1940-1941 Season with the John Scott
Trotter Orchestra
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns,
The Music Maids, Connie Boswell, William Frawley, Wingy Manone and Joel McCrea.
*That’s For Me
with
The Music Maids
*Basin Street Blues
(a) with Connie Boswell
*Trade Winds
Blueberry Hill
Connie
Boswell
*You Are The
One
*If I Had My Way
with
Connie Boswell & William Frawley
*You’re A Grand Old Flag
with The
Music Maids
*Rhythm On
The River
with
Wingy Manone (vocal)
*Only Forever
Notes:
(a) Spokane 18 - “Bing & Connee -
On The Air”
Connie Boswell’s debut as the
‘resident chanteuse’ on the Music Hall.
“Preceded by the usual half-truth, half-publicity
reports that the show was going to be ‘different’, Bing Crosby returned last
week to the Kraft Music Hall, restoring it to the slickness which in times
past, if not in the last months been exemplary.
More music and more singing there may have been but it would take a
stop-watch to tell the difference as between music and dialogue, so far as an
ear that has not heard the show for a long time was concerned. Instead of stressing that the show was
‘different’, it might be truer to describe it as ‘better’. It gave every evidence of being thoughtfully
put together entertainment, wherein a master stylist of song was visited by
sundry personalities and all of them talked like Carroll Carroll
- Connie Boswell talked that way, Wingy Manone talked that way, Bill Frawley
was thoroughly Carrollesque. There were ‘bits’ and ‘fade-ins ’and ‘gags’
and Bob Burns losing his place in the script.
So maybe Bing Crosby did sing a bit more (he should) and Connie Boswell
was added to the program for the series (she’s
good) and the press department made the most of it (they would) but actually,
the Kraft formula was little changed in basic components. The show may have been pretty gabby, last
year and those responsible may be well advised to guard against this. The Carroll patter is often sharply witty,
usually colourful, Americana that H.L.Mencken
should incorporate in his classic works on American ‘slanguage’
but anything so brittle and inventive carries risks, as in fast handball - if
you hit and miss you can break your wrist.
A dull stretch of polysyllabic drive would be bad even in a mid-morning
‘sustainer’. However, this ‘getaway’
broadcast was a model of finesse in script, performance and directorial tempo -
It was strictly wonderful - the authority of the star, the embellishments
implicit in Miss Boswell’s presence, the adroit bringing in and exploitation of
several guest personages, all spelled big time radio. Especially worthy of recognition and
commendation were the easy-going bridges from ‘bit’ to ‘bit’, the effortless introductions
of people and ideas, the skillful manipulation of the familiar quick glance
values, as between Crosby and Burns, for example, the feathered bird of light
persiflage in this nimble game of kilocycle badminton never once hit the
boards. Praise was double merited in
this case because it is well known that the full hour variety show is radio’s
toughest production assignment and only a hardy few can still stand the
pace. This program
is the unfoldment, the build, the accumulative values
of the steady remembrance of the fact that, ‘easy does it’ puts a premium on
talent. No aeroplanes,
no diamond rings, no thousand dollar banknotes, not even a free sample of
Philadelphia Cream Cheese were given away.
Let all who love entertainment and deplore ‘dish night’ uncover, in
reverence, virtuosity in the realm of song and spoof”.
(“Variety” 20th November 1940)
(Compiler’s note: This lengthy review required entry in full as
it appears to be one of the most flattering yet read. I have taken the liberty of adding
punctuation and substituting certain words in the text, in order to clarify the
intentions. It should be pointed out that ‘dish night’ was not an early
satellite system but an advertising promotion to increase cinema attendances
(aimed mainly at housewives). Crockery
was given away on a one item per week basis and there are, probably, those who
still treasure their ‘Wallace Beery’ plate or ‘Janet Gaynor’ cream jug!)
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns,
The Music Maids, Connie Boswell, Jacques Fray & Mario Braggiotti,
Ogden Nash, The Brewer Kids and Robert Young.
*The Ferryboat Serenade
(a)
with
The Music Maids
*A Song Of
Old Hawaii
*The Band Played On
with
The Music Maids
*Let’s Be Buddies
(b) with Connie Boswell
*Maybe
*Legend Of
Old California
Note:
(a) Sepia CD 1373 "Bing Crosby - Kraft Music Hall Time"
(b) Spokane 18 - “Bing & Connee -
On The Air”
(N.B. The item is not mentioned on either the label or the sleeve of this issue)
Sepia CD 1224 "Bing Crosby in the Hall"
No less than seven
visitors will gather around Bing Crosby and the Kraft Music Hall microphones
for tonight’s broadcast at 10:00 p.m. over NBC and CBM. The program will have a
festive air of Thanksgiving, many listeners in the states having celebrated the
holiday on this day. The guests will include Robert Young of the films, Fray
and Braggiotti of the two pianos, Ogden Nash the poet of unhampered line and
the three Brewer kids, Betty, Sonny and Ileene.
(The Gazette (Montreal), 21st November, 1940)
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns,
Connie Boswell, The Music Maids, Minerva Pious, Charles Boyer and Tommy Dorsey.
*You’ve Got Me This Way
with The Music Maids
*Do You Know Why?
*Please
*Down
Argentina Way
with Connie Boswell
Yesterthoughts
Connie Boswell
Our
Love Affair
Connie Boswell
*Only Forever
*Yes, Indeed!
(a) with Connie
Boswell & Tommy Dorsey (trombone)
Yankee Doodle Polka John Scott Trotter & His Orchestra
*Dream Valley
Note:
(a) Spokane 18 - “Bing & Connee - On The Air”
Charles
Boyer, Tommy Dorsey, and radio comedienne. Minerva Pious, make up the guest panel
in Bing Crosby’s Music Hall for tonight's get-together. Also on hand for
Thanksgiving Number 2 will be Bob Burns, Connie Boswell, the Music Maids, and
John Scott Trotter’s orchestra.
New
to the proceedings in M. H. is Charles Boyer who has never faced Bing Crosby across
the WMAQ microphone that will carry his verbal foray at 8- o'clock. Minerva
Pious, who is an old friend of Fred Allen's, will also be making her debut on the
program. She's on the coast currently to work in the movies. When
the Music Hall first presented Bing Crosby as a regular, Jimmy Dorsey’s orchestra
was featured. Now Jimmy’s well-known brother, Tommy, will trot out before
Trotter’s band for a workout on his famous trombone.
(Belvidere
Daily Republican, 28th November, 1940)
Bing Crosby called
Tommy for a guest appearance on the Kraft Music Hall. Tommy appeared in a bit
with Minerva Pious, who played Mrs. Nussbaum on the Fred Allen Show. In the
bit, Tommy used Mrs. Nussbaum’s New Yorkese dialect. At one point, Tommy
expressed disdain for Min, who was playing the part of a swing fan. She snapped
at him, “Don’t gimme dat; if it wasn’t for jitterbugs like me, you’d still be
playing a horn in some jug band.” When Bing brought Tommy on as guest star, he
showed he had not forgotten an earlier time on the Kraft Music Hall. He
introduced Tommy as “brother of Jimmy.”
(Herb Sanford, writing in Tommy and Jimmy: The Dorsey Years)
With Ken Carpenter, The Music Maids, Connie Boswell, Benny Rubin, Cliff Nazarro and Errol Flynn.
