,
Marian Mansfield and Charles Irwin.
*Ole Faithful
(b)
*Blame It On
My Youth
The Japanese Sandman (Whiting)
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
Things Might Have Been So Different
Marian Mansfield
*It’s Easy To Remember
Alexander’s Ragtime Band (Berlin)
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
Charles Irwin interview
*Ole Faithful
*Lullaby Of Broadway
*Clouds
(b)
Notes:
(a) The complete programme was issued on Avenue
International AV.INT1018 - ‘Bing Crosby At His Extra Speciale’ and on Spokane 12 - ‘Bing In The Thirties’
(b) A few lines only in each case.
“With
the Mills Brothers on tour, Bing Crosby is going to introduce various guest
stars on his future CBS-KHJ broadcasts on Tuesdays at 6 pm. Marian Mansfield
starts the regime today.”
(‘Los
Angeles Examiner’ 19th March 1935)
“Crosby and guests - Marian Mansfield and Charlie Erwin will be
guests of Bing Crosby over CBS-WDSU at 8 pm when Bing will sing, ‘Old
(sic) Faithful’, ‘Lullaby Of Broadway’, ‘Easy To Remember’ and
‘Blame It On My Youth’”.
(‘New Orleans Times-Picayune’ 19th March
1935)
No. 61 26th March
1935
Announced by Ken Niles. With
Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra,
Joy Hodges and Joe Sullivan.
*Clouds
(a)
*Blue Moon
You’re A Builder Upper (Arlen)
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
Nagasaki (Warren) Joe
Sullivan (Piano)
*When I Grow Too Old To Dream
I’m Just An Ordinary Human Joy Hodges (born Eloise Hodges)
Selections from ‘Love In Bloom’
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
*Clouds
*Ev’ry Day
*Please
(a)
Note:
(a) A few
lines only in each case.
Bing Crosby sings
on KHJ at 6: “Clouds,” “Blue Moon,” “When I Grow Too Old to Dream” and “Every
Day.” Georgie Stoll’s orchestra contributes “Wonderful One” and a medley of “Love
in Bloom” hits.
(Los Angeles Evening Post-Record, March 26,
1935)
Eloise Hodges, former
East High school student, dedicated a song to station KRNT over a national
radio hookup Tuesday night. Miss Hodges appeared as a guest singer on a program
featuring Bing Crosby.
(Des Moines Tribune, March 27, 1935)
No. 62 2nd April
1935
Announced by Ken Niles. With Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra and The Rhythmettes.
*Please
(a)
*If The Moon Turns Green
Tea For Two (Youmans)
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
Going Shopping
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra & The Rhythmettes
*Down By The River
Beyond The Blue Horizon (Whiting) Georgie Stoll Orchestra / Johnny
Kiado (Accordion)
*Please
*The Words Are In My Heart
*Let Me Call You Sweetheart
(a)
Note:
(a) A few lines only in each case.
“Bing Crosby - Bing’s old favourite, ‘Please’ and ‘If The Moon Turns Green’, ‘Down By The River’ and
‘Words Are In My Heart’ will be sung by him over CBS-WDSU at 8
pm”
(‘New Orleans Times-Picayune’ 2nd April 1935)
No. 63 9th April
1935
Announced by Ken Niles. With Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra and The Mills Brothers.
*Let Me Call You Sweetheart
(a)
*My Heart Is An Open Book
Medley from
‘Roberta’
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
I Won’t Dance (Kern)
Lovely To Look At (McHugh)
She’s A Latin From Manhattan
The Mills Brothers
*Soon
*I’m Just An Ordinary Human
(b)
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra and The Rhythmettes
Fare Thee Well, Annabelle (Wrubel) The Mills Brothers
*Let Me Call You Sweetheart
*I Believe In Miracles
*Thanks
(a)
Notes:
(a) A few
lines only in each case.
(b) The piece has just been performed by the orchestra with vocal trio when Bing comes up with the line, ‘Nice going, Georgie. You enthuse me to try a bit of that myself’ and sings a special chorus as follows.
