Monday, June 28, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Frank Sinatra great raconteur & friend
Monday, June 21, 2010
Glenn Miller's disappearance still generates controversy
Dear Rick,
To follow up our message to you about the follow-up report released by the Glenn Miller Archive last week, here is information about an interesting reply that we received this morning from the Imperial War Museum. I posed a message about the reply on the Yahoo "Glenn Miller Fans" website, and it follows.
You are welcome to use this information as you please.
Best regards,
Dennis
Dennis M. Spragg
Glenn Miller Archive
University of Colorado, Boulder
"Imperial War Museum Responds"
Yahoo Glenn Miller Fans Discussion Group, 13:47 hrs. EDT 21 Jun 10
The other day, we requested that if anyone had any facts to add to the discussion of the recently-released GMA Communiqué #2, we would be happy to publish their comments.
Although your GMA UK and USA team are puzzled that none of our members have yet publicly commented on the interesting hints about "The Wehrmacht Hour" broadcasts that appear on page 13 of Communiqué #2 (or much else), we did receive a reply today that we wish to share with GM Fans members.
The Imperial War Museum in Duxford and their Curator have weighed in with specific details about 15 Dec 44 in "unqualified support" of GMA Communiqué # 2. The IWM has comments about radio communications, which GM Fans members may find of interest. The IWM is very interested in "setting the record straight" in the face of what they consider to be "serious disinformation" contained in a rebuttal.
Among other things, the IWM are interested in clarifying for members that 1960s "telex" radio technology did not exist in the 1940s. They want to correct the Harry Witt story that Alconbury could telex Villacoublay and the Muriel Dixon (Dixie Clerke) story that Twinwood Farm could hear Bovingdon radio communications. The IWM have the operating manuals and several working physical examples of the 1940-vintage DF-Loop airfield radios that were used by Twinwood Farm, Alconbury and Villacoublay. This equipment had a twelve (12) mile incoming and receiving radius. They had valves and broke down a lot during transmissions. The IWM confirm that Fecamp, Orly, Villacoublay and all airfields operating in France in 1944 used the same DF-Loop airfield radio equipment that was installed at Alconbury, Twinwood Farm and all other UK RAF and USAAF airfields. These details about radio communications equipment and capabilities published by the GMA, USAF and RAF in Communiqué #2 are now verified by the IWM.
The UK and French airfields as well as traffic control facilities had radar with sufficient range to monitor operations and traffic at a 150 mile radius. But not radios. All airfields used the DF-Loop radio system which was also used on the aircraft which flew in and out of the airfields.
The IWM have carefully checked the Wycombe Abbey log of coded and still classified Morse Code transmissions of 15 Dec 44 and 16 Dec 44 from the top-secret Mole's Hole communications centre, which was located at Wycombe Abbey. None were sent on 15 Dec 44. Forty five (45) were sent on 16 Dec 44 from 09:00 hrs. and 24:00 hrs. All of the 16 Dec 44 messages pertain to combat operations and the Battle of the Bulge. Members may recall that Gen. James A. Doolittle gave then-Capt. Glenn Miller a personal tour of Mole's Hole during a Miller visit to Wycombe Abbey.
The only way that Alconbury could have told Fecamp or Villacoublay of the UC-64A #44-70285 departure piloted by Morgan (13:21 hrs.) to pick up Miller and Baessell at Twinwood Farm, or have sent any mistaken transmission about an earlier departure request which was rejected by Alconbury (about 08:00 hrs.), would have to have been by coded Morse Code (see above). That would have had to have been telephoned by Alconbury to Mole's Hole at Wycombe Abbey. The Mole's Hole communications facility would have to authorize and then draft a coded message. Mole's Hole would then send along the coded Morse Code message. Telex did not exist in 1944. Further, routine transport flights did not warrant the attention of Mole's Hole who were normally busy with combat messaging.
So the reality is that no transmission was sent from Alconbury at or about 08:00 hrs. about a Morgan departure. No transmission would have been sent unless Morgan departed with clearance and no record of a transmission exists in the 15 Dec 44 Mole's Hole logs. Morgan's later and actual departure from Alconbury at 13:21 hrs. was not transmitted to Villacoublay because Morgan was only cleared for local flying to Twinwood Farm.
