The Baritone!
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September, 1934 “It is a long, long
way from |
| This month you certainly have been playing a waiting game. With three films under your belt (none worthy of you), you are wondering if the movie contract was such a good idea. Patience, Mr. Magnificent, your day is dawning. | |
Meanwhile here and there......
. Cunard Lines launched the "Queen Mary", a luxury liner of 73,000 tons..one of the biggest passenger ships ever built!
. Trouble is brewing in Dresden! Leni Riefenstahl. 31-year-old actress-director was filming "Triumph of the Will". She had 30 cameras, 120 technicians and 160.000 Nazis in what would be Hitler's first propaganda film.
*"September Song" (Anderson-Weill) from The Nelson Eddy Show 6/25/1952
Naughty Marietta
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September, 1935 "...my
books are the brooks |
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You were in Lake Tahoe on location with Jeanette shooting your second film together, "Rose Marie". It was often like one, long, happy camping trip and you enjoyed the mountains, the scenery and the camaraderie. |
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Meanwhile here and there....
. A little "no-name" storm
crept up the Florida Keys late on September 1st. But, by the time morning
came, this "little" storm had strengthened to become the most
powerful hurricane in U.S. history with winds up to 200-250 mph.! The
toll was 400
lives and millions in damage.
. Norma Jean Mortenson found herself in a orphanage after being bounced from foster home to foster home when her mother took ill. Norma Jean (or Marilyn Monroe as we know her) never forgot the experience.
* "All Day in the Saddle" (Whitcup-Kuhn-Fletcher) from "The
Electric Hour" 6/2/1946
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September, 1936 "Tell me, heart of mine,
what |
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"Farewell to Dreams" was one of the
songs you recorded this month with Jeanette for Victor. Alas,
it never made it into the final edition of "Maytime".
Two days before you recorded it, Irving Thalberg died and all
of the footage already shot (3/4 of the movie) was scrapped. It
would be another 6 weeks before shooting would begin again with
a new script, new supporting players and now only in black and
white. But you will like the new plot improvements. |
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Meanwhile here and there....
. The Olympic Games opened in Berlin and Jesse Owens brought home 4 gold medals. Hitler wasn't pleased!
. The "line of succession" took on new meaning in Britain as the crown passed from George V to Edward VIII and now soon to George VI! There is definitely a movie in this!
* "Farewell to Dreams" (Kahn-Romberg) Record on Victor 9/21/36
Girl of the Golden West
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September, 1937 "In the
still of the night, while |
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| Here we have to go with a song from your film because you were on the set this month singing it and other lovely Cole Porter songs to Eleanor Powell in your new movie "Rosalie". You also appeared weekly on NBC's Chase and Sanborn Hour with pals Don Ameche, Dorothy Lamour, Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy. A star-studded guest list included Ida Lupino, Bette Davis, Claudette Colbert and Herbert Marshall. We still enjoy these shows today on tape! | |
Meanwhile here and there...
. In Chicago Bill Veeck was busily planting bittersweet and ivy along the wall at Wrigley Field.
. Gandhi's prayer and fasting on behalf of India's poor was gaining worldwide attention.
* "In the Still of the Night" (Cole Porter) from The Chase and Sanborn Hour 11/28/1937
Sweethearts
 Let Freedom Ring |
September, 1938 "Humming
a song as we're |
| "Sweethearts" wrapped in August with color intact, surprising everyone. You just heard that you were going to do your first real Western with Virginia Bruce and Victor McLaglen but first you entertained us for four weeks on The Chase and Sanborn Hour. Just to sweeten the pot, you add Olivia deHavilland, Errol Flynn, Alice Faye and Olympe Bradna. My, you did have fascinating friends! | |
Meanwhile here and there.....
. Television is here! That is, if you live in New York. A sample night of viewing would be turning on the set, watching the test pattern and hoping someone would show up!
. On September 29th the Munich Pact was signed giving Hitler a belated birthday gift....Czechoslovakia! He liked it so much he decided he wanted a matched set..so he took Poland!
* "Tomorrow's in the Sky" (Walter-Walter) from The Electric Hour 6/2/1946
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September, 1939 " If
you are but a dream, I hope I never waken. It's more than I can bear to find that I'm forsaken... "* |
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You were rehearsing for your second Chase and Sanborn Hour this month when you heard the news you would be starring with Jeanette again in "Bittersweet" to be filmed in glorious Technicolor. But, before the month was out, the film was shelved and "New Moon" was rushed into production..in black and white! But there were three more C & S Hours to go with stellar guest spots...Madeleine Carroll, Mischa Auer, Anita Louise and David Niven. On the 27th you had a recording session at Columbia and you did "Song of the Volga Boatman" in Russian from your soon-to-be released film"Balalaika". |
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Meanwhile here and there....