*The Ferryboat Serenade
with
The Music Maids
Remember Me?
Connie
Boswell
*Along The
Santa Fe Trail
*Precious
with The
Music Maids
*You Are The
One
*Let’s Be Buddies
with
Connie Boswell
Hi Ya Toots
Errol
Flynn (vocal)
*Trade Winds
We Three (My Echo, My Shadow And Me) Connie Boswell
Yankee
Doodle Polka
John Scott Trotter &
His Orchestra
*I’ll Never Smile Again with The Music Maids
The dashing man of
pictures, Errol Flynn; comedian Benny Rubin; and “double-talk” authority Cliff Nazarro
will help Bing Crosby carry on without his man, Bob Burns, in the Music Hall tonight.
Burns is currently in New York with his wife for a two weeks’ vacation during which
they’ll put the cares of radio aside tor a little show-seeing…Errol Flynn has a
habit of bringing up his sea-going adventures in conversation with Bing. According
to a recent news dispatch, the actor plans to turn over his yacht to the navy
for patrol duty. Benny Rubin hasn’t visited the Hall in too long but one of the
more frequent callers is Cliff Nazarro who is an expert at befuddling people with
his slashing attacks on the English language.
(Belvidere
Daily Republican, 5th December, 1940)
With Ken Carpenter, The Music Maids, Connie Boswell, Richard Bonelli,
Charles LaVere, Lynne Overman
and Preston Sturges (b).
*You’ve Got Me This Way
with The
Music Maids
*Do You Know Why?
*Down Argentina Way
with
Connie Boswell
*I Know That You Know
(a) with The Music
Maids
*I’d Know You Anywhere
Prelude in G Minor
John Scott Trotter
& His Orchestra
*A Song Of
Old Hawaii
Note:
(a) CP1 - “Bouncing With Bing”
Limited Edition Club JGB1003 - “Around The
Hall - Volume Two”
Interfusion CD
D26291 “A Bing Crosby Cavalcade Of Song”
(b) It is possible that Preston Sturges withdrew from the show at the last moment.
Connie Boswell and
the Music Maids will keep the Music Hall from becoming a “stag” affair tonight
for Bing Crosby has invited a male quartet of guests around. They are movie
director Preston Sturges, opera star Richard Bonelli, Lynne Overman, and musician
Charles Lavere…Those Crosby-Boswell duets have become such a popular feature of
the show, the pair will do “Down Argentine Way” together this week. On his own,
Bing will croon “You’ve Got Me This Way,” “Do You Know Why,” “I’d Know You
Anywhere,” “Song of Old Hawaii,” and “I Know That You Know.” Connie does “Two Dreams
Met” and “Somewhere” and the Trotter orchestra is to be featured in its special
arrangement of Rachminoff’s “Prelude in G Minor.” Preston Sturges will confide
in Bing and the Music Hall audience some of the secrets that have made him an
overnight success as a movie writer and director. He’s the man responsible for “The
Great McGinty” and “Christmas in July.” Richard Bonelli will compare his
baritone with the Crosby “groanin’” and Lynne Overman will make cracks about
anyone on hand at the moment.
(Belvidere Daily Republican, 12th December,
1940)
No. 202 19th December
1940
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns,
The Music Maids, Connie Boswell, Kraft Choral Society, Allen Jenkins and Donald Crisp.
*Adeste
Fideles
*Along The
Santa Fe Trail
*Along The
Way To Waikiki
with
The Music Maids
*Only Forever
*The Five O’Clock
Whistle
with
Connie Boswell
Remember Me? Connie Boswell
Nobody's Sweetheart Connie Boswell
When The Sun Has Sunk To Rest Kraft Choral Society
In A Monastery Garden Kraft Choral Society
*Silent Night
“NBC’s Nathan Scott has dashed off a ditty for his
(part) namesake, John Scott Trotter.
It’s called, ‘The John Scott Trot’ and will be heard on the Kraft Music
Hall”
(“Variety” 18th December 1940) [See Programme No. 208]
Christmas
is being celebrated in the Music Hall tonight when Bing Crosby will present the
Kraft Choral Society from Chicago with Donald Crisp and Allen Jenkins as his Hollywood
guests. This will be in the nature of a double celebration for Robin Burns will
return to the hall following a New York vacation…The choral society is to sing “When
the Sun Has Sunk to Rest” and “In a Monastery Garden.” This huge chorus is made up entirely of employees
of the Kraft Cheese corporation and they perform on the program twice annually - once
during the Easter season and once near Christmas day…Donald Crisp and Allen
Jenkins chat with Bing and Bob Burns on their Christmas plans. Burns just had
to get back to Hollywood to play Santa Claus for the younger members of the
family.
(Belvidere Daily
Republican, 19th December, 1940)
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns,
The Music Maids, Connie Boswell, The Ken Darby Singers, Jose Iturbi and Thomas
Mitchell.
*You’ve Got Me This Way
with The
Music Maids
*A Nightingale Sang In
Berkeley Square
*Ain’t We Got Fun
with
The Music Maids
*Tea For
Two
with
Connie Boswell
Yesterthoughts Connie Boswell
We Three (My Echo, My Shadow And Me) Connie
Boswell
I Can't Give You Anything But Love Connie Boswell
*Ballad For Americans with The Ken Darby Singers
A great American—”Ballad
for Americans”—will be sung for the first time by Bing Crosby over the air as a
special feature of the Music Hall tonight. Bing’s guests for the broadcast over
WMAQ at 8 o'clock are Thomas Mitchell, screen actor, and Jose Iturbi, the well-known
pianist and conductor. “Ballads for Americans,” whose theme is patriotic was written
by Earl Robinson and John La Touche. It is probably the longest composition
ever sung in the Music Hall with a running time of about 12 minutes…Thomas Mitchell
will be interviewed by Bing, Bob Burns will compete with Jose Iturbi on the
piano (Burns has openly challenged Iturbi to a duet), the Music Maids will “give
out” with background harmony, and John Scott Trotter's orchestra will furnish
the music for the full-hour of entertainment.
(Belvidere Daily Republican, 26th December, 1940)
The best show of the week was the Bing
Crosby program this week. First, there was Bing and Connie Boswell singing “Tea
for Two” and it was really something. Then there was Bing Crosby doing “Ballad
for Americans” which is enough to make any program. Finally, and this was a
surprise, Bob Burns did a routine that I thought was good and I don’t go for
Burns. He did a monologue on Christmas and among other things, said, “I’m
giving Bing a pair of two-way binoculars. He can watch his horse and the winner
at the same time.”
(Sidney
Skolsky, Hollywood Citizen News, December 28, 1940)
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns,
The Music Maids, Connie Boswell, Frank McHugh, James Hilton and Tommy Harmon.
*De Camptown
Races
with
The Music Maids
*Do I Worry?
*I Don’t Want To Play In Your
Yard
with
The Music Maids
*Yes, Indeed!
with Connie Boswell
Sunrise Serenade Connie Boswell
Oh! So Pure Connie Boswell
*Mexicali Rose
*Darling Nellie Gray
An
author of note,
an All-American football player, and a comedian make up the varied
guest list Bing
Crosby has invited around to the “old Music Hall” tonight to celebrate
the advent
of the New Year. They are, in order, James Hilton, Tom Harmon, and
Frank McHugh who'll appear on the broadcast over WMAQ at 8
o'clock…Tommy Harmon, Michigan
All-American backfield ace will make use of his radio talents with
which he hopes
to gainsay employment following graduation this June. James Hilton, who
is responsible
for the successful novel, “Lost Horizon,” will give Bing Crosby a few lessons in
the use of the English dialect. An old hand at M. H. antics is Frank McHugh. This
movie comedian who has helped many a picture at the box office, will aid Bing Crosby
in the laugh-giving department.
