Hollywood Motion Picture Review (1944)

When just a kid I always longed To hear the sound of a cricket’s song. When I grew up I learned to care For rare old music from everywhere. Well, let’s dish out a few stacks of musical knick knacks . . . Marjorie Lawrence, the Aus¬ tralian nightingale who has fought a long and bitter fight against in¬ fantile paralysis, has filled her schedule with entertainment for servicemen both in this country and abroad. (It pays to have faith.) . . . The newest hot combo in town is Russell (Nimble Fingers) Trost, and his instrumental trio. Hot ala — Cole . . . Did you know that Red (I Dood It) Skelton got his start in show business by appearing in a walkathon contest in Camden, N. J., and has been climbing since . . . What happened to Pinky (The Object of My Affection) Tomlin? He skyrocketed to musical fame with his brain child, and then did a quick fade-out. I can name sev¬ eral tune-smiths who hit the lime¬ light with a freak song hit (and then came the dawn) . . . The old line of come up and see my etchings, is now changed to come up and listen to my wonder¬ ful collection of private recordings, and if you like them (try and get one) . . . Kate Smith recently received a Persian kitten as a gift from a radio fan. The kitten’s arrival made Kate’s sad-eyed cocker spaniel, sadder and forlorn. Regretfully Kate gave the Persian kitten to a neighbor. (Jealdus dog) . . . Did you hear the new song con¬ cocted by Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Durante, and Garry Moore ? En¬ titled — “The Voice — The Nose — The Haircut.”. . . Margie (Platinum Blonde) Al¬ corn, my favorite gal, and (Miss Cincinnati to you) has turned down a N. Y. show to come to Hollywood for a fling at the flickers ? This gal may soon be the hottest find in town . . . (and I ain’t a-kiddin). . . Bob Burns says: “I’m crossing a pig with a horse for Bing Cros¬ by.” He wants a nag that will bring home the bacon . . . There are song pluggers and song pluggers. But when it comes to personality, class and diplomacy — the cake goes to Smiling Ed MacHarg, Jack Robbins fair-haired boy . . . Did you know that the N. Y. Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra is the oldest in the U. S.? It is 105 years old, and was organized in 1841. (I wonder what kind of in¬ struments they used in those days.) Lou (I’m a Bad Boy) Costello says: “A Spanish dinner is an in¬ ternational hot foot.”. . . To ease your mind (Countess Carlotti): “La Boheme” was first presented in Turin, Italy, Feb. 1, 1896, under the direction of the one and only (Toscanini.) And I hope you win your bet . . . George Waggner who produced the picture (“Tangier”) for Uni¬ versal, is somewhat of a lyricist as well, as he wrote the English lyrics to that popular Latin tune “La Noche es Nuestra,” translated, which means (“Love Me Tonight”) with music by Gabriel Ruiz, the (Irving Berlin of Mexico) . . . Eddie (The Eyes) Cantor is scheduled to speak soon in San Francisco on behalf of the United Jewish Appeal. He expects to fol¬ low up speeches in Portland, Spo¬ kane and San Diego. That little guy gets around and does more good not only for Jewish appeals, but Catholic and Protestant as well. A real philanthropist at heart . . . Spike Corn Jones besides being a good musician, is a good car me¬ chanic as well, and is partial to the sport of auto racing. As he owns a car that will be entered in the Indianapolis auto races on Memorial Day. (What odds?) . . . A nice place to relax, with a fine homey atmosphere is the “Blue Palm.” Run by two swell guys, Chas. McDonald and Hugh Nichols. This is one place where you get plenty of gags thrown at you, from all angles. A little corny, but aren’t we all . . . Lee Sprankel and Norman Wegand, latest song team, will soon be heard from. Stan Kenton is said to be the tallest bandleader in the