1938-1939 Season with the John Scott
Trotter Orchestra
The audience share for the
season is 24.5, which puts the show in fourth place in
the overall Hooper ratings for evening programs. Edgar Bergen’s show is again
in top place with a rating of 35.1.
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns,
The Paul Taylor Choristers, Johnny Mercer, Walter Connolly and Joan Bennett.
*I’ve Got A
Pocketful Of Dreams
*I’ve Got A
Pocketful Of Dreams (parody) with
Bob Burns
Walter Connolly spot
*Silver On
The Sage
with
The Paul Taylor Choristers
Bob Burns spot
*I Don’t Want To Play In Your Yard
Hail, KMH
Ken
Carpenter
*Oh! Bells Of
KMH
with
The Paul Taylor Choristers
*Laugh And
Call It Love
*What
Have You Got That Gets Me
with Joan Bennett
The Lambeth Walk
John Scott Trotter Orchestra
*Small Fry
with
Johnny Mercer
*Mutiny In
The Nursery
with
Johnny Mercer, Joan Bennett, Bob
Burns, John Scott Trotter & Ken Carpenter
*Summer Souvenirs
with
The Paul Taylor Choristers
“With the return of Bing Crosby, last Thursday, this
choice radio dish again became complete but only for one instalment. Crosby has taken twelve weeks out and Bob
Burns stayed long enough for a reconciliation before
ducking for a four week vacation. The
Kraft Music Hall remains one of the few air packages that abound in suavity and
good taste as well as entertainment. The
combination of Crosby and Burns has a distinct and happy blend of personalities
and there has been no let-down in the successful illusion of informality,
camaraderie and surprise interpolation.
The banter continues to lean towards the refreshing side and is run off with
a subdued leisureliness that makes it a welcome contrast to the over eager
shows. In guest formula, the show of
last Thursday night, had but one difference - there was no representative from
the concert field. Instead of a masseur
of the high C’s or an ivory digiteer, the program produced Johnny Mercer and a finely, diverting
paraphrase of one of his latest tunes, “There’s (sic) Mutiny In
The Nursery”. Everybody in the cast but
Walter Connolly participated and the upshot was as healthy a ‘plug’ as any film
release would want. The number is in
Warner Brothers, “Going Places”. Mercer
and Crosby preceded this item with a banter of special
material on the theme of “Small Fry” and a bit of lively minstrel crossfire
that had Burns as interlocutor and a soft spot for the specimen of fine
‘needling’ that accompanied the routine.
The script’s gift for mixing bright badinage worked nicely in the case
of the two screen guestees, Joan Bennett and Walter
Connolly. For the latter it finally got
down to showing by example how the spoken word can be, by deft shading be
given various meanings, while Miss Bennett devoted most of her conversation to
answering the critics who couldn’t understand why her hair remained so firmly
set in “The Texans”, despite her encounters with blizzards, dust storms, floods
and whatnot. She also joined Crosby in
applying their tonsils to the lyrics and melody of a current pop number. About the only element in this Thursday event
that seems to show signs of sliding off key is the sustained gong-ringing
gag. It used to be funny. Carroll Carroll,
the show’s writer should be able to dig up a substitute before the current one
becomes an irritant.
(“Variety” 26th October 1938)
“Bing Crosby will return from his prolonged
summer vacation just in time to lead his Music Hall ‘co-workers’ and guests into
the newly completed Hollywood Radio City at 9 pm”
(“New Orleans Times-Picayune” 20th October
1938)
Bob Burns appeared in this first programme of a new season with Bing but then missed the next four shows while vacationing in Honolulu. There was some disagreement, in the press, at the time, as to his exact destination, which was probably due to someone’s confusion between “Hawaii” and “Havana”. Confirmation can be obtained from a parodied version of the song, “Could Be” which survives from Programme No. 120 in which Bing and Johnny Mercer refer to his whereabouts and his imminent return.
No. 117 27th October 1938
With Ken Carpenter, The Paul Taylor Choristers, Irene Jessner, Ogden Nash, Ralph Bellamy and Henry
Fonda.
*You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby
Henry Fonda spot
*Small
Fry
with Henry Fonda (trumpet)
*Don’t Let That Moon Get Away
Ralph Bellamy spot
*Melody In F (Rubinstein) Henry Fonda (trumpet), Ralph Bellamy & John Scott Trotter (pianos), Bing Crosby (drums), Ken Carpenter (vocal)
*Kentucky Babe (a) with The Paul Taylor Choristers
*Garden Of The Moon (b)
Ogden Nash spot
Medley:
*You Took The Words Right Out Of My Heart
*This Is My Night To Dream
*Gypsy In My Soul
In Quelle Trine Morbide
Irene Jessner
Vilia Irene Jessner
Dardanella John Scott Trotter Orchestra
*When Mother Nature Sings Her Lullaby
Notes:
(a) Spokane 27 - “Bing In The Thirties - Volume 6”
(b) Spokane 27 - “Bing In The Thirties - Volume 6”
Limited Edition Club JGB1003 - “Around The Hall - Volume Two”
Interfusion CD D26291 “A Bing Crosby Cavalcade Of Song”
“Ogden Nash, whose unmetred lines have been a vogue for several years,
made one of his rare radio appearances, last Thursday, with Bing Crosby on the
Kraft program.
It was a click session, not only for Nash’s ingenious satiric verses and
his ingratiating mike personality but also because of exceedingly able scripting
and production.
Co-guests on the show, Fonda and Ralph Bellamy together with Crosby and
Ken Carpenter, joined in the lyrical fooling. If consistently presented so
engagingly, Nash would be a natural in a regular spot on one of the programs.
After Fonda and Bellamy had each offered his individual bit of clowning,
Fonda played the trumpet, Bellamy and John Scott Trotter on pianos, Crosby
pounded the drums and Carpenter sang, in a comically, terrible edition of
“Melody in F”
(“Variety” 2nd November 1938)
Robert
J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director, commented: "Technical
comments: Gradually getting used to new studio. Entertainment: Very
good indeed."
With Ken Carpenter, The Paul Taylor Choristers, Dalies Frantz, Herb Polesie, Maureen O’Sullivan, Chester Morris and
Claude Rains.
*Ya Got Me
(a)
Claude Rains spot
*The Lambeth Walk with Claude Rains (short excerpt)
*Mexicali Rose
Maureen O’Sullivan spot
*Red Wing
(b)
Herb Polesie spot
The Dipsy Doodle Herb Polesie
*The Dipsy Doodle (a) with Herb Polesie
*My Reverie
(a)
Mouvements Perpetuels
Dalies Frantz
Bach Chorale Dalies Frantz
The Girl Friend Of The Whirling Dervish
John Scott Trotter
Orchestra
*Summer Souvenirs with The Paul Taylor Choristers
Notes:
(a) Spokane 27 - “Bing In The Thirties - Volume 6”
(b) CP1 - “Bouncing With Bing”
Spokane 27 - “Bing In The
Thirties - Volume 6”
“Bing Crosby will play host to four old friends when Claude
Rains, Maureen O’Sullivan, Dalies
Frantz and Herb Polesie appear as
his guests during the Music Hall broadcast at 9 pm. All four will chat
with their host and Frantz will play a group of piano solos”
(“New Orleans Times-Picayune” 3rd November 1938)
"The strange
episode of Pancho Polesie, the famous “opera star” who appeared on Bing Crosby’s
program a few weeks ago, has never been satisfactorily explained on the air. It
has never been explained on the air at all, as far as that goes. Senor Polesie was
given a colossal introduction, in which Bing explained that he was a Crosby
discovery, making his debut in this country, and something pretty extra special
in the line of opera stars. Senor Polesie then sang “The Dipsy Doodle” in a way
it was never sung before, and, if everybody is lucky, will never be sung again.
