Glenn Miller and late 30s record royalties

[FloridaClay]

For the first time since it was in first release (yes, I am older than dirt) I watched The Glenn Miller Story last night (on Turner Classic Movies). At one point in the film, Glenn's parents come to visit his new mansion and his father with concern asks if it was paid for and is assured that it was. This leads into a discussion of record royalties and Glenn (played by Jimmy Stewart) notes that he gets 3 cents per record sold and that one of his first hits (Moonlight Serenade as I recall) had sold 800,000 copies. It then dawns on Dad that that is $24,000 (more than $400,000 in current dollars). There was a new Cadillac convertible parked in the drive as well.

A few phonographs show up from time to time too. An enjoyable film, although, of course as in real life, it does not end well.

Clay

[marcapra]

Also, from what I've read about Glenn Miller, his personality was not the likeable guy portrayed by Jimmy Stewart. He was more like an unfeeling martinet with his band and even fired his singer, Ray Eberle, for showing up late for a rehearsal in Chicago.

[FloridaClay]

Also, from what I've read about Glenn Miller, his personality was not the likeable guy portrayed by Jimmy Stewart. He was more like an unfeeling martinet with his band and even fired his singer, Ray Eberle, for showing up late for a rehearsal in Chicago.

He apparently did have a reputation for running a tight ship, although I expect as always how fair or unfair he was might depend upon who you asked at the time. Early fifties musicals were hardly noted for their hard hitting honesty. They were vehicles for beloved stars who could generate big box-office returns. Be that as it may, they are still fun. I take them for what they are.

Good or questionable character, I love the music and thought the glimpse into record royalties at the time was interesting. The music has had remarkable staying power. I have read that there are still three "official" Glenn Miller Orchestras on circuit--one in the US, one in the UK, and one for Europe.

Clay

[Henry]

This was no doubt true of many of the band leaders. Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw were notorious taskmasters, as was Tommy Dorsey. They were all superior talents, and their bands were great. It goes with the territory.

I, too, watched the Glenn Miller movie on TCM last night. The Leonard Maltin guide characterizes the treatment as "extremely sentimental (and largely fictitious)," which just about sums it up. Hey, it's Hollywood, after all. But all the same, it was great to see Ben Pollack, Armstrong, Krupa, Frances Langford, and Ray Eberle (he was standing on the right in the Modernaires segment and feigned shining Frances's shoes in "Chattanooga Choo-Choo"). Not to mention the LA funicular railway in the background in the pawn shop scenes.

[RAK402]

Interesting that Ray Eberle was in the movie-I never new that.

I always preferred his singing to that of Skip Nelson.

[SteveM]

I could never understand the casting of June Allyson. She just doesn't do it for me.

[Henry]

Ditto, Steve. How about Lana Turner?