2015.030

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1946 - 1946

Date(s) Created: 1946 Date(s): 1946

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Notes: Archives 2015.030.2008 ==== Sinatra Scope ==== [page 1] Vol. 1 No. 1 June 1946 FRANK SINATRA There will be a new Sinatra album soon, but Frank won’t be singing in it. Alec Wilder composed six modernistic pieces, which Frank liked for woodwind and string ensemble. Frank puzzled out the score, arranged a Columbia date, and conducted the orchestra. Records are twelve-inchers, and the album, titled "Conducted by-Sinatra," will be released in the fall. Musicians who played the numbers went away talking about Frank’s feel for music and his ability to lead, despite lack of formal training. They are saying that "The Voice" is equally capable as "The Baton." SCRAPBOOK ITEMS "Scrapbook Items" will begin in the second issue with an article on the Sinatras Toluca Lake home. Due to lack of space (as well as lack of time) it is impossible to include more of the article which follows, in this issue. The air of hospitality of Frank and Nancy who love crowds of company is reflected in their Toluca Lake home. In an interview with a local columnist, Karen Gaylord (formerly Miss Minnesota of '42 and now an MGM starlet) said that the Sinatras are one of the most home-loving couples in Hollywood. She often goes to their home "where parties are spontaneous and everyone is so willing to help entertain and Frank does his act." THUMBNAIL SKETCH There is nothing Frank Sinatra likes better than a good congenial conversation. And he says just what he thinks, even though it isn’t good business judgment. Frank likes parties, large or small, and almost any kind of grand opening. He likes to sing with or without an audience. His favorite classic composers are Debussey, Ravel, Rachmaninoff, and Wagner. When he was in New York on a short visit in April he saw the Broadway musical hit "Carousel" about four times inside of two days he had been there. He says its one of his favorite shows and he could see it again. The King Cole Trio is also a favorite with Frank, and he has almost every recording they made. Frank made his first starring movie early in 1943, and returned to New York that same year to sing nightly before sophisticated patrons of the Waldorf-Astoria Wedgewood Room. Film executives discovered that not only could he put over a song, but his personality and natural charm appealed to grown-ups as well as his younger followers. "The Voice" signed a new contract with MGM studios which permits him to make one outside picture a year, and he will be billed as both actor and singer. ==== [page] 2 LETTER FROM FRANK'S SECRETARY Dear Frances: Frank forwarded your letter to me, as I am the secretary who takes care of his mail and the flan clubs, There are hundreds of clubs now and it is quite a task to keep track of so many, but yet I manage somehow to keep in touch with a good many of them* I am especially interested in clubs which show originality in their ideas. So many of them are all run just the same way, that I have often suggested new ideas for clubs just starting. One that I'm rather proud of, is called Frank's Coast to Coast Hookup. Only one member is accepted from each state, and that representative is called Girl From Maine, Girl From Texas, and so on This is put on their individual note-paper and it does look very attractive. Since this is to be a club with an interest in music, you could have a wonderful club pin, if you should decide to have such a thing. It could be a bar pin, with Frank's name on it, and made like a clip, then both boys and girls could wear it. The boys could use it as a tie clasp and the girls could put it on their lapels or even on their hair, if they wanted to. I don't know how your club feels about corresponding, but since this letter is so long now, it might as well be a little longer. I'll tell you about my plan for bringing the foreign fans and the US fans together. I formed what is called The Adopt A Foreign Fan Association and it is composed of the Fan Club presidents in this country. The presidents need not correspond with one another unless they want to, but I send out a bulletin to the members each month as an easy way to write them all regularly. The point is not so much linking the clubs together, as giving them a chance to get acquainted with Sinatra fans in other countries. I give to each club president as many foreign names as she has members in the club, then she gives just one name to each of her members. The member then takes care of the person whose name she drew, writes, asks her to be a pen pal and now and then sends clippings or snaps. They all love it and I have given out several