Bing never bothered to explain that Senor Pancho was really Herb Polesie, a
Hollywood movie producer, because he supposed listeners would realize it was
all a gag. Some people didn’t, though, and are still complaining bitterly that
having a famous opera star sing “The Dipsy Doodle” was carrying informality a little
too far. Bing pulled the same joke a year or so ago, when he gave Jerry Colonna
(now on Bob Hope’s program) a similar buildup. The Colonna hoax was explained
on the following week’s broadcast, however."
(Radio
Mirror, February 1939)
Robert
J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director, commented: "Technical
comments: Okay. Best piano pick-up I have ever heard. Entertainment:
Orchids with special mention of Polesie. General remarks: The
stop-watch lost 15 minutes on the hour, so the Kraft (???) time
will be slightly off. The time on the last commercial timing was taken
from the clock, and is correct."
No. 119 10th November 1938
With Ken Carpenter, The Paul Taylor Choristers, Mafalda Favero, Gene Krupa, Brian Aherne and Ann Sheridan.
*I’ve Got A Pocketful Of Dreams
Brian Aherne spot
*A Bicycle Built for Two (Daisy Bell) (parody) with Brian Aherne
*At Long Last Love
(a)
Ann Sheridan spot
*Hooray For Spinach with Ann Sheridan
*Long,
Long Ago
(b)
Wire Brush Stomp
Gene Krupa (drums)
*Honeysuckle
Rose
Gene
Krupa (drums), Bing Crosby (cymbal), Andy Secrest (trumpet), Perry
Botkin (guitar), Jack Mayhew (saxophone), Slim Taft (bass) and John
Scott Trotter (piano)
*Garden Of The Moon
Mi Chiamano Mimi Mafalda Favero
The Last Rose Of Summer Mafalda Favero with The Paul Taylor Choristers
The Glow-Worm John Scott Trotter Orchestra
*Darling Nellie Gray with The Paul Taylor Choristers
Notes:
(a) Spokane 12 - “Bing In The Thirties”
BCR-01 (CD) - “Bing Crosby - We’re Just Wild About Harry”
(b) JSP Records CD JSP6705 - "Here's Bing Crosby!"“Swing fans and opera enthusiasts will both have
their innings when Bing Crosby presents Gene Krupa, master of the drums and Malfalda Fevero, brilliant young opera star, in company with
Ann Sheridan and Brian Aherne of
the movies during his Music Hall broadcast at 9 pm”
(“New Orleans Times-Picayune” 10th November 1938)
Robert
J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director, commented: "Entertainment:
Swell!"
With Ken Carpenter, The Paul Taylor Choristers,
Marie Wilson, Rose Bampton,
Roland Young & Johnny Mercer.
*The Lady On The Two Cent Stamp
(a)
Roland Young spot
*I Dreamt That I Dwelt In Marble Halls
(b) with The Paul Taylor Choristers
*Laugh And Call It Love
Voi Lo Sapete Rose Bampton
*Goin' Home with Rose Bampton and The Paul Taylor Choristers
Marie Wilson spot
Medley:
*I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart
*Two Bouquets
The Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers
John Scott Trotter
Orchestra
*Small Fry
with Johnny Mercer & Rose Bampton
Small Fry
Rose Bampton and John Scott Trotter
*Could Be
with Johnny Mercer, Marie Wilson & Ken Carpenter
*Swing Low, Sweet Chariot with The Paul Taylor Choristers
Notes:
(a) Broadway Intermission BR114 - “Bing Crosby With Glenn
Miller” (as “I’m In Love With the Lady In The Stamp Collection”)
Music International P6005 (CD) - “Cruisin’ Along”
Nostalgia LPF22015 - “Bing Crosby - 20 Golden Greats - Volume 2”
(Both above as “Lady In The
Stamp Collection”)
(b) Broadway Intermission BR114 - “Bing Crosby With Glenn
Miller” (as “I Dreamed I Dwelt In Marble Hall”)
Music International P6005 (CD) - “Cruisin’ Along”
Double Play GRF016 (CD) - “Everything I Have Is Yours”
Nostalgia LPF22015 - “Bing Crosby - 20 Golden Greats - Volume 2”
(Above three, as “I Dreamt I Dwelt In Marble Hall”
“Bing Crosby has assembled a galaxy of stars,
including Roland Young, English actor; Rose Bampton, Metropolitan Opera singer; Johnny Mercer,
songwriter and Marie Wilson, film actress for his Music Hall program at 9 pm
over NBC-WSNB.
John Scott Trotter’s Orchestra and the Paul Taylor Chorus complete the
cast”
(“New Orleans Times-Picayune” 17th November 1938)
Robert J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director, commented: "Technical: We had trouble with our cut-in announcements tonight on KFI, so everyone told us about it. I wonder how many times they are linked up by out of town stations and we are not told. Entertainment: Okay. General remarks: Good show."
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Paul Taylor Choristers, The Gonzaga University Quartet, Toscha
Seidel, Andrea Leeds and Chester Morris.
*You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby
Chester Morris spot
*At Long Last Love
Bob Burns spot
*My Sweetheart’s The Man In The Moon
*My Reverie
Andrea Leeds spot
*Mi Rancho Bonito sung in Spanish with Andrea Leeds
Minuet In G (Beethoven)
Toscha
Seidel (violin)
One Day When We Were Young (Strauss)
Toscha
Seidel (violin)
Fight On, Loyola
The Gonzaga University Quartet
The Idaho Alma Mater The Gonzaga University Quartet
Washington State Fight Song The Gonzaga University Quartet
*Bulldogs Of Gonzaga
with The Gonzaga University Quartet
Hail KMH The Gonzaga University Quartet
*Mexicali Rose with The Paul Taylor Choristers
“When Bing Crosby opens his Music Hall for a
broadcast at 9 pm, he’ll find two faces new to the group for the past few weeks.
One will be Chester Morris and the other will be Bob Burns, both of the silver
screen”
(“New Orleans Times-Picayune” 24th November 1938)
Robert
J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director, commented:
"Entertainment: Okay. Commercial: Cut-in trouble. General
remarks: Burns timing all shot. He just arrived back from vacation."
No. 122 1st December 1938
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Paul Taylor Choristers, Joe
Sullivan, David Niven and Edward
Arnold.
*Ya Got Me
Ya
Got Me (parody)
with Bob Burns
Edward Arnold spot
Down Went McGinty To the Bottom Of The Sea
Edward
Arnold and Bob Burns (bazooka)
*Summer Souvenirs with The Paul Taylor Choristers
Bob Burns spot
*(Back Home Again In) Indiana
*Who Blew Out The Flame (a)
David Niven spot
Medley:
*Don’t Be That Way
(a)
*Once In A While
(a)
*In The Shade Of The New Apple Tree
(a)
Just Strollin' Joe Sullivan (piano)
Little Rock Getaway
Joe Sullivan (piano)
*Old Folks with The Paul Taylor Choristers
Note:
(a) Spokane 27 - “Bing In The Thirties - Volume 6”
A character actor
who can cook, a romantic lead and one of Hollywood’s hottest pianists are the
guest artists in the Music Hall program tonight, when Bing Crosby and Bob Burns
will present another of their informal receptions for cinema celebrities. These
guests are, in order, Edward Arnold and David Niven of the screen and Joe Sullivan
of the swing piano department. The program will also include music by John
Scott Trotter’s orchestra, the Paul Taylor Chorus and of course the inimitable songs
of Bing and the expert patter and bazooking by Bob.
(Democrat
and Chronicle, (Rochester, NY), December 1, 1938)
Robert
J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director, commented: "Entertainment: Okay. General remarks: Niven swell. Arnold best."
No. 123 8th December 1938
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Paul Taylor
Choristers, Charles Farrell, Florence George and Priscilla Lane.