The bottom line is that the memory of Capt. Harry Witt, 35th Repair Sqdrn., is incorrect and impossible regarding any search that he claims he flew from Villacoublay on 15 Dec 44 in response to a message from Alconbury to Villacoublay. No such message was transmitted. It is possible that Witt may have remembered word that came several days later that Morgan was indeed missing and at that time Witt flew a search back along the normal route of flight to Fecamp. Memories forty to fifty years after the fact can be cloudy and inaccurate, if well-intended and honest to the best of the veteran's recollection.
The information from the IWM further substantiates the USAF and RAF evidence as to why the memory of Muriel Dixon (Dixie Clerke) was wholly exaggerated and impossible.
Here is some additional information for GM Fans members to consider.
Wing Commander Tuppin was the man in command of RAF Twinwood Farm in Dec 44. He met and knew Major Glenn Miller. WC Tuppin passed away in Dec 09. He lived in Southampton. WC Tuppin confirmed the military personnel records that GMA and RAF reported, which is that Anne Carroll was a control tower WAAF and that she was indeed on duty 15 Dec 44. WC Tuppin also confirmed that Muriel Dixon (Dixie Clerke) was an administrative clerk with no access to radio communications. Another deceased Twinwood Farm witness was Sgt. J. Mockridge, who took the photographs of the 27 Aug 44 Glenn Miller concert at Twinwood Farm. Sgt. Mockridge also confirmed that Dixon (Clerke) was an administrative clerk.
Your GMA UK and USA team has all of these interviews, along with the complete Sid Robinson, Wilbur Wright and many other interviews.
The RAF, British Crown and top museum staff support GMA Communiqué #2 and are whole-heartedly assisting us with our follow-up investigation.
We will get to the bottom of the Hunton Downs and Barry Turner mystery.
Meanwhile, we highly recommend two fascinating books about the Troop Carrier Command for interested GM Fans members. "Into the Valley" was written by Col. Charles H. Young, who was the commanding officer of the 439th Troop Carrier Group. This is a detailed and definitive account of the combat unit to which Lt. (later Capt.) Joseph R. Dobson was assigned in 1944 and 1945. "Gooney Birds and Ferry Tails" by Jon A. Maguire tells the story of the 27th Transport Group. The latter book offers a detailed account of IX AAF non-combat passenger and cargo operations."
*The Imperial War Museum is located in the former Bethlehem Insane Asylum...for short, it was the infamous "Bedlam."
Visit the Memory Lane Shop for everything "Glenn Miller"
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Nancy Sinatra is 70 !
Oops...we failed to note Nancy Sinatra's birthday last week . On June 8, 1940: (singer/actress) Nancy Sandra Sinatra was born to Frank and Nancy Sinatra.Young Nancy reports: "Dad was in Hollywood with the band (Tommy Dorsey) when I was born at Margaret Hague Hospital in Jersey City (New Jersey).
Already I was being prepared for having to share him with the rest of the world. It was the start of one of the themes of my life: a father who was always going away. But as Jo Stafford recalled, "He was so excited that all he did all night was talk about his new baby girl." Happy Belated Brthday Nancy!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
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Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Monday, June 7, 2010
We're looking for Bea Wain
BEA WAIN ALBUM
Bea was born in 1917 in New York, and is best known for singing on the "Hit Parade" and her time with Larry Clinton and his orchestra. Their version of "Deep Purple" is one of my all time favorite big band recordings.
In an interview a few years ago, Bea described the unusual circumstances that launched her band vocalist career with Larry Clinton; " He heard me on the Kate Smith show. He didn't see me. Actually, it was very strange, because . . . I had a call and went to the phone and this man said, 'My name is Larry Clinton. I'm starting a band and I'm looking for a girl singer and I would like you to make some sides with me.' Which was really cuckoo,'cause I said to myself, 'He never saw me. He never really heard me, it was just a few bars. And he told me to meet him at RCA Victor the next week, he was recording, and he sent me a tune to do, and I did it. And the first time I saw him was when I walked in the studio."