. Britain declares war on Germany and a wholesale evacuation of women and children from London begins.
. Roosevelt choses General George Marshall to be Army Chief of Staff.
. John Steinbeck published "Grapes of Wrath".
* "If You Are But a Dream" (Bonx-Fulton-Jaffe) recorded for Everest 12/1960
New Moon
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September, 1940
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Bittersweet was "in the can" in August but the entire crew stayed around to celebrate Herbert Stothart's 55th birthday on September 11th. You made a special recording with Jeanette to give him as a keepsake. On the 20th, you were in NewYork to do a 15 minute radio progam for British War Relief titled "We Think of England" with Rudy Vallee, Helen Hayes, Sir Cedric Hardwicke and the British ambassador. |
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Meanwhile here and there....
. In the US the first peacetime draft was approved September 15.
. The Battle of Britain had been raging for 2 months when, on the 15th, German warplanes blitzed London with over 1260 sorties in 24 hours. The British remained unbowed.
. The U.S. signed the "Destroyers for Bases" deal sending warships to Britain.
*"Danny Boy" aka Londonderry Air (Weatherly) from "We Think of England" 9/20/1940
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"When
I have sung my songs |
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"Chocolate Soldier" was finished in late August. But there were no radio appearances this month because you were supposed to be busy with "I Married an Angel". However, the usual snafus kept the production from starting and the picture wouldn't be ready until some time next month. Neither you or Jeanette like the script but your protests fell on deaf ears. L.B.Mayer insisted it would be a big hit for his sweethearts. He was dead wrong! |
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Meanwhile here and there....
. The building of the Pentagon in Washington D.C, one of the wonders of the modern world, began on September 11. (Ironically, the terrorist attack intended to destroy it took place on September 11, 2001, exactly 60 years later!).
. Jews in the Third Reich area were ordered to wear yellow badges, referred to as "Jewish stars".
. "Calling All Girls" published by Parents Magazine this month, became the first comic book strictly for girls!
*"When I Have Sung My Songs" (Ernest Charles) from The Chase and Sanborn Hour 11/6/38
I Married An Angel
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September, 1942 "My
days have been so wondrous |
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You were free! This summer you finally bought out your contract with MGM. But that doesn't mean you have been idle. There were five scheduled hours of The Nelson Eddy Show on CBS, a special "Soldiers With Wings" for the Army Air Corps., and a "Command Performance" over AFRS radio with Fanny Brice and Vivian Blaine. You were still worried over Woody Van Dyke's poor health but you are very happy that he is doing the movie he always wanted to do...."Journey for Margaret". It would be his last. |
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Meanwhile here and there.....
. The Manhattan Project was formed to secretly build an atomic bomb before the Germans could do it.
. John F. Kennedy, newly enlisted in the United States Navy, wrote a thank-you note toClare Booth Luce for the good luck coin she had sent him. He promised to clip it to his I.D. tags.
* "My Days Have Been So Wondrous Free" (Francis Hopkinson) from The Telephone Hour 2/23/53
The Phantom of the the Opera
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September, 1943 " The
birds of the forest |
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It has been a sad year with
the death of Woody Van Dyke in February. Then your fans were shocked
when you dyed your signature blond hair black for "The Phantom
of the Opera" with Susanna Foster and Claude Rains at Universal.
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Meanwhile here and there....
. Elsa Maxwell gave a birthday-party lunch for Lauren Bacall . It gave Bacall her first mention in Hedda Hopper's column. Maybe Lauren should have whistled.
. The U.S. invaded Italy on September 9th.
. Photographers, working for the Farm
Security Administration, were sent out to document changes in American
life during the war. Instead, it gave the goverment its
first photographic look at racial discrimination in the South.
*"Slumber On, My Little Gypsy Sweetheart" (Victor Herbert) from The Chase and Sanborn Hour 10/3/37
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"Wish
I had a golden box |
| On September 4th you did "Maytime" with Jeanette on the Lux Radio Theater, a marvelous reunion that thrilled your fans. After that, there were three Electric Hour shows on CBS with Gloria Scott, and "Showtime" for the Armed Forces Radio Service with Pat Friday and Major Meredith Willson. | |
Meanwhile here and there....
. On September 4th, an earthquake rocked the northeastern U.S. to the tune of 5.8. It was felt from Milwaukee to Maine.
. The first nuclear reactor began operation at the Hanford Site in Richland, Washington.
. Angela Lansbury had to wait for her 18th birthday before she could film a scene where she lights a cigarette in her debut film "Gaslight".