(Belvidere Daily Republican, 2nd January, 1941)
No. 205 9th January 1941
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns,
The Music Maids, Connie Boswell, James Stephenson and Roland Young.
*(Alla
En) El Rancho Grande
with The
Music Maids
*Georgia On
My Mind
*Ballin’
The Jack
*Frenesi
with
Connie Boswell
Home On The Range Connie Boswell
Perfidia Connie Boswell
*Song Of
The Islands
*Beautiful Dreamer with The Music Maids
Movie actors Roland
Young and James Stephenson join Bing Crosby in everything, but song when the
meeting of the Music Hall “takes up" tonight…James Stephenson is the young
actor who got his long-awaited break in “The Letter” with Bette Davis. His movie
studio is predicting stardom for him within the next year. This will be his
first experience of facing Bing Crosby and Bob Burns across a live microphone. Roland
Young, an old hand in M. H. matters, will doubtless give young Stephenson a few
pointers on the ritual.
(Belvidere Daily Republican, 9th January, 1941)
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns,
The Music Maids, Connie Boswell, Benny Rubin, Walter Pidgeon
and Duke Ellington.
*Ciribiribin
with
The Music Maids
*My Sweetheart’s The Man In The Moon
*Yes, Indeed!
with Connie Boswell
*Do I Worry?
*Ida, Sweet As
Apple Cider
*I’ll Take You Home Again,
Kathleen
Amapola
Connie Boswell
If We Never Meet Again Connie Boswell
Walter Pidgeon,
Duke Ellington and Benny Rubin are guests of Bing Crosby on the Music Hall,
WCAF, at 9. Walter intends to give Bob Burns a few lessons in “Pidgeon”
English.
(Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette, 16th January 1941)
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns,
The Music Maids, Connie Boswell, Jimmy Demaret, James Hilton and
Edward Everett Horton.
*When The
Bloom Is On The Sage
with
The Music Maids
*Georgia On
My Mind
*(Alla
En) El Rancho Grande
with
Connie Boswell & Bob Burns
*Aloha Oe
*Frenesi with Connie Boswell
If We Never Meet Again
Connie Boswell
It All Comes Back To Me Now Connie Boswell
There'll
Be Some Changes Made
Connie Boswell
*Brahm’s
Lullaby
One
of those
things Connie Boswell never talk about is her ability at song-writing,
but she’s
done more than a little in her time. In fact, she’s written special
lyrics for “Frenesi”
and will sing the song duet-fashion with Bing Crosby in the Music Hall
over WSB at 8 o’clock tonight. Bingston, as Connie calls him, has
invited quite
a diversified line-up of talent around to the Hall this week. James
Hilton, the
eminent author; Edward Everett Horton, comedian of complete confusion;
and that
able golfer Jimmy Demaret will take up various matters with Bing.
(The Atlanta Constitution, 23rd January, 1941)
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns,
The Music Maids, Connie Boswell, Leo Diamond, Ogden Nash
and Virginia Bruce.
*Daisy Bell (A Bicycle Built
For Two)
with
The Music Maids
*Do I Worry?
*I’ll Take You Home Again,
Kathleen
*Ooh! Look At Me Now
(a) with Connie Boswell & The Music Maids
Perfidia Connie Boswell
The Kerry Dance Connie Boswell
*Ida, Sweet As
Apple Cider
The John Scott Trot John Scott Trotter Orchestra
*Beautiful Dreamer
Note:
(a) Spokane 18 - “Bing & Connee - On The Air”
JSP Records CD JSP6705 - "Here's Bing Crosby!"
A beautiful girl,
a poet in the popular vein, and an accomplished harmonica player will come face
to face with Bing Crosby in the ever-popular Music Hall tonight. In order,
they add up to Virginia Bruce, Ogden Nash, and Leo Diamond who'll bob up during
the proceedings over WMAQ at 8 o’clock…Under the pinpricking attack from Robin Burns,
who is addressed as “Junior” by Crosby, Ogden Nash created a little piece of poetry
especially for M. H. the last time he was on the program. If Bob will stay on his
side of the fence, Ogden has promised never to do it again. But, of course, Bob
won't. Virginia Bruce has been on the program many times before but this will
be the initial time out for Leo Diamond. Leo is a veteran harmonica player who
graduated from the Borah Minnevitch company.
(Belvedere Daily-Republican, 30th January, 1941)
No. 209 6th February 1941
With Ken Carpenter, The Music Maids, Bob Burns, Connie Boswell, Paul Robeson and
Lew Ayres.
*Blues My Naughty Sweetie
Gives To Me with The Music Maids
*The Moon Won’t Talk
*Brahm’s
Lullaby
*Lazy River
*Let’s Get Away From It All
with Connie
Boswell
Amapola
Connie
Boswell
Silver Threads Among
The Gold
Connie
Boswell
Intermezzo John Scott Trotter Orchestra
*Song Of
The Islands
with
The Music Maids
When Bing Crosby unzips the entertainment in the Music Hall tonight he'll have with him as special guests Lew Ayres, of the cinema lots, and Paul Robeson, noted Negro singer. Bob Burns, Connie Boswell, the Music Maids, and John Scott Trotter's orchestra will all be there for the broadcast over WMAQ at 8 o'clock. Crosby has once more pulled down top honors as the best male popular singer in the annual N. Y. World-Telegram poll of radio editors throughout the United States and Canada. For this signal honor, Bing doffs his ever-present chapeau to all the editors taking part in the vote-casting. Lew Ayres is the young man who jumped to movie stardom after posing for collar-ads. He forms a great contrast with Bingston who has never been known to wear a collar to work in the old Hall. Bing says his well-known “out-board” shirts are more comfortable but promises not to argue the point with Ayres.
(Belvedere Daily-Republican, 6th February, 1941)
13th February 1941 - Bing did not appear in this programme.
“Bing Crosby and two of his kids join the rest of the family this week
for a vacation in Sun Valley”
(“Variety” 5th February 1941)
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns,
The Music Maids, Connie Boswell, Vicente Gomez, Sabu and George Raft.
*When The
Bloom Is On The Sage
with
The Music Maids
*Oh!
Susannah
(a)
You Walk By
Connie
Boswell
*Song Of
The Islands
with
The Music Maids
High On A Windy Hill
Connie
Boswell
*Ooh! Look At Me Now
with
Connie Boswell & The Music Maids
*The Moon Won’t Talk
*Brahms' Lullaby
Note:
(a) JSP Records CD JSP6705 - "Here's Bing Crosby!"
Fresh from a week
at Sun Valley with his family Bing Crosby returns to the Music Hall tonight when
he will face a welcoming committee consisting of George Raft, Sabu the “Elephant
Boy,” and guitarist Vicente Gomez…With such a pair of horse fanciers as Crosby
and George Raft on hand it's hard to predict just where the script will wind up.
Perhaps both will prefer to keep mum on their doings at the dust ovals. Sabu
has familiarized himself with the English language pretty well since leaving
his native India but there's no doubt that certain of the Crosby verbiage will puzzle
the youngster who's just made a hit in “The Thief of Bagdad.”