*Lullaby In Rhythm
(a) with The
Paul Taylor Choristers
*Lullaby In Rhythm (parody) with Bob Burns (bazooka
Priscilla Lane spot
*Ride, Tenderfoot, Ride with Priscilla Lane & Bob Burns (Perry Botkin - guitar)
*My Reverie
Bob Burns spot
*When You’re A Long, Long Way From Home (a) with The Paul Taylor Choristers
*Hurry Home
(a)
My Honey's Lovin' Arms
Charles Farrell (trumpet)
One Fine Day Florence George
Carry Me Back To Old Virginny Florence George with The Paul Taylor Choristers
Where Or When John Scott Trotter Orchestra
*Mexicali Rose with The Paul Taylor Choristers
Note:
(a) Spokane 27 - “Bing In The Thirties - Volume 6”
Other radio guests
today include Priscilla Lane of the Lane sisters, Charles Farrell, once a movie
idol and now playing in a new Shirley Temple picture, and Florence George,
singer, all visiting Bing Crosby and Bob Burns on the Music Hall.
(The Miami Herald, December 8, 1938)
Robert
J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director, commented:
"Entertainment: O.K. General remarks: John thinks our last commercial
too late."
No. 124 15th December 1938
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Paul Taylor Choristers, Jan Smeterlin, Jane Bryan and Leslie Howard.
*The Funny Old Hills
(a)
Leslie Howard spot
*Without You
Without You Leslie Howard
*Who Blew Out The Flame?
Bob Burns spot
Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town Bob Burns (bazooka)
*I Cried For You
(a)
*I Have Eyes
(a)
Jane Bryan spot
*The
Sidewalks Of New York (parody)
with Jane Bryan and Leslie
Howard
Nocturne
in E-flat Major
Jan Smeterlin (piano)
Grand Valse Brilliante in E-flat major
Jan Smeterlin (piano)
*Old Folks
(a) with
The Paul Taylor Choristers
Note:
(a) Spokane 27 - “Bing In The Thirties - Volume 6”
“Leslie Howard, who directed and starred in the
screen adaptation of ‘Pygmalion’, in England, Jan Smeterlin, Polish concert pianist and Jane Bryan of
the screen will be on the air with Bing Crosby at 7 pm over KFI. ‘Without You’- words and music by Leslie Howard
will be introduced by Crosby, along with several songs from his new picture,
‘Paris Honeymoon’.
They are, ‘The Funny Old Hills’, ‘Joobalai’, ‘I Have Eyes’ and ‘You’re A Sweet Little
Headache’”
(“Hollywood Citizen News” 15th December 1938)
Leslie
Howard had not worn make-up for many years, either on stage or in films, and
this was just one more black mark in his mind against appearing in “Gone with
the Wind”. Fortunately, he worked steadily on radio programs and was
enchanted when he appeared on Bing Crosby’s show and Crosby sang a Howard
composition called ‘Without You’, the music by Leslie and the words by Leslie
and Doodie (his daughter). They were delighted with
the song, and, must I say, so was I. It sounded marvellous, played by the
orchestra and sung by Crosby.
(From A Quite Remarkable Father by Leslie Ruth Howard)
Robert J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director,
commented: "Entertainment: Credits. Comments on Commercial: OK, but
some complaints from Canada on changed name."
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Paul Taylor Choristers, The Kraft Choral
Society, Benita Hume and Basil Rathbone.
*Adeste Fideles
Basil Rathbone spot
If This Were Fate
Basil Rathbone (poetry
reading)
*Lullaby In Rhythm
Bob Burns spot
*The Lonesome Road
(a)
*You’re A Sweet Little Headache
Benita Hume spot
The Bowery (parody) Benita Hume
Gesu Bambino
The Kraft Choral
Society
The Lord’s Prayer (Malotte)
The Kraft Choral Society
By Heck John Scott Trotter Orchestra
*Hurry Home
The Unforgotten Basil Rathbone (poetry reading)
*Silent Night
Note:
(a) Spokane 27 - “Bing In The Thirties - Volume 6”
The Kraft Choral
Society makes one of its semi-annual appearances on the Bing Crosby – Bob Burns
program at 10 o’clock tonight via NBC and WMBG, and Basil Rathbone and Benita
Hume of the films will fill the guest spot. This is the Christmas program when
Bing sings “Adeste Fidelis” and “Silent Night.” It will be the third successive
year that he has sung these traditional melodies. Reservations for these
numbers are placed with the network music department a year ahead to insure that
they will be on the program. We might add that Crosby’s treatment of the carols
is the best on the air – by vote by listeners and radio editors from coast to
coast. The Choral Society, heard on this program each Easter and Christmas, is
a mixed chorus of 80 employees of the sponsor.
(The Times Dispatch, (Richmond, Virginia), December 22, 1938)
Robert J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director, commented:
"Technical comments: O.K. Switches pretty good. Entertainment: O.K.
Shouldn't have put "By Heck" in at all. General remarks: Choir spread
1:00 and wrapped the closing slightly."
No. 126 29th December 1938
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Paul Taylor Choristers, Marie Wilson, Preston
Foster, Louis Prima and Jack Carson.
*The Funny Old Hills
*The Funny Old Hills (parody)
with Bob Burns
Marie Wilson spot
*Jeepers Creepers
with Bob Burns & Marie Wilson
Bob Burns spot
*My Melancholy Baby
*Between A Kiss And A Sigh
(a)
Jack Carson spot
Medley: with Bob Burns, Jack Carson & Ken Carpenter
*Down By The Old Mill Stream (parody)
*Dear Old Girl
(parody)
*Sweet Adeline (parody)
*Let Me Call You Sweetheart (parody)
Louis Prima spot
Sing Sing Sing
Louis
Prima (trumpet)
Tiger Rag Louis Prima (trumpet)
The Doll Dance
John Scott Trotter
Orchestra
*It’s A Lonely Trail with The Paul Taylor Choristers,
*Auld Lang Syne
with cast
Note:
(a) Spokane 28 - “Bing In The Thirties - Volume 7”
Melvyn Douglas,
one of Hollywood’s most popular actors, and Marie Wilson, the screen’s newest “dumb”
blond, will be included in Bing Crosby’s guest list at 9 p.m…
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram, December 29, 1938) (NOTE: It would appear that Mr. Douglas did not show up)
Robert
J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director, commented: "General
remarks: A perfect ending, and a good one. Generally a swell show."
No. 127 5th January 1939
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Paul Taylor
Choristers, Alice Ehlers, Preston Foster and Roland Young.
*You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby
*You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby (parody)
with Bob Burns (bazooka)
Roland Young spot
*I Have Eyes
Bob Burns spot
*I’m Just Wild About Harry
(a)
*Have You Forgotten So Soon?
(b)
Preston Foster spot
*Put On Your Old Grey Bonnet (parody) with Preston Foster and Bob Burns
Marche
A La Tourna
Alice Ehlers (harpsichord)
The Cuckoo Alice Ehlers (harpsichord)
Tambourine Alice Ehlers (harpsichord)
Cotton Picker's Congregation
John Scott Trotter Orchestra
*Old Folks with The Paul Taylor Choristers
Notes:
(a) Spokane 12 - “Bing In The Thirties”
BCR-01 (CD) - “Bing Crosby - We’re Just Wild About Harry”
(b) Spokane 12 - “Bing In The Thirties” (as “Have You Forgotten”)
Roland Young, one
of the Music Hall’s favorite alumni, drops around to the campus to visit Bing
Crosby and Bob Burns, along with Preston Foster, of the sound stages, Alice
Ehlers, one of the country’s best known virtuosos on one of its least known
musical instruments – the harpsichord, during the “Music Hall” broadcast to be
heard over WSB at 9 o’clock tonight.
(The Atlanta Constitution, January 5, 1939)
Robert J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director,
commented: "General remarks: Ehlers and harpsichord good. Young up to par. Foster fair. Station break
good but should have been rehearsed."
No. 128 12th January 1939
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Paul Taylor
Choristers, Grete Stueckgold,
Spring Byington and Wayne
Morris.
