1942-1943  Season with the John Scott Trotter Orchestra 

Audience share is 23.1 during the season, which relegates the show to thirteenth place in the Hooper ratings. Bob Hope heads the tables with a rating of 40.9. Bing’s salary is $5,000 per broadcast.

 

No.  263  1st October 1942 

 

With Ken Carpenter, Mary Martin, The Music Maids & Hal, The Charioteers, Victor Borge, Colonel S.R. Harris and Cass Daley.

 

*I’ve Got A Gal In Kalamazoo                                  (a)             with The Music Maids & Hal

  Welcome Back To KMH                                                           Ken Carpenter & Mary Martin

  Ten Little Soldiers                                                                     Mary Martin

  Cass Daley spot

 

Medley:

  Frenesi, Daddy, My Sister And I, Scatterbrain, Six Lessons

  From Madame La Zonga, I’ll Never Smile Again, Deep In

  The Heart Of Texas, There’ll Be Some Changes Made (b)       Cass Daley

 

*Conchita, Marquita Lopez                                                        with The Music Maids & Hal

  Victor Borge spot

*Be Careful, It’s My Heart

  Ride, Red, Ride                                                                        The Charioteers (James Sherman - Piano)

  All I Need Is You                                                                      The Charioteers (James Sherman - Piano)

*When You’re A Long, Long Way From Home

  Colonel S.R. Harris spot

*Only Forever                                                                             with Mary Martin

  March from The Love Of Three Oranges (Prokofiev)              John Scott Trotter Orchestra

*A Boy In Khaki, A Girl In Lace

 

Notes:

(a)             JSP Records CD JSP6705 - "Here's Bing Crosby!"

(b)        All titles are parodied versions.

 

‘Less gab and more music has been decreed for Kraft Music Hall when Bing Crosby resumes on October 1st.  Each program will have eight to ten numbers’

(“Variety” 23rd September 1942)


"A 21-bell salute, please, Mr. Carpenter. Bing is back. Forsaking the golf course and the race track for the nonce, Mr. Crosby supplants brother Bob and again takes his place as the backbone and general raison d’être of the old KMH. The show is still same expert blend of music, comedy and guest stars and that inimitable spirited of good fellowship and effortless entertainment. In addition to the usual regulars, there are the Charioteers.

Bing starts off with Kalamazoo, and as soon as the first notes are out you know that everything is all right again. Later on he gives the old Crosby once-over to Conchita Lopez; Be Careful, It’s My Heart and Boy in Khaki, and the season’s pops come into their own.

    Even Mary Martin, who sings 10 Little Soldiers, is tolerable as Bing's foil.
    Victor Borge is funny in a monolog in which he tries to explain, quite naively, what happened to him at a football game.
    John Scott Trotter's orchestra is still providing accompaniment and doing equally well on featured spots, while Ken Carpenter offers the most acceptable commercials in radio because of smooth and clever build-ups.
    Added feature, the Charioteers, provides that something extra. These four Negro vocalists, with piano accompanist, are tops in four-part harmony. Their arrangements of Ride, Red, Ride and All I Need Is You, in the popular vernacular, are out of this world.
    Special guests are Cass Daley, amusing as a stenographer applying for a job with Crosby and even more so in a medley of parodies that have made her famous, and Col. Samuel Harris, of the U. S. Army Air Force, who gave some information concerned with teaching the boys to fly safely."

(Shirley Frohlich, Billboard, October 10, 1942)


R. J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director commented: "Technical comments: OK. New engineer cranks up the laughs like mad. Entertainment: OK. Crosby in great form. Daley not as good as last time but good nevertheless."

 

No.  264  8th October 1942

 

With Ken Carpenter, Mary Martin, The Music Maids & Hal, The Charioteers, Victor Borge, Milton Berle and Desi Arnaz.

 

*Ev’rything I’ve Got                                                                  with The Music Maids & Hal

  Cow Cow Boogie                                                                     Mary Martin

*Love Is A Song

  Milton Berle spot

  Little David                                                                              The Charioteers

  Victor Borge spot

*Wait Till The Sun Shines, Nellie                                              with Mary Martin

  Colonel Harold Shannon spot (US Marines)

  Can't Get Out Of This Mood                                                    The Charioteers

  Desi Arnaz spot

  Say Si Si                                                                                    Desi Arnaz

*By The Light Of The Silvery Moon

  Dearly Beloved                                                                         Mary Martin

  Dengozo                                                                                    John Scott Trotter Orchestra

*White Christmas                                                                        with The Music Maids & Hal

 

(A classic example of ‘everything you read need not necessarily be true’ occurs when, in the programme synopsis for this show, “The Chicago Daily Tribune” describes Desi Arnaz as ‘a songstress’!)


Comedian Milton Berle and Desi Arnaz, Cuban screen, radio and night-club singer, will be Bing Crosby’s guests in the KTBC “Music Hall” tonight at 8 o’clock.

(The Shreveport Times, 8th October 1942)


R. J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director commented: "Entertainment: Good. Bing had a terrible cold but got by all right. Borge started slow and nervous and worked into it."

 

No.  265  15th October 1942

 

With Ken Carpenter, Mary Martin, The Music Maids & Hal, The Charioteers, Victor Borge, Captain E. J. Burns, Charles Ruggles and Cass Daley.

 

*I’ve Got A Girl In Kalamazoo                                     with The Music Maids & Hal

  Take Back Your Gold                                                  Mary Martin

  Cass Daley spot

  It’s The Last Time I’ll Fall In Love                              Cass Daley

*At Last

  Victor Borge spot

  Jeg Elsker Dig (Ich Liebe Dich) (Grieg)                       Victor Borge (piano)

  De Glory Road                                                               The Charioteers

*People Like You And Me                               (a)           with Mary Martin

  Charles Ruggles spot

  I’m Getting Tired So I Can Sleep                                  Mary Martin with The Music Maids & Hal

*My Buddy                                                      (b)

  Chaplain Burns spot

  Dizzy Fingers                                                                 John Scott Trotter Orchestra

*My Devotion                                                  (c)

 

Note:

(a)        Startone ST225 - “Bing And Mary”

               Sepia CD 1373 "Bing Crosby - Kraft Music Hall Time"

(b)        Comedy introduction includes a snatch of “Goin’ Home”

(c)         Startone ST225 - “Bing And Mary”

Cass Daley, the comedienne of a thousand faces – most of them nightmarish, who rolls ‘em in the aisle regularly with her raucous-voiced singing of zany ditties, again will be a guest of Bing Crosby in the Music Hall tonight at 8 o’clock over WMAQ. Completing the guest roster will be veteran film and stage comedian Charles Ruggles and Capt. E. J. Burns, a chaplain of the U. S. army.