(Belvedere
Daily-Republican, 20th February, 1941)
With Ken Carpenter, The Music Maids, Connie Boswell, Andy Secrest,
The Ink Spots and Fay Bainter.
*The Friendly Tavern Polka
with The Music Maids
So You’re The One
Connie
Boswell with The Music Maids
*Lazy River
*Ida, Sweet As
Apple Cider
*Let’s Get Away From It All
with Connie
Boswell
It All Comes Back To Me Now Connie Boswell
*Blue Echoes
Moon Over Muncie, Delaware County, Indiana Andy Secrest
*You Ain’t Kiddin'
with
Connie Boswell
*Sweetly She Sleeps, My Alice Fair
Fay Bainter and the Four Ink Spots will make it a
point to drop in on Bing Crosby’s Music Hall this evening. Bing is due to focus
the spotlight on another of John Scott Trotter’s musicians, Andy Secrest, the
trumpeter, who’ll be featured in a new tune he’s written for the occasion.
(The Republican Courier,
February 27, 1941)
No. 212 6th March 1941
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns,
The Music Maids, Connie Boswell, Thurston Knudson, Augie
Goupil, Lionel Barrymore and Eddie Bracken.
*Blues My Naughty Sweetie
Gives To Me (a) with The Music Maids
Even Steven
Connie
Boswell
Eddie Bracken spot
*You Walk By
(b)
*Loch Lomond
(c) with The Music
Maids
*Manhattan
(d) with Connie Boswell
*The Moon Won’t Talk
(e)
Oreilha Orei
Thurston
Knudson & Augie Goupil (drums
& vocal)
Brazilian Nights
Thurston
Knudson & Augie Goupil (drums)
May I Never Love Again
Connie Boswell
*Nell And I
Notes:
(a) SOOTAM004
- “Bing Crosby - Broadcast Selections”
Double Play GRF016 (CD) - “Everything I Have Is Yours”
Biem/Stemra COL009 (CD) - “Bing Crosby Collection”
Biem Stemra Gold 059 (CD) - “Bing Crosby Gold”
Deja Vu DVRECD (CD) - “The
Bing Crosby Story”
(b) Spokane
19 - “Music Hall Highlights”
SOOTAM004 - “Bing Crosby - Broadcast Selections”
Interfusion CD D26291 “A Bing Crosby Cavalcade Of Song”
(All as “You Walked By”
(c) Spokane
19 - “Music Hall Highlights”
SOOTAM004 - “Bing Crosby - Broadcast Selections”
Nostalgia LPF22014 - “Bing Crosby - 20 Golden Greats - Volume One” (As “Loch Lomand”)
On The Air OTA101978 (CD) - “Great Moments With Bing Crosby And Friends From The
Radio Shows”
(d) Spokane 18 -
“Bing & Connee - On The Air”
SOOTAM004 - “Bing Crosby - Broadcast Selections”
Nostalgia LPF22014 - “Bing Crosby - 20 Golden Greats - Volume One”
On The Air OTA101978 (CD) - “Great Moments With Bing Crosby And Friends From The
Radio Shows”
(e) Spokane
19 - “Music Hall Highlights”
SOOTAM004 - “Bing Crosby - Broadcast Selections”
Nostalgia LPF22014 - “Bing Crosby - 20 Golden Greats - Volume One”
Sepia CD 1373 "Bing Crosby - Kraft Music Hall Time"
"Those Barrymore ‘boys’ appeared on two consecutive NBC programs, last Thursday night
(6th), with Lionel topping John and everyone else on either of the two
shows. Lionel
guested for Bing Crosby on the
Kraft Music Hall and John was with the Rudy Vallee troupe. Lionel was in what is known as ‘rare
form’. Called
the hardest working member of the Barrymore clan, he said that work was just a
nasty habit with him - Ethel was the talented one and as for John - Well, John
was the greatest Hamlet of his generation. He played it in Shakespeare’s home town and
the critics abroad said John was the greatest Hamlet they’d ever seen, after
that, quipped Lionel, there was nothing more left for John to do and he’s been
doing it ever since.
The guester then took a
poke at Bob Burns, saying that portraying a character was OK but when it came to
being a character, Burns was overdoing it. Talking about his famous Doctor Kildare characterisation, in films, someone said Barrymore was so perfect,
‘I don’t think of you as an actor’. Barrymore retorted, ‘Neither do I’- Reading of homespun philosophical
poem, ‘Doctor’s Elegy’ was a lulu. Further interchanges between Barrymore and
Burns, again gave the radio comic the worst of it. ‘There’s something
about my songs that stick’, said Burns. ‘You can speak more plainly than that’,
Barrymore countered.
Reminiscing further about John, Lionel also recalled the time that a
newspaper critic called the younger brother, ‘a celebrated actor’ and John has
been ‘celebrating’ ever since”
(“Variety” 12th March 1941)
Note - Some ambiguity here
- Lionel Barrymore played ‘Doctor Gillespie’ to Lew Ayres ‘Doctor Kildare’.
No. 213 13th March 1941
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Music Maids,
Connie Boswell, Fields & Fingerle, Lou Novikoff and Jackie Cooper.
*The Friendly Tavern Polka
(a) with
The Music Maids
*Walkin’ By The River
*Carry Me Back To Old Virginny
*Number Ten, Lullaby Lane
(b) with
Connie Boswell
*Blue Echoes
*Sweetly She Sleeps, My Alice Fair
Notes:
(a) Spokane
21 - “Bing And The Music Maids”
(As “Friendly Tavern”)
(b) Spokane
18 - “Bing & Connee - On
The Air”
Interfusion CD D26291 “A Bing Crosby Cavalcade Of Song”
"Softly through the Ozark night, floats the
strains of the bazooka, wafted by the favorite son of Arkansas, Bob Burns. In Hollywood, it
sounds like an over-heated steam-pipe, according to the local 47th American
Federation of Musicians. The bazooka is ‘out’ as a musical instrument
but its virtuoso is admitted to the Union for $52.50 as a pianist or
guitar-strummer but not as ‘a bazookist’. The Union problem started in New York, where
Jim Petrillo stuck up his nose at
the bazooka which came from Arkansas and didn’t sound like music in Flatbush
where there are no mountains and no strains except the howls of the
proletarians, rooting against the ‘Giants’. The president of the local Union acted as
intermediary between the Plumbers and Steamfitters and the Musicians. Technically, Bob
Burns is a musician but his bazooka is something that won’t be recognized except when the Plumbers and
Steamfitters hold their annual picnic and don’t care.”
(“Variety” 19th March 1941)
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Music Maids,
Connie Boswell, Cliff Nazarro,
Edward Arnold and J. Carrol Naish.
