- Columns - Current and Archives
- Looking Back by Jack Lebo - February 2012 >
- Murphy's Law - July 2013>
- Murphy's Law - May 2013
- Murphy's Law - April 2013
- Murphy's Law - March 2013
- Murphy's Law - February 2013
- Murphy's Law - January 2013
- Murphy's Law - December 2012
- Murphy's Law - November 2012
- Murphy's Law - October 2012
- Murphy's Law - September 2012
- Murphy's Law - August 2012
- Murphy's Law - July 2012
- Murphy's Law - June 2012
- Murphy's Law - May 2012
- Murphy's Law - April 2012
- Murphy's Law - March 2012
- Murphy's Law - February 2012
- Murphy's Law - January 2012
- Murphy's Law - December 2011
- Murphy's Law - November 2011
- Murphy's Law - October 2011
- Murphy's Law - September 2011
- Murphy's Law - August 2011
- Murphy's Law - July 2011
- Murphy's Law - June 2011
- Murphy's Law - May 2011
- Your Money Matters by Thomas Sottile - February 2013>
- Taking Care by Lisa Petsche - May 2013>
- Taking Care - April 2013
- Taking Care - March 2013
- Taking Care - February 2013
- Taking Care - January 2013
- Taking Care - December 2012
- Taking Care - November 2012
- Taking Care - October 2012
- Taking Care - September 2012
- Taking Care - August 2012
- Taking Care - July 2012
- Taking Care - June 2012
- Taking Care - May 2012
- Travel Articles
- There's Much To Like About Tybee Island, Georgia
- PA’s Little Town Of Bethlehem Has Giant History, Pleasant Surprises
- Savannah Style: History, Food, Architecture And Even Ghosts
- Vacationing Beats Back Winter
- Visiting The Inn At Pocono Manor
- Delights of Northern Ireland
- Tuscana Resort near Orlando
- Belfast To Commemorate Titanic
- Protect Your Home While Vacationing
- Nearby Hampton Roads, Virginia
- New 'Heritage' Travel Division Formed
- Lifestyle Articles
- PAE-300 ‘Personal Audio Enhancer’ Brings New Sounds And Clarity To Television
- Seniors Desire To Stay In Home Has Led To Innovative Housing
- ‘Pleasantly Plump’ May Not Pose Serious Health Problems After All
- Spring Hills Brings Home Care, Assisted Living to S. Jersey
- Sense Of Family Obligation Remains Strong
- Becoming Bilingual Thought To Delay Onset Of Cognitive Impairment
- Comprehensive Study Provides Foundation For ‘New American Diet’
- Is Alzheimer's A Myth?
- Living Alone, Without Loneliness
- Chocolate In Moderation
- Expert: Forgiveness, Gratitude Are Essential For Healthy Aging
- Expert: No Limit To Length Of Life
- Media-Based Pennsylvania Veterans Museum Is Historic Treasure
- Joint Task: Take Action To Combat Knee Pain
- Want Better Performance From Portfolio? Watch Congress
- Conscientiousness Key To Longevity
- Men, Women 'Retire' Differently
- Sleep Problems And Cognitive Issues
- Newsworthy
- Binge Drinking Is A National Problem — Even With Senior Citizens
- Study Warns Of High Cardiovascular Disease Risks Of Eating Yolks
- Study: 'Old' People Smell Better
- Depression, Anxiety Are Key Factors In Impact Of Parkinson’s Disease
- Study: Don’t Worry, Be Happy For Better Cardiovascular Health
- ‘Chore Connection’ Provides Unique Services, Volunteer Opportunities
- Study Reinforces Benefits Of Regular Colonoscopies
- Study: 'Senior Moments' Begin Earlier
- Three New Studies Suggest Aspirin May Prevent Some Cancers
- No Sure Bet: Seniors Must Recognize Potential Gambling Problems
- Coping With Grief
- New Recommendation Creates Debate Over Prostate Screening
- High Salt, Low Potassium Diet Linked To Increased Death Risk
- Medical Director At HCR ManorCare Receives APPLE Award
- RomneyCare Awful Lot Like Obamacare
- Grandkids Safer With Gram/Pop At Wheel
- AARP: Recession Hits Seniors Hard
- Antidepressants Can Increase Danger of Falling
- Poll: Low Marks For U.S. Healthcare
- More Good News For Coffee Drinkers
- Book Reviews
- We The People
- The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks
- The Love Of My Youth
- The American Way Of Eating
- ‘Rin Tin Tin’
- Pity The Billionaire
- Classic: Uncle Tom's Cabin
- A Stocking Full Of New Christmas Novels
- When China Rules The World
- The Submission - Amy Waldman
- My Soul's Been Psychedelicized
- Reckless Endangerment
- O'Nan's 'Emily Alone'
- Baseball In The Garden Of Eden
- Leisure / Entertainment
- Music - Donald Fagen's 'Eminent Hipster,' Jimi Hendrix Release
- Music - Two CD-Set Features Elvis In Hawaii; Eric Burdon Has New Release
- Music - Billy Joel's 'Love Songs' Set For Release
- Music - Paul Anka Shows Off His Versatility With Compilation CD Of ‘Duets’
- Music - Elvis, Otis Redding Fans Treated To Compilation Sets