(Belvidere Daily Republican, 15th October 1942)


R. J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director commented: "Entertainment: Good. Daley really worked like a beaver, and even took a fall at the end of her spot. We all disagree with Reber about the Charioteers' number."

 

No.  266  22nd October 1942 

 

With Ken Carpenter, Mary Martin, Victor Borge, The Music Maids & Hal, The Charioteers, M/Sgt Raymond B. Hunt, Judy Canova and Andrew Tombes.

 

*Ev’rything I’ve Got                                                                with The Music Maids & Hal

  Clancy                                                                                    Mary Martin

  Judy Canova spot

  Some Of These Days                                                               Judy Canova

  Swing For Sale                                                         (a)           The Charioteers

*S’Posin                                                                                   with The Music Maids & Hal

  Victor Borge spot

*Moonlight Becomes You

*You Tell Me Your Dream                                                        with The Charioteers

  Andrew Tombes spot

  Serenade In Blue                                                                      Mary Martin

  M/Sgt Raymond B. Hunt spot

*A Cranky Old Yank In A Clanky Old Tank               (b)         with Chorus

  Pan Americana (Herbert)                                                         John Scott Trotter Orchestra

*White Christmas                                                                       with The Music Maids & Hal

 

Notes:

(a)        Jasmine CD JASCD 714 "Swing Low, Sweet Charioteers"

(b)        Sandy Hook SH2100 - “The Music And Sound Of World War II”

               Sandy Hook SH2100 (CD) - “The Music And Sound Of World War II”


Judy Canova, Andrew Tombes, stage and vaudeville performer for 40 years, now a character actor in western films, and Master Sgt. Raymond B. Hunt, of 32nd Armored Regiment were booked for the Music Hall, KFI at 6.

(Zuma Palmer, Hollywood Citizen News, October 22, 1942)


IN REVIEW—The switch in format which apparently is to bring more singing to Bing Crosby’s Music Hall makes this hour a much brighter revue and should improve the program’s audience rating. At least, I find the music much more pleasant that the show’s former routine which was heavy with script patter designed to be funny.

The master of ceremonies robe fits neatly about Bing's shoulders, and he supplies enough light chatter to carry the hour aided in the chore nicely by Announcer Ken Carpenter. The Crosby vocals, of course, top the program, for he's one of the best popular singers in the business—if not the best.

The Charioteers who have been singing on the show recently are a distinct asset. Their harmonies are really lovely. Mary Martin is good in certain types of melodies she offers on the hour. She's best, I think, in the sequence in which she's heard with Bing when the two revive an old-timer. However, Miss Martin is weak in line reading.

Victor Borge’s comedy is pleasant enough and at times the comedian can be downright funny.

John Trotter’s Orchestra is one of the best. Trotter does an excellent job in handling the vocalists on this hour and upon occasion the orchestra is capable of handling an instrumental assignment which fits nicely into the program's general pattern.

I believe the guest names on this hour contribute their best efforts when permitted to appear within the bounds oi their natural talents. They fail miserably at times when they are asked to do something in the field of entertainment with which they are unfamiliar. There are a few serious players, no doubt, who can be made over for a brief moment into comedians. But it is much better for such a program as this to permit each guest “to give" within the limits of entertainment to which he or she is accustomed.

(Robert S. Stephan, The Plain Dealer, October 25, 1942)


R. J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director commented: "Entertainment: Good. Tombes spot a riot. We should use him again. First time on the air and he was nervous, but really delivered."

 

No.  267  29th October 1942 

 

With Ken Carpenter, Mary Martin, Victor Borge, The Music Maids & Hal, The Charioteers, Photographer 1st Class Ted Huzerro USN, Eve Arden and Bob Hope.

 

*Praise The Lord And Pass The Ammunition              (a)         with The Charioteers

  Photographer 1st Class Ted Huzerro USN spot

  My Hero (from The Chocolate Soldier)                                  Mary Martin

  Bob Hope spot

*Road To Morocco                                                                    with Bob Hope

*My Devotion                                                             (b)

  Variations on ‘Happy Birthday To You’                                  Victor Borge (piano)

  I’m Getting Tired So I Can Sleep                                            Mary Martin

  The Darktown Strutters’ Ball                                                  The Charioteers

  Eve Arden spot

  Summertime                                                                             The Charioteers

*Dear Old Pal Of Mine

  Another Bob Hope spot

*Mister Five By Five                                                   (c)          with The Music Maids & Hal

  Memphis Blues                                                                         John Scott Trotter Orchestra

*A Boy In Khaki, A Girl In Lace

 

Notes:

(a)        JSP Records CD JSP6705 - "Here's Bing Crosby!"

(b)        JSP Records CD JSP6705 - "Here's Bing Crosby!"

(c)        Startone ST225 - “Bing And Mary”

 

“Bob Hope will lead the guest list on Bing Crosby’s Music Hall.  With Bing, he’ll premiere scenes and songs from their latest co-starring film, ‘Road To Morocco’”

(“Washington Post” 29th October 1942)


R. J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director commented: "Entertainment: Great."


No.  268  5th November 1942 

 

With Ken Carpenter, Mary Martin , The Music Maids & Hal, The Charioteers, Leo “UkieSherin, Victor Borge, Mrs. Helen Fletcher, Colonel LeRoy P. Hunt, Richard Haydn and Cass Daley.

 

*The Marines’ Hymn                                                                with Chorus

  Colonel LeRoy P. Hunt spot

  How Come You Do Me Like You Do?                                  Mary Martin

  Cass Daley spot

*Where Were You Last Night?                                    (a)        with Cass Daley

*By The Light Of The Silvery Moon

  Victor Borge spot

  Runnin’ Wild                                                                          The Charioteers

*Rolleo Rolling Along                                                  (b)       with Mary Martin & The Music Maids

  Richard Haydn spot

  So Long                                                                                  The Charioteers

*Sunday

  Mrs. Helen Fletcher spot (Junior Red Cross)

*At Last

  Ukie spot

  I See Your Face Before Me                                                    Mary Martin

  Anvil Chorus                                                                           John Scott Trotter Orchestra

*Daybreak                                                             (b) & (c)

 

Notes:

(a)        Bing’s contribution is restricted to spoken comments only.

(b)        Startone ST225 - “Bing And Mary”

(c)        JSP Records CD JSP6705 - "Here's Bing Crosby!"


Joining Cass Daley and Richard Haydn as guests on the Music Hall, KFI at 6, will be Col. Leroy P. Hunt of the First Raider Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps., and Mrs. Helen Fletcher, liaison officer of the Junior Red Cross.

(Zuma Palmer, Hollywood Citizen News, November 5, 1942)


R. J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director commented: "Entertainment: O.K."

 

No.  269  12th November 1942  

 

With Ken Carpenter, The Music Maids & Hal, The Charioteers, Leo “UkieSherin, Victor Borge, Mrs. Dolores Garcia Schober, Mrs. Vicente Lim, Ginny Simms, Edgar Buchanan and Edward Brophy.

