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Chase and Sandbourne sponsers a musical show that features Frances Langford as host, and vocalist. Spike Jones shows his serious band leading ability when he provides the musical back up for Frances, but he also gets the chance to shine with his own unique style. Show announcer is Ken Carpenter. These early shows were often in military hospitals where injured soldiers and sailors were recuperating from wounds. Celebrities of the day also appeared on the program, tonight’s show features comedian, Charlie Ruggles, and is from the Corona Naval Hospital in California.
Playlist:
1. Sunnyside of the Street. Frances Langford.
2. Frances and Spike exchange words.
3. Laura. Spike Jones.
4. Charlie Ruggles chats with Ken, Frances, and Spike on medical topics. The cast even wrap up with a spoof of Accentuate the Positive.
5. All of My Life. Frances Langford. Frances and Spike chat a little about the hospital ward.
6. Leave the Dishes in the Sink. Vocals by Dell Porter. Spike Jones.
7. Medley that includes: You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby, Blues in the Night, Tangerine
8. Frances talks to the troops, some of who she met while on an earlier USO tour with Bob Hope to the South Pacific.
Trivia and Extras:
From 1942 through 1944 a ban on producing new commercial records was instituted, and enforced by James Patrillo, leader of the Musicians Union. Prior to the ban, Spike Jones was drummer for the Tommy Dorsey. During the ban Spike Jones had some disagreements over the ban, and when it was lifted was forced to remain out of the union for a short time. This is probably some of the first work he did afterward. In the show Frances refers to Spike’s new band.
If you’ve never heard of Spike Jones, you’ll recognize his work from the many cartoon shorts that feature the likes of Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd, Porky Pig, and others. He proves that any tallented musician can make beautiful music from the usual instruments, but it takes a different sort of genius to make music from cow bells, plumbing fixtures, gun shots, washboards, and a host of other odd noise makers. Not tomention his spoof lyrics of popular songs of the day.
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