Sunday, September 30, 2012

Ginger Rogers and the Riddle of the Scarlet Cloak

Photoplay magazine  August 1940
Actress, Miss Ginger Rogers, had a mother, Lela Rogers, who wrote a book:

Ginger Rogers and the Riddle of the Scarlet Cloak

I'd say it is at the young adult reading level due to some violence and some kissing (ewww).  I found it to be a nice read and it has illustrations by Henry E. Vallely.  It is available on archive.org to read or download as part of the "Open Library":

http://archive.org/stream/gingerrogersridd00roge#page/n0/mode/2up

Photoplay magazine image (left) available at:
http://archive.org/stream/photoplay52chic#page/n147/mode/2up


Image below is an illustration from the book:
http://archive.org/stream/gingerrogersridd00roge#page/n9/mode/2up


Movies

Photoplay magazine (ad for the purse)  October 1934
Movies are what Miss Ginger Rogers is best known for and there are a few in the public domain and on archive.org.  The quality of the movies is pretty good but the sound is low on some of them.  There are several listed for most of them but the quality doesn't vary much from one to the other.  The Flying Down to Rio trailer is rather low quality and some of it seems like it is missing.

I would like to add that Blogger.com, in my opinion, sucks and is difficult to deal with.  If I had known then what I know now, I would have posted all of this information somewhere else.


Trailers:

42nd Street :
  • http://archive.org/details/TheatricalTrailerFor42ndStreet
Barkleys of Broadway :
  • http://archive.org/details/TheatricalTrailer-TheBarkleysOfBroadway 
  • http://archive.org/details/AGalaxyOfStarsFromTheGoldenAgeOfHollywood  Look for "Theatrical Trailer - The Barkleys of Broadway"
  • http://archive.org/details/JamesWhalesBRIDEOFFRANKENSTEINTrailer1935FreeDownloadStreamingInternetArchive  Look for "Theatrical Trailer - The Barkleys of Broadway", this is the same as the item listed above.  The player doesn't play the right trailers but the downloads work fine so scroll down the page to find what you want.  (updated March 6, 2013)
Flying Down to Rio :
  • http://archive.org/details/flying_down_to_rio
Gay Divorcee :
  • http://archive.org/details/TheatricalTrailer-TheGayDivorcee
Gold Diggers of 1933 :
  • http://archive.org/details/AGalaxyOfStarsFromTheGoldenAgeOfHollywood 
  • http://archive.org/details/TheatricalTrailerForgoldDiggersOf1933 
Rafter Romance :
  • http://archive.org/details/Rafter_RomanceTrailer
Storm Warning :
  • http://archive.org/details/TheatricalTrailerForstormWarning
Swing Time :
  • http://archive.org/details/TheatricalTrailerForswingTime
  • http://archive.org/details/Trailers1930sHollywoodVol2.21-40
  • http://archive.org/details/AGalaxyOfStarsFromTheGoldenAgeOfHollywood
Top Hat :
  • http://archive.org/details/AGalaxyOfStarsFromTheGoldenAgeOfHollywood


Movies:

The Groom Wore Spurs :  (Does anyone know why neither Ginger Rogers nor Jack Carson are listed in the opening credits of this movie?) 
  • http://archive.org/details/GroomWoreSpursThe

Heartbeat :
  • http://archive.org/details/Heartbeat_347
  • http://archive.org/details/heartbeat 
Once Upon a Honeymoon :
Also starring Cary Grant
  • http://archive.org/details/OnceUponAHoneymoon
Note: I don't expect the item above to stick around.  I don't think it is in the public domain but maybe this particular version is?  All the same, don't be surprised if you come back and this item is gone.
 
Shriek in the Night :
Also starring Lyle Talbot
  • http://archive.org/details/A_Shriek_in_the_Night
  • http://archive.org/details/A.Shriek.in.the.Night

Thirteenth Guest :
Also starring Lyle Talbot
  • http://archive.org/details/thirteenth_guest
  • http://archive.org/details/The_Thirteenth_Guest
The version below is a public access TV show, "Weirdness Really Bad Movie", that featured public domain movies and original sketches homemade in Ohio.
  • http://archive.org/details/ThirteenthGuest_WeirdnessBadMovie_945 

Young Man of Manhattan :  
Also starring Claudette Colbert, Norman Foster and Charles Ruggles
  • http://archive.org/details/YoungManOfManhattan1930


There is also a clip of the "Yama Yama Man" song and dance Ginger performed in The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle with a note that it might or might not be in the public domain:
  • http://archive.org/details/TheStoryOfVernonAndIreneCastle-TheYamaYamaManRoutine

Newsreels:

Universal Newsreel :  dated March 4, 1941;  Ginger Rogers gets her Academy Award, aka Oscar, for Best Actress for her performance in Kitty Foyle.  You have to wait until after President Roosevelt speaks or go to minute 1:30.
  • http://archive.org/details/1941-03-04_Screen_Notables_Hear_Roosevelt



Photoplay magazine image above available at:
http://archive.org/stream/photo47chic#page/n471/mode/2up

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Television

Photoplay magazine     October 1937
Miss Ginger Rogers made a lot of television appearances in the 1950's and 1960's but I haven't found many in the public domain.   Here are a few to check out from archive.org