“I’m not an operatic tenor
Like Caruso I don’t sing
I’m just plain good old Bing
I’m just an ordinary human
With an extraordinary love for
you
I’m not the smartest football
picker
But I’ve got a better
scheme
I’m raising my own team
I’m just an ordinary human
With an extraordinary love for
you
Everything I do or say
You wouldn’t call original
or witty
But the things I do or say
Are straight for the
shoulder and right from the heart
I don’t have horses like
the Whitney’s
But Dixie darling don’t lose
hope
I’ll try to sell soap
I’m just an ordinary human
With an extraordinary love for
you”
With
the Mills Brothers returned from their theatrical tour of the Northwest, Bing Crosby
observes “Old Home Week” by singing “Let Me Call You Sweetheart.” (KHJ 6.) The
Rhythmettes, girl trio, join Bing in a neat arrangement of “Just an Ordinary
Human.” Crosby’s other numbers will be “My
Heart’s an Open Book,” “Soon” and “Throwing Stones at the Sun.”
John,
Harry, Herbert and Donald Mills will sing “Latin From Manhattan” and “Fare Thee
Well, Annabelle”
Georgie
Stoll’s orchestra features the new rhumba “Sidewalks of Cuba” and a “Roberta” medley
including “Lovely to Look At” and “I Won’t Dance.”
(Los Angeles
Evening Post Record, April 9, 1935)
No. 64 16th April
1935
Announced by Ken Niles. With Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra and The Randall Sisters.
*Thanks
(a)
*Lullaby Of Broadway
Hawaiian Medley Georgie Stoll & his Orchestra
Ol’ Man River (Kern) Georgie Stoll & his Orchestra
*Let Me Sing You To Sleep With A Love Song
She’s A Latin From Manhattan (Warren)
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
I Like Mountain Music
The Randall Sisters
*Restless
*Thanks
*Solitude
(a)
Note:
(a) A few
lines only in each case.
Continuing his
custom of presenting guest artists on his weekly programs with Georgie Stoll’s
Orchestra, Bing Crosby will have the three Randall Sisters with him at 6 o’clock
tonight. Crosby’s selections will include “Thanks,” “Lullaby of Broadway” “Let
Me Sing You to Sleep with a Love Song” and “Restless.”
(The Fresno Bee, April 16, 1935)
No. 65 23rd April
1935
Announced by Ken Niles. With
Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra
and Wini Shaw.
*Solitude
(a)
*Night Wind
St. Louis Blues (Handy)
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
Medley from ‘Love In Bloom’
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
*Would There Be Love
The Girl Friend (Rodgers)
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
The Lady In Red
Wini Shaw
*Solitude
*Someday Sweetheart
*Star Dust
(a)
Note:
(a) A few
lines only in each case.
As an added feature of his weekly
program, Bing Crosby will present Winnie Shaw, singing star of “Gold Diggers of
1935,” as his guest on KHJ at 6. Supported by Georgie Stoll’s orchestra, Crosby
will sing a quartet of popular melodies, “Some Day, Sweetheart,” “Night Wind,”
“Lost My Rhythm” and “Solitude.”
(Los Angeles Evening
Post-Record, April 23, 1935)
No. 66 30th April
1935
Announced by Ken Niles. With Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra and The Williams Sisters.
*Star Dust
(a)
*When I Grow Too Old To Dream
I Get A Kick Out Of You
Georgie Stoll & his Orchestra
The Japanese Sandman (Whiting)
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
*Lost My Rhythm, Lost My Music, Lost My Girl
About A Quarter To Nine The Williams Sisters
*Star Dust
Note:
(a) A few
lines only.
(Photograph) “Presenting The Williams Sisters - Alice, Ethelyn and Laura, vocal trio from Tacoma who will
be guests of Bing Crosby on his KHJ program at 5 pm”
(‘Los Angeles Examiner’ 30th April
1935)
Revival
of Bing Crosby’s interpretation of “Star Dust” and the appearance of the
Williams Sisters, vocal trio, are major features of the Crosbian program over
KHJ at 6. Bing will put his famous baritone also into “I Lost My Rhythm,”
“Clouds” and “Easy to Remember.”