 

*Praise The Lord And Pass The Ammunition                           with The Charioteers

  Mrs. Vicente Lim spot (from Phillippines)

  Mister Five By Five                                                                Ginny Simms

  Edward Brophy spot

  The Rose Of Tralee                                                                The Charioteers

*Moonlight Becomes You

  Victor Borge spot

*Dearly Beloved                                                                       with Ginny Simms

*Ain’t Got A Dime To My Name                                             with The Music Maids & Hal

  Edgar Buchanan spot

  Brother Bill                                                                             The Charioteers

*June In January

  Mrs. Schober spot (airplane factory worker)

  Can’t Get Out Of This Mood                                                  Ginny Simms

  Anvil Chorus                                                                           John Scott Trotter Orchestra

  Ukie spot

*Dear Old Pal Of Mine


Ginny Simms, popular radio and screen vocalist, will join Bing Crosby, the Charioteers, The Music Maids and Hal, Victor Borge, Ken Carpenter and John Trotter for a session of the Music Hall tonight at 8 o’clock over WMAQ. Ginny will be the first of a series of guest stars who will fill in during Mary Martin's absence to undergo an appendectomy and take a rest. Dorothy Lamour will be the Hall’s guest vocalist for November 26, Thanksgiving Day. In addition to Ginny Simms, Bing will welcome comedian Edward Brophy and Edgar Buchanan, well-known character actor of the films, as special guests for the November 12 airing.

(Belvidere Daily Republican, 12th November 1942)


R. J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director commented: "Entertainment: Very good, especially Mrs. Lim, who was just terrific. General remarks: Tremendous spread."


No.  270  19th November 1942      

 

With Ken Carpenter, The Music Maids & Hal, The Charioteers, Leo “UkieSherin, Victor Borge, Freddie Slack, 'Slapsie' Maxie Rosenbloom, Broderick Crawford and Ella Mae Morse.

 

*A Cranky Old Yank In A Clanky Old Tank                with The Music Maids & Hal

  Sgt. William Fralish spot (tank trainer)

  Cow Cow Boogie                                                        Ella Mae Morse (with Freddie Slack on piano)

  Maxie Rosenbloom spot

  Yamen                                                                         The Charioteers

*Daybreak

  Victor Borge spot

  Brahms' Waltz                                                             Victor Borge (piano)

*Please Think Of Me

*Down The Road A-Piece                                            with Ella Mae Morse & Wilfred Williams (with Freddie Slack on piano)

  Broderick Crawford spot

*The Yankee Doodle Boy (parody)                              with Broderick Crawford

  They Died With Their Boots Laced                            Ella Mae Morse (with Freddie Slack on piano)

*Over The Rainbow

  Ukie spot

  It Ain't Necessarily So                                                 The Charioteers

  Dance Of The Marionettes                                          John Scott Trotter Orchestra

*When You’re A Long, Long Way From Home           with The Music Maids & Hal


Lloyd Nolan, best-known to movie-goers as the intrepid sleuth Michael Shayne, Ella Mae Morse and Freddie Slack, composers of the popular “Cow Cow Boogie,” and Slapsie Maxie Rosenbloom will drop in for an hour of merriment with Bing Crosby and his colleagues in the Music Hall tonight at 8 o’clock over WMAQ.

(Belvidere Daily Republican, 19th November 1942) (NOTE: It appears that Broderick Crawford replaced Lloyd Nolan.)


R. J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director commented: "Entertainment: Maxie great. Slack and Morse O.K., but specialized as all get out. Fralish a very bad reader. First bad serviceman."

 

No.  271  26th November 1942 

 

With Ken Carpenter, The Music Maids & Hal, Victor Borge, The Charioteers, Virginia Weidler, Janet Blair and George Tobias.

 

*Praise The Lord And Pass The Ammunition                           with The Charioteers

  Lt. C. Dickenson spot (air medal, three Navy crosses)

*You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To                                    with Janet Blair

  George Tobias spot

  Stormy Weather                                                                       The Charioteers

*Moonlight Becomes You

  Victor Borge spot

  Ev’rything I’ve Got                                                                  Janet Blair

  Brother Bill                                                                              The Charioteers

  Virginia Weidler spot

*People Like You And Me                                                         with Virginia Weidler

*San Antonio Rose                                                                     with The Music Maids & Hal

  Patricia Thomas spot (CAA instructor)

  All The Things You Are                                                            Janet Blair

  Habanera                                                                                   John Scott Trotter Orchestra

*My Buddy


Janet Blair, former vocalist with the band of the late Hal Kemp and now the newest star in the Hollywood firmament, heads Bing Crosby's guest list for the NBC-KMJ Music Hall broadcast at 6 o'clock this evening. She will join Crosby in a vocal number and will trade repartee with others of the cast and Virginia Weidler, young movie star, and George Tobias, character actor. Miss Weidler also will join Crosby in a  duet...Representatives  of Crosby's sponsor, Kraft Cheese Company, announced today that the program will be cut to one half hour, beginning with the broadcast of January 7th. War conditions are given as the reason for the change. The general outline of the programs will remain as at present.

(The Fresno Bee, 26th November 1942)


R. J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director commented: "Entertainment: Good, except for Tobias spot. He seems more character than funny. Spot too. Blair swell."

 

No.  272  3rd December 1942   

 

With Ken Carpenter, The Music Maids & Hal, Victor Borge, The Charioteers, Marcy McGuire, Henrietta Horak (WAAC) and Dorothy Lamour.

 

*Ain’t Got A Dime To My Name                                             with The Music Maids & Hal

  Lt. Tom Skinner spot

  Shadrack                                                                                The Charioteers

  Dorothy Lamour spot

*Road To Morocco (parody)                                                    with Dorothy Lamour

  Constantly                                                                               Dorothy Lamour

  Victor Borge, spot

  Stardust                                                                                   The Charioteers

*Dearly Beloved

  Marcy McGuire spot

  A Touch Of Texas                                                                    Marcy McGuire

*Good Morning, Mr. Zip, Zip, Zip                                             with The Music Maids & Hal

  Henrietta Horak spot

  He's My Guy                                                                            Dorothy Lamour

  March Of The Toys                                                                  John Scott Trotter Orchestra

*White Christmas


The Music Hall, KFI at 6, will present Dorothy Lamour, Marsha Maguire, 16, RKO player, Henrietta Horack , WAAC officer, and a glider pilot, in addition to the regulars.

(Zuma Palmer, Hollywood Citizen News, December 3, 1942)


R. J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director commented: "Entertainment: OK."

 

No.  273  10th December 1942 

 

With Ken Carpenter, The Music Maids & Hal, The Charioteers, Margaret Lenhart, Jinx Falkenburg, Richard Haydn and Cliff Edwards.

