The Young Swingers (20th Century Fox) (1963)

Gene McDaniels, Rod Lauren and Jack Larson confer at the refreshment bar of the co-op club they operate for young talent in “The Young Swingers,” a 20th Century-Fox release which features popular recording stars in a comedy laced with nine musical numbers ranging from Hootenanny to lyrical ballads. Molly Bee is also starred in this lively comedy which is set to open on.... Theatre. MAT 2B at ther. o ss Gene McDaniels Swings in Motion Picture Debut New screen face Gene McDaniels, versatile young baritone and Liberty recording artist, cannot remember when he was not singing. And he’s singing in his motion picture debut in “The Young Swingers,” 20th CenturyFox’s tune-filled comedy which Opens One |... au theo. Theatre, Gene co-stars with three other recording stars, Rod Lauren, Molly Bee and Jack Larson. A minister’s son, his early exposure to religious music has strongly influenced his singing style. Today he is as much at home singing gospels and spirituals as he is with rock-and-roll such as his first hit record, ‘100 Pounds of Clay.” In “The Young Swingers” he does a folk ballad, “The Voice on the Mountain” and a swing rhythm number, “Mad, Mad, Mad.” While still in junior high school, Gene formed his own vocal quartet, the Echoes of Joy. The combo, which later abbreviated its name to the Echoes, then switched to the Sultans, toured the country singing at churches and for affiliated groups. The only other member of the quartet still in show business is Billy Barnes. His breakthrough to professional recognition came when he was discovered at a small Los Angeles club, The Lamp, a place where show people gathered for new sound diversion. One of the followers was Don Reardon, an actor, who insisted that Gene cut a record. Finally after three months of persuasion, an interview was set up with the president of Liberty Records. Impressed with the young baritone, they cut a single called “Angel Eyes.” This was followed shortly by his first recording. “In Times Like These.” However, the third time out was the charm. He recorded ‘100 Pounds of Clay,” and he was in. His ambition is stated quietly and with conviction: “I want to be the best singer in the business.” Following his screen debut in “The Young Swingers” he has the same sincere feeling about wanting to be the best actor in the business. His producer director Maury Dexter believes he will make it as a screen personality. The Sherwoods Make Screen Debut with Hootenanny in ‘Young Swingers’ Making their screen debut in 20th Century-Fox’s tune-filled comedy, “The Young Swingers,” are The Sherwoods, a musical group of two. They are blue-eyed, red-haired, 20-year-old Karen Gunderson and tall, blonde, 22year-old John Merritt, both of Pasadena City College. Exponents of folk style singing, they first met at social functions at school, each singing individually. Karen, a sorority girl, and John, a fraternity man, decided to combine their talents as a group. There was a third member, Al Parker, who at first worked with John and later with Karen. It was as a trio that they made their splash at club dates that led to a recording contract with Horizon Records. However, shortly after being signed for “The Young Swingers” Al was suddenly called back for Marine duty, and Karen and John were left to carry on. They sing two Hootenanny tunes in the picture, “Green Back Dollar” and “Elijah,” and they back Molly Bee in her rendition of another folk song, “You Pass Me By.” In “The Young Swingers” The Sherwoods are featured with fellow recording artists Rod Lauren, Molly Bee, Gene McDaniels and Jack Larson, the young stars of this 20th Century-Fox release produced and directed by Maury Dexter. "The Young Swingers” Bring Hootenanny to Screen Featuring Youthful Recording Artists Molly Is ‘Truly a Busy Bee in Show Business Activity Stardom and _ success does everything for a young artist except shorten the working hours. But talented Molly Bee, who costars with Rod Lauren, Gene McDaniels and Jack Larson in “The Young Swingers,” 20th CenturyFox’s tune-filled comedy opening <a. ss atethe .. .. “ePheatremisays, “What a wonderful way to wear myself out!” The blonde star, who has the appearance of a perennial teenager, is no doubt the busiest single performer in the history of the entertainment world. Molly was a radio artist at the age of ten, a recording star just a few years later and became a T'V personality at fifteen. For two anda half years she sang on Tennessee Ernie Ford’s daily show, and prior to that had a similar stint for the same period with Pinkie Lee. Besides having her own TV