thousand foreign names. If you'd like to do this and become an AAFFA member it does not mean that you need try getting acquainted with other fan clubs, but that each of you (boy or girl) will be given a foreign pen pal. It would be too good to expect, but it would be wonderful if I could find musically inclined pen pals for all of you It would need some experimenting. Sincerely, Marjorie Diven Miss Diven's address is 1755 Broadway, New York 19, N.Y. Please ask your club president for names, if you'd like a foreign pen pal. ==== [page] 3 NEW MOVIES "Till the Clouds Roll By," screen biography of the late composer Jerome Kern, is a variety show with a parade of MGM favorites: Robert Walker as Kern, June Allyson, Van Johnson, Frank Sinatra, Kathryn Grayson, Van Heflin, Lena Horn, Judy Garland, Dinah Shore, Tony Martin, and many others. Frank sings Ole Man River; Kathryn Grayson sings Making Believe with Tony Martin in the Showboat sequence; Tony Martin sings the closing song. All the Things You Are. Frank's first movie since signing a new Metro contract is entitled "It Happened In Brooklyn," in which he co-stars with Kathryn Grayson and Peter Lawford. It is described not as a musical, but as a story with music in it. THE UN While in New York in April, Frank witnessed a United Nations Security Council Session. He met Gromyko, the Russian delegate, and Oscar Lange, the Russian Ambassador, who remembered his first meeting with "The Voice." Frank was making a personal appearance at the Waldorf-Astoria Wedgewood Room (last November) and was leaving his suite to go downstairs. He was stopped by a Russian general, who insisted that he should go to the ambassador's room because the ambassador wanted to meet him. "I can't right now," the singer replied. "I'm on in a few minutes." "But the ambassador wishes to meet you," said the general. Frank continued, "I'm a working man. I've got a job to do downstairs." "Work?" questioned the general. "I understand. Come back later." MEET CO-PRESIDENT JEANNE KENNEDY Jeanne, whose address is Castanea, Pa., is sixteen. She likes singing, dancing, collecting Frank's records, pictures of him, news, and "anything pertaining to Frank." Jeanne told us about the time in her science class in high school when they were discussing television. Her science teacher said that now with television in, we could see Frank Sinatra "in action." When one of the students exclaimed "who wants to see him," the teacher explained that Sinatra, whom he had met personally, was a swell guy ("swell" being a meager description of him). One of the reasons why some people didn't like Sinatra was jealousy, he went on to say#. Those who already had their favorites didn't like to see FS become better than the stars they liked. Frank must have charm, Jeanne said, because this teacher is a tough one to win over. To give you an idea of how tough he is, he is the high school football coach. Her mother, who likes Bing Crosby, thinks Frank is wonderful ==== [page] 4 MEET CO-PRESIDENT JEANNE KENNEDY (Cont'd) and Jeanne thinks the same about Bing's singing. It's Jeanne's opinion that a feud between the fans isn't really necessary. Her six-year old brother likes to look thru her scrapbook of FS, and when he's on the radio, curls up with her to listen. PEN PALS Pen Pals does not take up too much space in this issue, because of late distribution. It will be continued in each issue and we're hoping that all of you will join. When asking for a pen pal, please tell about any hobbies or interests. Beth Hurwitz 1250 W. 61 Terrace, Kansas City 2, Mo., says that she has loads of movie mags and just calls that a hobby. Beth likes all kinds of music and is taking popular piano lessons. She collects pictures of Frank and his records. Edward Anderegg 283 Ivy St. Kearny, N. J., writes that he saw Frank when he was not nearly as famous as he is now. Edward informs us that Frank is five feet, ten inches in height, weighs about 148 pounds, and “looks as though he could take care of himself. He has blue eyes, dark brown curly hair (curly in the front) and is very nice looking. Edward would like a pen pal very much. Carole McVeety, of Bemidji, Minn., Eunice Riste of Ada, Minn., Janet Earl 249 E. Hazeltine Ave. Kenmore, 17, N.Y., and Laura Paul of Pineville, La., all would like pen pals. Bernadell Carpenter, Hebron, Ind., Box 265, says that she likes to do many things but dancing is her favorite. Her chief interest is in music, and she takes vocal lessons. Doris Anderson 8901 Vinton Ave. Detroit 13, Mich., belongs to several other Sinatra clubs. Alice Kuchar 9220 Cambridge Ave. Cleveland, Ohio, says that her hobby is photography. She studies piano—both classics and popular, and likes all kinds of music. She