The
Williams Sisters, Ethelyn, Laura and Alice (three comely misses from Tacoma,
whose triple-voiced harmony has been aired nation-wide on previous occasions)
will be heard in their own arrangement of “Around About a Quarter to Nine.”
Also much
in evidence will be Georgie Stoll’s violin and orchestra.
(Los Angeles Evening
Post-Record, April 30, 1935)
No. 67 7th May
1935
Announced by Ken Niles. With Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra, Henry Busse and The Williams Sisters.
*I Surrender Dear
(a)
*Ev’ry Day
You Fit Into The Picture
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
Emaline (Perkins)
The Williams Sisters
*I See You Whenever I Close My Eyes
The Very Thought Of You (Noble)
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
Unknown instrumental
Henry Busse (Cornet)
*I Surrender Dear
*She’s A Latin From Manhattan
*Life Is A Song (Let’s Sing It Together)
(a)
Note:
(a) A few
lines only in each case.
“Highlights - Varieties - KHJ 5 pm - Bing
Crosby’s program - The Williams Sisters will be guests”
(‘Los Angeles Examiner’ 7th May 1935)
“Bing Crosby’s selections for his broadcast today, include
‘There’s A Little Picture Playhouse In My Heart’; ‘Every Day’ and ‘She’s A Latin From
Manhattan’ (KFRC 5 to 5.30 pm)”
(‘San Francisco Chronicle’ 7th May
1935)
Guest star of Bing
Crosby’s program, broadcast by KHJ and the Columbia network, from 5 to 5:30
tonight, will be Henry Busse, orchestra leader and trumpet player
extraordinary. The Williams Sisters trio will sing “Emmaline.”
(Los Angeles Evening Post-Record, May 7, 1935)
No. 68 14th May
1935
Announced by Ken Niles. With Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra and The Williams Sisters.
*Heavenly Thing
Medley from ‘Folies Bergere’
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
It’s An Old Southern Custom
The Williams Sisters
*The Words Are In My Heart
The Very Thought Of You (Noble)
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
*Down By The River
Oh, Lady Be Good (Gershwin)
Georgie Stoll &
his Orchestra
*Life Is A Song (Let’s Sing It Together)
*Anything Goes
Most appropriately
(for a famous young man whose unusual vocal talents have rocketed him to the
top, and kept him there), Bing Crosby’s feature song on tonight’s nation-wide
presentation will be “Life Is a Song.” (KHJ, 5) Punctuating the program will be
numbers by the Williams Sisters and Georgie Stoll’s orchestra. Bing’s other
songs will be “Heavenly Thing,” “Lost My Rhythm” and “The Words Are in My
Heart.”
(Los Angeles
Evening Post-Record, May 14, 1935)
No. 69 21st May
1935
Announced by Ken Niles. With
Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra
and Martha Tilton.
*Everything’s Been Done Before
(a)
*(There’s A) Little Picture Playhouse In My Heart
I Won’t Dance (Kern)
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
You Saved My Life
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
*Solitude
Pardon My Love
Martha Tilton
*Everything’s Been Done Before
*Lost My Rhythm, Lost My Music, Lost My Girl
Note:
(a) A few
lines only.
Martha Tilton,
wistful crooning star of Hal Grayson’s Orchestra, will appear as guest artist
in Bing Crosby’s weekly program over Columbia at 6. The two singers and Georgie
Stoll’s Orchestra will provide a fast-paced program comprise mainly of popular
music. Miss Tilton will give her interpretations of “Love Dropped in for Tea”
and “Pardon My Love.” Bing is scheduled to sing “Lost My Rhythm,” “Everything’s
Been Done Before,” “There’s a Little Picture Playhouse in My Heart,” “Solitude”
and “Down by the River,” and the orchestra will give its versions of “Lovely to
Look At” and “I Won’t Dance.”
(Star-Phoenix, May 21, 1935)
No. 70 28th May 1935 (a)
Announced by Ken Niles. With Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra, Valerie Hobson and
Andy Devine.
*Lovely To Look At
(b)
*Would There Be Love?
