Worth 1,000 Words: BING CROSBY, RANDOLPH SCOTT & ??

June 8, 2010


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
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Worth 1,000 Words: WILLIAM DEMAREST & ‘THE JOLSON STORY’

June 4, 2010

By Steve Crum
STEVE MARTIN (WILLIAM DEMAREST) toasts Cantor (Ludwig Donath) and Mrs. Yoelson (Tamara Shayne) at their anniversary party in this scene from THE JOLSON STORY (1946). Raising their glasses are, from left, Tom Baron (Bill Goodwin), Julie Benson aka Mrs. Al Jolson (Evelyn Keyes), and, to Demarest’s left, Al Jolson aka Asa Yoelson (Larry Parks). Moments later, Jolson would sing The Anniversary Song, specifically written for The Jolson Story. This original Columbia Pictures still is particularly revered by yours truly since it is signed by Demarest. [from Steve Crum’s showbiz memorabilia collection]
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WILLIAM DEMAREST (Feb. 27, 1892-Dec. 28, 1983) was Oscar nominated as Best Supporting Actor for his Steve Martin portrayal in The Jolson Story, an important film among his 140+ movie roles beginning in 1926. Early scenes in The Jolson Story hearken back to Demarest’s pre-movie, vaudeville and Broadway days. He even gets to play a cello, which was part of his original act. It is ironic that one of Demarest’s early films, The Jazz Singer, starred Al Jolson. Nearly 20 years later, he played Jolson’s manager in The Jolson Story and its sequel, Jolson Sings Again (1949).
Demarest is also associated with his fine work in 10 Preston Sturges films (The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek and Hail the Conquering Hero among them), and his most popular role as Uncle Charley in TV’s My Three Sons, 1965-72. The gruff and lovable actor is also memorable in a couple of my favorite movies, Along Came Jones and It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.
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GENE AUTRY, the cowboy trail begins

June 2, 2010


MOTION TOWARD


Liquid highway winds blue
Through Mojave sand.
Red mountains inch closer,
Digging a horizontal pattern on land
Of memories.
Thinking I will stand
To meet the mountains.
~By Steve Crum
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Crooning to actress EVALYN KNAPP, GENE AUTRY strums his guitar amidst the cacti, rocks, sagebrush, mountains, and moody sky. This original Mascot Studio production still is from 1934’s IN OLD SANTA FE, which starred KEN MAYNARD. Even Maynard’s horse TARZAN received top billing over Autry. In fact, Autry is unbilled in the credits, portraying an unnamed singer. SMILEY BURNETTE, who would soon become Autry’s sidekick, is also uncredited as an accordionist-singer. The following year, after smoothy stealing In Old Santa Fe from star Maynard, Gene Autry would replace him in the surrealistic western serial, The Phantom Empire. Ninety-three Autry cowboy movies would follow. [from Steve Crum’s showbiz memorabilia collection]
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Worth 1,000 Words: HOPPY & MATT DILLON, the long riders

May 30, 2010


By Steve Crum

AN ICONIC PHOTO if ever there was one, two legendary–and fictional–cowboy heroes meet. While Dennis Weaver’s Chester character from Gunsmoke observes, MARSHAL MATT DILLON (JAMES ARNESS), left, greets man in black HOPALONG CASSIDY (WILLIAM BOYD) on the set of Gunsmoke, circa 1956. [from Steve Crum’s showbiz memorabilia collection]

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Both Matt and Hoppy hold Guinness Book records for their repeated portrayals of one character. WILLIAM BOYD [June 5, 1899-Sept. 12, 1972] played Hopalong Cassidy in 66 feature films, not including his Hopalong Cassidy television series. JAMES ARNESS, born May 26, 1923, played Marshal Dillon a staggering 640 times over the 20 year Gunsmoke run, including five made-for-TV Gunsmoke movies after the series ended. That constitutes gallons of saddle soap.
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A tribute to Hoppy, William Boyd: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gf2eT1NXkWE
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Worth 1,000 Words: Happy Birthday, AL JOLSON!

May 26, 2010


By Steve Crum

Today, May 26, marks the 124th Birthday celebration of “The World’s Greatest Entertainer,” AL JOLSON [May 26, 1886-Oct. 23, 1950]. Accounts vary as to Jolie’s actual birth date, including year and day, but today is generally considered his birthday. Born Asa Yoelson or Asa Yoel in Seredzius, Lithuania, Jolson’s star power elevated him through show business in vaudeville, minstrel shows, Broadway shows, radio programs, recordings, and motion pictures for half a century.

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This rarely seen portrait of Al Jolson reading a script, and obviously enjoying it, is an original Warner Bros. Studio Keybook Photo, dated 1934, the year Jolie starred in WONDER BAR. It is likely this publicity photo was made to publicize the Vitaphone movie. [from Steve Crum’s showbiz memorabilia collection]
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