*I Must See Annie Tonight
*I Must See Annie Tonight (parody)
with Bob Burns
Wayne Morris spot
*Goodbye, Girls, I’m Through with Bob Burns & Wayne Morris
*The
Funny Old Hills (parody)
with Bob Burns (bazooka) & Wayne Morris (saxophone)
*Just A Kid Named Joe
Bob Burns spot
*The Pal That I Loved (Stole The Girl That I Loved)
with The Paul Taylor Choristers
*Between A Kiss And A Sigh
Zueignung Grete Stueckgold
Humoresque Grete Stueckgold (comb)
My Rosary Grete Stueckgold with The Paul Taylor Choristers
Spring Byington spot
*Sweet Sue with Spring Byington & Wayne Morris (saxophone)
Canadian Capers
John Scott Trotter Orchestra
*It’s A Lonely Trail with The Paul Taylor Choristers
“Grete Stueckgold, noted singer, Spring Byington, character actress and Wayne Morris, recent
bridegroom, will be on the air with Bing Crosby and Bob Burns at 7 over
KFI. Miss
Byington is the mother in ‘The
Jones Family’ series”
(“Hollywood Citizen News” 12th January 1939)
Robert
J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director, commented: "Entertainment: Swell."
No. 129 19th January 1939
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Paul Taylor
Choristers, Emanuel Feuermann, Colonel Stoopnagle (F. Chase Taylor) and Anita
Louise.
*Jeepers Creepers
Colonel Stoopnagle spot
Java Jive (I Love Coffee, I Love Tea) F. Chase Taylor (organ)
*I Have Eyes
Bob Burns spot
*I Used To Love You (But It’s All Over Now)
*They Say
*Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms with Anita Louise (harp) & The Paul Taylor Choristers
Apres
Un Reve
Emanuel Feuermann (cello)
Zapateado
Emanuel Feuermann (cello)
Begin The
Beguine
John Scott Trotter Orchestra
*When You’re A Long, Long Way From Home with The Paul Taylor Choristers
Bing Crosby and
Bob Burns will team up to confuse Colonel Lemuel Q. Stoopnagle when that old
hand at confusing turns up as a guest of the “Music Hall” program to be heard
over WSB at 9 o’clock tonight. Other guests to be heard on the full hour show
include Anita Louise, motion picture leading lady, and Emanuel Feuermann,
distinguished cellist.
(The
Atlanta Constitution, January 19,
1939)
No. 130 26th January 1939
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Paul Taylor
Choristers, Cote Vandermark, Frances Mercer, Mayo Methot and Humphrey Bogart.
*This Can’t Be Love
*This Can’t Be Love (parody)
with Bob Burns (vocal}
Humphrey Bogart spot
The Bold Fisherman
Humphrey Bogart
More Than You Know Mayo Methot
*I Up’s To Her And She Up’s To Me
with Humphrey Bogart & Maya Methot (only a few words from Crosby & Methot)
*The Umbrella Man
*The Umbrella Man (parody)
Bob Burns spot
Heaven On Earth Bob Burns (guitar & vocal)
*Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me
(a)
*Hurry Home
Frances Mercer spot
They Say Frances Mercer
*I Must See Annie Tonight (parody)
*Have You Forgotten So Soon?(parody) with Frances Mercer
Non La Sospiri La Nostra Casetta Cote Vandermark
Liebesbotschaft Cote Vandermark
Dardanella John Scott Trotter Orchestra
*Old Folks with The Paul Taylor Choristers
Note:
(a) Spokane 14 - “Bing In The Thirties - Volume Two”“
Cole (sic) Vandermark, Netherlands concert and opera singer, will visit the Music Hall, KFI
at 7 pm, to sing a group of arias and Dutch lieder. Other guests will
be Frances Mercer, young RKO actress, who will offer, ‘Have You Forgotten’ and
Humphrey Bogart, motion picture badman. Bob Burns is down on the program for a
guitar solo (with words and music by Robin Burns) and the songs, ‘This Can’t Be
Love’ and ‘The Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gave (sic) To Me’ will be among Bing
Crosby’s vocals”
(“Hollywood Citizen News” 26th January 1939)
Robert
J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director, commented: "Technical
comments: O.K. We gave NBC the network at 7:59:40 but the chimes didn't
work, which is no fault of ours."
No. 131 2nd February 1939
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Paul Taylor
Choristers, Miriam Hopkins, Harry
Carey and "Master Stan" (Stanley Schilling, 6-year old sousaphone player).
*Jeepers Creepers
Miriam Hopkins spot
*Thanks For Ev’rything
(a)
Bob Burns spot
*When It’s Apple Blossom Time In Normandy
Doin' The KMH Blues Ken Carpenter
*Deep In A Dream
(a)
Harry Carey spot
Stanley Schilling spot
Dewdrops
Stanley Schilling (sousaphone)
Alexander's Ragtime Band
Stanley Schilling (sousaphone) & Bob Burns (bazooka)
Hot Lips Stanley Schilling (sousaphone)
The Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers John Scott Trotter Orchestra
*It’s A Lonely Trail with The Paul Taylor Choristers
Note:
(a) Spokane 28 - “Bing In The Thirties - Volume 7”
Miriam Hopkins,
the dramatic actress with a gift for comedy, and Harry Carey, an old time star
of Western pictures who progressed to character parts, will be guest stars with
Bing Crosby on tonight’s “Music Hall” program…John Scott Trotter will do an
Hawaiian medley as his feature of the evening.
(Democrat
and Chronicle, (Rochester, New York),
February 2, 1939)
No. 132 9th February 1939
With Bob Burns, The Paul Taylor Choristers, Kathryn Meisle, Elizabeth Patterson and Jeffrey
Lynn.
*This Can’t Be Love
*This Can’t Be Love (parody)
with Bob Burns
Jeffrey
Lynn spot
*When My Baby Smiles At Me with Bob Burns (bazooka) & Jeffrey Lynn (violin)
*You’re A Sweet Little Headache
Bob Burns spot
*Together (a) with The Paul Taylor Choristers
There's A Brief Pause
Ken Carpenter
*Just A Kid Named Joe
Elizabeth Patterson spot
Oh! Love Thy Help Kathryn Meisle
Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair Kathryn Meisle with The Paul Taylor Choristers
Caravan John Scott Trotter Orchestra
*The Umbrella Man
Note:
(a) Spokane 28 - “Bing In The Thirties - Volume 7”
Elizabeth Patterson,
character actress, Jeffrey Lynn, motion picture star, and Katherine Meisle,
Metropolitan Opera star, will be subjected to one of Bing Crosby’s quizzes
during the “Music Hall” program over WHAM at 10 o’clock tonight. The current
musical favorite – “Umbrella Man” – will be featured by Bing as one of his song
selections.
(Democrat and Chronicle, (Rochester, New York), February 9, 1939)
Robert J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director,
commented: "Entertainment: "Good. Patterson is the sort of spot we
need more of. Comments on Commercial: O.K but a couple of strange words in the
middle one."
No. 133 16th February 1939
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, Gregor Piatigorsky, Florence Rice and Nigel
Bruce.
*The Funny Old Hills
*The Funny Old Hills (parody)
with Bob Burns
Nigel Bruce spot
*Deep In A Dream
Bob Burns spot
*Missouri Waltz
(a)
*I Cried For You
Florence Rice spot
Minuet
By Valencians
Gregor Piatigorsky (cello)
Romance (Debussy)
Gregor Piatigorsky (cello)
Hora Staccato
Gregor Piatigorsky (cello)
Night And Day John Scott Trotter Orchestra
*It’s A Lonely Trail
Note:
(a) Spokane 28 - “Bing In The Thirties - Volume 7”
Florence Rice,
film star daughter of the famous sports writer, Grantland Rice, will join
Gregor Piatigorsky, noted concert ‘cellist, and Nigel Bruce, American-born
English actor, as guests of Bing Crosby during the “Music Hall” broadcast over
WHAM tonight at ten o’clock.
(Democrat
and Chronicle, (Rochester, New York),
February 16, 1939)
Robert
J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director, commented: "General remarks: Didn't seem to miss the choir."
No. 134 23rd February 1939
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Music Maids,
Ellen Drew and Henry Fonda.