show for 18 months, the singeractress has been regularly featured on the networks’ top variety and dramatic shows. And to keep her finger on the public pulse she rounds out her spare time with personal appearances at state fairs, where she breaks attendance records each time, and has become a veteran of the international nightclub circuit. Molly makes her sixth motion picture in “The Young Swingers” portraying the orphaned daughter of a famous singer killed in a USO plane crash with her hus band. She goes to live with her guardian aunt, a wealthy real estate tycoon who is obsessed with evicting Molly’s boy friend from his co-operative talent club in a building she owns. Born in Oklahoma City, part Choctaw Indian and part English by ancestry, Molly was first intent on being a ballerina. After her family moved to Tucson, Arizona, Molly continued her dancing, but at the age of 10 she was heard singing in a school play by the popular Tucson disc jockey, Rex Allen. The song was “Lovesick Blues,” which she sang on his show a few days later. Soon thereafter, the family moved to Los Angeles, and the honey blonde’s career really began to sizzle when Cliffie Stone heard the little girl with the big voice sing “‘Lovesick Blues.” She was featured on his show and quickly signed to a recording contract. Her real name is Mollie Jene Beachboard, but it’s been Molly Bee since she began her career as a singer, and she’s certainly living up to her name by being a very busy talented young lady. “The Young Swingers” was produced and directed by Maury Dexter from a screenplay by Harry Spalding. Recording stars Karen Gunderson and John Merritt form the duo known as The Sherwoods who perform two Hootenanny numbers in “The Young Swingers” and accompany Molly Bee in another. The 20th Century-Fox swinging comedy, also starring young recording artists Rod Lauren, Gene McDaniels and Jack Larson, features nine musical numbers ranging from Hootenanny to ballads. It is set to Openonu.,. . atthe. . . Theatre. MAT 2D Lauren Clicks in Meteoric Rise to Singing Star of Tuneful Comedy Rod Lauren is one of the exciting new young star personalities in 20th Century-Fox’s tune-filled comedy, “The Young Swingers,” opening ....atthe.... Theatre. Co-starring with Molly Bee, Gene McDaniels and Jack Larson, Rod has captured the imagination of the entertainment world and the public in a very short time, “T never thought of singing as a career,” he says. “And I never studied voice formally. In school, I took heavy science and math courses with the idea of going into a pre-dental program, But I always was a fan of the movie and singing greats. Often, when I went to a movie, I would walk home imitating these idols. I was hooked, whether I knew it then, or not.” It was Lauren’s last semester in high school when he appeared in “Arsenic and Old Lace” that he began to think of a career in show business. “At Stockton College, I did an abrupt about face. I dropped the math and science and took up drama, speech, art, history, psychology and music. I also joined the Fresno Civic Theatre Group.” He was cast in the singing role in “The Boy Friend” with this group, and this led to a performance on a local television show. Rod impressed Don Gross, a musician at the studios who asked him to make a demonstration recording of Gross’ new song. This led to an audition with RCA, and his first recording, “If I Had a Girl,” became a hit. The sensational hit prompted Perry Como to introduce him on national TV. Since then, in a period of three years, he has toured Australia, been featured in plush night spots throughout the country, appeared on nearly every major television show and has been in five motion pictures. In “The Young Swingers” he plays a young singer who manages a co-operative club for showcasing untried talent. His triumph over the tribulations of running the club, caused by a greedy real estate operator, enables Rod to display his dramatic abilities as well as his singing. His big number in the picture is a lyrical ballad, “Can’t Get You Out of My Heart.” “The Young Swingers” was produced and directed by Maury Dexter from a screenplay by Harry Spalding for Associated Producers, Inc. It has eight other tunes besides the one Lauren sings ranging from ballads to Hootenanny. Youthful, popular recording artists, nine rhythmic tunes and frolicking fun in a sparkling comedy with fresh faces i is the mixture that “The Young Swingers” will offer when it opens...at the. . Theatre, Co-starring Rod Lauren, Molly Bee, Gene McDaniels and Jack Lar son, this 20th Century-Fox release is designed to appeal to the millions of