Worth 1,000 Words: AL JOLSON, fishing for love in AVALON
By Steve Crum
While he may not have been the world’s greatest angler, AL JOLSON was always The World’s Greatest Entertainer. Here he mugs it, as usual, oddly hatted as a sailor while fishing in Avalon Bay at Catalina Island. The photo was probably taken during the mid-1930’s. Jolie frequented Catalina often, and (the story goes) discovered future songwriter and friend BUDDY DeSYLVA there as DeSylva dived for coins tourists would throw from visiting ships. Fact or fiction, the legend persists. But it is true that Buddy DeSylva eventually became a successful composer of popular songs, a movie producer, and co-founder of Capitol Records. [from Steve Crum’s showbiz memorabilia collection]
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AVALON, written by DeSylva, Vincent Rose and Al Jolson, was published in 1920, and became a huge hit for Jolson. (Jolson’s actual input into the song’s composition is questionable. His name was often added–on dozens of songs–in exchange for his plugging the tune in one of his shows.) Jolson sang it in two of his Broadway extravaganzas, Sinbad and Bombo, as well as in The Jolson Story (1946). Avalon became a popular standard for many, particularly Benny Goodman. Interestingly, the publishers of Avalon were successfully sued in 1921 for plagiarism, charged that the melody was lifted from Puccini’s aria E lucevan le stelle from the opera Tosca. The Puccini folks were awarded $25,000 along with all subsequent royalties. This did not deter Jolson, Goodman, and many others from continuing to perform the memorable song.
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The lyrics to AVALON:
EV’RY MORNING MEM’RIES STRAY
ACROSS THE SEA WHERE FLYING FISHES PLAY
AND AS THE NIGHT IS FALLING
I FIND THAT I’M RECALLING
THAT BLISSFUL ALL ENTHRALLING DAY
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AVALON, written by DeSylva, Vincent Rose and Al Jolson, was published in 1920, and became a huge hit for Jolson. (Jolson’s actual input into the song’s composition is questionable. His name was often added–on dozens of songs–in exchange for his plugging the tune in one of his shows.) Jolson sang it in two of his Broadway extravaganzas, Sinbad and Bombo, as well as in The Jolson Story (1946). Avalon became a popular standard for many, particularly Benny Goodman. Interestingly, the publishers of Avalon were successfully sued in 1921 for plagiarism, charged that the melody was lifted from Puccini’s aria E lucevan le stelle from the opera Tosca. The Puccini folks were awarded $25,000 along with all subsequent royalties. This did not deter Jolson, Goodman, and many others from continuing to perform the memorable song.
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The lyrics to AVALON:
EV’RY MORNING MEM’RIES STRAY
ACROSS THE SEA WHERE FLYING FISHES PLAY
AND AS THE NIGHT IS FALLING
I FIND THAT I’M RECALLING
THAT BLISSFUL ALL ENTHRALLING DAY
JUST BE-FORE I SAILED AWAY
SHE SAID THE WORD I LONGED TO HEAR HER SAY,
I TENDERLY CARESSED HER
CLOSE TO MY HEART I PRESSED HER
UPON THAT GOLDEN YESTERDAY
I FOUND MY LOVE IN AVALON
BESIDE THE BAY
I LEFT MY LOVE IN AVALON AND SAILED AWAY
I DREAM OF HER AND AVALON
FROM DUSK ‘TIL DAWN
AND SO I THINK I’LL TRAVEL ON
TO AVALON
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Listen to Jolson singing the melodic AVALON: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8mhhTH1pHc
Worth 1,000 Words: NATALIE WOOD & JAMES DEAN, rebellious youth
By Steve Crum
Hiding in the bushes, NATALIE WOOD and JAMES DEAN wait until it is safe during an intense scene in this still from 1955’s REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE, directed by Nicholas Ray. Both Wood and Dean symbolize teenage angst throughout the film, yet it is James Dean who became THE teen icon of that era. Undoubtedly, Dean’s tragic 1955 death in a car accident established his legend forever. Both Dean and Wood died far too early in their lives. [from Steve Crum’s showbiz memorabilia collection]
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NATALIE WOOD (July 20, 1938-Nov. 29, 1981), born Natasha Zacherenko of Russian immigrant parents, acted in many films throughout her relatively brief career. From Miracle on 34th Street (1947) to Rebel Without a Cause to Gypsy (1962), Natalie Wood’s charisma and talent made her a star. She was Oscar nominated for her work in Rebel Without a Cause, Splendor in the Grass (1961), and Love With the Proper Stranger (1963). One of my favorite Wood films is Inside Daisy Clover (1965). Natalie Wood drowned before her last film, Brainstorm, was completed. However, a stand-in was used for her, and the movie was eventually released. Natalie Wood was 43 years-old at her death.
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JAMES DEAN (Feb. 8, 1931-Sept. 30, 1955) made only three feature films during his short life, but he is idolized by many to this day. In the course of two years, he starred in East of Eden (garnering a Best Actor Oscar nomination), Rebel Without a Cause, and Giant (released posthumously in 1956). Dean was 24 when he was killed.
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REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE features James Dean as Jim Stark, a new high school boy in town who has to prove himself against switchblade slashing, hotrod driving bullies. Supporting him in the cast are Sal Mineo, Nick Adams, Dennis Hopper, Jim Backus, Ann Doran, William Hopper and Ed Platt.