*Could Be
(a)
*Could Be (parody)
with Bob Burns
Henry Fonda spot
*Pennies From Heaven Bing Crosby (cymbal), Henry Fonda (trumpet), Bob Burns (bazooka) & John Scott Trotter (piano)
*I Have Eyes
Bob Burns spot
*If I Had My Way with The Music Maids
*Hurry Home
Ellen Drew spot
*Please
Hawaiian War Chant (Ta-Hu-Wa-Hu-Wai)
The Music Maids
*Let That Be A Lesson To You (b)
with The
Music Maids
Carioca John Scott Trotter Orchestra
*The Umbrella Man
(c)
with
The Music Maids
Notes:
(a) Spokane 28 - “Bing In The Thirties - Volume 7”
(b) CP1 - “Bouncing With Bing”
Spokane 28 - “Bing In The
Thirties - Volume 7”
(Shewn on both of the
above issues as, “Teacher, Teacher”)
(c) Spokane 28 - “Bing In The Thirties - Volume 7”
Limited Edition Club JGB1003 - “Around The Hall - Volume Two”
Sepia CD 1224 "Bing Crosby in the Hall"
“Bing Crosby and his cohorts were in fine fettle
(Thursday 23rd), on Kraft’s WEAF Music Hall. The hour turned up Henry Fonda who first
found himself between Bob Burns and Crosby and a comical sequence based on
Fonda’s, Missouri experiences while making the film, ‘Jesse James’. The segment, of
course, dragged in Burns’ Arkansas locale. Second place involved Ellen Drew, featured in
a recent Crosby film and pictured Fonda as a bashful hill-billy lover (accent and all), seeking advice from
Cupid, assisting Miss Drew. Fonda also toted in his trumpet for a dual
session with Burns’ bazooka. It sounded like Tin Pan Alley in a full
off-key blast and was good for more laughs.”
(“Variety” 1st March 1939)
“There are more laughs and less tension and
routine at a Music Hall rehearsal than any I walk in upon. Everyone had an
especially good time on Thursday when Henry ‘Hank’ Fonda with a trumpet, Bob
Burns with his bazooka, Bing Crosby with a cymbal and drum stick and John Scott
Trotter at an old upright piano were rehearsing ‘Pennies From Heaven’. ‘Hank’, (pardon the
familiarity) wanted to know if he was getting too good and Bob asked if the
instruments were balanced. To that query, Bing replied, ‘There’s a
better chance of balancing the National Budget than balancing this’. Hank then wanted to
know if they would get any pennies. ‘If you get any for this they’ll have to come
from Heaven’, was Bob’s answer. When Bob was playing his bazooka solo, Jim
Bealle of the agency responsible
for the show remarked, ‘He has his soul in his eyes when he blows that
instrument’.
He certainly was looking off into space. Once, in a number with others, Robert
Brewster, the producer, said, ‘That was not enough bazooka’. The Arkansas spinner of tales looked
surprised and declared, ‘Well, that’s the first time I ever heard that’. Bob was very proud
of some of the pictures taken at the NBC studios, last week, of himself and his
daughter, Barbara Ann and some with Bing. Gentleman Ken Carpenter and others had the
highest praise for the little miss who, though only 10 months old, talks and
takes a great interest in every-thing. Bing looked down at Frances Scully of the NBC
publicity department who was sitting with me in the front row and said, ‘New
dress?’ She,
‘Yes, it’s Spring’. He, ‘It’s
February!’. She, ‘It’s Spring, just the same’.
What were certain well-known men wearing? The best groomed
were Bob Burns and Ken Carpenter who wore business suits. Henry Fonda looked
as though he had just come in from the tennis court. He wore a soft
open-necked shirt, a somewhat worn sports jacket, cream coloured trousers and tennis shoes. His hair was rather
long in the back.
He was a little stoop-shouldered and had the forlorn expression of a
cocker spaniel.
Whether he was tired or if it was just a pose for the occasion, I don’t
know but it wasn’t from lack of sense of humour. Bing Crosby, as usual, wore his shirt outside
his trousers.
This one was ‘tame’. None of those Hawaiian or Bermudan purchases. It was plain, dark
blue and the pocket was stuffed with pencils and paper. His trousers were
dark blue, his shoes brown. Bing’s gray felt hat was old. Frances said that
when the cast made fun of it, he added a pheasant feather. Genial, big-around
(he has a Southern cook) John Scott Trotter, worked with his coat off so, his
shirt was quite wrinkled from the exercise he had rehearsing the orchestra. His gray trousers
were held up by a brown belt.”
(“Hollywood Citizen News” 27th February
1939)
(Needless to say, that the above was written by a lady and it does paint a vivid picture for us of a KMH rehearsal – Compiler)
Robert
J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director, commented: "General Remarks: Music Maids O.K."
No. 135 2nd March 1939
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Music Maids,
Rose Bampton, Joseph Calleia and Joan Bennett.
*Penny Serenade
(a) with
The Music Maids
*Penny Serenade (parody)
with Bob Burns
Joan Bennett spot
*Would
You Like To Take A Walk? (parody)
with
Joan Bennett
*You’re A Sweet Little Headache
Bob Burns spot
*Yaaka Hula Hickey Dula
(a) with
The Music Maids
Underneath The Moon Of KMH Ken Carpenter
*I Get Along Without You Very Well
(a)
Joseph Calleia spot
Adelai (Calleia/Abbott) Joseph Calleia
Connais Tu Le Pays Rose Bampton
*Wildflower
(parody)
with Rose Bampton & Bob Burns (bazooka)
In The Silence Of The Night Rose Bampton
*Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair
(a) with The Music Maids
Note:
(a) Spokane 28 - “Bing In The Thirties - Volume 7”
Sepia CD 1224 "Bing Crosby in the Hall"
“Joan Bennett, Joseph Calleia and the Music Maids will be on the air with
Bing Crosby and Bob Burns at 7 pm over KFI. Calleia, who was a singer before he became a screen
character actor will sing, ‘Adelai’ which he wrote in collaboration with George
Abbott in 1920”
(“Hollywood Citizen News” 2nd March 1939)
Robert
J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director, commented: "Bampton green, otherwise a very good show."
No. 136 9th March 1939
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Music Maids,
Lloyd Nolan, Frances Langford and William Frawley.
*Could Be
*Could Be (parody) with Bob Burns
Lloyd Nolan spot
*Little Sir Echo (a) with The Music Maids
Bob Burns spot
*I Cried For You
*S’Posin’ (a) with The Music Maids
Our Love Frances Langford
*Gypsy Love Song
with Frances Langford
William Frawley spot
*Don't Forget with Frances Langford & William Frawley
*Deep In A Dream
Note:
(a) Spokane 28 - “Bing In The Thirties - Volume 7”
Bing Crosby still
mcing radio’s most informally entertaining variety hour, is host to William
Frawley and Frances Langford.
(The Vancouver Sun, March 9, 1939)
Robert
J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director, commented: "General remarks: Langford swell."
No. 137 16th March 1939
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Music Maids,
The Matty Malneck Orchestra, Robert Coote and Pat O’Brien.
*Sing A Song Of Sunbeams
(a)
*Sing A Song Of Sunbeams (parody)
Pat O’Brien spot
*Dear Old Donegal with Pat O'Brien
*East Side Of Heaven
(a)
Bob Burns spot
*Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms
with The Music Maids
*Penny Serenade
with The Music Maids
Robert Coote spot
Liebestraum The Matty Malneck Orchestra
Humoresques The Matty Malneck Orchestra
*Hang Your Heart On A Hickory Limb with The Matty Malneck Orchestra & The Music Maids
Begin The Beguine John Scott Trotter Orchestra
*You’re The Only Star In My Blue Heaven
with The Music Maids
Note:
(a) Spokane 28 - “Bing In The Thirties - Volume 7”
In honor of that
old Irish custom, St. Patrick’s Day, Bing Crosby has lined up Pat O’Brien as
his special guest on the Music Hall tonight at 9 o’clock over KTBS. Another feature
of the broadcast will be the appearance of Mattie Malneck and his orchestra in
addition to the regulars – Bob Burns, the Music Maids, and John Scott Trotter
and his band.