Vilia (Lehar) Georgie Stoll & his Orchestra
*I Cried For You
Andy Devine interview
*Lovely To Look At
*I Won’t Dance
*Tell Me That You Love Me
(b)
Note:
(a) A copy of the script for the show, without the
first page, indicates that Valerie Hobson was scheduled to sing. Her introduction is
in Bing’s own handwriting:
“When a young lady comes to this country and in
a period of eight months, succeeds in making 6 pictures, it’s really news. You’ve seen her in
‘Frankenstein’ and other films – The charming Valerie Hobson – Valerie, what
have you for the radio audience this evening – Val – M.D. & Eg etc.(?) – Nothing derisive(?) of the
mother country, I hope.”
There is no mention of the title of the song
that Miss Hobson was supposed to sing but taking this song and other evidence
into account, something may have had to be cut. Bing was scheduled to sing, four songs, plus
eight bars each of two others; there was also an orchestral item plus two quite
lengthy commercials and three pages of dialogue, involving Bing, Andy Devine and
Georgie Stoll.
(b) A few lines only in each case.
GRAVEL THROAT
Sharing the spotlight with Bing Crosby on his
weekly nationwide feature, this evening, will be Andy Devine, the youthful
screen comedian with the "gravel-throated" voice. The program, starring the
popular Crosby voice, Devine and Georgie Stoll’s orchestra will be broadcast by KHJ
and the Columbia network, from 5 to 5:30.
The fun begins when Stoll discovers some excess
baggage in the orchestra in the person of Devine, erstwhile drummer. In other
words, Devine, in loafing on the job, has gone "high hat" for the moment, and
thinks he should be starred as a singer. Crosby’s songs, the episode featuring
Devine and a brace of numbers by the orchestra round out the
half-hour.
(‘Los Angeles Post-Record’ 28th May 1935)
Los
Angeles, June 4. For a time it looked as if Bing Crosby was about to walk on
his Woodbury Soap CBS program last week with three broadcasts to go,
but crooner won his point and the walkout was soon followed by a walkback.
Crosby and Woodbury have not gotton together for next season and are not expected
to.
Crosby,
now having virtually complete control on the Coast emanator, got into a wordy
battle over last week’s program four hours before due to go on. Scrap was on
the manner in which he was to present Andy Devine, his film guest star. Not
getting anywhere with words, Crosby announced he was through and plans were
immediately formulated to substitute Georgie Stoll’s orchestra with Dave
Broekman’s combo and have John Boles in the crooning spot.
Just
as rehearsals were being set, hot wires from New York to the Coast instructed
the adv agency and CBS officials to let Crosby have his way, so program went on
as per schedule.
(Variety, June 5, 1935)
No. 71 4th June
1935
Announced by Ken Niles. With Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra, The Williams Sisters and Mildred Stone.
*Tell Me That You Love Me
(a)
*She’s A Latin From Manhattan
Gesture To June Brides
Georgie Stoll & his
Orchestra
Young Ideas
The Williams Sisters
*Thrilled
Paris In The Spring
Mildred Stone
*Tell Me That You Love Me
*Soon
*I Wished On The Moon
(a)
Note:
“Mildred Stone - With Bing Crosby’s program, this newest movie star
will heard over CBS-WDSU at 7 pm. Bing will be Master of Ceremonies for the program and with Miss Stone,
will sing several hit numbers”
(‘New Orleans Times-Picayune’ 4th June 1935)
No. 72 11th June
1935
Announced by Ken Niles. With
Georgie Stoll and his Orchestra
and Martha Tilton.
*I Wished On The Moon
(a)
with Chorus
*Seein’ Is Believin’
Oh, Lady Be Good (Gershwin) Georgie Stoll & his Orchestra
Chasing Shadows Martha
Tilton
*In A Little Gypsy Tea Room
St. Louis Blues (Handy) Georgie Stoll & his Orchestra
*You Saved My Life
*I Wished On The Moon
Note:
(a) A few
lines only.
“Rhap-Rhapsody for Bing Crosby the King Of The Krooners. He’s grown a bit careless about his radio programs, of late - sauntering
into the station a few minutes before the broadcasts and announcing that he
hasn’t any idea what numbers he is going to sing. Some of his shows have suffered from lack of
adequate preparation.
