[Harp-L] Melvyn Douglas

["jazmaan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx" <dmf273@xxxxxxxxx>]

Harmonica references can pop up in funny places.   Today I was reading a book of scripts from the
"Baby Snooks" radio shows.   Baby Snooks was a great funny character played by Fanny Brice who was
VERY popular for several decades.  Before Snooks got her own show she used to pop up on various
other shows including a radio variety show called "Good News of 1939."    On the January 5, 1939
episode actor Melvyn Douglas (who years later would win an Oscar for his role in "Being There")
was the guest host.  Meredith Wilsson and his Orchestra provided the music:

   
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Melvyn Douglas:  It so happens I have devoted many years of practice on an instrument which in
many ways is closer to the soul of man than any other.  An instrument which combines the sweetness
of the flute, the sonority of the cello, the nobility of the violin and the mobility of the vest
pocket cigarette lighter.  I am a virtouso of the mouth organ.

Robert Young: Ladies and gentlemen, Melvyn Douglas will bring you culture on his mouth organ.  I
imagine it will be at least a Bach fugue - am I right, Melvyn?

Melvyn Douglas: The contrapuntal style is not suitable for the mouth organ, Robert - at least not
the Douglas mouth organ.  I propose to play an American classic - "Swanee River".   Incidentally,
it sounds a lot better if I get a good loud accompaniment.

Robert Young: All right Meredith, will you get together with Melvyn Douglas on Swanee River in the
key of -

Melvyn Douglas: G please.

Meredith Wilsson:  Right, whenever you're ready Melvyn.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


Among my hobbies is OTR - Old Time Radio and of course there's LOTS of harmonica on OTR.  But
something about Melvyn Douglas' speech touched me - even if it may have been tongue in cheek. 
I'll see if I can locate this particular episode of "Good News of 1939" and report back as to
whether Mr. Douglas was really a virtuoso!


		
__________________________________ 
Discover Yahoo! 
Stay in touch with email, IM, photo sharing and more. Check it out! 
http://discover.yahoo.com/stayintouch.html