(The Times, (Shreveport, Louisiana), March 16, 1939)
Robert J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director,
commented: "General remarks: Malneck has a very good outfit. O'Brien did
the usual good job. We must use Coote again. He is good."
No. 138 23rd March 1939
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Music Maids,
Jed Prouty, Florence George and
Ralph Bellamy.
*Honolulu
(a)
*Honolulu (parody)
with Bob Burns (vocal)
Ralph Bellamy spot
*Little Sir Echo with
The Music Maids
Bob Burns spot
*Sweet Genevieve
(c) with
The Music Maids
*I Get Along Without You Very Well (b)
Jed Prouty spot
Sweet Adeline Jed Prouty
*Sweet
Adeline
with Jed Prouty & Bob
Burns
Les Filles De Cadix
Florence George
*Lover, Come Back To Me with Florence George
*That Sly Old Gentleman (From Featherbed Lane) with The Music Maids
Notes:
Sepia CD 1224 "Bing Crosby in the Hall"
(b) Spokane 28 - “Bing In The Thirties - Volume 7”
Sepia CD 1224 "Bing Crosby in the Hall"
(c) Spokane 28 - “Bing In The Thirties - Volume 7” (Date shewn as 30.3.39)
A more than casual chat with Bing Crosby
and Bob Burns is in store for Ralph Bellamy, of the movies, and Florence George,
soprano, when they appear on the Music Hall tonight. In addition to Bing and Bob,
the regular company of K. M. H. includes the Music Maids and John Scott Trotter’s
orchestra.
Having shown up several times on the hour that's
heard over WMAQ at 9 o'clock, Ralph Bellamy now may be called an alumnus of the
Hall. Bellamy's latest motion picture is “Trade Winds” in which he plays a conscientious
but none-too-bright detective. He first discovered his flair for comedy roles in
a visit with Bing some time back.
Florence George is not only good-looking but
also possesses a soprano voice of operatic quality. In addition to her singing she
will submit to what Bing likes to call a “pear-shaped” (i.e. streamlined) interview
with Bob Burns stepping “mikeward” from time to time to add a little heckling.
Bing Crosby will sing “Sly Old Gentleman"
from his new picture, “East Side of Heaven,” for the first time over the air.
His other numbers include, “Honolulu,” “"Genevieve, Sweet Genevieve,” and “Little
Sir Echo.” The Music Maids, a choral group, will harmonize with Bing in two of his
musical numbers.
(Belvedere Daily Republican, March 23, 1939)
Robert
J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director, commented: "A slow audience but it probably sounded O.K. in the homes."
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Music Maids,
Alice Marble, Rudolph Ganz and
Chester Morris.
*Hang Your Heart On A Hickory Limb
(a) with The
Music Maids
Chester Morris spot
*I Cried For You
Bob Burns spot
*I Want A Girl, Just Like The Girl
(That Married Dear Old Dad)
(a) with The Music Maids
*I Have Eyes
I See Your Face Before Me
Alice Marble
Nocturne in F-sharp Major
Rudolph Ganz (piano)
St. Louis Blues
Rudolph Ganz (piano)
Little Sphinx Rudolph Ganz (piano)
Waltz In A-flat Rudolph Ganz (piano)
Limehouse Blues John Scott Trotter Orchestra
*You’re The Only Star In My Blue Heaven
(b) with The Music
Maids
Note:
(a) Spokane 29 - “Bing In The Thirties - Volume 8”
Sepia CD 1373 "Bing Crosby - Kraft Music Hall Time"
(b) Chord 7” LP (Untitled and unnumbered)
Lamton 250 - “Sweethearts
Of Song - Live 1940’s”
Spokane 28 - “Bing In The Thirties - Volume 7”
Sepia CD 1224 "Bing Crosby in the Hall"
“Visitors to the Music Hall, KFI at 7, will be
Alice Marble, tennis champion and singer, Rudolf Ganz, noted pianist and Chester Morris, actor”
(“Hollywood Citizen News” 30th March 1938)
No. 140 6th April 1939
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Music Maids,
The Kraft Choral Society, Alan Mowbray and Rosemary
Lane.
*Sing A Song Of Sunbeams
*Sing A Song Of Sunbeams (parody)
with Bob Burns (bazooka)
Rosemary Lane spot
*Easter Parade with Rosemary Lane
*We’ve Come A Long Way Together
Bob Burns spot
Put On Your Old Gray Bonnet Bob Burns (bazooka)
*What Can I Say Dear, After I Say I’m Sorry? (b) with The Music Maids
*I Surrender Dear
Alan Mowbray spot
*'Neath
The Spreading Chestnut Tree
with Alan Mowbray, Bob Burns & Rosemary Lane
The Easter Dawn The Kraft Choral Society
Allelujah The Kraft Choral Society
Carioca John Scott Trotter Orchestra
*Little Sir Echo
(a)
with The Music Maids
Notes:
(a) Spokane 29 - “Bing In The Thirties - Volume 8”
(b) JSP Records CD JSP6705 - "Here's Bing Crosby!"
Easter music will
highlight Bing Crosby’s “Music Hall” at ten. The Music Hall Choral Society,
eighty mixed voices, will feature hymns and other music associated with the
Easter season. Guests of the evening will be Rosemary Lane and Alan Mowbray of
the movie lots.
(Democrat and Chronicle, April 6, 1939)
Robert J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director, commented: "This show received an orchid."
No. 141 13th April 1939
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Music Maids,
Vitya Vronsky & Victor Babin, Leo McCarey and John Wayne.
*Hang Your Heart On A Hickory Limb
with The Music Maids
Leo McCarey spot
Lankershim Leo McCarey
*Wishing (Will Make It So)
with The Music Maids (Leo McCarey on piano)
*I’m Building A Sailboat Of Dreams
(a)
Bob Burns spot
*It Must Be True
(b) with
The Music Maids
*I Get Along Without You Very Well
John Wayne spot
The
Dance Of The Buffoons
Vitya Vronsky & Victor Babin (pianos)
Por
Remercier La Pluie Au Matin
Vitya Vronsky & Victor Babin (pianos)
Brazilierre
Vitya Vronsky & Victor Babin (pianos)
By Heck John Scott Trotter Orchestra
*That Sly Old Gentleman (From Featherbed Lane) (c) with The Music Maids
Notes:
(a) Spokane 29 - “Bing In The Thirties - Volume 8”
Spokane 12 - “Bing In The
Thirties”
BCR-01 (CD) - “Bing Crosby - We’re Just Wild About Harry”
(b) Spokane 14 - “Bing In The Thirties - Volume Two”
(c) Spokane 12 - “Bing In The Thirties”
John Wayne, motion
picture star, Leo McCarey, director, and the piano duo of Vronsky and Babbin
will join Bing Crosby during the broadcast of the NBC-WBMG Music Hall at 10 o’clock
tonight. With interruptions by Bob Burns, Bing will talk over movie topics with
Wayne, star of many Western films and McCarey, Academy Award winner. Vronsky
and Babbin will be heard in a group of piano duets.
(Richmond Times Dispatch, April 13, 1939)
Robert J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director, commented:
"General remarks: Mr. McCarey started off very nervous but pulled himself
together. Wayne pretty good."
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Music Maids,
Irene Hervey and Jackie Cooper.
*Honolulu
(a)
with The Music Maids
*Honolulu (parody)
with Bob Burns
Jackie Cooper spot
*Down By The Old Millstream with Jackie Cooper
China Boy
Jackie Cooper (drums)
*East Side Of Heaven
Bob Burns spot
*(In A Bungalow) Where The Red, Red Roses
Grow (b) with The
Music Maids
*And The Angels Sing
Irene Hervey spot
*(Gotta Get Some) Shuteye (parody)
(c) with
The Music Maids
Dancing Tambourine John Scott Trotter Orchestra
*You’re The Only Star In My Blue Heaven
(a) with The
Music Maids
Notes:
(a) Spokane 21 - “Bing And The Music Maids”
(b) Spokane 21 - “Bing And The Music Maids”
Broadway Intermission BR114 - “Bing Crosby With Glenn Miller”
Nostalgia LPF22015 - “Bing Crosby - 20 Golden Greats - Volume 2”
(c) Spokane 21 - “Bing And The Music Maids” (as “I’ve Got A Lot Of Dreaming To Do”)
The man that said
music hath charm must have heard the “Bing Crosby Music Hall” program. John
Scott Trotter leads the orchestra and does a masterful job. He has something on
the ball and the country really likes it. Highspots of tonight’s program will
be the appearance of Hollywood juveniles. Irene Hervey and Jackie Cooper will
face the “mike” along with Bing Crosby, Bob Burns and the Music Maids. If you
don’t believe music hath charm, listen to WHAM tonight at ten o’clock.