She was on The Bob Hope Chevy Show, December 28, 1956, aired (or taped) from a US military base in Alaska.  Ginger makes an appearance as "Ginger Peachy" in a sketch with Bob and sings and dances with Bob near the end of the show too.  Peggy King, Mickey Mantle, Jerry Colonna, Hedda Hopper, Carol Morris, Miss Universe at the time; the Del Rubio Triplets, the Purdue University Glee Club, and Les Brown and his band of Renown also appear on the show:

  • http://archive.org/details/TheBobHopeChevyShow-28december1956


The Steve Allen Show had the addition of the lovely and talented Miss Rogers on more than one occasion.  One of these performance from October 1957 where Ginger imitated different kinds of female singers is available.  It is funny and it shows just how versatile her singing was:

  • http://archive.org/details/SteveAllenShowSingers1
  • http://archive.org/details/SteveAllenPlymouthIntro
The second URL has clips from a few shows including the singers sketch.  The quality isn't the best but it shows off Ginger's talents.


She appeared as a guest on the Jack Benny Show, November 3, 1957.   Funny lines and a funny dance with Ginger and Jack make up the show:

  • http://archive.org/details/GingerRogersAsGuest


She appeared as a guest on the Dinah Shore New Years Eve, taped December 29, 1961 but you can guess when it aired.   Ginger sings and dances to "I Could Have Danced All Night" (you have to wait until 20:41 in the show), appears in a sketch with a song with Dinah and George Burns, and again in song with Dinah, George Burns and Nat King Cole.  The other guests get their turns as well during the hour long show:

  • http://archive.org/details/DinahShoreNewYearsEve1961


Ginger made a pilot for a television series called The Ginger Rogers Show, where she played twins Margaret and Elizabeth Harcourt.  It also starred Charles Ruggles.  It wasn't picked up, which is surprising and disappointing to me.  However, according to IMDb.com, it was part of Vacation Playhouse, Season 1, Episode 1, called "A Love Affair Just for Three", and aired July 22, 1963. (updated May 13, 2013)

  • http://archive.org/details/GingerRogersShowPilot


A big favorite for lots is Rogers and Hammerstein's made-for-tv musical of Cinderella.  Ginger played the Queen with Walter Pidgeon as the King, Celeste Holm as the Fairy Godmother, Leslie Ann Warren as Cinderella and Stuart Damon as the Prince.  IMDB.com lists the release date as February 22, 1965.

  • http://archive.org/details/RogersampHammersteinsCinderella


Ginger sang "I Used To Be Colorblind" and danced with Jean-Pierre Cassel on a French television special Palmares 80, Mireille Mathieu Hommage.  Ginger appears early in the show at 6:20.  The description is: Guy Lux hosts this program that pays tribute to Mireille Mathieu, Claude Francois and Ginger Rogers.
According to IMDB.com, it aired May 1, 1980 and Ginger was able to appear on the show because she was in France rehearsing for an engagement at the Olympia:
  • http://archive.org/details/1980MireilleMathieuHommagePalmares80





Photoplay magazine image above available at:
http://archive.org/stream/photoplayvolume551chic#page/n43/mode/2up

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Ginger Rogers with her 1937 Dodge and other Glam pics

Ginger Rogers and her 1937 Dodge
http://archive.org/details/GingerRogersAndHer1937Dodge


Hollywood magazine    January 1936
http://archive.org/stream/hollywood25holl#page/n69/mode/2up



Hollywood magazine     June 1934
 http://archive.org/stream/hollywood23holl#page/n327/mode/2up



Hollywood magazine   September 1937
http://archive.org/stream/hollywood26fawc#page/n657/mode/2up



Photoplay magazine    November 1942
http://archive.org/stream/photoplay121phot#page/n495/mode/2up



Photoplay magazine   November 1936
 http://archive.org/stream/photoplay51chic#page/n559/mode/2up



Photoplay magazine  November 1936
http://archive.org/stream/photoplay51chic#page/n559/mode/2up



Picture Play magazine  printed September 1937
http://archive.org/stream/pictureplay4547stre#page/n875/mode/2up
(picture was taken when she was with Paramount Pictures in the early 1930's)


Picture Play magazine   February 1936
http://archive.org/stream/pictureplay4345stre#page/n55/mode/2up



Photoplay magazine    October 1933
http://archive.org/stream/photoplay4445chic#page/n407/mode/2up



Movie Classic magazine   February 1936
http://archive.org/stream/movieclassic09moti#page/52/mode/2up



Paramount Pictures 20th Birthday promotion   1931
http://archive.org/stream/paramount00para#page/n71/mode/2up



April 1938
http://archive.org/stream/pictureplay3739stre#page/n173/mode/2up















 

Ginger Sings

Photoplay Magazine     published June 1939 (not date picture was taken)
There are a few recordings of Miss Ginger Rogers singing on archive.org and in the public domain.  They are from 78 rpm records and the sound is fairly good.