"It was very strange, though, that he sent the tune to me," she remarked. "It was True Confession. That was the name of the song. And he asked me on the phone to tell him what key I was going to do it in. And I called him and told him, and he said, 'Okay, I'll see you Tuesday at RCA." Following the recording session, she would remain with the band. "Oh, I sort-of took it for granted that we would go further."
Quickly, she was the band's star attraction. Wain had four #1 hits:"Cry, Baby. Cry," "Deep Purple", "Heart and Soul" and her signature song, "My Reverie."
Wain stayed with Clinton only a year-and-a-half before deciding to go solo in early 1939. She recorded several titles under her own name and received much critical acclaim. The recording ban of 1942 marked the end of her commercial recording career. She continued to sing, perform, and appear on radio, however, throughout the 1940s.
She later moved to Florida, where she worked as a disc jockey alongside her husband, radio announcer André Baruch (he died in 1991) and later as "Mr. & Mrs. Music" on WMCA New York.. The couple eventually settled in Beverly Hills during the late 1970s where we believe she still resides.
Here is the Larry Clinton orchestra with Bea Wain (a later hi-fi version was made in the 50's with Helen Forrest) and "Deep Purple."
Quickly, she was the band's star attraction. Wain had four #1 hits:"Cry, Baby. Cry," "Deep Purple", "Heart and Soul" and her signature song, "My Reverie."
Wain stayed with Clinton only a year-and-a-half before deciding to go solo in early 1939. She recorded several titles under her own name and received much critical acclaim. The recording ban of 1942 marked the end of her commercial recording career. She continued to sing, perform, and appear on radio, however, throughout the 1940s.
She later moved to Florida, where she worked as a disc jockey alongside her husband, radio announcer André Baruch (he died in 1991) and later as "Mr. & Mrs. Music" on WMCA New York.. The couple eventually settled in Beverly Hills during the late 1970s where we believe she still resides.
Here is the Larry Clinton orchestra with Bea Wain (a later hi-fi version was made in the 50's with Helen Forrest) and "Deep Purple."
TO SHOP FOR MUSIC AND MORE CLICK HERE
Note: I've received a request from a young San Francisco singer who is working on a tribute to Bea. She wishes to meet or speak with Bea. Bea, or Wayne, if you are agreeable, please contact me rbusciglio@gmail.com
Did Hoagy Carmichael write 'As Time Goes By" ?
Related articles
A. Your Dad's answer is the same one that 99 % of my lecture audiences give. All are wrong, of course. This is a great trivia question that no one ever gets right....and for good reason. The writer never received much notice.
The great song is "As Time Goes By.' It is one of the most popular songs from the golden era of the Great American Songbook. As any fan of classic films and the swing era knows, it was THE song in 'CASABLANCA.' It is one of the few successful songs ever written by a "Jersey Boy".....Herman Hupfeld. Herman was born, raised and died in beautiful Montclair, New Jersey. It was home to Buzz Aldrin, great golf architect, Robert Trent Jones, baseball greats Yogi Berra and Larry Doby (first black player in the American League), basketball star/US Senator Bill Bradley, actress Olympia Dukakis, and scores of other distinguished artists, performers, business professionals and musicians who were drawn to the cosmopolitan town that sits high on a hill overlooking Manhattan. It was also the real life home of the Gilbreth family of "Cheaper By The Dozen" fame.
The "piano" player was Dooley Wilson....he was a singer only....could not play the piano. Hoagy Carmichael is a good guess since he appeared as a singing piano player in the later Bogart-Bacall flm "To Have and To Have Not."
Here are Herman Hupfeld's classic lyrics;
You must remember this
A kiss is still a kiss
A sigh is still (just) a sigh
The fundamental things apply
As time goes by
And when two lovers woo
They still say: "i love you"
On that you can rely
No matter what the future brings
As time goes by
Moonlight and love songs - never out of date
Hearts full of passion - jealousy and hate
Woman needs man - and man must have his mate
That no one can deny
It’s still the same old story
A fight for love and glory
A case of do or die
The world will always welcome lovers
As time goes by
Scenes from the movie "Casablanca" as Frank Sinatra sings "As Time Goes By."
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