(Democrat and Chronicle, April 20, 1939)
Robert
J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director, commented: "Credits, especially Cooper."
No. 143 27th April 1939
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Music Maids,
Kathryn Meisle, J. Carrol Naish and Roland Young.
*Class Will Tell
(a) with
The Music Maids
*Class Will Tell (parody)
(a) with Bob
Burns
Roland Young spot
*We’ve Come A Long Way Together (a) with The Music Maids
Bob Burns spot
*Mickey (a) with The Music Maids
*Our Love
(a) with
The Music Maids
J. Carrol Naish spot
Little Town In The Ould County Down J. Carrol Naish
None But The Lonely Heart Kathryn Meisle
Do Do Dodo
Kathryn Meisle
Minuet In Jazz John Scott Trotter Orchestra
*That Sly Old Gentleman (From Featherbed Lane) with The Music Maids
Note:
(a) Spokane 29 - “Bing In The Thirties - Volume 8”
Sepia CD 1373 "Bing Crosby - Kraft Music Hall Time"
Who is the masked
marvel? That is the question that
bothers everyone on the “Music Hall” program these days. To end the marvel’s
era of mysterious workings, Bing Crosby will tonight escort the aforementioned unknown
quantity to the edge of the Music Hall stage and do a de-masking act that will
make swell listening. Other guests will be Roland Young and Kathryn Meisle.
Roland is of course from the movie lots and Miss Meisle is from the Metropolitan
Opera Company. (NOTE: The Masked Marvel was a well-known wrestler.)
(Democrat and Chronicle, April 27, 1939)
ON THE AIR TONIGHT: The Kraft Music Hall, on NBC's Red network from 10:00
to 11:00 o'clock, Eastern Daylight Time — the most informal and easy-going show
on the air.
Bing Crosby, star of the Kraft Music Hall, is Hollywood's most casual
celebrity, and takes radio very much in his stride. Wearing slacks, a
short-sleeved sport shirt (lately it's been of the Hawaiian variety), an old
hat with a pheasant band, and comfortable zipper boots, and puffing his pipe, Bing
shows up at the studio around noon on broadcast days. He usually has a racing
form under his arm. After some kidding with John Scott Trotter, his heavyweight
bandleader, and the orchestra boys, he plants himself on a high stool at the
mike and rehearses — still puffing the pipe. He always has time to talk to the song-pluggers
he allows into the rehearsal, which is another of the many reasons he's such a
popular guy with everybody.
Bob Burns arrives about 2:45 and there's more visiting and kidding. Bob
may talk like a hillbilly, but he doesn't look like one. He's better dressed
than Bing — his clothes, though conservative, are very smartly tailored, and
his ties, shirts and accessories all harmonize in color. He's also one of the
few radio stars whose scripts are never checked before broadcasting by the network
— Amos & Andy and Lum and Abner are the only others.
Harry Lillis Crosby, Sr., Bing's dad, and his two brothers, Everett and
Larry, who manage his business affairs, are also always on hand at rehearsal
and broadcast.
Everybody takes the rehearsal casually except the producers, Ted Hediger
of NBC and Bob Brewster of the J. Walter Thompson advertising agency. It's due
to their expert direction that the completed product runs off so smoothly. The
Bing has his own favorite NBC engineer, Murdo Mackenzie, who knows the
crooner's tone qualities to a T. Carroll Carroll is the young writer
responsible for the snappy dialogue — he also thought up Ken Carpenter's weekly
bell-ringing routine.
People who take their opera stars seriously sometimes object to Bing's
off-hand way of talking to them when they guest-star on his show — but the
opera stars themselves usually love it; it makes them feel at home and breaks
down the nervous tension they work under.
Bing's program comes from the same Studio B that Jack Benny uses. It
seats only 320 people, and is filled every time it's used. Visitors often
remark on its pleasant and tasteful color scheme, robin's-egg blue and deep red
— but to the Bing it's just black and white. He's color blind.
(Radio
Mirror, 27th April, 1939)
No. 144 4th May 1939
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Music Maids,
Gladys Swarthout, Lola Lane and
Bruce Cabot.
*Delightful Delirium
(a)
with The Music Maids
*Delightful Delirium (parody)
(a) with Bob
Burns (vocal & bazooka)
Stormy Weather Lola Lane
*I Promise You (Harford/Ritter) (b)
Bob Burns spot
*Tuck Me To Sleep In My Old ‘Tucky Home (a) with The Music Maids
*East Side Of Heaven
Bruce Cabot spot
Romance De Solita Gladys Swarthout
When I Have Sung My Songs Gladys Swarthout
The Continental John Scott Trotter Orchestra
*Little Sir Echo with The Music Maids
Notes:
(a) Spokane 29 - “Bing In The Thirties - Volume 8”
(b) Spokane
14 - “Bing In The Thirties -
Volume Two”
Bing Crosby and
his cast will pause tonight during the “Music Hall” program to honor the memory
of one of America’s foremost songwriters. “Tuck Me to Sleep in My Old Kentucky
Home” rated the largest seller of all time in the ranks of sheet music. Last week,
Joe Young, co-author of song, died. Tonight Bing Crosby will dedicate his “Memory
Song” to Joe and sing Joe’s greatest hit “Tuck Me to Sleep.” Guests of the
program will be Lola Lane, Bruce Cabot and Mischa Levitsky.
(Democrat
and Chronicle, May 4, 1939)
No. 145 11th May 1939
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Music Maids,
Wendy Barrie, Toscha Seidel and Louis Hayward.
*Hang Your Heart On A Hickory Limb
*Hang Your Heart On A Hickory Limb (parody) with Bob Burns
Louis Hayward spot
*And The Angels Sing
Bob Burns spot
*Bye, Bye Blackbird
*Our Love
Wendy Barrie spot
Canzonetta
Toscha Seidel (violin)
Valse
Bluette
Toscha Seidel
(violin)
Shadrack John Scott Trotter Orchestra
*Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair
“Bing Crosby will introduce his new vocal
‘find’, Pat Friday, UCLA co-ed, during his broadcast over KFI at 6 pm. Bob Burns’ weekly
story is never read by Bing Crosby or anyone else on the show until the
broadcast itself.
Following the afternoon rehearsal, Bob retires to a dressing room near
the studio and makes a few notes on the back of an envelope. These are key words
in his story but it is never written out”
(“Hollywood Citizen News” 11th May 1939)
(Miss Friday’s scheduled appearance was
postponed for two weeks due to illness)
No. 146 18th May 1939
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Music Maids,
Aldo Solito De Solis, Patricia Ellis and Basil Rathbone.
*Delightful Delirium
(a)
with The Music
Maids
Patricia Ellis spot
I'll Be A Fool Again Patricia Ellis
*Wishing (Will Make It So)
(b)
with The Music Maids
Basil Rathbone spot
*When
You Were Sweet Sixteen
(c)
*If
I Didn’t Care
(d)
Bob Burns spot
Three Little Fishes Bob Burns
La Danse D'Olaf
Aldo Solito De Solis (piano)
Etude In C-Sharp Minor
Aldo Solito De
Solis (piano)
Stumblin' John Scott Trotter Orchestra
*Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me
with The Music Maids
Note:
(a) Spokane 29 - “Bing In The Thirties - Volume 8” (N.B. Although “Wishing (Will Make It So)” is shewn on both sleeve and label, of this issue, the song is not included)
(b) JSP Records CD JSP6705 - "Here's Bing Crosby!"