Well, wouldn’t you be inclined towards indifference if you were well on
the road to becoming a millionaire. Yet, Bing’s tremendous popularity and wealth
has done nothing to change his charm and forthright personality. He’s generous to a
fault and can take a rhap
(sic) with a grin”
(‘Los Angeles Examiner’ 9th June 1935)
“When Bing Crosby, premier crooner, sings over KFRC between
5 and 5.30 tomorrow afternoon, it will be for the last time in his present
series of broadcasts.
Assisting in his summer swan song will be a chorus of twelve mixed voices
which supported him in musical numbers of his recent picture, ‘The Big Broadcast
Of 1935’(sic)”
(‘San Francisco Chronicle’ 10th June 1935)
“Bing Crosby concludes his current series of
radio programs over CBS and KHJ
at 5 pm, featuring a novel presentation of, ‘Wishing (sic) On The
Moon’. Bing
will sing the lead supported by four trios (?!) and Georgie Stoll’s Orchestra.”
(‘Los Angeles Examiner’ 11th June 1935)
“Bing and a chorus - Bing Crosby will harmonise with a chorus of twelve
voices when he is heard over CBS-WDSU at 7 pm. He is scheduled to sing, ‘In A Little Gypsy
Tea Room’, ‘You Saved My Life’ and ‘Seeing Is Believing’ as solos on the
broadcast”
(‘New Orleans Times-Picayune’ 11th June 1935)
(Headline) “Crosby, Woodbury Ideas Disagree”
“Woodbury has not renewed with Bing Crosby for the
fall.
Primarily, standing in the way of a new contract is the refusal of the
account to again allow the singer to have full control over the program. Under
the past season’s arrangement, Crosby picked his own supporting cast and
numbers.
Crosby has turned down other propositions because they call for his being
part of a variety show”.
(‘Variety’ 15th May 1935)
Lists, alphabetically the songs or musical items in which
Bing Crosby participated
After Sundown 3, 17
Ah! But Is It Love 4
Anything Goes 68
Beat Of My Heart, The 30
Beautiful Girl 9
Believe It, Beloved 53
Be Still My Heart 44, 45, 48
Blame It On My Youth 54, 60
Bless Your Heart 9
Blue Moon 52, 54, 61
Boulevard Of Broken Dreams, The 27
Carioca, The 22
Christmas Dawn In Harlem 48
Clouds 60, 61
Day You Came Along, The 2, 18
Dinah 11, 41
Dixie Lee 27
Don’t Let It Bother You 38
Down By The River 55,59,62,68
Everything I Have Is Yours 5
Ev’ry Day 61, 67
Everything’s Been Done Before 69
Fare Thee Well, Annabelle 59
For All We Know 37
Going Hollywood 4
Goin’ To Heaven On A Mule 21
Goodbye, Love 2
Goodnight, Little Girl Of My Dreams 10, 13
Goodnight, Lovely Little Lady 22, 30, 39
Got Me Doin’ Things 58
Hands Across The Table 50, 51, 53
Have A Little Dream On Me 45
Heavenly Thing 68
Heaven Only Knows 10
Home On The Range 52
House Is Haunted, The 30, 33
I Believe In Miracles 58, 63
I Cried For You 70
Ida, Sweet As Apple Cider 21
If I Had A Million Dollars 42, 48
I Found A Million Dollar Baby (In A Five & Ten Cent Store) 35, 36
If The Moon Turns Green 59, 62
I Kiss Your Hand Madame 34
I Knew You When 33
I’ll Follow My Secret Heart 55, 56
I Love You Truly 35, 49, 50
I’m Getting Sentimental Over You 40, 52
I’m Hummin’, I’m Whistlin’, I’m Singin’ 34
I’m In Love 37
I’m Just An Ordinary Human 63
In A Little Gypsy Tea Room 72
I Never Had A
Chance 37
I Positively Refuse To Sing 25