  • "Hello Ginger!" the complete album originally recorded in 1965 has been digitized and added to archive.org.  I don't know if the original was a 78 rpm but it sounds good all the same.   
http://archive.org/details/Hello_Ginger_201307

  • "Suddenly It's Spring"  the song was cut from the movie Lady in the Dark but apparently it was released on a record  
http://archive.org/details/OutakesFromClassicHollywoodMusicals
Look for "GINGER ROGERS SUDDENLY IT'S SPRING" in the middle of the group or go to...
http://ia601501.us.archive.org/12/items/OutakesFromClassicHollywoodMusicals/GingerRogersSuddenlyItsSpring.mp3

Also on the page is the orchestral and chorus performance of "Swing Trot" from Barkleys of Broadway.  Look for "MGM STUDIO ORCH SWING TROT (COMPLETE)" near the bottom of the list or...
http://ia701501.us.archive.org/12/items/OutakesFromClassicHollywoodMusicals/MgmStudioOrchSwingTrotcomplete.mp3

  • "Isn't it a Lovely Day (to Be Caught in the Rain)"  with Al Jolson in introduction  
The items on the page are described as rare air checks put on record.  The song featuring Ginger Rogers sounds like it is from the radio show Shell Chateau with Al Jolson from September 28, 1935.  You can check it out here:
http://archive.org/details/AliceFayeAndOtherGreatStarsFromTheGoldenAgeOfHollywood 
(look for "Ginger Rogers Isn't It A Lovly Day") and compare it to the version pointed to on this blog page about the show:  http://thegingerrogersresouce.blogspot.com/2012/09/shell-chateau.html
and see what you think (go to 41:25 in the show for the song in question).

This same recording can be heard again in a compilation show from October 17, 1956 called Recollections at 30.  Ginger can be heard at the 10:32 minute mark.
http://archive.org/details/RecollectAt30

  • "Let Yourself Go" (1936) with Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra
http://archive.org/details/LetYourselfGo1936

  • "Cheek to Cheek" (1935)  Ginger's version and NOT from the movie Top Hat 
  • "Out for No Good" listed as 1935
  • "We're in the Money" from Gold Diggers of 1933
  • "The Continental" with Erik Rhodes from The Gay Divorcee (1934)
http://archive.org/details/GingerRogers-01-04


  • "Pick Yourself Up"  from Swing Time (1936) including sound of the dance
  • "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" from Shall We Dance (1937) the music continues where the dance would have been in the movie but it is only instrumental with no skates
  • "The Continental" with Erik Rhodes from The Gay Divorcee (1934)
http://archive.org/details/FredAstaire-31-33

  • "A Fine Romance" duet with Fred Astaire from movie Swing Time (1936)
  • "Music Makes Me (Do The Things I Never Should Do)" from movie Flying Down to Rio
"Isn't This a Lovely Day" (1935) from movie Top Hat is listed as being with Ginger but she can only be heard dancing.
http://archive.org/details/FredAstaire-21-30


The soundtrack from the movies Swing Time (1936) and The Gay Divorcee (1934).  The items featuring Ginger Rogers singing are:  (updated Dec 1, 2012)
  • "A Fine Romance" duet with Fred Astaire
  • Swing Time (1936) finale duet with Fred Astaire, Helen Broderick, Victor Young and Georges Metaxa
  • "Pick Yourself Up" duet with Fred Astaire with extended music and dancing sounds
  • "The Continental" with Erick Rhodes and ensemble plus some words from Fred Astaire; includes closing credits music
The songs that Fred Astaire sang in those movies are also on the same page including:  "Never Gonna Dance", "Bojangles of Harlem", "The Way You Look Tonight", "A Needle in a Haystack", and "Night and Day" plus the song "Let's Knockaknees" and the music for "Waltz in Swingtime", dancing sounds included, with introduction dialogue by Fred Astaire and Georges Metaxa.
http://archive.org/details/Swingtime1936AndTheGayDivorcee1934



The soundtrack from Shall We Dance (1937) with music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin.  Ginger sings: (updated Dec 1, 2012)
  • "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" duet with Fred Astaire, with some of the skating sounds from the dance
  • "They All Laughed" just one chorus from the movie
The songs that Fred Astaire sang in this movie are also on the same page including: "I've Got Beginners Luck", "Slap That Bass" and "They Can't Take That Away From Me"
http://archive.org/details/ShallWeDance1937FredAstaireAndGingerRogers



The soundtrack from Top Hat (1935) and The Gay Divorcee (1934) only has 2 songs by Ginger:  (updated Dec 1, 2012)
  • "The Continental" with Erick Rhodes and ensemble plus some words from Fred Astaire; includes closing credits music
  • "The Piccolino" with music from dance and dancing sounds and the music from the finale dance
The songs that Fred Astaire sang in those movies are also on the same page including: "A Needle in a Haystack", "Night and Day", "Cheek to Cheek", "Isn't It a Lovely Day to Get Caught in the Rain", "No Strings" and "Top Hat, White Tie and Tails".
http://archive.org/details/TopHat1935AndTheGayDivorcee1934



Two songs from two different movies where Ginger appeared with Fred Astaire.  Or maybe Fred appeared with Ginger.  Either way:
  • "The Yam" from Carefree, this is a different version from the movie
  • "My One and Only Highland Fling" duet with Fred Astaire from Barkleys of Broadway, this sounds like it is from the movie
http://archive.org/details/01TheYam

  • "I'll String Along With You"  (1934)
This recording is right out of the movie Twenty Million Sweethearts, it is the duet that Ginger sings with Dick Powell
http://archive.org/details/DickPowellGingerRogers-IllStringAlongWithYou
a different edit of the same duet:
http://archive.org/details/ATreasuryOfWarnerBrosClassicMovieSoundtracksVolumeOne


  • "Did You Ever See a Dream Walking" (1933)
This song is from the movie Sitting Pretty of the big finale and right out of the movie with that last note of Ginger's cut off and everything!
http://archive.org/details/JackHaleyGingerRogers-DidYouEverSeeADreamWalking1933