their Jack Larson, Molly Bee and Rod Lauren are three of the young stars in 20th Century-Fox’s tune-filled comedy, Theatre. opening on....atthe.... “The Young Swingers,” MAT 2A Jack Larson Scores in "The Young Swingers’ Youthful singing mimic Jack Larson, a promising entertainer with fresh wit, makes his second motion picture appearance as a star in “The Young Swingers,” 20th Century-Fox’s tune-filled comedy which opens... . at the . Theatre. Larson, co-starred with Rod Lauren, Molly Bee and Gene McDaniels, scores with his lively and imaginative special material and introduces a new song, “I’m a Watusi Surfer,” which is done in the new and popular “surfer” sound. It is one of nine numbers in the picture. One of eleven children, Jack was born in Onawa, Iowa, moved to Salem, Oregon, when he was 13 years old and started his career there as a nightclub entertainer, doing comedy, singing and impressions. His show-stopping impersonations, fresh and clever material and an appealing rhythm singing style have made him one of the most promising young entertainers in show business. A guest appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, where he did a devastating take-off on Sullivan himself, launched Larson into important club time all over the world. It was his success in this field that led to his being cast in “The Young Swingers” by producer-director Maury Dexter as one of the co-op partners in the talent showcase club run by Rod Lauren and Gene McDaniels. In addition to his “I’m a Watusi Surfer” number Larson does a special material monologue with impression variations. He made one previous appearance in a motion picture when he did a comedy song in “Teenage Millionaire.” Larson is a dedicated performer who would like nothing better than settle down in Hollywood to get away from the rigors of the road and fulfil his family obligations. Married to a professional dancer he met during a Las Vegas engagement, he has one son from a previous marriage and expects a second child late this year. “T’ve had rough times since 1 left home when I was 13 , years old,” he says, “but it’s all been fun, even the big disappointments, It’s all part of what I love.” record-buying fans, as well as to young people and those who fancy light film fare. Sprinkled with nine tunes that range from Hootenanny, lyrical ballads, swing and rock rhythms to the new surfer sound (all the song interludes develop out of natural continuity action), “The Young Swingers” is the story of a co-operative talent club, the driving, ambitious fun-loving personalities behind it and the older people who want to destroy at Rod Lauren, new young star of television, motion pictures and recordings, plays one of the singers in the co-op who manages the club. Pretty, talented and popular Molly Bee portrays the orphaned daughter of a famous singer who died in a plane crash. She lives with her aunt, a wealthy real estate tycoon obsessed with evicting the club from its quarters. Gene McDaniels, whose fame was launched with his recording of “100 Pounds of Clay,” makes his screen debut as another member of the co-op who is working his way through college. Jack Larson, youthful singing mimic and promising new face, completes the quartet of youthful stars as another partner in the club. Singing “I’m a Watusi Surfer,” he introduces the new surfer sound. The folk-singing combo, The Sherwoods, who are Karen Gunderson and John Merritt, round out the cast of new faces, As members of the club they perform two specialty Hootenanny numbers, “Green Back Dollar” and “Elijah.” and back Molly Bee in another Hootenanny song, “You Pass Me By.” Veteran character actors Jo Helton, Justin Smith, Jack Younger and Jerry Summers are those who line up against the survival of the club. Other musical numbers include a lyrical ballad, “Can’t Get You Out of My Heart,” sung by Rod Lauren and a folk ballad, “The Voice on the Mountain,” sung by Gene McDaniels. McDaniels and Molly Bee handle the swing numbers, with Molly singing “Come A Runnin’” and Gene doing “Mad, Mad, Mad.” An instrumental rock rhythm, “Come to the Party,” is performed by the Bobby Harris Sextet. Maury Dexter produced and directed “The Young Swingers” from a screenplay by Harry Spalding for Associated Producers, Inc. Nine Musical Numbers “Green Back Dollar” “Elijah” “You Pass Me By” ’ “Tm a Watusi Surfer’ “Can’t Get You Out of My Heart” “The Voice on the Mountain” “Come A’Runnin’ ” Sung by The Sherwoods Sung by The Sherwoods Sung by Molly Bee Sung by Jack Larson Sung by Rod Lauren Sung by Gene McDaniels Sung by Molly Bee Sung by Gene McDaniels Played by Bobby Harris Sextet