* "Red Rosy Bush" (Cable-Young) from The Telephone Hour 9/24/45
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September, 1945 "Without
a song, the day would |
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Your fans were surprised to know their idol
spent the summer playing a whale! But, as "Willie, the Whale
Who Wanted To Sing at the Met" you became a soprano, a tenor,
your own magnificent baritone, a basso and even a 100-whale chorus.
In other words, you were the entire cast of a Walt Disney opus,
a much-acclaimed part of Disney's "Make Mine Music".
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Meanwhile here and there....
. September 2nd marked the formal surrender of Japan .
. On September 11, President Truman officially named the war 'World War II" and had it so designated in the "Federal Register".
. . James Cagney invited Audie Murphy to Hollywood after seeing his photo on a LIFE magazine cover.
* "Without a Song" (Rose-Eliscu-Youmans) from The Electric Hour 6/17/1945
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September,
1946 " I see each day the morning star rise from its veil of mist afar, and shine anew when night is ended.."* |
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There has been only one "Telephone Hour" presentation this month because you should have been in Fort Ross on location for Republic's "Northwest Outpost". But once again the best laid plans of mice and men have gone awry and shooting is delayed until next month so you joined Jeanette to judge the Atwater Kent opera auditions on the 14th and 25th. |
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Meanwhile here and there....
. The vast wasteland that was television: September's primetime programming consisted of 14 network shows per week plus two weekly spots for Gillette's Cavalcade of Sports!
. Bulgaria abolished their monarchy and became "The People's Republic of Bulgaria".
. While visitng India on a train between Calcutta and Darjeeling,Mother Teresa decided to devote her life to serving the world's poor.
. Judy Garland and Phil Silvers played Frank Sinatra's Ma and Pa for a sketch on "Command Perdormance" for the armed forces.
*"Heart of My Heart" (Brown-Tchaikovsky) from The Telephone Hour 9/12/1946
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September, 1947 "God
has made His sun to shine |
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| Movies are now a thing of the past. "Northwest Outpost" was released in early summer to lukewarm reviews so you decided to devote yourself exclusively to radio and concerts. There will be five more Kraft Music Hall programs in the summer session before you turn it over to Al Jolson on October 2nd. And you have three recording sessions this month at Columbia, all of them to complete your album of Stephen Foster classics. | |
Meanwhile here and there...
. A revitalized HUAC (inactive during the war years) was now under the leadership of J. Parnell Thomas (who would later be jailed himself for accepting kickbacks).
. Was it a bird? Was it a plane? It certainly wasn't Superman! But something crashed in Roswell, New Mexico and no one ever would say what it was or wasn't. They say President Truman set up a UFO working group called MJ-12...or did he? Will we ever know?
* "The Blind Ploughman" (Hall-Clarke) from the Kraft Music Hall 8/7/1947
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September, 1948 "When
the day is done and |
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You will be finishing up the "Kraft Music Hall " summer series this month and leaving on tour. Dorothy Kirsten has been doing the series with you except on the 16th when she was ill. But Jeanette happily filled in for her and her lovely rendition of "Romance" from "The Desert Song" was a big hit with your fans and hers. |
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Meanwhile here and there......
. NBC opened their network of midwest
television stations extending the medium from New York halfway across
the country. California, the movie capital, and the West Coast
still waits.
. More news on the new medium: it has now entered the "vaudeville" era with "Uncle Miltie" Berle!
. When Alberto Vargas decided to do
his own 1948 calendar, Esquire stopped him with a court action. Those
calendars are now collectors items. Unfortunately, there will be no
1949 Vargas Girls.
* "When Day is Done" (DeSylva- Katscher) from The Kraft Music Hall 9/16/1948
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September, 1949 " Love
is just a game |
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September always means the summer radio wind-up with just four Kraft Music Hall programs left. Still recording for Columbia, you do one of your three sessions in seven different languages. One strange but true occurence, you do an interview with your old nemesis, Louella Parsons on her radio program over KECA. Personal appearances and guest radio spots take up the rest of the month. |
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Meanwhile here and there......
. President Truman announced on the 23rd that the Soviet Union had successfully exploded an atomic bomb . The nuclear arms war was on! And people began building bomb shelters all over the country!
. Frank Sinatra wrote a column monthly for his school age fans in Modern Picture called "Frankie Says". The September issue featured recollections of his back-to-school days and a tribute to ..who else?..Bing Crosby!
. Bret Morrison , who did the talking for Lamont Cranston in 1943, returned to do Cranston and his alter-ego 'The Shadow' in the program of the same name.
* "You Are Free" aka Love is just a Chance (Hammerstein II- Kern) from the Kraft Music Hall 9/15/1949
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September, 1950 "Because
you speak to me |
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With the exception of a guest appearance on "Kid's Day Salute", radio seemed to be on hiatus this month. To honor your new five-year contract with Columbia, you held four recording sessions, two with opera star Eleanor Steber. But, for the first time, television is in the offing with plans for guest spots and even two possible comedies. |
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Meanwhile here and there.....
