Radio and television mirror (July-Dec 1942)

// was ill health that mac Russ Morgan master the trot bone. Now he's both healthy and successful. Left, with Anne Gwynne at the Universe movie studio. Below, beaut ful Elizabeth Rogers, wAc sings with Morgan's orchestra. UNION CZAR JAMES PETRILLO'S decision to stop his musicians from making any records or electrical transcriptions for radio or juke box use, threw the band and broadcasting world into a state of jitters. At our press time no compromise had been found but cooler heads did not believe the union edict would be carried out. Petrillo is mainly concerned about the many unemployed musicians and the many radio stations who, he claims, capitalize on recordings and do not hire enough "live" musicians. * * * Look for a number of second-flight dance bands to fold before the Fall. War-time conditions have made operations too precarious. * * * Benny Goodman will be featured in the forthcoming film, "Powers Girl," based on the famous professional models. Other movie minded maestros are Xavier Cugat who's in the Columbia film, "You Were Never Lovelier," and Sammy Kaye who is appearing in the 20th Century-Fox film, "Iceland." * * * Bobby Byrne filed a voluntary petition in bankruptcy, listing over $50,000 in liabilities. The young trombonist suffered mostly from an overabundance of ballyhoo. He is now making a fresh start. * * * Larry Clinton was graduated recently from a civilian aeronautical school and is eligible for a Navy or Army commission as a flying instructor. Frank Sinatra is due to leave Tommy Dorsey's band this Fall and branch out as an individual .soloist. He has a contract with Columbia records set and is negotiating for a commercial. * * * Clifford Odets penned the George Gershwin movie scenario for Warner Brothers and its 550 pages is said to make it one of the longest scripts ever turned out. * * * Lucky Strike's Hit Parade signed singer Barry Wood for his twelfth consecutive thirteen-week stint. This is the longest run in the history of the show for any performer. * * * Vera Barton, CBS songstress, is being called "America's Defense Girl." Her series of musical salutes to defense factories and shipyards winning the coveted Navy "E" pennants, has won official commendation. * * * Lionel Hampton and his fine band will be back on the air from Casa Manana, Culver City, California, September 25. THIS CHANGING WORLD: Al Donahue is recovering from an appendectomy . . . Jan Savitt is another bandleader to add a string section . . . Merry Eilers is Bob Allen's new canary . . . Ralph Young has replaced drafted Ken Curtis as Shep Fields' vocalist . . . Marcia Neil, who sings on NBC's Johnny Presents programs, is a 23-year-old former music teacher . . . Vaughn Monroe's new By KEN ALDEN girl vocal quartet, The Four M's, used to be known as The Le Ann Sisters . . . Newt Stammers is now conducting Orrin Tucker's band . . . Billy Butterfield, one of the country's out \ standing trumpet stars, has joined Les Brown's band. * * * Red Norvo has made a complete ! cycle. He's back again leading a small, i swing-styled septet, after fair-tomiddling success as the conductor of larger staffed orchestras. Right now he's playing at New York's The i Famous Door in swing alley. * * *"" Have any old records? Why not send them to Records For Our Fighting Men, Inc., which is designed to help the record companies collect old j disks for the valuable shellac on them, and with the resultant capital, supply our men in the armed forces with new records and instruments. Kay Kyser and Kate Smith are associated with this worthwhile effort. * * * i Credit bandleader Freddy Nagel with this candid comment, culled from a recent issue of Downbeat Magazine, ; "So I do copy Kay Kyser. At least I ! admit it and that's more tr^an a lot of mimicking bandleaders are doing." * * * They say that if you dial R. Himber on a Manhattan telephone, you will get the noted bandleader on the wire. * * * Has Hal Mclntyre, whose style is not unlike that of Duke Ellington, been j Continued on page 6 RADIO AND TELEVISION MIRROR