saw Frank at the December 15 Cleveland Press Show last year, and says that he sang all wonderful songs, but the one she liked best was Nancy!" Jeanne Bonura 595 Evergreen Ave. Brooklyn 7, N.Y., says her hobbies are collecting things pertaining to Frank (mostly snapshots). One of her favorite pastimes is listening to Frank's recordings. SPECIAL THANKS goes to Doreen Yarnell for conducting this FAN CLUB CORNER. For information regarding any of the following clubs, write to Doreen at this address and be sure to enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope for prompt reply; ==== [page] 5 PEN PALS (Cont'd) Doreen Yarnell 206 N. Lincoln Fullerton, Calif. Two Bing Crosby Clubs Van Johnson Club Keenan Wynn Club Jane Wyman Club Alan Ladd Clubs Sinatra - Krupa Club Other Sinatra Clubs LOUIS CATUS, discharged from service in March, writes that he thinks prank is great, and that he is all for his ideas. "More stars should do many of the fine things that Sinatra has been doing," says Louis about Frank. PORTRAIT This is a portrait of a young man who was a leading figure in athletics in his high school years. He was a star forward on his school's champion basket ball team, and a member of the track and swimming team. His dad, an ex-prizefighter, was a likable fellow who dreamed that someday his son would become a civil engineer. (The boy studied at a technology institute for six months after he graduated from high school). He grew up in a tough neighborhood, and according to his parents, was a normal kid, always getting in and out of some childish prank. The boy loved a fight and frequently got one, around the docks, and with the neighborhood "back alley" gang. He has always been interested in fighters, promotes fights now and he has been in the ring himself. He is well-known and well-liked by many professional sports champs. He owns a chunk of a fighter and has started construction on a West Coast sports stadium, which will be patterned after Madison Square Gardens in New York. The boy had another interest. He loved music, and in high school he joined glee clubs, and performed with school bands There is a legend that when he was holding down a job as a sports reporter on a small newspaper, he took his girl friend to see a movie that his favorite singer was starring in. He must have imagined himself in that singer's place, and after the show, he knew that what he wanted more than anything else was a career in music. He resigned from his job on the newspaper and seriously started his music career. He sang everywhere and any place for nothing, or whatever salary he could get. He figured that one thing was being accomplished -- his voice was before the public, and a few years later he was well on the way to becoming a top star. Academy Awards were presented to motion picture people who were the most important in their work, this spring. This entertainer had learned the ways of propagandists who would make Americans hate one another, and he spoke outright for the things which he believed were the American Way of Life, and those things were freedom of religion and that "all men are created ==== [page 6 blank] ==== page [7] PORTRAIT (Cont'd) equal”, -- When the president of the Screen Actors' Guild presented him with a special Oscar for his good-will, he was given the hugest ovation accorded a star during the entire evening. All of the stars who performed that evening, knew they were supposed to be present, including Bing Crosby, whose career had formerly inspired this entertainer. For some unknown reason, Crosby did not make an appearance and this entertainer was asked to take his place. (The singers were to sing various songs, one of which would be chosen the best original song for 1945—which was It Might As Well Be Spring). He was unprepared and had to read the words of the songs Crosby would have sung from cards that were placed in his hands when he walked on the stage. He received a "terrific” ovation and the distinguished audience present recognized him as a person outstanding in his field of music. You readers know him as — Frank Sinatra, 200 ILLINOIS YOUNGSTERS FORM STATE GROUP OF TEEN CANTEENS More than 200 youngsters from 40 towns and cities thruout Illinois gathered in Decatur, Ill., last November to form what is believed to be one of the first state-wide organizations of teen-age canteens. New Organization was christened the Illini Youth Association. Principal aim of the organization is to further development of teen canteens thru exchange of ideas among the youth centers of the state, which are said to number well over 100. There are some 60 canteens functioning in the Chicago area alone. Keynote of the sessions, which were held in the Decatur-Macon Youth Center, was