 

*This Is The Army, Mr. Jones                                                    with Chorus

  Lt. Commander I. S., Hartman spot

  Manhattan Serenade                                                                 Margaret Lenhart

  Cliff Edwards spot

  Singin' In The Rain                                                                   Cliff Edwards

*Every Night About This Time                                                   with The Music Maids & Hal

  Richard Haydn spot

  Ride, Red, Ride                                                                          The Charioteers

*Why Don’t You Fall In Love With Me?                                     with Margaret Lenhart

  Jinx Falkenburg spot

  Let's Keep Smiling                                                                     The Charioteers

*Bye, Bye, Blackbird                                                                   with The Music Maids

*There Are Such Things

  March Of The Toys                                                                   John Scott Trotter Orchestra

*Daybreak


With Margaret Lenhart and Cliff Edwards as his singing guest stars and the lovely Jinx Falkenburg and comedian Richard Haydn as his cinema guests, Bing Crosby will wrap up another hour-long edition of Music Hall at 9 p.m. Miss Lenhart, a soprano, was last heard over NBC on Al Pearce’s program, and Edwards as “Ukelele Ike” has a record of disc sales that still makes cash registers jingle jangle. Miss Falkenburg, tennis expert, swimmer, magazine cover girl and model, is Columbia Pictures newest star. Haydn is fondly remembered for his role of the old professor in “Ball of Fire” and his frequent NBC guest appearances.

(The Bristol News Bulletin, 10th December 1942)


R. J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director commented: "Entertainment: Good. Haydn especially good."

 

No.  274  17th December 1942 

 

With Ken Carpenter, The Music Maids & Hal, The Charioteers, Kay Aldridge, Edgar Buchanan, Lieutenant Frances Shoup and Trudy Erwin.

 

*San Antonio Rose                                                                    with The Music Maids & Hal

  Lieutenant Frances Shoup spot

*Who Wouldn’t Love You?                                                       with Trudy Erwin

  Edgar Buchanan spot

*Moonlight Becomes You                                           

  Kay Aldridge spot 

  Oh! Dem Golden Slippers                                                        The Charioteers

*Basin Street Blues                                                                    with The Charioteers

*For Me And My Gal                                                                 with The Music Maids & Hal

  J. L. Kraft speech

  Prayer                                                                                       The Kraft Chorus

  Prince Of Peace                                                                        The Kraft Chorus

  Patton speech                                                                            Edgar Buchanan

  I'm Getting Tired So I Can Sleep                                              Trudy Erwin

  Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers                                                John Scott Trotter Orchestra

*Dearly Beloved


Kay Aldridge, former Powers model and now a serial cinema queen; Edgar Buchanan, former Pasadena dentist who is attaining fame as a film comedian; Lieutenant Frances E. Shoup of the WAVES and Trudy Erwin, former member of the Music Maids and now with Kay Kyser, will be Bing Crosby’s guests at 8 o’clock tonight over WMAQ.

(The Rock Island Argus, 17th December 1942)


R. J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director commented: "Technical:  OK. Engineer got buck fever on second Kraft Chorus number and cut out last third. In his favor is the fact that the chorus spread very badly so by the time he cut them, although they still had one-third to go, they had used exactly the amount of time Chicago had given us for the whole number. Slightly bad diction made it hard to follow their lines! Entertainment: OK."

 

No.  275  24th December 1942   (a)

 

With Ken Carpenter, The Music Maids & Hal, The Charioteers, Janet Blair, Andrew Tombes, Jack Carson and Fay Bainter.

 

*Adeste Fideles                                                                        with the studio audience & company

  Steam Is On The Beam                                                           Janet Blair

  Jack Carson spot

  Red River Valley                                                         (b)       The Charioteers

*Why Don’t You Fall In Love With Me?                      (c)       with The Music Maids & Hal

  Letter to Virginia                                                                     Fay Bainter (Reading)

  Sweet Little Jesus Boy                                                            The Charioteers

*You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To                        (c)       with Janet Blair

  Andrew Tombes spot

*Good Morning, Mr. Zip, Zip, Zip                                (d)        with The Music Maids & Hal

  J. L. Kraft letter spot

  That Soldier Of Mine                                                              Janet Blair

*God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen                                   (e)

  The Toy Trumpet                                                                    John Scott Trotter Orchestra

*Silent Night

 
Notes:
(a)        The complete programme was issued on Spokane 13 - “Kraft Music Hall –December 24th 1942”.

(b)        Jasmine CD JASCD 714 "Swing Low, Sweet Charioteers"

(c)        So Rare: Treasures From The Crosby Archive – Collectors’ Choice Music CD WWCCM21092

(d)        Sepia CD 1224 "Bing Crosby in the Hall"

(e)        Spokane 6 - “Bing Crosby - Happy Holiday”

Vintage Jazz Classics VJC-1017-2 - “Bing Crosby - The Christmas Songs (Date shewn as 1st January 1942)

            The comedy introduction includes Bing singing a few lines of “Good King Wenceslas”


Although credited with sky-rocketing Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” to its immense popularity through film and record, Bing Crosby won’t be allowed to sing it on his Kraft airshow Thursday (24). Sensing there would be a rush of the tune, Martin Gosch, producer of the Abbott and Costello program for Camel, cleared the song a month ago and immediately put in his bid with NBC, which shut off the ballad from any other show airing within two hours on either side of the Camel entry.

(Variety, 23rd December, 1942)


8 p.m. - Music Hall (WIBA). Bing Crosby sings “Silent Night” and “Adeste Fideles,” and presents Fay Bainter, Jack Carson, Andrew Tombes, and Janet Blair of the movies.

(Wisconsin State Journal, December 24, 1942)


R. J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director commented: "Entertainment: This was a great Christmas show. Every one did excellent work. Blair was liked by the East. Charioteers "Little Jesus" was really great. Bainter her usual high standard of excellence. "Silent Night" complete on end. Worked perfectly."


No.  276  31st December 1942  

 

With Ken Carpenter, The Music Maids & Hal, The Charioteers, Janet Blair, Richard Haydn, Johnny Mercer and Betty Hutton.

 

*Hip, Hip, Hooray!                                                                  with The Music Maids & Hal

  Button Up Your Overcoat                                                       Janet Blair

  Betty Hutton spot

  Doing It For Defense                                                               Betty Hutton

*There Are Such Things

  Babalu                                                                                     The Charioteers

  Runnin’ Wild                                                                           The Charioteers

  Richard Haydn spot

*Every Night About This Time                                                  with The Music Maids & Hal

  Johnny Mercer spot

  Salt Lake City Blues                                                                 Johnny Mercer

*On Behalf Of The Visiting Firemen                                         with Johnny Mercer

*Let’s Start The New Year Right                                               with The Music Maids & Hal

  National Emblem March                                                          John Scott Trotter Orchestra

*Old Glory                                                                                 with The Music Maids & Chorus


Signing off the old year, Bing Crosby will have a full cargo of guests on tonight’s broadcast. There will be Richard Haydn, Betty Hutton, Johnny Mercer and Janet Blair. Crosby and Mercer are certain to team up on some of their recording efforts.