- Music - Even At Age 80, Willie Nelson Flaunts Staying Power With Duets Album
- Music - New 63-CD Set Spans Much Of Johnny Cash's Career
- Music - Preservation Jazz Hall Band Celebrates Anniversary
- Music - New Releases Spotlight Garfunkel, Los Lobos
- Music - Television Pioneer Ernie Kovacs Featured In Two New DVD Releases
- Music - Simon’s ‘Graceland’ Album Celebrated With Anniversary Release
- Music - New Releases of Hathaway, Heart Music
- Music - Willie Nelson Still Producing New Music
- Music - New Release of Elvis' Work
- Music - 'The Sound Of Philadelphia'
- Music - Dave Brubeck, Hank Williams Reissues
- Music - Janis Joplin Showcased On 2 New CD Releases
- Music - Paul Simon, Jimi Hendrix Reissues
- Legal Articles
- Adult Children May Be Left To Pay Nursing Home Costs Of Indigent Parents
- Make A Resolution That Provides Long-Term Security
- Dialogue Helps Control And Direct Legal, Financial & Medical Matters
- Life Changes Can Require Revisions, Updates To Estate Plan
- Wills Create Solid Foundation For Effective Estate Planning
- Keep Or Shred? Know What To Do With Personal, Financial Records
- Recent Court Ruling Makes It ‘Open Season’ On Adult Children In PA
- Assuring For Care Of Your Pet
- Reader Resources
- Links To Government and Social Services
- Senior Discounts / bradsdeals.com
- For Advertisers / 2013
- To Subscribe
- Contact Us
- Submitting Letters To The Editor
Looking Back - Reminiscing with Jack Lebo
Looking Back At The Scandals
Of Hollywood, Van Johnson & More
Barbara Daniels of Secane, PA always come through with some unusual topics. This time, she has dug up some scandals which made headlines many years ago, mainly originating from La La Land, a/k/a Hollywood, California.
According to Barbara: there were dozens of Hollywood scandals in the 1950s that shocked and mesmerized the nation.
One shocker occurred on the day that the prominent actor John Barrymore passed on. As a prank, several friends of Errol Flynn decided to steal the body, and sit it up in a chair in Flynn’s living room. When Flynn entered the room, he nearly had a heart attack, but later claimed that this gruesome prank caused him to give up drinking instantly.
Then there was comedic actor Foster Brooks, whose hilarious performances as a drunk were so convincing, that the public could not tell if it was an act at all.
In 1951, a Hollywood film titled, “The Moon is Blue” was released, and promptly banned and criticized due to the dialog included the word “virgin.” It was then considered disgraceful and indecent. Movie-goers were in an uproar for months afterward.
Another shocking scandal which was highly publicized was known as “The Wrong Door Raid.” It seems that baseball great Joe DiMaggio recruited singer/actor Frank Sinatra to help break down the door of a motel room where he suspected Marilyn Monroe was having an affair. They were shamefully embarrassed when they kicked in the door of the wrong room number only to discover a sleeping elderly woman, who later took them both to court and settled for a hefty amount of money.
Another court case that received even more coverage than the O.J. Simpson trial was that of popular film star Lana Turner, whose lover Johnny Stampanato was stabbed to death in her bedroom. It was unclear who committed the act, but at the trial, it was determined to be her daughter, then a 14 year-old teenager. This trial fascinated the public for months.
An unexpected event occurred in Italy in 1959 with the sudden passing of Philadelphia opera and film star Mario Lanza. The rumor that made the rounds was that Mario was assassinated because he had refused to perform for the so-called Italian Mafia. Following an intense investigation, the issue was never proven.
According to Barbara: “The most juiciest tidbit of all is the one that I personally experienced. In the early 1960s, I attended a dinner-theatre show in Philadelphia starring Zsa Zsa Gabor, who was known for her affection for the male sex. During her two-week engagement with the show, she was interviewed by a young handsome local television reporter. She instantly became enamored with him, and pursued him openly, but he managed to resist her charms in a most gentlemanly manner.”
Continued Barbara: “Discretion prevents me from revealing his name. However, I will say that he is still employed as an anchor man on that local TV station, some 40 years later.”
Fueled by the public’s addiction to tabloid magazines, these scandals may be considered mild by today’s standards.
