Yes! Plus Jackie Gleason pretending to play the bass fiddle, and Harry Morgan (Dragnet, M*A*S*H) as a soda-jerk. Fox often had a few members of its "actors' stable" as performers in musicals. Most of course had their parts dubbed but a few who had musical training did their own work.

Lynn Bari was a competent but undistinguished singer. The suits at Fox felt a pro was needed so they brought in Pat Friday, one of their studio vocalists, to dub Lynn's parts in both this and _Sun Valley Serenade._ Sadly Pat didn't get credit for decades but lived long enough (age 95!) to finally be recognized for her contributions. She was the honoree at one of the annual Glenn Miller Festivals held in his birthplace, Clarinda IA. Miller had an almost fanatical dedication to "getting things right", whether it was music or management ... which sadly helped lead to his untimely demise. The AAF Orchestra was scheduled to transfer to Paris on Dec. 18, 1944 with Miller going over in advance to complete preparations. Frustrated by days of weather-related delays, Maj. Miller accepted an offer to hitch a ride with a poker buddy who was willing to risk an off-the-books flight. Around 2010 historians from the University of Colorado undertook an extensive investigation into what happened next. To briefly summarize the findings: > Contrary to what had been proposed in the 1980s, the plane wasn't hit by dropped RAF ordnance. It was on the standard non-combat route to Paris, too far south to have been anywhere near the returning bombers. > The plane's fuel system had a litany of issues related to carburetor icing. However due to wartime priorities and shortages it was only patched, but never fully repaired. > The plane's pilot agreed to take the flight despite not being fully qualified for bad-weather travel. While there's no 100% proof, the circumstances strongly point to the crash being caused by mechanical failure, pilot error, or both. 😢😢

Adam is a talented and tremendously gifted piano player. He will be performing in the Glenn Miller Festival this year in 2024.

And the piano player is Cesar Romero

Glenn played this version, The Edgar Hayes version, several times in the summer of 1939. But the (now) famous riff dates back into the 1920s. I had a chance to interview Paul Tanner at length--like eight hours--in 2002. His recollection was that the cuts began to emerge as they played it. MacGregor wrote the harmonic at the end. There will always be the question of whether Eddie Durham introduced the brass peddle-stops after the trumpet solo. Paul believed that Durham did not do so. I don't know what the manuscript trail shows regarding them and I would not be qualified to assess them.. Glenn, apparently, was the one who said "we can do a sax battle" right here, but it was the bandsmen who initially suggested cutting the second theme. Glenn did so while adding a brief transition. Paul and I had another long talk in 2004 and he told me at that time that Chummy MacGregor's recollection was probably closest to what actually happened.

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And also one that still thrills today.

I believe that is Maurice ("Moe") Purtill.

Fox liked to "salt" films with younger members of their acting stable. You can find a LOT of future stars hiding in these films. FWIW Gleason and Romero were dubbed by the band's actual musicians, Doc Goldberg and Moe Purtill respectively.

No way! And thinner too.

And Caesar Romero at the piano!

Yes!

Not Gene Krupa. That’s Maurice “Mo” Purtill. He was the drummer for the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

Well, miming to Doc Goldberg's playing. Jackie knew a lot about music but wasn't a performer.