*The Band Played On with
The Music Maids
Amapola
Connie Boswell
*G’bye Now
(a)
with The Music Maids
The Wearin’ O’ The Green
J. Carrol Naish
*Rose Of Tralee
*You Ain’t Kiddin'
(b)
with Connie Boswell
*My Mind’s On You
(c)
Sextet - Lucia Di Lammermoor (Donizetti)
Cliff Nazarro
It All Comes Back To Me Now
Connie
Boswell
Polichinelle (Kreisler)
The John Scott Trotter
Orchestra
*May I Never Love Again
(d)
Notes:
(a) Spokane 19 - “Music Hall Highlights” (As “Goodbye Now”)
Sepia CD 1224 "Bing Crosby in the Hall"
(b) Spokane
18 - “Bing & Connee - On
The Air”
Retrieval CD 79054 “Bing Crosby – Jazz Singer”
Sepia CD 1373 "Bing Crosby - Kraft Music Hall Time"
(c) Spokane 19 - “Music Hall Highlights”
Sepia CD 1373 "Bing Crosby - Kraft Music Hall Time"
(d) Spokane 19 -
“Music Hall Highlights” (date shewn as March 6th 1941)
Interfusion CD D26291 “A Bing Crosby Cavalcade Of Song”
Edward Arnold,
portly actor of the screen, and Cliff Nazarro, double-talking comedian, will be
the special guests of Bing Crosby at the Kraft Music Hall tonight…Crosby is to
sing a number called You Ain’t Kidding as his duet with Miss Boswell. This is
the number written by Nathan Scott, the Hollywood NBC page boy who guides tours
through the Kraft Music Hall precincts, and Ed Helwick, one of the writing assistants
on the show. (The
Gazette (Montreal), 20th March, 1941)
No. 215 3rd April 1941
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Music Maids,
Connie Boswell, Rudolph Ganz,
Roland Young and Russ Morgan.
*With A Twist Of The Wrist
(a) with The
Music Maids
*You Walk By
*Nell And I
*Number Ten, Lullaby Lane
with Connie Boswell
There'll
Be Some Changes Made
Connie Boswell
Listen To My Heart Connie Boswell
*Georgia On My Mind
I
Hear A Rhapsody
Russ Morgan
Andalucia Russ Morgan
G'bye
Now
Russ Morgan
Dance Of The Comedians John Scott Trotter Orchestra
*May I Never Love Again
Note:
(a) CP1 - “Bouncing With Bing”
Bing Crosby will
come up with these - Roland Young, Russ Morgan and Rudolph Ganz - when he calls his
Music Hall broadcast to order on WFLA at 9 o’clock this evening. This versatile
trio of guests will represent the acting art, music and more music. Young,
noted for his urbane humor and delightful comedy roles, will engage Bing in conversation;
Morgan, who is one of the best-known trombonists of modern dance orchestras
will demonstrate his talent for dispensing popular rhythms and Ganz will sit on
the opposite side of the musical fence as he upholds serious music.
(The
Tampa Times, 3rd April, 1941)
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Music Maids,
Connie Boswell, Kraft Choral Society, John O’Hara and Bob Hope.
*G’bye Now
with The Music Maids
*Little Annie Rooney with
The Music Maids
*Blue Echoes
*Manhattan
with Connie Boswell
*My Mind’s On You
Sanctus
The Kraft Choral Society
God's
Son In Triumph Rose Today
The Kraft Choral Society
*Brahms' Lullaby
Bing Crosby’s Music Hall…will feature the first yearly visit of the Choral Society, the highly trained chorus of employees who appear in the Music Hall twice annually – once at Easter and once at Christmas. The group will sing “Sanctus” from “St. Cecilia” and “God’s Son in Triumph Rose Today.” Also on this special Easter program will be Bob Hope, who insists that the reason Bing needs a full hour for his program is so that he can use longer words than anyone else, and John O’Hara, author of the book behind George Abbot’s current Broadway play, “Pal Joey.”
(The Courier-Journal
(Louisville, Kentucky), 10th April, 1941)
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Music Maids,
Connie Boswell, Jack Teagarden, Rosemary Lane and Brian Aherne.
*With A Twist Of The Wrist
with The Music Maids
*Walkin’ By The River
*Rockin’ Chair
with Jack Teagarden (vocal)
*Darling Nellie Gray
*Everything Happens To Me
with Connie Boswell
Intermezzo
Connie Boswell
Let's Dream This One Out Connie Boswell
*Two Hearts That Pass In The Night
(a)
*May I Never Love Again
*It Makes No Difference Now
Note:
(a) Limited
Edition Club JGB1002 - “Around The
Hall”
Jack
Teagarden, band leader and expert trombonist; Rosemary Lane and Brian Aherne of
the films, form a healthy lineup of talent for any radio show. Add to them the regulars
of the “Music Hall” Bing Crosby, Bob Burns, Connie Boswell, the Music Maids and
John Scott Trotter's orchestra—and you have what looks like a “bang-up” entertainment
for the full hour show that’s heard over NBC-KTBS tonight at 8 o’clock. Bing
Crosby and Jack Teagarden’s friendship for each other dates back to the days “the
groaner” was a member of the Rhythm Boys with Paul Whiteman’s famous band.
Teagarden was then the ace trombonist of the outfit, Now Jack has a band of his
own and Crosby hasn’t done so badly himself either.
(The Times
(Shreveport, Louisiana), 17th April, 1941)
No. 218 24th April 1941
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Music Maids,
Connie Boswell, Jan Struther,
Virginia Bruce, Frank Jenks and Don Ameche.
*Keep An Eye On Your Heart
(a) with The
Music Maids
*It Was Wonderful Then
*Home On The Range
(b)
*Whatcha Know Joe
with Connie Boswell
Wise Old Owl Connie Boswell
Intermezzo
Connie Boswell
Triumphal March from ‘Peter And
The Wolf (Prokofiev)
John Scott Trotter Orchestra
*You And I
*Loch Lomond
with The Music Maids
Notes
(a) CP1 - “Bouncing With Bing”
(b) Jasmine JASMCD 3557 - “Bing Crosby – Cowboy Country Crosby Style”
Bing Crosby will
come out of his corner in the Music Hall tonight to take up a few matters of interest
with Movie-Men Robert Young and Frank Jenks and novelist Jan Struthers…Young is
one of the most versatile and continuously occupied of Hollywood’s stars. His
last two pictures were “Western Union” and “The Trial of Mary Dugan.” Jenks,
who plays a number of instruments in addition to acting, appeared last year in “His
Girl Friday.” Jan Struthers is the author of the current best-selling novel “Mrs.
Miniver.”
(Belvidere
Daily Republican, 24th April, 1941) (NOTE: Looks like Robert Young was replaced by Don Ameche).
No. 219 1st May 1941
With Bob Burns, The Music Maids, Connie Boswell, Josephine Tuminia and Pat O’Brien.
*With A Twist Of The Wrist
with The Music Maids
Just A Little Bit South Of North Carolina
Connie Boswell
*The Merry, Merry Month Of May (parody)
with Pat O’Brien & Bob Burns
*It Makes No Difference Now
with The Music Maids
The Things I Love
Connie Boswell
*Everything Happens To Me
with Connie Boswell
Dance Of The Hours (Ponchielli)
Bob Burns (bazooka)
*Two Hearts That Pass In The Night (a)
Quando Repita In Estasi (Donizetti) Josephine
Tuminia
Listen To The Mocking Bird Connie
Boswell & Josephine Tuminia
*Long, Long Ago
Triumphal March from ‘Peter And
The Wolf (Prokofiev)
John Scott Trotter Orchestra
*(Lights Out) ‘Til Reveille with The Music Maids
Notes
(a) Sepia CD 1373 "Bing Crosby - Kraft Music Hall Time"
Two of the most distinguished
graduates of Bing Crosby’s Music Hall come back to call at 8 p.m. Thursday over
WAVE. They are Pat O’Brien of the films and Josephine Tuminia of the Metropolitan
Opera Company…This makes the tenth time Josephine Tuminia has sung on Bing’s
program. Many things of importance have happened since her last visit including
her successful debut at the Metropolitan.