(c) JSP Records CD JSP6705 - "Here's Bing Crosby!"
(d) JSP Records CD JSP6705 - "Here's Bing Crosby!"
Among the most loyal
Kraft Music Hall alumni is Basil Rathbone who’ll join Patricia Ellis in paying
Bing Crosby a visit today. Aided and abetted by Bob Bums, the Music Maids, and
John Scott Trotter’s orchestra, Bing will heard over the NBC-WFBC network at 10
p.m. Rathbone hasn't been in the K.M.H. precincts since his annual Christmas
call which has become a tradition. He’ll exchange
banter with Bing and Bob who’ll attempt to get him to employ his masterful
delivery on a poem.
Suddenly discovering she possessed an attractive singing
voice, Patricia Ellis has been warbling in vaudeville and night-clubs
throughout the country. She'll try a song duet with master crooner Crosby.
Still undaunted in his efforts to have “Friday on Thursday”
Bing hopes the young U. C. L. A. coed, Pat Friday, will be recovered from her
laryngitis in time to go on this week’s show. It kept her from making a
scheduled appearance last Thursday.
(The Greenville News, (South Carolina). May 18, 1939)
Robert
J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director, commented: "A good show."
No. 147 25th May 1939
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Music Maids, Pat Friday, Beverly Roberts
and Freddie Bartholomew.
*The Lady’s In Love With You
*The Lady’s In Love With You (parody)
with Bob Burns
Beverly Roberts spot
American Medley Beverly Roberts
*And The Angels Sing
Freddie Bartholomew spot
*That Old Gang Of Mine
*I Cried For You
Bob Burns spot
Begin The Beguine
Pat Friday
Sing
A Song Of Sunbeams
Pat Friday
*Sing A Song Of Sunbeams (parody) with Pat Friday
*That Sly Old Gentleman (From Featherbed
Lane)
Freddie Bartholomew
will be one of a trio of youthful guests on Bing Crosby’s NBC-WMBG
(Richmond Times-Dispatch, May 25, 1939)
Robert
J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director, commented:
"Entertainment: Good. General remarks: Friday was terrific even if she
did blow the ending of 'Sunbeams'."
No. 148 1st June 1939
With Bob Burns, The Music Maids, Mary Brodel, Dr. Walter Damrosch and Walter Huston.
*Whistling In The Wildwood
with The Music Maids
*Whistling In The Wildwood (parody) with Bob Burns
Walter Huston spot
September Song
Walter Huston
*If I Didn’t Care
Bob Burns spot
*Nobody
Hail KMH Ken Carpenter
Themes From Beethoven's Fifth
Dr. Walter Damrosch (piano)
*East Side Of Heaven
Mary Brodel spot
The Ugly Duckling Mary Brodel
The Wedding Of The Painted Doll John Scott Trotter Orchestra
*Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me with The Music Maids
Bob Burns hopes to
get Walter Damrosch to pass on the merits of his musical invention, the
bazooka, on Bing Crosby’s Music Hall tonight.
Mr. Damrosch will probably “pass” the buck to Walter Huston, another
guest. Bing Crosby’s new singing discovery, Pat Friday, 17-year old coed at the
University of California, had offers from two movie companies within a few
hours after her debut last Thursday night. Pat declined both offers with a view
to finishing her schooling by January 1941.
(Pittsburgh-Post Gazette, June 1, 1939)
Robert
J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director, commented: "Had fight, Baer-Nova, against us for 50 minutes."
No. 149 8th June 1939
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Music Maids,
Linda Ware, Bert Lahr and Lucille Ball.
*Snug As A Bug In A Rug
(a) with The
Music Maids
*Snug As A Bug In A Rug (parody) with Bob Burns
Bert Lahr spot
*Three Shif'less Skonks
with
Bert Lahr & Bob Burns
*I’m Building A Sailboat Of Dreams
Bob Burns spot
*Oh! By Jingo
(a) with
The Music Maids
*Wishing (Will Make It So)
Lucille Ball spot
The Waltz Of The Flowers Linda Ware
*School Days (few lines) with Linda Ware
The Darktown Strutters' Ball Linda Ware
Stumblin' John Scott Trotter Orchestra
*If I Had My Way
with The Music Maids
Note:
(a) Spokane
29 - “Bing In The Thirties -
Volume 8”
Lucille Ball, who
doesn’t mind playing “beautiful but dumb” parts on the screen, will take such a
role on Bing Crosby’s “Music Hall” program tonight at ten o’clock. Miss Ball
will attempt to outwit Bing and Bob in an interview. Bert Lahr will also appear
on the program.
(Democrat
and Chronicle, June 8, 1939)
No. 150 15th June 1939
With Ken Carpenter, The Music Maids, Pat Friday, Donald Meek and Walter
Connolly.
*Whistling In The Wildwood
with The Music Maids
*Whistling In The Wildwood/By A Waterfall (Parody) with Bob Burns (bazooka & vocal)
Walter Connolly spot
*And The Angels Sing
Bob Burns spot
*Show Me The Way To Go Home
Bells Of KMH Ken Carpenter
*Stairway To The Stars
Donald Meek spot
*Comin' Thro' The Rye with Donald Meek
Night And Day Pat Friday
The Lady's In Love With You Pat Friday
*That Sly Old Gentleman (From Featherbed Lane)
*That Sly Old Gentleman (From Featherbed
Lane) (parody)
A pair of the cinema’s’
finest character actors, Walter Connolly and Donald Meek, with Pat Friday, U.C.L.A
coed, drop around to K.M.H. to say goodbye to the departing Bing Crosby who
begins his summer vacation immediately following the broadcast over KTBS
tonight at 8 o’clock. Separate interviews will be dreamed up by Bing and Bob to
pump facts out of Walter Connolly and Donald Meek. The heavy Mr. Connolly is
never at loss for words while the light Mr. Meek takes “timid soul” roles on
the screen. Bing’s singing discovery, Pat Friday, is brought back to the
program by popular demand to sing two songs.
(The
Shreveport Times, June 15, 1939)
Robert
J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director, commented: "Pat
Friday excellent. Connolly and Meek got laughs, show had pace. Imagine.
NOTE:
Bing did not appear in the four consecutive
programmes dated 22nd June, 29th June, 6th July and 13th July. (As usual, Bob
Burns was ‘in the chair’, during Bing’s lay-off and guests included, Jack Oakie, Harry Carey, Edward Arnold, Kay
Francis, Melvyn Douglas, Hedda
Hopper, Brian Donlevy and Donald
Crisp. Pat
Friday stayed as the songstress and although explanations have not been
uncovered, we have the unusual ‘gimmick’ of Bing guesting on his ‘own’ programme to promote the songs from "The Star Maker" [No. 151].)
No. 151 20th July 1939
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Music Maids,
Pat Friday, Jane Bryan and Robert Coote.
*Go Fly A Kite
(a)
*Go Fly A Kite (parody)
with
Bob Burns
Jane Bryan spot
*Hullabaloo Belay with
Jane Bryan & Bob Burns
*An Apple For The Teacher (a) with The
Music Maids
*Comes Love (parody) with Pat Friday
Bob Burns spot
An Apple For The Teacher (parody) Ken Carpenter
*Still The Bluebird Sings
(a)
Robert Coote spot
*In My Merry Oldsmobile
I've Got You Under My Skin Pat Friday
Canadian Capers John Scott Trotter Orchestra
*A Man And His Dream
Note:
(a) Spokane 29 - “Bing In The Thirties - Volume 8”
“Bing Crosby will make a guest appearance on his
own program over KFI at 6 pm. He will sing, ‘A Man And His Dream’, ‘Go Fly A Kite’, ‘An Apple For The
Teacher’, ‘In My Merry Oldsmobile’ and ‘Still The Bluebird Sings’”
(“Hollywood Citizen News” 20th July 1939)
Go to 1939-40 season