  • "You're Such a Comfort To Me" (1933)
An ensemble piece from the movie Sitting Pretty.  Ginger starts it off and the other cast members, Jack Oakey, Thelma Todd and Jack Haley, get their time with it as well.
http://archive.org/details/JackHaleyGingerRogers-YoureSuchAComfortToMe1933


Bit of a stretch here... A few records of music and dialogue from Warner Bros movies has Ginger Rogers singing "We're in the Money" and "I'll String Along With You" (with Dick Powell).  You have to plow through a lot of other stuff but if you are looking for just Ginger, maybe the following will help: (updated Dec 1, 2012)
  • Warners 1926 - 1949 S1 01:  an abbreviated "We're In the Money" from Gold Diggers of 1933  just from 14:46-15:17 and "I'll String Along With You" with Dick Powell from Twenty Million Sweethearts at 19:00 - 21:00 (20:19 Ginger joins in)
  • Warners Hooray for Hollywood S2: at the top is "We're In the Money" from Gold Diggers of 1933 (a longer version but no Pig Latin); "Shuffle Off to Buffalo" is on the record too but no Ginger. 
http://archive.org/details/MovieSoundracks-DialogueAndMusicalsExcerptsFrom1926-1949


Another version of "We're in the Money" with the movie introduction music but still no Pig Latin:
  • Warners We're In the Money
http://archive.org/details/ATreasuryOfWarnerBrosClassicMovieSoundtracksVolumeOne
Note: The item with George Raft's introduction on this page cuts Ginger out of the song completely



Sorry, no singing:
  • Robert E. Lee from the movie The Story of Vernon and Irene CastleThis is just the  music when Ginger dances with Fred Astaire in their first dance together of the movie.  You can hear some dancing sounds if you listen for them. 
http://archive.org/details/SoundtracksFromHollywoodMusicalsVolumeTwo
this one plays the tune:
http://ia601502.us.archive.org/28/items/SoundtracksFromHollywoodMusicalsVolumeTwo/RobertE.LeeFromTheStoryOfIreneAndVernonCastle1939.mp3



Last, this item comes up on a search of Ginger Rogers on archive.org but it is only her talented feet that were recorded from the movie Roberta.  With one sung line by Fred Astaire and a few sounds from Ginger cut off at the end, I would barely consider it a Ginger Rogers item.
http://archive.org/details/FredAstaireAndGingerRogers-SmokeGetsInYourEyes

Photoplay magazine image at top of page available at:
http://archive.org/stream/photoplay53chic#page/38/mode/2up

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Academy Award

Motion Picture magazine      February 1941
Miss Ginger Rogers won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as the lead in the movie Kitty Foyle in 1940.  On April 6, 1946, she appeared on the radio show "Academy Award" (sometimes called "Academy Award Theater") to re-enact her role.  A lot has been cut out to get the show down to 30 minutes, but the story is the same.  There are a few commercials for the sponsor mixed in too.
It is available in the public domain on archive.org:

http://archive.org/details/OTRR_Academy_Award_Theater_Singles

or you can listen to Kitty Foyle episode 2 at:

http://ia600301.us.archive.org/11/items/OTRR_Academy_Award_Theater_Singles/Academy_Award_46-04-06_ep02_Kitty_Foyle.mp3

Motion Picture magazine      March 1941


















To see Ginger Rogers getting her Oscar for the movie Kitty Foyle, check out:

http://archive.org/details/1941-03-04_Screen_Notables_Hear_Roosevelt

You really should listen to President Roosevelt speak but if you just can't wait to see Ginger get her hands on that statue, move ahead to 1:30.


Ginger presents Fred Astaire with a special award at the 22nd Academy Awards for 1949.  He was in New York City and they set up a special "circuit" so the audience could hear him.  Ginger gives a nice speech and then chit-chats with Fred.
http://archive.org/details/AcademyAwardsCeremonies
Go to part 3, minute 07:55 or listen at:
http://ia700304.us.archive.org/6/items/AcademyAwardsCeremonies/22nd_Academy_Awards_Ceremony_Part_3.mp3
The blog page for this item is:  http://thegingerrogersresouce.blogspot.com/2013/01/ginger-rogers-presents-special-academy.html
(updated January 20, 2013)


Motion Picture magazine      June 1941
Motion Picture magazine images available at:
http://archive.org/stream/motionpicture61fawc#page/n35/mode/2up
http://archive.org/stream/motionpicture61fawc#page/n139/mode/2up
http://archive.org/stream/motionpicture61fawc#page/n387/mode/2up

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Hollywood On the Air

Photoplay Magazine  1934 and 1935




These shows were radio promotions for the movies.  There are 3 with Miss Ginger Rogers in them.  Sounding a lot like ads for the movies, they have sound clips from the movies and a light description of the story.  The show is also listed as "Hollywood Is On The Air" and can be found on archive.org.

http://archive.org/details/otr_hollywoodisontheair
Also: (updated December 13, 2012)
http://archive.org/details/OTRR_Movie_Previews_Singles


Roberta

or listen (to #22) at:
http://ia600502.us.archive.org/2/items/otr_hollywoodisontheair/Hollywood_is_on_the_Air_-_Roberta_1935.mp3
Irene Dunne sings "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes", Ginger Rogers sings "I'll Be Hard to Handle",  Irene Dunne sings "Lovely to Look At", Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire sing "I Won't Dance".