(The
Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky), 1st May, 1941)
With Bob Burns, The Music Maids, Connie Boswell, Alec Templeton,
William Frawley and Walter Pidgeon.
*Can’tcha Tell
with The Music Maids
*It Was Wonderful Then
*Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes
with Walter Pidgeon
*The Old Oaken Bucket
with The Music Maids
*What D'Ya Hear From Your Heart?
with Connie Boswell
Well,
Well
Connie Boswell
My Sister And I Connie Boswell
*Brahms' Lullaby
Alec Templeton repays
Bing Crosby for the visit to the pianist's program by playing in the Music Hall
tonight when Walter Pidgeon has also mentioned dropping in on "the groaner.”…Bob
Burns has always interested Templeton as a rare American type rapidly disappearing.
In fact, Alec looked into Burns's tricked-up piano when he dropped around to visit
Bing at M. H. rehearsal recently and dashed off a little number he called
"Back in Arkansas." It was the Templeton version of Robin's theme-song,
"The Arkansas Traveler." He may do it on the program. Speaking of Burns,
he’s made quite a hit recently with the letters from his relatives back home. Bing
always leads into this part of the program with a series of ad-libs.
(Belvidere
Daily Republican, 8th May, 1941)
With Bob Burns, The Music Maids, Connie Boswell, Jerry Lester and
Priscilla Lane.
*Why Cry Baby?
with The Music Maids
*These Things You Left Me
*Play, Fiddle, Play
*Maria Elena (a)
*The Hut-Sut Song
(b) with
Connie Boswell & The Music
Maids
Silver Threads Among The Gold Connie Boswell
There'll Be Some Changes Made Connie Boswell
*(Lights Out) ‘Til Reveille
Notes:
(a) See Programme No. 223 Note (f)
(b) Spokane 18 - “Bing & Connee - On The Air”
Connie Boswell will
step out of her usual role of songstress in the Music Hall tonight long enough
to play “Dark Eyes” on her cello. This is the night Bing Crosby is having Priscilla
Lane, of the Lane brigade; and Jerry Lester comedian, around to help with the entertainment…Though
some may be surprised that Connie is adept at playing the cello, those with a long
memory will recall her talents. In fact, the famed trio which dissolved when Martha
and Vet Boswell got married, was an instrumental group when the first radio
break came along. Up and coming among the younger radio comedians is Jerry Lester.
Lately, he's been doing special broadcasts from the army camps of the country.
(Belvidere Daily Republican, 15th May, 1941) NOTE: Connie Boswell's performance on the cello was postponed.
…He came out wearing henna slacks (he insisted they were henna!) topped by
a loose-fitting blouse of blue and beige stripes, with flowers scattered over
the whole. Either he IS color-blind, or he has a supreme sense of showmanship;
for it was the Bing we’d come to expect, from the way they rib him about his
clothes. During the program you have to take your choice—watch the performers,
or watch Bing. He’s in action from the moment he arrives on the stage ‘til he
leaves. Don’t get me wrong—he doesn’t “hog” the whole show—it’s just that he
gets a huge kick out of everything and acts up to it. He has a tremendous
amount of personality and you just love watching him—he pantomimes all the
time! That first week Priscilla Lane and Jerry Lester were on with him, so Bing
was the whole show for me. At the close of the program they announced that the
next Thursday would see Kay Kyser, Humphrey Bogart, and a naval hero at KMH. I
nearly cried to think I’d miss it…
(Helen Stevens, writing in BINGANG magazine in 1941)
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Music Maids,
Connie Boswell, Lieut. W. W. Lowrey, Kay Kyser and
Humphrey Bogart.
*With A Twist Of The Wrist
with The Music Maids
*Two Hearts That Pass In The Night
*Clementine
*Easy Street
(a) with
Connie Boswell
The Things I Love Connie Boswell
Well,
Well
Connie Boswell
Carolina Conga
John Scott Trotter Orchestra
*Yours
Note:
(a) Spokane
18 - “Bing & Connee - On
The Air”
"Kay Kyser
calls on Bing Crosby (May 22nd) which should mean that later, Bing Crosby will
call on Kay Kyser”
(“Variety” 14th January 1941)
No trace has been found of this proposed, reciprocal guest shot.
One of the oddest coincidences that has ever occurred in signing guests to appear on the Music Hall, brings Lieut. W. W. Lowrey, who with Aviation Chief Machinist’s Mate, J. R. McCants, performed the most spectacular mid-air rescue in naval history, to the Bing Crosby program Thursday May 22. Lowrey, who was suggested by naval officials as a typical test pilot to go on the air with Bing Crosby, took part in a feat without parallel on Thursday, May 15. Lowrey piloted the plane that rescued Lieut. Walter S. Osipoff who was dangling by his parachute from a transport plane for over 30 minutes. The rescue took place high over the Pacific Ocean after Osipoff’s parachute got caught in the plane from which he leaped. The producer of the Crosby show chatted with Lowrey on Tuesday, May 13, about his proposed June 5 appearance. After the exciting episode happened on the following Thursday, the date of Lieut. Lowrey’s appearance was moved forward.
Other
guests on the program…will be Kay Kyser, band leader; and Humphrey Bogart, of
the films…And, according to the latest word from
Hollywood, Connie Boswell’s blistered fingers have healed enough to permit her
to go through with her cello solo of “The Swan” by Saint Saens.
(Belvidere
Daily Republican, 22nd May, 1941) NOTE;: Connie Boswell 's debut as a cellist on the show was again postponed,
This week Bing wore solid color slacks and shirt, but his antics were in
direct contrast to his sober (for him) raiment. Need I say that with that array
of stars the station nearly exploded? Humphrey Bogart was awed at the idea of
meeting the naval hero, and Kay Kyser and John Scott Trotter have the same alma
mater— all of which gave the program a personal touch. Highlight of the evening
was when everyone on the stage except the orchestra congaed to a little number
John Scott and Kay had tossed off, called I think, “Carolina Conga”. At any
rate, it was a tricky number and the whole show just broke up at that point. Bing wanders ‘round the stage when
he’s not at the mike, and tosses his script to the floor, page by page, as he finishes
with it. After the program there is a mad scramble by the audience to retrieve these
pages and perhaps have them autographed. Bing always manages to disappear
before anyone can nail him down, however.
(Helen Stevens, writing in BINGANG magazine in 1941)
No. 223 29th May 1941
(a)
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Music Maids,
Connie Boswell, Frank McHugh, James Hilton and Duke Ellington.
*Can’tcha Tell
(b) with
The Music Maids
The Kerry Dance
Connie Boswell
*You’re A Double Lovely (parody)
with Frank McHugh & Bob Burns
*It Was Wonderful Then
(c)
Stomp Caprice
Duke Ellington (piano) & James H. Clanton Jr. (bass)
Frankie And Johnny
Duke Ellington (piano)
*All Through The Night (Welsh Trad) (b)
*The Hut-Sut Song
(d) with
Connie Boswell & The Music
Maids
The Band Played On
(e) Bob Burns
(bazooka)
*Maria Elena
(f)
The Things I Love
Connie Boswell
*Because Of You
with The Music Maids
Notes:
(a) The
complete programme was issued on
Spokane 17 - “Bing In The
Hall”
(b) BCR-01 (CD) - “Bing Crosby - We’re Just Wild About Harry”
Sepia CD 1373 "Bing Crosby - Kraft Music Hall Time"
(c) Spokane
19 - “Music Hall Highlights”
BCR-01 (CD) - “Bing Crosby - We’re Just Wild About Harry”
Interfusion CD D26291 “A Bing Crosby Cavalcade Of Song”
(d) Spokane 18 -
“Bing & Connee - On The Air”
(e) The
dialogue suggests that Bing provides some accompaniment on drums during this
item.