I Saw Stars 38, 41
I See You Whenever I Close My Eyes 67
Isle Of Capri 56, 57
I Surrender Dear 12, 67
It’s All Forgotten Now 46
It’s Dark On Observatory Hill 51
It’s Easy To Remember 55, 57, 60
I Wished On The Moon 71, 72
I Woke Up Too Soon 48, 51
I Won’t Dance 70
I Would If I Could But I Can’t 2
June In January 44, 45, 49
Just A-Wearyin’ For You 34, 47
Just One More Chance 57, 58
Last Round-Up, The 1, 9
Last Year’s Girl 18
Let Me Call You Sweetheart 62, 63
Let's Fall In Love 13
Life Is A Song (Let’s Sing It Together) 67,
68
Little Dutch Mill 17
Little Picture Playhouse In My Heart (There’s A) 69
Long May We Love 35
Lost My Rhythm, Lost My Music, Lost My Girl 66,
69
Love In Bloom
34,38,42,54
Love Is Just Around The Corner 44,46
Love Locked Out 19, 22
Love Me 30
Lovely To Look At 70
Love Thy Neighbour 25, 26, 27
Lullaby Of Broadway 60, 64
Maybe I’m Wrong Again 41, 44
May I? 25, 33
Mine 13, 15
Moon Was Yellow, The 38, 39
My Heart Is An Open Book 58, 63
My Melancholy Baby 12
Nagasaki 22
New Moon Is Over My Shoulder, A 40, 41
Night And Day 10
Night Owl 5
Night Wind 65
Old Folks At Home (aka "Swanee River") 49, 56
Old Roses 26
Old Spinning Wheel, The 22
Ole Faithful 60
Once In A Blue Moon 25
One Minute To One 15
One Night Of Love 45, 46, 50
On The Wrong Side Of The Fence 18
Our Big Love Scene 19
Out In The Cold Again 38, 42
P.S. I Love You 40
Please 35, 61, 62
Restless 64
Ridin’ Around In The Rain 33
Say It 36
Seein’ Is
Believin’ 72
Shadows Of Love 21
Shame On You 3
She Reminds Me Of You 21, 27
She’s A Latin From Manhattan 67, 71
Shine 12
Silent Night 48
Smoke Rings 13, 18
Solitude 64, 65, 69
Someday Sweetheart 36, 49, 65
Someone Stole Gabriel’s Horn 15
Soon 54, 55, 56, 59, 63, 71
So Shy 19
St. Louis Blues 42
Star Dust 65, 66
Stars Fell On Alabama 42, 46
Stay As Sweet As You Are 46, 47, 53
Stay On The Right Side Of The Road 19
Straight From The Shoulder (Right From The Heart) 36
Swanee River (see Old Folks At Home)
Sweet Georgia Brown 17
Sweetheart Waltz, The 35, 37
Sweetie Pie 47
Sweet Music 57
Take A Number From One To Ten 51
Tell Me That You Love Me 70, 71
Temptation 4, 9
Thanks 1, 9, 10, 63, 64
They Didn’t Believe Me 39
This Is Romance 3
This Little Piggy Went To Market 21, 22
Thousand Goodnights, A 33
Three Wishes 3
Thrilled 71
Throwin’ Stones At The Sun 57
Tiny Little Fingerprints 53, 56
To Be Or Not To Be In Love 2
Tomorrow 1
True 27
Two Cigarettes In The Dark 40
Very Thought Of You, The 34, 35
Waiting At The Gate For Kate 30
Weep No More, My Baby 4
We’ll Make Hay While The Sun Shines 15
What A Difference A Day Made 50
When I Grow Too Old To Dream 61, 66
Winter Wonderland 50
With Every Breath I Take 44, 47, 52
With My Eyes Wide Open I’m Dreaming 33
Without That Certain Thing 26
Words Are In My Heart, The 62, 68
Would There Be Love? 65, 70
Yes, My Dear 5
You Ain’t Been Living Right 41
You And The Night And The Music 55, 58
You Oughta Be In Pictures 26
You’re A Builder Upper 39
You're My Past, Present And Future 12
You’re Not The Only Oyster In The Stew 51
You’re The Top 54
Your Love 26
You Saved My Life 72
WOODBURY INDEX 2
Lists, alphabetically, the songs or musical items performed
solely by guests during the
programmes.
