Crum on Showbiz

LARRY PARKS, OSCAR NOMINATED FOR THE JOLSON STORY (1946), gives out with For Me and My Gal in this dynamic scene from 1949’s JOLSON SINGS AGAIN, the sequel to THE JOLSON STORY. It was Al Jolson’s actual singing voice expertly lip synched by Parks in both movies. This vintage movie still was one of my prized possessions (I recently sold it), since it is autographed by Parks. Incidentally, there were plans for a third film about Jolie’s life, this time starring Jolson as himself, when he suddenly died in October, 1950, after entertaining troops in Korea. [from Steve Crum’s showbiz memorabilia collection]

THE DATE ON THE BACK IS STAMPED JUNE 26, 1939 (a mere 70 years ago), and in those days, these two radio and film personalities were known for their voices and girth. In ’39, both ANDY DEVINE and DON WILSON were regulars on THE JACK BENNY PROGRAM on radio, Don being Jack’s announcer. This rarely seen press photo’s caption states: Andy Devine, he of the funny voice, and Don Wilson, he of the pleasing voice on Jack Benny’s radio program, arrived on the T.W.A. Sky Master today (Friday) from Hollywood to aid Jack Benny in the taking over of Waukegan. The world premiere of Benny’s picture, “Man About Town,” will be held Sunday in the North Shore town.–T.W.A. News Bureau [from Steve Crum’s showbiz memorabilia collection]

NEVER TEAMED AS SADDLE PALS, King of the Cowboys ROY ROGERS (left) and comedy great FLIP WILSON bead down the barrel in this publicity photo curiosity. As the accompanying CBS-TV caption, dated Oct. 17, 1975, states: Flip Wilson takes aim, with some pointers in marksmanship from guest star Roy Rogers, in “Travels With Flip,” the second of Wilson’s travel-entertainment specials, to be broadcast Friday, Nov. 14 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET) on the CBS Television Network. [from Steve Crum’s showbiz memorabilia collection]

TAKEN 50 YEARS AGO, this rare publicity photo features two pop singers whose records were in competition with Elvis during the dawn of rock ‘n roll and beyond. ANDY WILLIAMS, left, accepts a pair of white bucks from PAT BOONE. The shoes were Boone’s signature apparel. Dated Jan. 16, 1959, the ABC-TV press info on the reverse is headlined, ANDY TAKES OVER FOR PAT JULY 3: Come July 3, ABC-TV’s Pat Boone will be off for a summer of filming and vacationing, and Andy Williams will be minding “The Chevy Showroom.” Andy will be aided and abetted by comedian Dick Van Dyke and the dancing Bob Hamilton Trio. [from Steve Crum’s show biz memorabilia collection]