The same record can also be found at:  (updated December 13, 2012)
http://ia700703.us.archive.org/27/items/OTRR_Movie_Previews_Singles/Hollywood_Is_On_The_Air_35-xx-xx_Roberta.mp3
and: (updated November 18, 2012)
http://archive.org/details/FredAstaireAndGingerRogersRadioPromosForTopHatRoberta1935
this item is presented along with the RKO Radio Preview of Top Hat.  More information on the Top Hat recording can be found in this blog:
http://thegingerrogersresouce.blogspot.com/2012/11/top-hat-rko-radio-preview.html


The Gay Divorcee

or listen (to #32) at:
http://ia700502.us.archive.org/2/items/otr_hollywoodisontheair/Hollywood_is_on_the_Air_-_The_Gay_Divorcee_1934.mp3
and:  (updated December 13, 2012)
http://ia700703.us.archive.org/27/items/OTRR_Movie_Previews_Singles/RKO_Productions_34-xx-xx_Gay_Divorcee.mp3
Fred Astaire sings and dances to "Looking for a Needle in a Haystack", Betty Grable and Edward Everett Horton sing "Let's Knock Knees", Fred Astaire sings "Night and Day", Ginger Rogers (and Erik Rhodes) sings "The Continental".

Twenty Million Sweethearts

or listen (to #42) at:
http://ia600502.us.archive.org/2/items/otr_hollywoodisontheair/Hollywood_is_on_the_Air_-_Twenty_Million_Sweethearts_1934.mp3
and: (updated December 13, 2012)
http://ia700703.us.archive.org/27/items/OTRR_Movie_Previews_Singles/Warner_Brothers_Air_Trailers_34-xx-xx_Twenty_Million_Sweethearts.mp3
The orchestra plays a bit; Dick Powell sings "Fair and Warmer", The Mills Brothers join Powell in singing "Out for No Good"; Ginger Rogers, Pat O'Brien and Dick Powell in a scene; Ginger Rogers, the Princess of Pep, sings "Out for No Good"; Dick Powell sings "I'll String Along with You".


There is a salute to Jerome Kern, called "Sunny" on both pages.  In the intro, Ginger Rogers is listed as featured HOWEVER, she is featured dancing with Fred Astaire.  I don't consider the actress as truly being featured here with only the sound of her feet dancing to "Waltz in Swing Time".  I love the dance in the movie Swing Time but can't help feeling short changed, thinking I'm going to "hear" Ginger Rogers.  Fred Astaire sings "Just the Way You Look Tonight" and again, Ginger was standing near him in the film, but she is only there if you use your imagination with the radio.

Photoplay magazine images above available at:
Roberta - http://www.archive.org/stream/photoplayvolume44748chic#page/n543/mode/2up
Gay Divorcee  - http://archive.org/stream/photo47chic#page/n701/mode/2up
20 Million Sweethearts - http://archive.org/stream/photo46chic#page/n651/mode/2up

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Everything For the Boys

Photoplay Magazine       September 1940



Mr. Ronald Coleman with guest Miss Ginger Rogers present "The Petrified Forest", from the play written by Robert Sherwood.  This show was a 30 minute version of the movie.  There are a lot of messages for those at home and those overseas and has a very patriotic air to it.  The show is listed as in the public domain.  After the show, listen to Ginger and Ronnie making a long distance call to 2 U.S. servicemen at a bomber base in England.  One of the soldiers asks Ginger for her private telephone number.  How many guys would have liked to have the opportunity, and the nerve, to do the same?



The Petrified Forest

January 18, 1944

http://archive.org/details/EverythingfortheBoys
the show is at the top of the list or listen at:
http://ia700200.us.archive.org/23/items/EverythingfortheBoys/Eftb_44-01-18-ep01_Petrified_Forest.mp3

Photoplay magazine image available at:http://archive.org/stream/photoplay52chic#page/n201/mode/2up

Friday, September 14, 2012

Bob Hope Show

Photoplay Magazine  May 1934

From Camp Pendleton, Ocean Side, California, U.S.A.

Sponsored by Pepsodent, Miss Ginger Rogers sings and does a sketch with Bob Hope during this show for U.S. Marines at Camp Pendleton in California during WWII.  Also on the show were singer Francis Langford, Jerry Colonna, and Vera Vague.

February 8, 1944

http://archive.org/details/The_Bob_Hope_Program
scroll down to:  440208_-_214_-_Ginger_Rogers.mp3
or listen at:
http://ia600209.us.archive.org/20/items/The_Bob_Hope_Program/440208_-_214_-_Ginger_Rogers.mp3

Ginger sings "Shoo-Shoo-Baby" during the show.  The video below presents the song with pictures of Ginger from fan magazines found in the Media History Digital Library  (http://mediahistoryproject.org/fanmagazines/).


Bob Hope did a lot of radio shows, for the troops and otherwise, but this is the only one I've found with Ginger Rogers.  The Bob Hope Chevy Show, that the two appeared in for U.S. troops in Alaska on December 28, 1956, is also on archive.org at:

The Bob Hope Chevy Show (TV) :

http://archive.org/details/TheBobHopeChevyShow-28december1956

Peggy King, Mickey Mantle, Jerry Colonna, Hedda Hopper, Carol Morris, Miss Universe; the Del Rubio Triplets, the Purdue University Glee Club, and Les Brown and his band of renown also appear on that show.