(f) Spokane
19 - “Music Hall Highlights” (This issue
has been placed under the date shewn on the sleeve. In fact, it is not the version that was heard
on this show and may be, through want of further evidence, any of the other four
occasions on which it was broadcast - Programme Nos.221, 226, 228 or 230)
BCR-01 (CD) - “Bing Crosby - We’re Just Wild About Harry”
Interfusion CD D26291 “A Bing Crosby Cavalcade Of Song”
A novelist of
note, a band leader, and a comedian should manage to keep Bing Crosby hopping through
another Music Hall divertissement tonight. In order, they are James Hilton, Duke
Ellington and Frank McHugh who’ll be heard over WMAQ at 7 o'clock on the
hour-show that regularly features Bob Burns, Connie Boswell, Ken Carpenter, the
Music Maids, and John Scott Trotter’s band. As a special feature of the entertainment,
Duke Ellington will play two new tunes written by his son for the first time
publicly. The band leader, who is an excellent pianist, has a son who takes after
him for the Duke has written many a hit song. Now writing for the movies is novelist
James Hilton whose latest best-seller in the book-stalls is “Random Harvest.” He's
been in M. H. before as has Frank McHugh who always comes back for more.
(Belvidere Daily Republican, 29th May,
1941)
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Music Maids,
Connie Boswell, Jerry Lester and William Boyd.
*You’re A Double Lovely
(c)
with The Music Maids
Smile Your Troubles Away
Connie Boswell
*Yours
*The Band Played On
(c)
with The Music Maids
*Yes, Indeed!
(a) with Connie Boswell
*These Things You Left Me
Berceuse de Jocelyn (Godard)
Connie Boswell (cello)
Sailors’ Dance from ‘The Red Poppy’ (Glière)
John Scott Trotter Orchestra
*Play, Fiddle, Play
(b)
Notes:
(a) Spokane
18 - “Bing & Connee - On
The Air”
(b) Spokane
19 - “Music Hall Highlights”
Limited Edition Club JGB1003 - “Around The Hall - Volume Two”
Interfusion CD D26291 “A Bing Crosby Cavalcade Of Song"
“Connie Boswell topped her singing and talking
assignments on Kraft Music Hall with a cello solo of a classical number. Bing Crosby went to
some lengths, fore and aft, in emphasizing that the cellist was Miss Boswell. After playing the
selection, skilfully, Miss
Boswell modestly expressed her hope that top flight cellists throughout the
country would overlook her bit or words to that effect”
(“Variety” 11th June 1941)
We are advised that Connie Boswell was obliged
to join the local Musicians Union to effect this performance.
With Bob Burns, The Music Maids, Connie Boswell, Ethel Waters,
Donald Crisp and Chester Morris.
*Why Cry Baby?
with The Music Maids
Hand Me Down My Walking Cane
Connie Boswell
*Because Of You (a)
with
The Music Maids
There’ll Be Some Changes Made
Ethel Waters
Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child
Ethel Waters
*The Rose Of Tralee
*Everything Happens To Me
(b) with
Connie Boswell
William Tell Overture (Rossini)
Bob Burns (bazooka)
*Clementine
with The Music Maids
I Went Out Of My Way
Connie Boswell
*(Lights Out) ‘Til Reveille
with The Music Maids
Note:
(a) Sepia CD 1224 "Bing Crosby in the Hall"
(b) Spokane 18 - “Bing & Connee - On The Air”
Sepia CD 1224 "Bing Crosby in the Hall"
Bing Crosby will
play host to a singularly versatile trio of guests in the Music Hall tonight at
7 o'clock over WMAQ. The welcome mat will be spread for Donald Crisp and Chester
Morris, movie actors, and Ethel Waters, star of “Cabin in the Sky,” each of
whom has achieved prominence in a field other than that in which he is now established.
Chester Morris was successful on the stage and in vaudeville until 1928 when he
entered the movies. Since then he has been in an impressive list of
productions. Ethel Waters was a well-known blues singer until her work in “Mamba’s
Daughters” disclosed her talent for dramatic acting. Donald Crisp, a Londoner by
birth, was both an opera singer and movie director before devoting himself
wholly to acting in pictures.
(Belvidere Daily
Republican, 12th June, 1941)
“Saw the Bing Crosby program the other night. The Groaner was
dressed very formally - he was wearing an orange and green lumber-jacket”
(Milton Berle - “Variety” 16th April 1941)
With Ken Carpenter, Bob Burns, The Music Maids,
Connie Boswell, Jimmy O’Brien, Gail Patrick and Bert Lahr.
*You’re A Double Lovely
with The Music Maids
A Gay Ranchero (Las Altenitas)
Connie Boswell
*Maria Elena
(a)
You Must Think
Bob Burns (bazooka)
Intermezzo
Connie Boswell
*The Hut-Sut Song
(b) with
Connie Boswell & The Music
Maids
*It Makes No Difference Now
with
Gail Patrick
I’ll Take You Home Again, Kathleen
Jimmy O’Brien
*The Low-Backed Car
with Jimmy O’Brien
*Yours
(c)
Notes:
(a) On The Air OTA101978 (CD) - “Great Moments
With Bing Crosby And Friends From The Radio Shows”
See Programme No. 223 Note
(f)
(b) On The Air OTA101978 (CD) - “Great Moments With Bing Crosby And Friends From The Radio Shows”
(c) JSP Records CD JSP6705 - "Here's Bing Crosby!"
Bert Lahr,
returning to Hollywood after two years on the stage, will drop in at the Music
Hall to visit Bing Crosby and company this evening. Gail Patrick of the movies,
and a young singer, Jimmy O’Brien, also will be heard during the KMH session.
Lahr, who portrayed the Cowardly Lion in the Wizard of Oz, deserted Hollywood
for the stage and was featured in DuBarry Was a Lady on Broadway and on the
road. Miss Patrick will be drafted into a sketch with Crosby and Bob Burns, and
O’Brien will be guest vocalist on the program.
(The Sacramento Bee, 19th June, 1941)
26th June
1941 - Bing did not appear in this programme.
With Bob Burns, The Music Maids, Connie Boswell, Capt. Robert L
Denig, Marcel Grandjany and Raymond Massey.
*Can’tcha Tell
with The Music Maids
A Gay Ranchero (Las Altenitas)
Connie Boswell
*These Things You Left Me
*In The
Gloaming
(a)
*Easy Street
with Connie Boswell
*It Makes No Difference Now
with
The Music Maids
*The Rose Of Tralee
Note:
(a) JSP Records CD JSP6705 - "Here's Bing Crosby!"