(The Minneapolis Star, 31st December 1942)


R. J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director commented: "Entetainment: Great,"

 

(This programme was the last Kraft Music Hall in the 60-minute format.  Starting in the New Year, the shows were reduced to 30 minutes.  This was a direct result of the war.  More cheese than ever was being produced but the Government had blocked off large allocations for the armed forces and lend-lease, requiring sales promotion to yield to a goodwill exercise.)

 

No.  277  7th January 1943 

 

With Ken Carpenter, The Music Maids & Phil, The Charioteers, Janet Blair, Lieutenant Ralph W. Sweringer and Charles Ruggles.

 

*This Is The Army, Mr. Jones                                                    with The Music Maids & Chorus

  Lt. Ralph W. Sweringer spot

  Bye And Bye When The Morning Comes                               The Charioteers

*Why Don’t You Fall In Love With Me?                                  with The Music Maids & Phil

  Charles Ruggles spot

  Street Of Dreams                                                                     Janet Blair

*BallinThe Jack

  Habanera                                                                                 John Scott Trotter Orchestra

*Over The Rainbow                                                     (a)         with The Music Maids & Phil

 

Note:

(a)    So Rare: Treasures From The Crosby Archive – Collectors’ Choice Music CD WWCCM21092

(Last week, it was “The Music Maids and Hal”, this week “The Music Maids and Phil” - The Army had taken “Hal” away!)


Streamlined and compact, Bing Crosby’s Kraft Music Hall will go into a half-hour broadcast beginning tonight on WIBA at 8 o’clock. Bing’s guests for the evening are Janet Blair and Charles Ruggles of the screen.

(The Capital Times (Madison, Wisconsin), 7th January, 1943)


Hal Hopper is in the Army. So now those Hollywood Singers, the Music Maids and Hal, will be known as Music Maids and Phil (Hanna, the old Al Pearce tenor).

(William Moyes, Behind the Mike, The Oregonian, January 14, 1943)


The Kraft Music Hall last week (7) marked the turn into its ninth consecutive year of network broadcasting by telescoping its running time into half of what it has been all these years. The event was strictly a casualty of the war. There’s more cheese being produced by the corporation than ever before but the Government has blocked off such a large proportion of it for the armed-forces and lend-lease that the question for Kraft became no longer one of stimulating sales, but rather that of maintaining a highly valuable goodwill franchise, namely, its weekly radio show. It solved that problem by reducing the length, and not the quality. All the elements that have made the ‘Hall’ one of the most ingratiating packages of entertainment on the air are still intact. The only difference is that Bing Crosby doesn't sing as many songs and the name guest performers number one instead of an average two. The halving of the show may, as has often happened in network radio, result in a slight drop in rating, but there's no question that the listeners will still flock in substantial numbers to the old stand on the dial of a Thursday evening to harken to Crosby's quaint laryngeal lyre and the smooth banter that overlays the interludes of crossfire and interview.

The initial half-hour stanza found the country's current No. 1 minstrel-man blending present pop tunes with standard melodies with dulcet hepness and getting smart vocal support from Janet Blair, the Charioteers and Eight Maids and Hal. Charles Ruggles made his guest stay sprightly amusing with a routine on a Broadway pitchman. Another visitor was Lieut. Ralph W. Sweringer, who as commander of Naval task forces in the Pacific, has had 10 different encounters with the japs to date. Worthy of a special commendatory note is the fine bit of home-front comment on the air that served the program for its fadeout, with Crosby, of course, doing the delivery.

(Variety, 13th January 1943)


R. J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director commented: "Technical: OK, Maybe a little heavy on strings. Entertainment: OK. Blair not up to par, probably due to fight with Columbia. Commercial: OK, but long.

 

No.  278  14th January 1943   

 

With Ken Carpenter, The Music Maids & Phil, The Charioteers, Janet Blair, Lieut. Col. James Newman (balloon barrage unit) and Cass Daley.

 

*Hip, Hip, Hooray!                                                      with The Music Maids & Phil

  Lieut. Col. James Newman spot

  Embraceable You                                                       Janet Blair

*Please Think Of Me

  Cass Daley spot

  I Ought To Dance                                                       Cass Daley

*Bob White                                                                  with The Charioteers

*Lonesome And Sorry                                     (a)                                        

*There Are Such Things

 

Note:

(a)                The comedy introduction includes Bing singing snatches of, “Looking At The World Through Rose Coloured Glasses” and “Charmaine


Cass Daley, wild-eyed mugging songstress of the films, and Janet Blair will be Bing Crosby’s guests in the Music Hall tonight at 8 o’clock over WMAQ.

(Belvidere Daily Republican, 14th January, 1943)


R. J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director commented: "Technical:  O.K. Orchestral balance is now pretty good. Piano, muted brass figures and fiddles in intro and orchestra choruses will still need to be watched. Entertainment: Good.  Commercial: O.K. and short."

 

No.  279  21st January 1943  

 

With Ken Carpenter, The Music Maids & Phil, The Charioteers, Pte. Mickey Rankin and Andy Devine.

 

*Good Morning, Mr. Zip, Zip, Zip                                (b)       with The Music Maids & Phil

  Pte. Mickey Rankin spot

  Stormy Weather                                                                      The Charioteers

*I’ve Heard That Song Before                                      (c)

  Andy Devine spot

*Some Sunny Day                                                        (a)        with The Music Maids & Phil

  Ezekiel Saw The Wheel                                                          The Charioteers

*Brazil

 
Note:
(a)               
As a prelude to this item, John Scott Trotter sings a few lines of ‘Way Down Yonder in New Orleans’ and Ken Carpenter then comes in with a few lines of ‘Stumbling All Around’. Both are unaccompanied.
(b)        Universal CD B0027588-02
"Among My Souvenirs - More Treasures from the Crosby Archive".

(c)         Sepia CD 1373 "Bing Crosby - Kraft Music Hall Time".


Andy Devine, raspy-voiced comedian of the films, comes to the Music Hall to visit Bing Crosby tonight at 8 o’clock over WMAQ. Devine’s falsetto whisperings will provide plenty of fun, but little competition for Bing and his M. H. regulars…

(Belvidere Daily Republican, 21st January, 1943)


R. J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director commented: "Technical: O.K. Entertainment: Fair - still does not hang right or seem to be right. Devine O.K. once he got rolling. General remarks: Charioteers and piano started in different keys on second number."