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Here is the trailer to Rebel Without a Cause: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAlzg0S51GY
Worth 1,000 Words: 3 thinkers, BUSTER KEATON & his boys
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By Steve Crum
Emulating Rodin’s famous “The Thinker” bronze and marble sculpture, BUSTER KEATON (center), a stone face in his own right, strikes the pose while flanked by equally pensive sons Robert (left) and James. Probably taken in 1931 or ’32, Buster was nearing the end of his marriage to actress Natalie Talmadge. They were married from 1921-32. [from Steve Crum’s showbiz memorabilia collection]
Emulating Rodin’s famous “The Thinker” bronze and marble sculpture, BUSTER KEATON (center), a stone face in his own right, strikes the pose while flanked by equally pensive sons Robert (left) and James. Probably taken in 1931 or ’32, Buster was nearing the end of his marriage to actress Natalie Talmadge. They were married from 1921-32. [from Steve Crum’s showbiz memorabilia collection]
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BUSTER KEATON (Oct. 4, 1895-Feb. 1, 1966) is considered one of the greatest film comedians and directors of all time, based largely on his body of silent film work from 1920-29. During that period, Keaton’s brilliant output included cinema gems The Navigator, Sherlock Jr., Our Hospitality, Steamboat Bill Jr., and The General. In fact, The General registers on most all-time film lists as one of the top comedies ever made. Orson Welles, whose Citizen Kane consistently makes the top of the top movie lists, hailed Keaton’s skills as a comedian, actor and director. Citing The General, Welles said it is “the greatest comedy ever made, the greatest Civil War film ever made, and perhaps the greatest film ever made.”
Buster Keaton, called The Great Stoneface because of his deadpan expression while acting, was born Joseph Frank Keaton in Piqua, Kansas, a stone’s throw from Iola, Kansas, where each year for the past 17 years, a Buster Keaton Celebration has been held to celebrate Keaton’s film genius. Special guests have included Keaton’s widow, Eleanor (now deceased), Kevin Brownlow, James Karen, Steve Allen, Edie Adams, Leonard Maltin, and Keaton’s granddaughter.
This year’s 18th Annual Celebration, Sept. 24-25, Keaton & The Tragic Clowns Harry Langdon, Raymond Griffith, Charley Chase, will honor Buster and three of his contemporaries. Admission is free for the two-day event. Be sure to book your motel early. Iola is about a two hour drive from Kansas City.
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Then there is the International Buster Keaton Society‘s annual celebration in Muskegon, Michigan, Oct. 1-2. Sponsored by The Damfinos, the official name of the fan club, this year’s theme is The Year of the Chase. Registration fees vary from $80-$125.
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Please enjoy Buster Keaton and excerpts from his classic, The General: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3xh108cLbo
Worth 1,000 Words UPDATE: CROSBY, SCOTT, DENNIS, BUSHKIN
THE MYSTERY TO THE POST BELOW [please scroll down] IS SOLVED! Prolific author RICHARD GRUDENS (When Jolson Was King, Bing Crosby: Crooner of the Century, The Music Men, and many more) identifies the two mystery men as (far left) MATT DENNIS and (far right) JOE BUSHKIN.
MATT DENNIS (Feb. 11, 1914-June 21, 2002) was a singer, pianist, bandleader and composer. One of his compositions was Angel Eyes. Dick Haymes sang with his band.
JOE BUSHKIN (Nov. 7, 1916-Nov. 3, 2004), a jazz pianist, accompanied many singers, and toured with Bing Crosby during the 1960’s. He co-wrote Oh! Look at Me Now, an early Frank Sinatra hit. He arranged and played for the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.
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I am leaving the posting below as it was to portray the identity crisis that occurred in the search for truth. Truth now prevails. Thanks, Richard, and all who contributed their thoughts.
Worth 1,000 Words: BING CROSBY, RANDOLPH SCOTT & ??
ENJOYING A DAY on the links, these four show business pals seem to be in pretty good spirits. (Well, ONE of them looks happy.) Taken in the mid to late 1930’s (estimated), the photo should be labeled “worth 500 words,” because only two of the foursome are identifiable to yours truly. For sure it is RANDOLPH SCOTT (Jan. 23-1898-March 2, 1987), second from left, with BING CROSBY (May 3, 1903-Oct. 14, 1977) to his left.
But WHO are the two guys flanking Crosby and Scott? The back of this rare photo says, “Bing and Randolph + 2 songwriters.” I am pretty sure that is not Irving Berlin to the far right, but then again…. Anyone who knows the two composers’ names, please let me know either by e-mail or the comment tab below. If you know the location and date, please pass along that info too. I have had this picture for about 15 years, and still don’t know all the names involved. Let’s all play…NAME THOSE TUNESMITHS! [from Steve Crum’s show biz memorabilia collection]
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UPDATE: Since posting, several names have been suggested as to the identities, including Jimmy Van Heusen (far left) and Johnny Burke (far right). It would be a logical assumption since the two collaborated on many songs introduced by Crosby. If so, that would date the photo 1940 or beyond, since the two composers teamed in ’40. However, available photos of Burke and Van Heusen are from much later, making a physical match nearly impossible. Irving Berlin and Harry Warren have also been named as the unknowns. Yet again, could the two mystery men be professional golfers instead of songwriters? This spot is still open for endorsements or differing opinions.
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Enjoy this terrific clip of Bing in duet with Bette Midler, 1977: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z45EB4TiYz4