. The U.S. Marines land on Inchon and advance on Seoul, Korea.
. The "Canadian Churchman"
reported that about 60 cars attended the first "drive-in"
church service held in Winnipeg. The advent of Sunday sports had indicated
the need for
change.
. On September 27, Ezzard "Mack" Charles defeated the "Brown Bomber", Joe Louis for the heavyweight boxing championship of the world.
* "Because" (Teschemacher-Guy-D'Hardelot) from the Nelson Eddy Show 5/13/1942
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September,
1951
"With
these hands, I will |
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| You are doing your second "Alan Young Show" on television this month using both your enormous singing talent and your inate comedic abilities. Next month two more guest spots with Alan are planned and you are beginning to feel more comfortable in this new medium. | |
Meanwhile here and there....
. A Security Treaty between the USA, Australia and New Zealand was signed on September 1st in San Francisco. The purpose was to insure peace in the Pacific.
. The first plastic yacht was built
in Rhode Island. Not only is this 42-foot ketch, the Arion, the largest
and so far only plastic boat, she is also the largest thing ever made
of
plastic in the world.
. The World Federation of the Deaf was established in Rome under the auspices of the Italian Deaf Association.
. Finally! The network stations were set up and now America at last had television hook-up from coast to coast!
* "With These Hands" (Davis-Silver) recorded at Columbia 2/23/1951
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September, 1952 "Someone's
painting the leaves |
| You will be doing the Telephone Hour on the 22nd with Donald Voorhees conducting. And, even though the pilot for your situation comedy wasn't picked up, NBC will show it next month. "Nelson Eddy's Backyard" teamed you with Jan Clayton, Chick Chandler and two rambunctious little boys. But mentally you have already dismissed television as a career option and you have big plans ahead that will surprise everyone. | |
Meantime here and there......
. September 4th marked the repatriation of POW's at Freedom Village, Panmunjom, Korea.
. "I Love Lucy" aired the
famous "Candy Factory" segment!
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. Jane Wyman became the the 97th star to put hand and footprints into wet cement at Grauman's Chinese Theater.
. Senator Richard Nixon gave his famous "Checkers" speech.
* "Wish You Were Here" (Harold J. Rome) from The Nelson Eddy Show 7/25/1952
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September, 1953 " I love
to go a'wandering |
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You are on your way to a whole new career! In April, you virtually took Las Vegas by storm with " the most explosive opening in this city's nitery history!" (Variety) and packed the rooms for the entire four week run. Gale Sherwood joined you and began a partnership that would last 14 years. |
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Meanwhile here and there....
. On September 12, Jacqueline Lee Bouvier married John Fitzgerald Kennedy in Newport , Rhode Island. It was the beginning of Camelot!
. A live sit-com, "Mr. Peepers" with Wally Cox, Tony Randall and Marion Lorne opened its eyes on NBC-TV. It was hailed as a true TV original.
. Milton Greene began his pictorial essay on Marilyn Monroe for LOOK magazine. It became a collection of her most beautiful photographs.
* "The Happy Wanderer" (Ridge-Moeller) from The Charlie McCarthy Show 4/26/1953
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September, 1954 "Just
a song at twilight when |
| Television beckons again and you come in off the road to do a heralded guest spot on "Make Room for Daddy" with Danny Thomas. Again you did yourself proud with that knack you have for comedy that somehow L.B.Mayer and MGM never really utilized. But soon it was back on the road again with Gale and Ted and bookings sold out two years in advance. | |
Meanwhile here and there....
. SEATO (Southeast Asia Treaty Organization) was signed on September 8 in Manila by the U.S., Britain, France, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Pakistan, and Thailand.
. Ladies Day? Hurricane Edna closely followed on the heels of Hurricane Carol on a track up the East Coast and left over 7 inches of rainfall in Massachusetts alone. The gals wererestless this month!
. During the Taiwan Straits Crisis, the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff strongly recommended dropping an atomic bomb on China. They reiterated their plea after the Chinese sentenced 13 of our airmen shot down over China during the Korean war.Thank heaven, clearer heads intervened.
* "Just a Song at Twilight" (Bingham-Molloy) from The Electric Hour 5/13/1945
After 1954....
You went on criss-crossing the globe filling the world with your music...until
you left us in the wee hours of March 6, 1967. But your heavenly music
is still with us, Nelson, and for that we are eternally grateful.
You are not Forgotten!
Pictures by Joan Woolley
For more on Nelson ..
"At
the Balalaika: A Nelson Eddy Tribute"