No.  280  28th January 1943 

 

With Ken Carpenter, The Music Maids & Phil, The Charioteers, Ginny Simms and Frank McHugh.

 

*Anchors Aweigh                                                                     with The Music Maids & Phil

*You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To                       (a)        with Ginny Simms

  Yes, Indeed!                                                                            The Charioteers

  Frank McHugh spot

*Why Don’t You Fall In Love With Me?                                  with The Music Maids & Phil

  I’m Getting Tired So I Can Sleep                                            Ginny Simms

*As Time Goes By

 

Note:

(a)        Spokane 5 - “Der Bingle - Those Great World War II Songs”

            Double Gold DBG53042 (CD) - “Bing Crosby Those Great World War II Songs”


Comedian Frank McHugh will drop in for the doings in the “Music Hall” over KTBS at 8 o’clock tonight. In honor of President Roosevelt’s birthday, Bing Crosby the Hall genial emcee, will sing “Anchors Aweigh,” one of the Chief Executive’s favorite songs. Also, there will be a special plea for listeners to join in the March of Dimes to help the fight against infantile paralysis.

(The Shreveport Times, 28th January, 1943)


R. J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director commented: "Technical: O.K. Entertainment: Very good. Commercial: O.K. Only one. Kraft allowed us to cut two to make room for our allocation."


No.  281  4th February 1943  

 

With Ken Carpenter, The Music Maids & Phil, The Charioteers, Trudy Erwin, and Victor Borge.

 

*For Me And My Gal                                                  (a)         with The Music Maids & Phil

*Constantly                                                                  (b)        with Trudy Erwin

  Night Train To Memphis                                                         The Charioteers

*Sweet Little You

  Victor Borge spot

  Over There                                                                               Victor Borge

*Brazil                                                                          (a)

 

Note:

(a)        Sepia CD 1373 "Bing Crosby - Kraft Music Hall Time"

(b)        Spokane 23 - “Bing & Trudy - On The Air”

 

Trudy Erwin ex-Music Maid, ex-Kay Kyser band had landed the resident female singing spot on Kraft.


Two Music Hall veterans will return for a visit with Headman Bing Crosby tonight over KTBS at 8 o’clock. They are Victor Borge, who has been making a series of theatre appearances, and Trudy Erwin, Kay Kyser vocalist and former Music Maids member.

(The Shreveport Times, 4th February, 1943)


R. J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director commented: "Technical: O.K. Entertainment: OK. Victor was probably best he has ever been with exception of "punctuation" and his vaud routines."

 

No.  282  11th February 1943   

 

With Ken Carpenter, The Music Maids & Phil, The Charioteers, Trudy Erwin, Richard Haydn and Edgar Buchanan.

 

*Abraham                                                                                 with The Music Maids & The Charioteers

  Edgar Buchanan spot

*I’ve Heard That Song Before

*Something To Remember You By                                           with Trudy Erwin

  Richard Haydn spot

  When The Shepherd Leads The Sheep Back Home                The Charioteers

*Moonlight Becomes You                                            (a)

 
Note:
(a)        On The Air OTA101978 (CD) - “Great Moments With Bing Crosby And Friends From The Radio Shows” (Date shewn as 18th February 1943)


Local Writer Finds Bing Crosby Most Unaffected Actor In Film Capital.

Hollywood, Calif. – (Special) - Of the many celebrities a reporter is likely to meet in Hollywood, Bing Crosby gets my vote for being the most unaffected by success. I reached this conclusion after attending a rehearsal (and show) for his Kraft Music Hall program (heard each Thursday evening over the NBC network). For Bing Crosby is as natural and informal “in person” as the roles he portrays and the songs he croons.

It was about one-thirty on a Thursday afternoon in the studio-theatre of NBC’s mammoth line station here. John Scott Trotter, (Charlotte, North Carolina) arranger and director of his own orchestra on the show, in short sleeves and with tie away, was polishing up a number to be played as accompaniment for Bing, Trudy Erwin, “The Music Maids and Phil”, and “The Charioteers”, (regulars each week) when a slim youngish man with rather rosy complexion walked briskly onto the stage. “Bing,” someone on stage whispered.

“Hi, folks,” the singing star, host and master of ceremonies raised a hand in greeting to the cast and the few guests down in the theatre. He unrolled his script and knocked the ashes from his pipe – which he is never without.

Why, that can’t be the great Bing Crosby, I thought. He looks too informal. And that’s just what he was. Wearing a faded blue gabardine sports shirt – tail out – nondescript slacks, soft shoes and felt hat entwined with what appeared to be a snake skin band, he might have just dropped a hoe in his Victory Garden or made a birdie on the ninth hole – then rushed directly to the studio. (He is a stickler for punctuality).  A long pencil hung across one ear. He adjusted a mike.

“A-b-r-a-h-a-m,” he crooned and shuffled his feet. The rest of the cast fell in with him. Trotter swung his baton and copious hips. Rehearsal for the number moved along.

From a controls booth, the producer barked, “Mr. Trotter, let’s move “The Charioteers” down stage. No – that won’t do – back up stage.” Bing shuffled his feet, hummed.

“There now, Mr. Crosby, we’ll do “Abraham” again.” The star of the show gripped his pipe in his hand and breathed into the mike.

“That’s better. But, Mr. Crosby - that man again.” Bing smiles. “Er-er, Mr. Crosby, suppose we move the “Music Maids” in a little.” Bing places his pipe on a stool, takes his pencil from behind his ear and doodles on his script.

There is a break in the lyric to allow Bing to recite a passage from Lincoln’s Gettysburg address. He muddles through. The cast laughs. John Scott grins and waves his baton. The producer, visibly amused, comes on stage, “Let’s try it again, Mr. Crosby.”

Bing (intentionally) muffs the lines again, shuffles his shoes and winks sheepishly across the footlights at his sparse audience. The stage is in uproar. The producer feigns desperation, grins and disappears into the booth.

The rehearsal progressed into another stage: the “drama,” in which several other radio and screen personalities were being presented as guest stars! Ed Buchanan playing the part of a warden in a model prison. Richard Haydn as “The Professor” and tosser of such classics as “Boogie Woogie Cow Song,” and others. During this phase the master of ceremonies heckled the actors, ad libbed throwing the act off time.

The sound man, meanwhile wheeled out what appeared to be a huge wooden coffin and began adding various sound effects to the melee. In one place in the script a “battle” between prison inmates and the guard was to be staged. The sound man started “shooting”. Each time a gun was discharged, Bing whooped like an Indian and sought ambush – which brings to mind the story of how Crosby acquired his nickname…

…But, back to Kraft Music Hall – “It Seems to Me I’ve Heard That Song Before”. And Bing introduces a new “hit” on the air.

“That’s all. Be back at five-thirty” announces the producer.