the outlawing of any racial discrimination in the canteens. Subject was touched off by a strike among some high school pupils in Gary, Ind., against attending school with Negro youngsters. Strike attracted nation-wide attention, and Frank Sinatra was asked to come to Gary to plead with students for tolerance. Frank Sinatra attended the Hyde Park ceremonies on the first anniversary of Roosevelt's death. His arrival at Hyde Park caused a stir. Robert E. Sherwood, who knew FDR well, was standing next to a Dutch representative, who asked about the crowd pushing towards the new arrival. Sherwood told him about Sinatra. ”This seems strange to me,” said the Dutch representative. There’s the President, Mrs. Roosevelt, cabinet members, justices—and yet they push to see a singer named Sinatra. On a day dedicated to the memory of Franklin D. Roosevelt, that seems strange.” "No, on the contrary," replied Sherwood. "I think Mr. Roosevelt would have liked that." ==== [page] 8 SEQUEL TO ANCHORS AWEIGH Sinatra, Kathryn Grayson, and Gene Kelly made such a hit in Anchors Aweigh that MGM studios bought an original story for the same trio, entitled All Ashore. The new story finds the two sailors, played by Frank and Gene, discharged from service. They resolve not to let "Baby", as they've nicknamed their flat-top, be sold for scrap. With the help of a screen star, (played by Kathryn) they succeed in buying it themselves and convert it into a modern showboat, anchored off Los Angeles. THE VOICE was spotlighted as America's Fighter For Tolerance at the annual musical show given by the Hollywood Independent Citizen's Committee of Arts, Sciences and Professions, in February at the Los Angeles Shrine auditorium. The Woman's Press Club in Hollywood gave Sinatra a special bronze plaque award for his consistent efforts in combating racial and religious intolerance. THE HOUSE I LIVE IN This short is claimed by many critics to be one of the best films dealing with the evils of racial and religious intolerance. VERDICTS: (Variety, show business tradepaper) "Merit badges are due all around — to Frank Ross, who thought up the idea and LeRoy who directed; to Albert Maltz' script, Robert De Grasse's camera-work, Phillip Martin, Jr'.s editing; to Earl Robinson and Lewis Allan for "The House I Live In" song, which is a knockout, to RKO for distributing. Above all, to Sinatra, for some simple acting, ace singing, and for his good-will, etc. Film was made non-profit, with Sinatra, Ross, and LeRoy contributing their services. This is a short to make everybody concerned feel proud." Frank is seen recording a song, If You Are But a Dream. Then, sauntering out of the studio for a smoke, he finds a group of kids in the alley ganging up on one youngster. Sinatra: "Well, somebody's in for a licking." Scoop: (one of the boys) "You bet. We're gonna smear him. We're gonna run him out of the neighborhood. We don't like his religion." Sinatra: (meaningful) "Wait a minute. I got it. You're those Nazi werewolves I've been reading about." The Gang: "Mista, are you screwy?" Sinatra: "Not me. I'm an American." The Gang: "What do you think we are?" Sinatra: "Nazis." Red: (the ringleader) "Don't call me a Nazi, My father's a ==== [page] 9 THE HOUSE I LIVE IN (Cont'd) sarge in the army. He's been wounded even. He was wounded so bad they had to give him blood plasma three times." Sinatra: (turning to Danny, their victim) "Son, anybody in your family ever go to the blood bank?" Danny: "Sure. My father and mother," Sinatra turns back to Red: "Uh-uh, you know what? Maybe Danny's father's blood kept your father alive. That's bad. Isn't it?" Red: (uneasily) "What's bad about it?" Sinatra: "Don't you see? His father doesn't go to the same church as your father. That's awful. You think maybe if your father knew about it in time he would've wanted to die instead of taking blood from a man who had a different religion? Don't you get what I'm telling you, son? Religion doesn't make any real difference, except to a Nazi or a dope* People all over the world worship God in different ways,. But God created everybody. God didn't create one people better than another. Your blood is the same as mine, and mine is the same as his?" Frank points to Danny. "Fellas, listen to me," Frankie continues. "You know what this country is? It's made up of a hundred different kinds of people and a hundred different ways of going to church* And they combed their hair different American ways. If we started hating people because they were different than us, wouldn't it be crazy? Wouldn't we be first-class dopes? We certainly would* My father came from Italy. But I'm an American. And should I hate your father, Tommy, because maybe he came from Ireland or France