*
Readers Henry and Bobbi Schaffer of Bala Cynwyd, PA have kicked off a campaign addressed to the US Postal Service, requesting a postage stamp dedicated to their all-time film favorite, the late Van Johnson. They call their organization, “Keymates.” Apparently, according to the Schaffers, the group of admirers has grown by leaps and bounds, adding new members daily. Johnson was the nice-mannered nice guy on screen you wanted your daughter to marry. This fair freckled and invariable friendly-looking MGM song and dance star of the 1940s emerged a box office favorite (1944-1946) and was second only to heart-throb Frank Sinatra during which gossip-monger Hedda Hopper dubbed the “Bobby-Soxer Blitz” era.
*
The year 1941 certainly stands out in my mind, not only for the attack at Pearl Harbor, but for the popular music at that time. As a guy who collected 78 RPM records, I recall many of the best-selling recordings that were played via our local radio stations. Talk radio was unheard of, and most stations used the music format.
It seems 1941 was the height of the Big Band Era. The bobby-soxers may have swooned over Frank Sinatra, but it was Tommy Dorsey’s name on the record. Ditto Bob Eberle whose silky smooth vocals with Helen O’Connell sold many a record — for Jimmy Dorsey. The musicians’ union strike was only a year away, but for 1941 the dance halls ruled, ballroom tickets were affordable, the great Depression was quickly becoming a memory, and the war was something the Europeans would have to figure out.
Sinatra was Tommy Dorsey’s lead vocalist, backed by the Pied Pipers on at least 10 of his chart hits. The Pied Pipers were a quartet of three men and one woman, who happened to be Jo Stafford. Stafford’s first hit came in 1941, a song called “Yes Indeed” that she sang solo, along with an assist by Sy Oliver. With the eventual departure of Sinatra in 1942, Tommy turned to Dick Haymes for vocal leadership. A bit of trivia: a certain trumpet player joined Dorsey after his discharge following World War II. The kid was raw, but Dorsey saw something he liked. That trumpeter was Carl “Doc” Severinson.
*
Jimmy Dorsey ran something of a smoother ship in the early 1940s. He owned the #1 spot for 19 weeks out of 52 in 1941, a record that wouldn’t stand long — Glenn Miller eclipsed it just a year later. But don’t let that minimize Jimmy’s achievement in 1941; each of the five most popular songs spent at least a week on top of the charts. “Amapola” spent 10 weeks at number one, and is therefore one of the all-time “monster” chart toppers.
Jimmy Dorsey’s hits featured a unique 3-part format. The “A-B-C” arrangement saw Bob Eberly lead the first third. The band led by Jimmy’s sax took the second part, and Helen O’Connell would finish it out with a flourish. As the average playing time of a commercial 78 RPM record was three minutes, each “section” lasted about one minute. It was an unstoppable formula in 1941.
*
One of the few vocalists not tied to a Big Band in 1941 was Dinah Shore. Although Jo Stafford had a solo hit, and Billie Holiday was regarded as a solo act, both toured as part of larger orchestras. Considering that the Andrews Sisters were a group, it is generally believed, although not easy to verify, that Dinah Shore was the first female pop star to “call her own shots” if you will. Although later stars like Doris Day and Patti Page would eclipse Dinah on the charts, none would eclipse her ability to perfectly hit each note.
*
Looking Back appears each month. Do you have a memory you’d like to share? Drop a line to: Jack Lebo, Looking Back, 37 Locust Lane, Levittown, PA 19054, or call (215) 943-8870, email: [email protected].
Of Hollywood, Van Johnson & More
Barbara Daniels of Secane, PA always come through with some unusual topics. This time, she has dug up some scandals which made headlines many years ago, mainly originating from La La Land, a/k/a Hollywood, California.
According to Barbara: there were dozens of Hollywood scandals in the 1950s that shocked and mesmerized the nation.
One shocker occurred on the day that the prominent actor John Barrymore passed on. As a prank, several friends of Errol Flynn decided to steal the body, and sit it up in a chair in Flynn’s living room. When Flynn entered the room, he nearly had a heart attack, but later claimed that this gruesome prank caused him to give up drinking instantly.
Then there was comedic actor Foster Brooks, whose hilarious performances as a drunk were so convincing, that the public could not tell if it was an act at all.
In 1951, a Hollywood film titled, “The Moon is Blue” was released, and promptly banned and criticized due to the dialog included the word “virgin.” It was then considered disgraceful and indecent. Movie-goers were in an uproar for months afterward.
Another shocking scandal which was highly publicized was known as “The Wrong Door Raid.” It seems that baseball great Joe DiMaggio recruited singer/actor Frank Sinatra to help break down the door of a motel room where he suspected Marilyn Monroe was having an affair. They were shamefully embarrassed when they kicked in the door of the wrong room number only to discover a sleeping elderly woman, who later took them both to court and settled for a hefty amount of money.