John Scott Trotter, who along with “The Music Maids”, has been on the show since 1936 (sic), puts on his coat and straightens his tie. Musicians lay aside instruments.

The regulars and guest stars saunter away. Bing lights up his pipe, smiles down across the footlights and walks quickly off stage.

“How in the world will they ever whip up anything out of that jumble?” I wondered and stuck around to see. For the entire show was never dress rehearsed, only individual acts were timed – Bing seemed so unconcerned.

What I did not know until later when I talked with the singing star, is that each Tuesday he is handed the script. At home he goes over every line – makes corrections or any cut he thinks necessary and rehearses – thoroughly – his songs.

So, by the time he appears back on stage for a brief “warm up” for the studio audience – with no change of costume except a washed face and sans hat and pipe – he has everything under control. His shows always turn out as smooth as the product he plugs – like the one I saw rehearsed.

(Marion Brown, Burlington Daily News (North Carolina), April 10, 1943)


R. J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director commented: "Technical: O.K. Entertainment: Weak. Jokes still not big enough. Commercial. O.K. But they are getting longer again."


No.  283  18th February 1943 

 

With Ken Carpenter, The Music Maids & Phil, The Charioteers, Trudy Erwin, Fay McKenzie and Alan Hale.

 

*A Touch Of Texas                                                                    with The Music Maids & Phil

  Fay McKenzie spot

*Blues In The Night                                                       (a)        with Fay McKenzie

  La Cachita                                                                                Fay McKenzie

  When The Shepherd Leads The Sheep Back Home                 The Charioteers

*Angel Child

  Alan Hale spot

*Hit The Road To Dreamland                                        (b)        with Trudy Erwin

*There Are Such Things

 

Notes:

(a)                A few lines in Spanish

(b)               Spokane 23 - “Bing & Trudy - On The Air”

            Sepia CD 1224 "Bing Crosby in the Hall"


Alan Hale, one of Hollywood’s best known characters, and Fay McKenzie, rising young screen star, will be Bing Crosby’s guests. Bing often orders lunch during rehearsal by ad libbing the necessary words and working then into whatever tune he happens to be singing at the moment. As is probably well understood by now, the “groaner” can do just about anything with words and music, and probably will, as he and Trudy Erwin, his new songstress, the Music Maids, and John Scott Trotter will take care of the musical scores on the program.

(The Cincinnati Enquirer, 18th February, 1943)


R. J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director commented: "Technical: O.K. Entertainment: Pretty good. McKenzie is worth watching. Her song tonight was no fair indication of what she can do in that line. She's good! Commercial: O.K. A little long."

 

No.  284  25th February 1943 

 

With Ken Carpenter, The Music Maids & Phil, The Charioteers, Trudy Erwin, and Bert Lahr.

 

Medley: 

*A Yank And A Tank

*The US Field Artillery March                          with The Music Maids & Phil and The Charioteers

            (The Caissons Go Rolling Along)                                                                     

*The Army Air Corps Song

 

  Bert Lahr spot

*I’ve Heard That Song Before

*Make Believe

   Bert Lahr spot

   Get On Board, Little Chillun                            The Charioteers

*As Time Goes By


Professor Bing Crosby has invited a distinguished guest lecturer around to the Music Hall in the person of Bert Lahr, an old alumnus of the College of Mirth.

(Richmond Times-Dispatch, 25th February, 1943)


R. J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director commented: "Technical: O.K. Entertainment: Good. Lahr rushed a little on first spot, but was fine on second.  Commercial. O.K. but long."

 

No.  285  4th March 1943 

 

With Ken Carpenter, The Music Maids & Phil, The Charioteers, Trudy Erwin, and Cass Daley.

 

*A Touch Of Texas                                                                   with The Music Maids & Phil

  Cass Daley spot

  Can’t Get Stuff In Your Cuff                                                   The Charioteers

*It’s Always You                                                          (c)

*My Heart Stood Still                                                   (a)        with Trudy Erwin

  Cass Daley spot

  This Is Worth Fighting For                                          (b)        Cass Daley                                             

*Brahms' Lullaby

 
Notes:
(a)        Spokane 23 - “Bing & Trudy - On The Air”
(b)        Parodied version
(c)        On The Air OTA101978 (CD) - “Great Moments With Bing Crosby And Friends From The Radio Shows”


With Cass Daley as guest, Bing Crosby will have nothing to worry about but to try to keep the roof on the Kraft Music Hall over WIBA at 8 tonight.

(The Capital Times, (Madison, Wisconsin), 4th March, 1943)


R. J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director commented: "Technical: O.K. Entertainment: O.K. Commercial. O.K. but long."


 No.  286  11th March 1943    

 

With Ken Carpenter, The Music Maids & Phil, The Charioteers, Trudy Erwin, Major Ruth Cheney Streeter and Eddie Bracken.

 

Medley:

*Anchors Aweigh                                                         (a)        with The Music Maids & Phil & The Charioteers

*The Marines’ Hymn                                                    (a)          

                   

  Major Ruth Cheney Streeter spot

*Hit The Road To Dreamland                                       (a)        with Trudy Erwin

*Please Think Of Me                                                   

*I Wonder What’s Become Of Sally

  Eddie Bracken spot

  My Gal Sal                                                                             The Charioteers
*You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To

 

Note:

(a)        JOYCE 6052 - “Bing Crosby From The Forties” (“The Marines’ Hymn” is shewn as “The Halls Of Montezuma”)

 

(Cass Daley was due to appear on this programme but was obliged to cancel due to ill health - Substitute was Eddie Bracken who wanted his guest fee to go to Cass Daley.  She refused to accept and by mutual agreement the cheque was donated to the Red Cross)


…Bing’s other guest will be the first lady of the marines, Maj. Ruth Cheney Streeter, director of the Women’s Reserve U. S. marine corps.

(The Capital Times, (Madison, Wisconsin), 11th March, 1943)


R. J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director commented: "Technical: O.K. Entertainment: Orchids. Daley got sick at last moment and Bracken substituted at last minute with elevator spot. Commercial:  O.K. but long.  NBC put a cheese rationing announcement ahead of us and then clipped our closing commercial."


 No.  287  18th March 1943  

 

With Ken Carpenter, The Music Maids & Phil, The Charioteers, Trudy Erwin and Bert Lahr.

 

*Hip, Hip, Hooray!                                                                  with The Music Maids & Phil

  Bert Lahr spot

*Taking A Chance On Love                                       (a)

*It’s Easy To Remember                                                           with Trudy Erwin & The Music Maids

  Sketch with Bert Lahr

  Four Buddies                                                                          The Charioteers

*Did Your Mother Come From Ireland?


Note:

(a)        JSP Records CD JSP6705 - "Here's Bing Crosby!"