business. He is 6 feet 5 inches tall . . . Freeman Gosden (who is Amos) and Charlie Correll (who is Andy) of the well-known team of Amos and Andy, have celebrated their 26th year as partners and have never had a cross word between them. (That is something in Holly¬ wood.) . . . Nelson Eddy recorded a special song to be used as a part of the nation-wide victory clothing drive. Title is “Have You Got Old Clothes.” The song has been waxed for distribution all over the coun¬ try, and will be used as the musi¬ cal theme of the clothing collection campaign. (Where do you get new ones?) . . . Edgar Bergen has his plans all made for next summer’s vacation. He expects to tuck Mrs. Bergen, and possibly Charlie and Mortimer into his new post-war private plane and see America first. He hopes to climax the season by planing to his ancestral home in “Stockholm, Sweden” (by yumpin yimminy)... Jack (Maestro) Meakin named his two children Jack and Jill be¬ cause, he explains: “I figured they might as well know from the start that life is a series of ups and downs. (How true.) . . . SAN FERNANDO CORRAL The Milo twins and their Holly¬ wood playboys are back in town after a tour through Arkansas and Missouri. They look alike, sing alike, and play their guitars alike. They were formerly with Tex (Green Grow the Lilacs) Ritter . . . Susan (Cow-Boogie) Mann has just recorded for Enterprise Rec¬ ords, and according to Howard (Buffalo) Utter, the head of the sales force for Enterprise, its in the bag . . . Well it looks like Republic has won out with Gene Autry, which means that Gene will do at least four more westerns for his old alma mater. He owes it to his mil¬ lions of kid fans that are waiting anxiously for him to get back on the screen. And all the time he was in the Army he received more fan mail than any western star in the business . . . I am very sorry to hear that the Sunshine Girls have split — as they had the best western gal trio for my money. I personally think the gals have made a big mistake, as they were really goin’ places. They have looks, personality, and a per¬ fect blend, and three nice kids to boot. This is to Colleen, Vivian and Jean — I’ll let you in on a secret, I had a recording deal ^11 set up for you kids . . . Bob (Red) Cason, the bad hombre of the screen, was once a fighter of note, having licked some good boys. He arrived in Holly¬ wood in 1940, when his contract was bought up by Hugh (WooWoo) Herbert, and rebought by Joe Pasternak. ’Tis rumored that Bob may portray the Manassa Mauler (Jack Dempsey to you) on the screen. And I think that Bob would do a good job if he were given the chance. As Bob says: “I’ll be here when the dust settles.” (What a man.) . . . Chief Thunder Cloud, who is a Cherokee American Indian, better known to millions of kids and grown-ups in the flickers as Tonto, is a concert singer as well as a screen actor. He’s a fine gentleman, and is well liked by everyone. (How about a powwow.) . . . Monte (Texas) Hale, the fair¬ haired boy at Republic, is contem¬ plating on buying a new Cadillac with the royalties he expects to get on his late recording of “I Learned to Love You Too Late.” There’s plenty of gals carrying a torch for that guy (I wonder why.) . . . Hi, ho, Kenney. BUY VICTORY BONDS { LEW LEROY’S j j Swunee Inn | I “Harlem in Hollywood ” ; j Shelton Brooks, Jr. ; Hollywood's Dwight Fiske ; Zutty Singleton ; Esuire No. I Drummer • Eugene Smith i Sultan of the Ivories ■ ! No Cover, no Minimum | ; Open 7 Days Weekly ■ j 133 No. LaBrea Ph. WY-9398 j '.iimiiMiiiiiMiiiiiiiiMMiiiiiiiiiiimMiiniiitiimii. ACE MOTOR SALES Specializing Late Models USED CARS 2018 So. Figueroa ADOLPH WITKIN Custom Tailors 0517 Sunset Blvd. RICHARDS’ LTD. GENE GERSON CR 5-9011 I >1 I* O It T E D G A It A It D 1 > E S F L A N N E L S — W O It S T E D S Page Ten Hollywood N I T E L I F E