or Holland? Wouldn't I be a fathead? "Fellas, do you remember Pearl Harbor? The Japs socked us and it didn't look like we could do anything about it. But then something happened a couple of days later. Let me tell you about it. There was a Jap battleship, the Haruna. And one of our planes spotted it. You know what it takes to bomb a battleship, It takes courage and the knowhow and team work. And our boys sure needed plenty, because the Jap was throwing enough flak to walk on. But the pilot had only one thing on his mind. To get over that ship. Then the bombardier pushed the button and a five-hundred pound tomato smacked that Jap battleship right in the middle. They sank it and every American threw his head back and felt much better. The pilot of that ship was named Collin Kelly, an American and a Presbyterian. You know who dropped the bombs? Meyer Levin, an American and a Jew. You think maybe they should've called the bombing off because they were of different religions? Think about it, will you fellas? Use your good American heads. Don't let anybody make suckers out of you." The November 12th issue of the Junior Scholastic magazine has a special cover—a scene from The House I Live In showing Frank talking to a group of typical neighborhood boys: "You all know Frank as one of America's most likable singers. But Sinatra is popular with young people for something more ==== [page] 10 THE HOUSE I LIVE IN (Con'd) than his songs. Young people also like him for his intense interest in their problems--and in teaching boys and girls of all races and religions to get along with one another. Sinatra has talked to young people in many cities. Frank Ross, a Hollywood producer, heard of these talks. He persuaded Sinatra to make a ten-minute movie dramatizing his ideas. The film is called The House I Live In. It pulls no punches. And it's not preachy. Sinatra talks straight from the shoulder to a bunch of tough kids who are picking on another boy because of his religion. He tells them what it means to be Americans—instead of Nazis. Sinatra also sings two songs--"The House I Live In” and "If You are But a Dream". WHY I LIKE FRANK SINATRA by Beth Hurwitz There is something about Frank Sinatra that is so pleasingly informal and yet so very different. I like his way of making each girl think he is singing directly to her. There is something in his . voice that sounds sincere, as if he really means what he sings. Not only his singing voice, but his talking voice too seems warm and full of meaning. And I like his looks. He looks so very much like the kind of person who goes in for the Sunday funnies and the little things of life. He looks like he would be full of fun and that is exactly the way he acts. Another thing that I like about "The Voice" is that he goes to schools and makes speeches about how wrong it is to be intolerant of someone's race or religion. There isn't just one thing that I like about "Frankie", but I like everything there is about him. That, is why Frank Sinatra is "tops" with me and always will be. -- A survey conducted by the Red Cross and army paper Stars and Stripes writers, via Interviews with service men as they arrived in the States, showed that marines in the Pacific Area went "Big" for Frank. Where juke-boxes could be had, most of the ==== [page] 11 WHY I LIKE FRANK SINATRA (Cont'd) boys wanted tunes that were relaxing. They held regular S-HOURS during which they played any Sinatra recordings that were on hand. DID YOU KNOW THAT Sinatra was chosen Outstanding Radio Father of the Year by the National Father’s Day Committee.....that CBS wants Dinah Shore and FS to be teamed on the Wednesday Old Gold Show ....that Nancy Sandra Sinatra’s sixth birthday was June 8th that pianist Skitch Henderson (he was heard frequently on Frank's program) has been giving "The Voice" flying lessons. Skitch flew four years for Uncle Sam ....when a New York columnist heard Sinatra was "flexing his muscles to spar with Billy Conn, she said "Flexing his whaaatl" Frank is asking Louis B. Mayer to let him co-star with June Allyson in a remake of "Shop-Worn Angel". June is reported as being all for the idea. AL CAPP Al Capp, creator of the Lil Abner comic strip character, wrote the lyrics to a tune titled "Don’t Marry That Girl" (music was written by Sammy Stept who wrote "Don't Sit Under The Apple Tree") and worked it into his daily comic strip. One day's comic strip showed Daisy Mae, Lil Abner's girl friend, talking to Frank Sinatra outside CBS studios in New York, where she is frantically trying to find Lil Abner. "He's gone somewhere to marry another gal; Only chance to stop him is to sing my message on the radio telling him "Don’t Mary That Girl". Frank replied, "Hmm—Frankie is on