In spite of a jinx hanging over the Kraft Music Hall, the show will go on as usual tonight, with Bing Crosby and Bert Lahr as guest, over WIBA at 8 o’clock. Cass Daley, scheduled for the other guest, is still hospitalized – Crosby is hobbling around with an injured foot – and one of the script girls swallowed a piece of glass.

(The Capital Times, (Madison, Wisconsin), 18th March, 1943)


R. J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director commented: "Technical: O.K. Entertainment: Lahr kicked every joke in what looked like a great script right out of the window. Commercial:  O.K. but long."


 No.  288  25th March 1943  

 

With Ken Carpenter, The Music Maids & Phil, The Charioteers, Trudy Erwin and Bert Lahr.

 

*Great Day                                                                               with The Music Maids & The Charioteers

*It’s Always You

*Sometimes I’m Happy                                                            with Trudy Erwin & The Music Maids

  Bert Lahr spot

  I Love Life                                                                              Bert Lahr

  Dear Old Girl                                                                         The Charioteers

*As Time Goes By


Bert Lahr, radio’s most persistent guest star, again will visit Bing Crosby on Kraft Music Hall, tonight over WIBA at 8 o’clock. …Meanwhile, Bing “The Groaner” Crosby still sports a cane to help him about the premises because of injuries sustained in a brush with an automobile in Phoenix, Ariz. Nevertheless, Bing still does all right at the mike, even though he’ll be sitting down.

(The Capital Times, (Madison, Wisconsin), 25th March, 1943)     


R. J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director commented: "Technical: O.K. New mike on strings excellent. We must remember to lower mike for Trudy. Entertainment: Orchids. Exactly the show John and Jack outlined in a teletype which arrived the morning of the show. Commercial:  O.K. but long."                                             

                                      

No.  289  1st April 1943  (a)

 

With Ken Carpenter, The Music Maids & Phil, The Charioteers, Trudy Erwin, Leo “UkieSherin and Lucille Ball.

 

*You Are My Sunshine                                                (b)        with The Music Maids & Phil

  Leo “UkieSherin spot

*Darling, Je Vous Aime Beaucoup                               (b) (i)

*With A Song In My Heart                                           (c)        with Trudy Erwin

  Lucille Ball spot

  Wade In The Water                                                                  The Charioteers

*That Old Black Magic                                                           

 

Notes:

(a)        An edited version of the programme (all vocal items are included) was issued on Lee Bee Discs

            SPECS SJ101 - “Bing Crosby’s Redheads - Lucille Ball And Spike Jones”

(b)        JOYCE 6052 - “Bing Crosby From The Forties”

(i) V-Disc 166-A

(c)        The comedy introduction includes Bing singing a snatch of “My Time Is Your Time”.


April fool nonsense, tom-foolery, and what have you will be the main order of business tonight at 8 over WIBA when Bing Crosby and his Kraft Music Hall crowd cut loose in a celebration of the new month. Heading the program will be Lucille Ball, titian-haired screen star, who has just scored a new movie success in the Hollywood version of “DuBarry Was a Lady.”

(The Capital Times, (Madison, Wisconsin), 1st April, 1943)


R. J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director commented: "Technical: O.K. Entertainment: Orchids again. Commercial:  O.K. but long." 


 No.  290  8th April 1943 

 

With Ken Carpenter, The Music Maids & Phil, The Charioteers, Trudy Erwin, Leo “UkieSherin and Rags Ragland.

 

*MacNamara’s Band                                                               with The Music Maids & Phil

  Leo “UkieSherin spot

*Please Think Of Me

*Among My Souvenirs                                                             with Trudy Erwin

  Rags Ragland spot

  My Melancholy Baby                                                             The Charioteers

*We Mustn’t Say “Goodbye”                                                   with The Music Maids & Phil

 

“Rags Ragland, the comedian featured in Metro’s ‘DuBarry Was A Lady’ guested at the Bing Crosby, Kraft Music Hall program, Thursday night and gave the stanza a five minute laugh-fest that was solid all the way. In his rapid crossfire exchange with Crosby, the ex-burlesque trouper, last seen on Broadway in ‘Panama Hattie’, demonstrated a knack for delivery and timing that was exceptional.  Not even the occasional sorry pun that crept into the material could conceal the fact that Ragland, with proper assist from the script department, offers fine possibilities as a radio comedian.  Crosby, himself, was right on the beam while the contributions of the program’s regulars, Trudy Erwin, The Charioteers and the John Scott Trotter Orchestra, rounded out a sock half hour of diversified entertainment”

(“Variety” 14th April 1943)


R. J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director commented: "Technical: O.K. Entertainment: Good. Rags gave a very solid performance. It could be Bing should be given a higher percentage of the laughs. Commercial:  O.K. but long."

 

No.  291  15th April 1943 

 

With Ken Carpenter, The Music Maids & Phil, The Charioteers, Trudy Erwin, Leo “UkieSherin,  Rear Admiral Ralston S. Holmes and Frank McHugh.

 

*Hip, Hip, Hooray!                                                      (a)        with The Music Maids & Phil

  Rear Admiral Ralston S. Holmes spot

  I’ve Got You Under My Skin                                                 Trudy Erwin

*Oh! How I Miss You Tonight

  Frank McHugh spot

*By The Light Of The Silvery Moon                            (b)        with The Charioteers

*That Old Black Magic                                                 (c)

 

Notes:

(a)        JOYCE 1117 - “One Night Stand With Bing Crosby At The Music Hall”

            Nostalgia LPF22014 - “Bing Crosby - 20 Golden Greats”

            JOYCE 6052 - “Bing Crosby From The Forties”

(b)        V-Disc 166-A

(c)        JOYCE 6052 - “Bing Crosby From The Forties”

                Bing Crosby Enterprises CD - "Bing Crosby Sings The Johnny Mercer Songbook"

 

“Trudy Erwin will sing a solo for the first time on the Music Hall, KFI at 6 – it will be ‘Stardust’” (Sorry, wrong number! - Compiler)

(“Hollywood Citizen News”15th April 1943)


R. J. Brewster, J. Walter Thompson Program Director commented: "Technical: O.K. Entertainment: Had an allocation which, due to the fact that Navy gave us Admiral Holmes,  more or less killed the show."


(In order to remain consistent with the pattern of presentation, so far, it has been decided to designate this programme as the last in the “1942/43 Season”.  It should be noted that Bing returned to the Kraft Music Hall on the 17th June, thereby missing his normal July/August break.  He did not, entirely, forego his vacation, holidaying in Mexico City before returning to the US, dropping in, unannounced and without any publicity, on a tour of various Army Camps.  During his absence from the “Hall” , Bob Crosby deputised for him and the shows of April 22nd & April 29th were also hosted by  Fibber McGee and Molly with the shows of May 5th and May 20th and 27th jointly hosted with Lum ‘N’ Abner.)

 

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