About A Quarter To Nine 66
Alexander’s Ragtime Band 42, 60
Allah’s Holiday 2
An Earful Of Music 54
And I Still Do 35
And I Still Love You 12
Are You Makin' Any Money 3
Beyond The Blue Horizon 62
Bidin’ My Time 37
Blue Moon 19, 33
Body And Soul 54
By A Waterfall 9
By The Bend Of The River 13
By The Taj
Mahal 39
By The Waters Of Minnetonka 1
Call Of The Rockies 27
Carioca, The 30
Carlo, The 56
Chansonette 5
Chasing Shadows 72
Chinatown, My Chinatown 37, 40
Cinderella’s Fella 4
Cocktails For Two 26
Continental, The 36
Cucaracha, La 35
Dames 34
Dancing In The Moonlight 18, 21
Did You Ever See A Dream Walking? 10
Diga Diga Doo 41
Dinah 10
Dinner At Eight 9
Don't Blame Me 1
Don’t Let It Bother You 39
Down On the Delta 40
Easter Parade 21
Emaline 67
Embraceable You 37
Exactly Like You 26
Fare Thee Well, Annabelle 63
Flying Fingers 5
From The Land Of The Sky Blue Water 10
Gesture To June Brides 71
Girl Friend, The 34, 65
Goin’ To Heaven On A Mule 18, 22
Going Shopping 62
Gold Diggers’ Song, The (We’re In The Money) 1
Got The Jitters 19
Hasta Manana 59
Hawaiian Medley 64
Heat Wave 57
Heaven Only Knows 12
Heebie Jeebies 34
Here Come The British (Bang! Bang!) 38, 45
Holiday 4
Hot Cha Cha 43
If I Had A Million Dollars 36, 46
I Found A New Baby 21, 26
I Get A Kick Out Of You 53, 66
I Got Rhythm 37
I Like Mountain Music 64
I'll Be Faithful 4
I’m In Love 36
I’m Just An Ordinary Human 61
I Never Knew (I Could Love Anybody) 52
Indiana 43
In The Middle Of A Kiss 47
I Only Have Eyes For You 34, 35
Isle Of Capri 49, 51
It’s An Old Southern Custom 59, 68
It’s My Night To Howl 51
It’s Written All Over Your Face 41
I’ve Got To Sing A Torch Song 1
I Won’t Dance 63, 69
Japanese Sandman, The 60, 66
Jingle Bells 48
Jungle Fever 21
Just A Ladies Man 17
Karibali 37, 58
Kashmiri Love Song 9
Keep Young And Beautiful 17
Lady In Red, The 65
La Violetera 12
Lazy Bones 2, 10
Like Me A Little Bit Less (Love Me A Little Bit
More) 15
Little Dutch Mill 18, 33
Little White Gardenia 59
Live And Love Tonight 27
Liza 58
Lonesome Road 43
Lost In A Fog
37, 44
Love Is Just Around The Corner 51
Lovely To Look At 63
Mama Inez 4
Maybe I’m Wrong Again 47, 50
Midnight On Main Street 26
Mine 18
Moaning 54
Mood Hollywood 3
Moon Was Yellow, The 43
Moonlight On The Water 22
My Carolina Hideaway 30
My Dancing Lady 15
My Heart, At Thy Sweet Voice 46
My Little Grass Shack In Kealakekua, Hawaii 17, 19
My Melancholy Baby 51, 53
My Moonlight Madonna 48
My Old Man 13, 18
My Old Flame 35
Nagasaki 26, 61
Needle In A Haystack, A 48
New Moon Is Over My Shoulder, A 39
No Lovers Allowed 52
No More Love 10
Not For All The Rice In China 9
Nothing But The Best 19
Object Of My
Affection, The 40, 47, 50
Oh, Lady Be Good 68, 72
Okay Toots 49
Old Man Harlem 42
Old Spinning Wheel, The 13
Ol’ Man River 48, 64
On The Good Ship Lollipop 55
Our Big Love Scene 17
Pardon My Love 69
Pardon My Southern Accent 39
Paris In The Spring 71
Peanut Vendor, The 2
Poor Butterfly 42
Rain 43
Rain In My Heart 30
Rain songs medley 40
Restless 57
Riptide 30
Rock And Roll 36, 43
Rosita 5
Savage Serenade 3
See Four And Twenty Elders On Their Knees 49
Serenade For A Wealthy Widow 46, 47
Shadow Waltz, The 1