Photoplay magazine image above available at:
http://archive.org/stream/photo46chic#page/n527/mode/2up

Suspense

Photoplay Magazine  August 1938


A radio drama series that was "well calculated" to keep the audience in suspense, featured Miss Ginger Rogers once.  The show was titled Vamp 'Til Dead starring Ginger Rogers as Amy.  This episode was sponsored by Autolight and the commercials are included.  The series was on for 20 years so there are a lot of episodes.  Wherever I see this show mentioned online, the title is spelled "Vamp Till Dead" which changes the meaning of the title so I've been resistant to spell it that way.

Vamp 'Til Dead

January 11, 1951

http://archive.org/details/OTRR_Suspense_Singles
and scroll, a long way down, to:
Suspense 510111 411 Vamp Till Dead (64-44) 14520 30m48s


or listen at:
http://ia600604.us.archive.org/13/items/OTRR_Suspense_Singles/Suspense_510111_411_Vamp_Till_Dead_-64-44-_14520_30m48s.mp3


The collection has a notation of being in the public domain with an explanation of the license found here:
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/


Photoplay magazine image above available at:
http://archive.org/stream/photoplayvolume52chic#page/n131/mode/2up

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Amos and Andy


Just one episode of Amos and Andy featured Miss Ginger Rogers, it was called "Bookends and Babies".  This show is listed in the public domain.


December 10, 1943

http://archive.org/details/Amos_N_Andy
scroll down to aa431210_Bookends_And_Babies.mp3
or listen at:
http://ia700508.us.archive.org/7/items/Amos_N_Andy/The_Amos_n_Andy_Show_43-12-10_ep010_Bookends_and_Babies.mp3


Not much else to say here so how about a game of Truth or Consequences with Ginger Rogers from Photoplay magazine, July 1939?





Photoplay magazine images above available at:
http://archive.org/stream/photopla15chic#page/n29/mode/2up
http://archive.org/stream/photopla15chic#page/n91/mode/2up

G.I. Journal

Photoplay Magazine  April 1940


Radio Newspaper of the AEF and in the public domain.  Stars abound to put together a radio newspaper for the boys "over there".  I've only found one episode with Ginger Rogers appearing in it on archive.org.  Frank Sinatra and Fibber McGee and Molly (Jim Jordan and Marian Jordan) carry most of the show and make with the laughs while they wait for Ginger Rogers to arrive (13:48).  Connie Haines, Mel Blanc, Arthur Q. Bryan and the Les Paul Trio can also be heard.


January 12, 1945

http://archive.org/details/G.i.Journal-10Episodes
scroll down to GI_Journal_450112_Fibber_McGee_And_Molly or listen at:
http://ia700302.us.archive.org/2/items/G.i.Journal-10Episodes/GI_Journal_450112_Fibber_McGee_And_Molly_64kb.mp3

Photoplay magazine image above available at:
http://archive.org/stream/photoplayvolume554chicx#page/n321/mode/2up

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Command Performance

Photoplay Magazine   March 1936



"The greatest entertainers in America as requested by you, the service men and woman of the United States Armed Forces throughout the world.  Presented this week and ever week 'til it's over, over there."

A variety show produced by AFRS - Armed Forces Radio Service - and now in the public domain.  The shows featured American stars as requested by U.S. military personnel who were overseas during and after World War II.  Miss Ginger Rogers made several appearances and served mostly as host but was a guest as well.  There was singing, orchestras performing, lots of joke telling and comedic scenes.  The show was usually taped in Los Angeles, California but went to New York City and Washington, DC a few times as well.


[The URL addresses below aren't links, so you'll have to copy them and then paste into your browser.] 


August 21, 1943
episode 80  (number 74 on the archive.org player)
Ginger Rogers as "Commanding Officer" with Frank Sinatra (sings "Embraceable You" and "Night and Day"), Arthur Q. Bryan and Mel Blanc (Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny have a chat), Alice Faye (sings) and Ed Gardner ("Archie" talks with Ginger and then Frank Sinatra)

http://archive.org/details/CommandPerformance
scroll down looking for "Ginger Rogers, Frank Sinatra, Alice Faye, Ed Gardner" or listen at:
http://ia700302.us.archive.org/11/items/CommandPerformance/CP_43-08-21_ep080-Ginger_Rogers__Frank_Sinatra__Alice_Faye__Ed_Gardner.mp3


August 5, 1944
episode 132 (number 115 on archive.org player)
Ginger Rogers as "Mistress of Ceremonies" with Virginia O'Brien (sings), Jimmy Durante (jokes with Ginger and sings), Golden Gate Quartet, and George Murphy (sketch with Ginger and Jimmy), then everyone sings a bunch of songs, most of which must have sounded terribly familiar to Ginger.

http://archive.org/details/CommandPerformance
scroll down looking for "Ginger Rogers, Virginia O'Brien, Jimmy Durante" or listen at:
http://ia600302.us.archive.org/11/items/CommandPerformance/CP_44-08-05_ep132-Ginger_Rogers__Virginia_OBrien__Jimmy_Durante.mp3