the air tomorrow night. You listen. Maybe he'll sing it—". Frank was the first to introduce the tune on the radio, and it was published by his Barton Music Co. It was sung by Kate Smith, Skinney Ennis on Bob Hope's program, Jack Smith, and it was heard on Fred Waring's program. Lil Abner finally heard Danny Kaye sing it on his Friday evening program. Then, Lil Abner gave Walter Winchell a message for Daisy Mae, which was to the affect that he had to marry Lena the Hyena from Lower Slobbovia because it was his duty so his favorite comic strip writer, Lester Gootch, could go on writing his favorite comic strip character Fearless Fosdick. Last time we read the Lil Abner comic strip, Abner was going to have his first look at Lena the Hyena. SINATRA RECORDINGS They Say That It's Wonderful The House I Live In The Girl That I Marry America the Beautiful Ole Man River If You Are But a Dream Stormy Weather Put Your Dreams Away ==== [page] 12 SINATRA RECORDINGS Nancy If I Loved You Brahm’s Cradle Song You’ll Never Walk Alone All Through the Day You Are Too Beautiful Two Hearts are Better Than One Full Moon and Empty Arms The Voice of Frank Sinatra Album Try a Little Tenderness A Ghost of a Chance You Go To My Head Why Should I Paradise I Don’t Know Why These Foolish Things Someone To Watch Over Me Among the best of the above recordings are They Say That It’s Wonderful, Brahm’s Cradle Song, The House I Live In, You Are Too Beautiful, and Frank’s closing song for his radio program, Put Your Dreams Away. Frank’s recording of the Cradle Song prompted one record review editor (February issue of magazine Seventeen) to state: "Sinatra is the most relaxed singer since Crosby, and if anyone questions his musical sincerity after this recording, I want to answer it." THE FIRST FSFC by Virginia Martin One of the club members from Kansas City asked me to write a short article telling of my association with Frank Sinatra. So here goes: I have been associated with Mr. Frank Sinatra and his clubs since 1940. Once the first club was started, it didn’t take long or them to spread over the country. At present, there are over 1000 clubs, with Marjorie Diven taking full charge in New York. I have worked both for and with many of the clubs, and watched them grow to extreme heights. All of Frank’s fans are very faithful and have helped to keep him on top, and this faithfulness is greatly appreciated by Frank. I admire Frank very much not only for his voice, but he has a wonderful personality, is a regular guy, and has proven his worth in many fields. Frank is very interested in his fan clubs, but he could never begin to read the millions of letters that keep coming in. At present he is in New York making personal appearance at the New York Paramount Theatre and the Waldorf-Astoria Wedgewood Room. Better go now, before I wear out my welcome. Your letters will be welcome if you would care to write to me. Best of Luck to your club president and your club. I remain Sincerely yours, Virginia Martin The above article was postmarked in November. Virginia’s address is: 1275 W. 72nd Terrace, Kansas City 5, Mo. ==== [page] 13 NOTES TO FRANK SINATRA MUSIC CLUB MEMBERS The FS Music Club is out of Miss Diven's inactive file now that this journal is distributed, and we are ready to go ahead with club plans for the summer. Some of the plans for the summer are distributing a second issue, or bulletin, sending snaps and photos to members, and we are going to see about having club pins. Dues change when you receive this issue of the Sinatra Scope (the name of the journal is changeable, and we'd like to know how you like it) Hereafter, dues are 20c paid on the 20th of each month, but no journal charge. Those who paid months ahead of time will have their money returned as soon as they let us know when they received this journal. Many thanks to all of you who took time off to send in news and information about "our star" which made this journal possible. We're hoping you've enjoyed it enough to want to subscribe for another issue of the Sinatra scope, and that each succeeding issue will be far superior to the first. As this is late, material is already being put together for the next journal so it will be out on time. If you have seen Frank, would you write about it, letting us feel as if we had been there with you enjoying every moment? Please send in any original poems, and we need more articles on Why I Like Frank Sinatra. Will you let us know as soon as possible where we can send you a journal during the summer months -- if it should be sent wherever you happen to be on your vacation? Thanks again, and we hope you have a lot of fun this summer. Frances Bergstrom ==== ==== Status: OK Status By: dw Status Date: 2015-06-05