Win, lose or draw
in the golf tournament which kept him away from the Music Hall last week, it’s
a safe bet Bing Crosby will undergo rough treatment from his partner in
entertainment, Robin Burns, when he returns to the program tonight. Actor Raymond
Massey, harpist Marcel Grandjany, and Captain Robert L. Denig, a graduate of
the U.S. marine corps tank school, will be the special guests…A versatile
citizen indeed, Raymond Massey invariably reveals a lighter side of his
personality in his appearances with Bing Crosby. In addition to quipping with
the quippers, Massey plans to recite a serious work during the festivities.
(Belvidere
Daily Republican, 3rd July, 1941)
With The Music Maids, Connie Boswell, Jerry Lester, Wingy Manone and Rita Hayworth.
*You’re A Double Lovely
with The Music Maids
*I Can’t Remember To Forget
*Sweet And Low
with The Music Maids
*You Are My Sunshine
with Connie Boswell & The Music Maids
The Clock Song Connie Boswell
*Maria Elena
(a)
*The Blues
with Connie Boswell, Jerry Lester & Wingy Manone
*(Lights Out) ‘Til Reveille
with The Music Maids
Note:
(a) See Programme No. 223 Note (f)
Working right through
the Fourth of July week end, Bing Crosby has come up with a surprising list of
guests for his Music Hall tonight, including Rita Hayworth, trumpeter Wingy Manone,
and Jerry Lester. Miss Hayworth, it will be remembered, practically caused Tyrone
Power to forsake home life in “Blood and Sand,” but, of course, it was only movie
pretending. As difficult as it is at time for the homefolks in M. H. (i.e. Bob Burns,
Connie Boswell, Ken Carpenter, the Music Maids, and the Trotter band) to understand
fully the talk of Crosby that borders on double-talk, there’s a man who comes
around occasionally who makes the crooner's diatribes sound simple in comparison.
He is Wingy Manone, the hot trumpeter, who talks in plain, straight, and only
jive. Even Bing, himself, pauses to reconsider some of the words that issue forth
from Wingy’s mouth.
(Belvidere Daily Republican, 10th July, 1941)
“With time on his hands after completing his
Paramount picture and the race track at Del Mar not opening until the first of
next month, Bing Crosby decides to stay on Kraft Music Hall beyond his original
summer exit, last week. He now drops off July 31st for his quarterly
loafing spell and through the season, takes five weeks off at his discretion as
per contract.
Jerry Lester has been put under a term contract by J. Walter Thompson and
becomes a regular on Kraft, filling the slot vacated by Bob Burns who heads his
own show for Campbell’s Soup”
(“Variety” 16th July 1941)
With The Music Maids, Connie Boswell, Vitya Vronsky & Victor Babin, Warner Baxter and Maureen
O’Sullivan.
*You Talk Too Much with
The Music Maids
*Ballin’ The Jack
*You’ll Never Remember
with The Music Maids
*Yours
*We Go Well Together
with Connie Boswell
Daddy Connie Boswell
Nighty, Night Connie Boswell
*You And I
Bing
Crosby has invited Jester Jerry Lester to make a quick return trip to the Music
Hall tonight when over and above the regular company, such performers as Warner
Baxter, Maureen O’Sullivan, and the piano team of Vronsky and Babin will be on hand.
Said regular company now consists of Connie Boswell, the Music Maids, John Scott
Trotter’s orchestra with Jerry Lester shaping up as a regular weekly starter on
the full-hour that's heard over WMAQ at 7 o'clock.
There’s
no denying that Jerry Lester grooved well into the pattern of the Hall last week.
He was omnipresent, ducking into the guest interviews at just the right moment
and even joining Bing on a song number. As a matter of fact, Lester has been signed
to appear on the next three M. H. airings and will be heard on fifteen out of the
twenty-two programs to be aired between July 31 and the end of the year of
1941.
Bing’s
songs are “You Talk Too Much,” “Yours,” “Ballin’ the Jack,” “You’ll Never Remember,”
and “You and I.” He'll sing “We Go Well Together" with Connie Boswell
which is a true statement if there ever was one. Connie’s two numbers alone are
“Daddy” and “Nighty Night.”
(Belvidere Daily Republican, 17th July, 1941)
With The Music Maids, Connie Boswell, Jerry Lester,
Florence George, Billy Conn and John Garfield.
*Can’tcha Tell
with The Music Maids
*Old Black Joe
*I Can’t Remember To Forget
*You Are My Sunshine
with Connie Boswell & The Music Maids
Daddy Connie Boswell
I Went Out Of My Way Connie Boswell
*Clementine
with The Music Maids
*Maria Elena
(a)
Note:
(a) See Programme No. 223 Note (f)
Billy
Conn, the man who put up such a great fight against Joe Louis in the recent
heavyweight championship classic, will face a much tougher job tonight. This
is the night he’ll be in there trading punch-lines with Bing Crosby on the Music
Hall…Bing’s sister-in-law, Florence George, is the singing guest…Known as a
pretty glib youngster with the chatter, Billy Conn will be pitted against radio’s
virtual ad-lib champ Crosby. Jerry Lester, who has been functioning smoothly in
the show’s comedy spot, will also pitch into the fray with Conn – if the going
gets tough for Kid Crosby.
(Belvidere
Daily Republican, 24th July, 1941)
With the Music Maids, Connie Boswell, Jerry Lester, Frank
Leahy and Mary Martin.
*We Go Well Together
with Connie Boswell
The Kerry Dance Connie Boswell
I Went Out Of My Way Connie Boswell
*You And I
*It Makes No Difference Now
with The Music Maids
*You Talk Too Much
with The Music Maids
*Reuben And Rachel
with Mary Martin
*You’ll Never Remember
with The Music Maids
Bing
Crosby’s last appearance in the Music Hall before his summer vacation will take
place when he'll entertain Frank Leahy, Notre Dame university’s head coach and
director of athletics; Don Ameche, Notre Dame's most ardent fan, and lovely
Mary Martin of the films…Doctor Crosby will leave for his Del Mar track's racing
season immediately after the full hour of fun. The doctor will turn over the reins
of M. H. to his confrere, Don Ameche, who’ll be the host until Bing returns in
the fall.
Don
Ameche was the one who suggested Frank Leahy as a great bet for a guest spot in
the Hall. Leahy is well-known for his ability to take a joke at face value and will
give as well take during the informal festivities.
(Belvidere Daily Republican, 31st July, 1941)
“Campbell’s Soup has signed Bob Burns for a full
series based on his Arkansas Traveller character and is slated to have both
dramatic and comedy incidents. The comedian was given release from his Kraft
contract which had six months to go. It is understood that the deal is for 26
weeks at the same $5000 per week figure that Burns was paid by Kraft. New series starts
on September 19th, probably in the 9.30 spot, Friday nights on CBS formerly
occupied by Campbell Playhouse”
(“Variety” 9th July 1941)
After an association which had endured for more
than five years, this had been the last season for Bob Burns with the Kraft
Music Hall.
Here is a quote outlining plans before the above news became official:
“Bing Crosby and Bob Burns will take their
thirteen week vacation from the Kraft Music Hall (NBC Red Network) on July 11th
(sic). The
summer replacement cast will consist of Don Ameche, Connie Boswell., The Music Maids, Ken Carpenter and Johnny
Trotter. Ameche will also replace Crosby on the
March 27th broadcast and do 13 (sic) more broadcasts at irregular intervals,
during the ensuing year.”
(“Variety” 19th March 1941)
Go to 1941-42 season