September 30, 1944

episode 140 (number 122 on archive.org player)
Deanna Durbin as "Mistress of Ceremonies", with Jack Benny, Martha Tilton (sings), Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, Buddy Rich, Ziggy Elman, Ed McKinney, Illinois Jacquet, and Les Paul (seriously swingin' jam session), Ginger Rogers (witty repartee with Jack and Deanna and...), James Cagney and Don Wilson

http://archive.org/details/CommandPerformance

scroll down looking for "Deanna Durbin, Jack Benny, Ginger Rogers" or listen at:
http://ia600302.us.archive.org/11/items/CommandPerformance/CP_44-09-30_ep140-Deanna_Durbin__Jack_Benny__Ginger_Rogers.mp3


March 7, 1946

episode 214 (number 184 on archive.org player)
Ginger Rogers as host (GRGinger to you) with Kay Starr (sings), Burl Ives (sings folk songs), Ozzie and Harriet (sketch with Ginger), Johnny Green (plays piano) and Ken Carpenter

http://archive.org/details/CommandPerformance
scroll down looking for "Ginger Rogers, Burl Ives" or listen at:
http://ia700302.us.archive.org/11/items/CommandPerformance/CP_46-03-07_ep214-Ginger_Rogers__Burl_Ives.mp3


February 23, 1947
episode 253 (number 197 on archive.org player)
Ginger Rogers as "Navigator" with Ken Niles, Rose Marie (sings and jokes), Carmen Cavallaro (plays the Carioca on the piano), Phil Baker (does a sketch with Ginger)

http://archive.org/details/CommandPerformance
scroll down looking for "Ginger Rogers, Rose Marie" or listen at:
http://ia700302.us.archive.org/11/items/CommandPerformance/CP_47-02-23_ep253-Ginger_Rogers__Rose_Marie.mp3


August 14, 1945
"Victory Extra", Ginger Rogers is listed as appearing but only says one line at 27:34
http://archive.org/details/CommandPerformance
look for "Victory Extra" or number 165 on archive.org player
http://ia600302.us.archive.org/11/items/CommandPerformance/CP_45-08-14_epxxx-Victory_Extra.mp3


Photoplay magazine image above found at:
http://www.archive.org/stream/photoplayvolume449chic#page/n285/mode/2up

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Shell Chateau

Photoplay Magazine,   May 1934
Sometimes hosted by Al Jolson, and featuring Victor Young and his orchestra, this musical variety program showcased stars like Miss Ginger Rogers.  There is one episode featuring Miss Rogers available on archive.org. (see below)

Before you get to Ginger's performance you have to wait through the other entertainments.  Al Jolson sings and tells jokes.  Jack Penn and Peggy Gardener (sp?) sing, rather operatically.  Edward Everett Horton chats with Al and then performs a sketch to the mild amusement of the audience.  Al returns and sings some more little ditties and tells some more jokes that weren't old at the time (haha).  Harold Savoy comes out and does his schtick to greater audience amusement.  AND FINALLY Ginger Rogers arrives to talk about Top Hat (at 37:32).  She speaks a little pig latin and then sings "No Strings".  After Ginger and Al run through some dialogue from Top Hat, you are treated to Ginger singing "Isn't It a Lovely Day to Be Caught in the Rain".  Al finishes the show by singing "Sonny Boy".

[The URL addresses below aren't links, so you'll have to copy them and then paste into your browser.]

September 28, 1935

http://archive.org/details/OTRR_Shell_Chateau_Singles
scroll down and look for the episode with Ginger Rogers or listen at:
http://ia700308.us.archive.org/3/items/OTRR_Shell_Chateau_Singles/Shell_Chateau_35-09-28_026_Guest_-_Ginger_Rogers.mp3

There are some rights reserved on this program.  For full details of license:
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/

Here is a clip of just Ginger's appearance:   
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOoRlDbcphc






Missing from archive.org:
June 6, 1936 with host Smith Ballow (Jolson has left the show) also featuring Ginger Rogers, John Barrymore, Edward Everett Horton and Malvin Koontz, a lion tamer; and Olga Zeleste, a wild animal trainer (how did that go on the radio?)

Photoplay magazine image above found at:http://archive.org/stream/photo46chic#page/n557/mode/2up

Monday, September 10, 2012

The Big Show

February 1936

The Big Show was hosted by Tallulah Bankhead.  It had singing, dramatic readings, an orchestra and a lot of jokes, mostly at Tallulah's expense.  Check out Miss Ginger Rogers in her one appearance available on archive.org.  It is hard to find because Ginger isn't listed on the page anywhere.  Look for Episode 27 with Fred Allen and Georgie Jessell.

The show goes, from the Ginger Rogers fan point of view, as follows:  Ginger jokes with Tallulah and Groucho and then sings "It's So Nice to Have a Man Around the House."  That is followed by Ginger reading a poem called "Mother" and Tallulah countering it with a version of her own.  Ginger says hello, in French, to Lucienne Boyer and then pretty much sits out the majority of the show.  (She gets one funny line during an exchange with Margaret Truman at the mid-point.)  Then, almost at the end, Ginger returns in character for a very funny sketch with Groucho and Fred Allen.  If you aren't paying attention, you won't recognize Ginger's voice and think you're listening to Judy Holiday instead.  Then everyone pitches in to sing the finale, "May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You ('Til We Meet Again)".