She’s A Latin From Manhattan 63, 64
Shine 50
Shoein’ The Mare 38
Sleepy Head 52
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes 19
Sophisticated Lady 15, 21
Spin A Little Web Of Dreams 22
St. Louis Blues 65, 72
Star Dust 27, 38
Stars Fell On Alabama 45
Stay As Sweet As You Are 42
Sweeter Than Sugar 57
Sweetie Pie 41, 55
Sweet Lucy Brown 53, 57
Sweet Madness 22
Sweet Sue (Just You) 10
Take A Number From One To Ten 50
Talkin’ To Myself 37
Tea For Two 9, 62
Tell Me What You Mean 56
That Pretty Baby 58
Things Might Have Been So Different 60
Tony's Wife 13
Toyland 48
Troubled Waters 35, 38
Try To See It My Way 34
Twenty Four Hours In Georgia 39
Two Blue Eyes, Two Little Baby Shoes 27
Vilia 41, 70
Very Thought Of You, The 40, 67, 68
Walking In The Rain 19
Weep No More, My Baby 3
We're In The Money 12
What’s The Reason? 56
When We Fell Out Of Love 53
Where The Blue Of The Night 8
Where Were You On The Night Of June The Third?
59
Who Walks In When I Walk Out? 21
Why Don’t You Practice What You Preach? 34
You Ain’t Been Living Right 46
You Fit Into The Picture 56, 67
Young Ideas 71
You Oughta Be In Pictures 22
You’re A Builder Upper 61
You're Devastating 19
You’re Gonna Lose Your Gal 10, 12
You’re The Top 49, 58
Your Guess Is As Good As Mine 44
SUNDRY RADIO APPEARANCES 1933 -1935
1933
November 1 (8:00 - 9:00 p.m.) Takes part in a nation-wide programme
launching a new CBS station (WBBM) in Chicago.
1934
February 3 (7:30 - 9:00 p.m.) Bing is one of several artistes
featured in a special radio programme marking the opening of the Columbia
Playhouse in New York.
September 20 Makes a short guest appearance on the Dorsey Brothers
opening radio show of the season and sings ‘Love In Bloom’.
October 22
Bing and Jimmie Grier’s orchestra have made an electrical
transcription for the Community Chest which is broadcast by various Los Angeles
radio stations as follows: KMTR, 6:35 p.m., KHJ at 6:45 p.m., KECA and KNX at
8:00 p.m. Bing sings “Fare Thee Well To Harlem” and “With My Eyes Wide Open I’m
Dreaming”.
1935
January 16 Bing and Dixie guest on the Jimmie Fidler radio show.
April 20 (8:45 a.m.) Bing sings four songs in an ‘International
Week-End’ radio programme which is broadcast to England and transmitted by the
BBC as ‘Six Hours Back’. The songs are ‘June In January’, ‘Love Is
Just Around The Corner’, ‘Soon’,
and ‘It’s Easy To Remember’.
August 15 Appears on Paul Whiteman’s Kraft Music Hall show singing
songs from the film Two For
Tonight.
The songs are "From The Top Of Your Head", "I Wish I Were
Aladdin", "Without A Word Of Warning" and "Takes Two To Make A Bargain".
September 14 ‘The Big Broadcast of 1936’ has its first
showing at the Paramount Theatre in Los Angeles. Bing, Ethel Merman and Frances Langford are
in attendance. The proceedings are broadcast nationally on the NBC Red Network
through the ‘Lucky Strike Hit Parade’ programme between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m.
December 7 Guests on a radio show celebrating the opening of NBC studios in Hollywood. Al Jolson introduces Bing who sings ‘On Treasure Island’. (Sepia CD 1369 "Guest Star Time (1935-1953)")
Go to Kraft Music Hall
GO BACK TO CONTENTS
BACK TO TOP