Another court case that received even more coverage than the O.J. Simpson trial was that of popular film star Lana Turner, whose lover Johnny Stampanato was stabbed to death in her bedroom. It was unclear who committed the act, but at the trial, it was determined to be her daughter, then a 14 year-old teenager. This trial fascinated the public for months.
An unexpected event occurred in Italy in 1959 with the sudden passing of Philadelphia opera and film star Mario Lanza. The rumor that made the rounds was that Mario was assassinated because he had refused to perform for the so-called Italian Mafia. Following an intense investigation, the issue was never proven.
According to Barbara: “The most juiciest tidbit of all is the one that I personally experienced. In the early 1960s, I attended a dinner-theatre show in Philadelphia starring Zsa Zsa Gabor, who was known for her affection for the male sex. During her two-week engagement with the show, she was interviewed by a young handsome local television reporter. She instantly became enamored with him, and pursued him openly, but he managed to resist her charms in a most gentlemanly manner.”
Continued Barbara: “Discretion prevents me from revealing his name. However, I will say that he is still employed as an anchor man on that local TV station, some 40 years later.”
Fueled by the public’s addiction to tabloid magazines, these scandals may be considered mild by today’s standards.
*
Readers Henry and Bobbi Schaffer of Bala Cynwyd, PA have kicked off a campaign addressed to the US Postal Service, requesting a postage stamp dedicated to their all-time film favorite, the late Van Johnson. They call their organization, “Keymates.” Apparently, according to the Schaffers, the group of admirers has grown by leaps and bounds, adding new members daily. Johnson was the nice-mannered nice guy on screen you wanted your daughter to marry. This fair freckled and invariable friendly-looking MGM song and dance star of the 1940s emerged a box office favorite (1944-1946) and was second only to heart-throb Frank Sinatra during which gossip-monger Hedda Hopper dubbed the “Bobby-Soxer Blitz” era.
*
The year 1941 certainly stands out in my mind, not only for the attack at Pearl Harbor, but for the popular music at that time. As a guy who collected 78 RPM records, I recall many of the best-selling recordings that were played via our local radio stations. Talk radio was unheard of, and most stations used the music format.
It seems 1941 was the height of the Big Band Era. The bobby-soxers may have swooned over Frank Sinatra, but it was Tommy Dorsey’s name on the record. Ditto Bob Eberle whose silky smooth vocals with Helen O’Connell sold many a record — for Jimmy Dorsey. The musicians’ union strike was only a year away, but for 1941 the dance halls ruled, ballroom tickets were affordable, the great Depression was quickly becoming a memory, and the war was something the Europeans would have to figure out.
Sinatra was Tommy Dorsey’s lead vocalist, backed by the Pied Pipers on at least 10 of his chart hits. The Pied Pipers were a quartet of three men and one woman, who happened to be Jo Stafford. Stafford’s first hit came in 1941, a song called “Yes Indeed” that she sang solo, along with an assist by Sy Oliver. With the eventual departure of Sinatra in 1942, Tommy turned to Dick Haymes for vocal leadership. A bit of trivia: a certain trumpet player joined Dorsey after his discharge following World War II. The kid was raw, but Dorsey saw something he liked. That trumpeter was Carl “Doc” Severinson.
*
Jimmy Dorsey ran something of a smoother ship in the early 1940s. He owned the #1 spot for 19 weeks out of 52 in 1941, a record that wouldn’t stand long — Glenn Miller eclipsed it just a year later. But don’t let that minimize Jimmy’s achievement in 1941; each of the five most popular songs spent at least a week on top of the charts. “Amapola” spent 10 weeks at number one, and is therefore one of the all-time “monster” chart toppers.
Jimmy Dorsey’s hits featured a unique 3-part format. The “A-B-C” arrangement saw Bob Eberly lead the first third. The band led by Jimmy’s sax took the second part, and Helen O’Connell would finish it out with a flourish. As the average playing time of a commercial 78 RPM record was three minutes, each “section” lasted about one minute. It was an unstoppable formula in 1941.
*
One of the few vocalists not tied to a Big Band in 1941 was Dinah Shore. Although Jo Stafford had a solo hit, and Billie Holiday was regarded as a solo act, both toured as part of larger orchestras. Considering that the Andrews Sisters were a group, it is generally believed, although not easy to verify, that Dinah Shore was the first female pop star to “call her own shots” if you will. Although later stars like Doris Day and Patti Page would eclipse Dinah on the charts, none would eclipse her ability to perfectly hit each note.
*
Looking Back appears each month. Do you have a memory you’d like to share? Drop a line to: Jack Lebo, Looking Back, 37 Locust Lane, Levittown, PA 19054, or call (215) 943-8870, email: [email protected].