May 6, 1951


http://archive.org/details/OTRR_The_Big_Show_Singles
51-05-06_ep27_Fred_Allen,_Georgie_Jessell
or listen at:
http://ia700500.us.archive.org/16/items/OTRR_The_Big_Show_Singles/51-05-06_ep27_Fred_Allen_Georgie_Jessell.mp3

There are some rights reserved on this program.  For full details of license:
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/

Missing from archive.org:
The Big Show,  December 2, 1951 also featuring Fred Allen, George Sanders, Lauritz Melchior, Paul McGrath and Dolores Gray

Photoplay magazine image found at:http://www.archive.org/stream/photoplayvolume449chic#page/n121/mode/2up

Friday, September 7, 2012

The Cavalcade of America

April 1937

Only 3 shows to enjoy with Miss Ginger Rogers' voice behind the main character.  This was an anthology series sponsored by the DuPont company (you know, the "...better living through chemistry" people).  The stories have historic themes and positive outcomes through the courage and perseverance of the characters.  There are several collections of the same shows on archive.org:

http://archive.org/details/COA_OTRR_Cert_CD1
http://archive.org/details/CavalcadeOfAmerica *
http://archive.org/details/OTRR_Certified_Cavalcade_of_America
   For this collection, you have to download large segments of shows to listen to them, as there is no player option.
http://archive.org/details/OTRR_Cavalcade_of_America_Singles 
These could be the same as the zip files (just above) but you can listen to one at a time.

Most of the above shows are listed with these notes (see * below too):
1)  You must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor (but not in any way that suggests that they endorse you or your use of the work).
2)  You may not use this work for commercial purposes. 
3)  You may not alter, transform, or build upon this work.
For more details go to:  http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ 

[The addresses above and below aren't links, so you'll have to copy them and then paste into your browser.]

May 16, 1949

The House Near Little Dock Street
http://archive.org/details/COA_OTRR_Cert_CD1
CALV 490516 612
part of introduction cut off, cuts off at the end, muffled and slightly hard to hear
http://ia600401.us.archive.org/9/items/COA_OTRR_Cert_CD1/Calv490516612TheHouseNearLittleDockStreet.mp3

http://archive.org/details/CavalcadeOfAmerica
49-05-16_CavalcadeOfAmerica_612
full introduction, cuts off at the end, some recording grinding noise, smaller file size
http://ia600408.us.archive.org/21/items/CavalcadeOfAmerica/49-05-16_CavalcadeOfAmerica_612_TheHouseNearLittleDockStreet.mp3

OTRR_Certified_CoA_Ver1_CD_12of14.zip on http://archive.org/details/OTRR_Certified_Cavalcade_of_America
 again, you have to download the zip file and "unarchive" it to listen to the shows.
part of introduction cut off, cuts off at the end

http://archive.org/details/OTRR_Cavalcade_of_America_Singles
CALV 490516 612 The House Near Little Dock Street
part of introduction cut off, cuts off at the end
http://ia600509.us.archive.org/16/items/OTRR_Cavalcade_of_America_Singles/CALV_490516_612_The_House_Near_Little_Dock_Street.mp3


October 10, 1950

Emma
with Ozzie Davis
Ginger Rogers reads from the diary of the real Emma at the end. 

http://archive.org/details/COA_OTRR_Cert_CD1
CALV 501010 669 Emma
http://ia700401.us.archive.org/9/items/COA_OTRR_Cert_CD1/Calv501010669Emma.mp3

http://archive.org/details/CavalcadeOfAmerica
50-10-10_CavalcadeOfAmerica_669_Emma.mp3
http://ia700408.us.archive.org/21/items/CavalcadeOfAmerica/50-10-10_CavalcadeOfAmerica_669_Emma.mp3

OTRR_Certified_CoA_Ver1_CD_13of14.zip on http://archive.org/details/OTRR_Certified_Cavalcade_of_America
again, you have to download the zip file and "unarchive" it to listen to the shows.
 
http://archive.org/details/OTRR_Cavalcade_of_America_Singles
CALV 501010 669 Emma
http://ia600509.us.archive.org/16/items/OTRR_Cavalcade_of_America_Singles/CALV_501010_669_Emma.mp3


November 6, 1951

Seven Hundred Boiled Shirts

http://archive.org/details/COA_OTRR_Cert_CD1
CALV 511106 717 Seven Hundred Boiled Shirts
http://ia600401.us.archive.org/9/items/COA_OTRR_Cert_CD1/Calv511106717SevenHundredBoiledShirts.mp3

http://archive.org/details/CavalcadeOfAmerica
51-11-06_CavalcadeOfAmerica_717_700BoiledShirts.mp3
http://ia600408.us.archive.org/21/items/CavalcadeOfAmerica/51-11-06_CavalcadeOfAmerica_717_700BoiledShirts.mp3
 
OTRR_Certified_CoA_Ver1_CD_13of14.zip on http://archive.org/details/OTRR_Certified_Cavalcade_of_America
again, you have to download the zip file and "unarchive" it to listen to the shows.
 
http://archive.org/details/OTRR_Cavalcade_of_America_Singles
CALV 511106 717 Seven Hundred Boiled Shirts
http://ia700509.us.archive.org/16/items/OTRR_Cavalcade_of_America_Singles/CALV_511106_717_Seven_Hundred_Boiled_Shirts.mp3


 *This group is listed as in the public domain on archive.org without the added notes listed above.
Photoplay magazine image found at:  http://archive.org/stream/photoplayvolume551chicx#page/n365/mode/2up