In 1999, AMC Movies to Go issued the 2-cassette set, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon/Destry Rides Again (AMC 51498). Destry Rides Again is the Lux Radio Theatre production, starring Stewart and Joan Blondell, which was originally broadcast on November 5, 1945. John Wayne, who starred in She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, towered over Jimmy on…
Yearly Archives: 2016
The Death Valley 49ers
On December 3, 1949, a Death Valley Centennial celebration was held in Desolation Canyon, Death Valley, CA. As part of the celebration, a pageant titled “The Death Valley ‘49ers” was presented. The program was narrated by Jimmy Stewart and featured many actors as voices of the pioneers – Gail Russell, Anne Revere, Guy Madison, Parley…
The Big Sound – Who Am I?
If you haven’t read any of the other The Big Sound blogs, let me begin by telling you that this was a series of 12-inch, 33 1/3/ RPM records issued to participating radio stations in the early 1960’s. Each disc featured short spots delivered by film, TV, music and sports celebrities, which the station could…
The Big Sleep – Soundtrack
The Big Sleep was a 1978 film is which Stewart appeared as General Sternwood. Robert Mitchum starred in the film as Philip Marlowe. Others appearing were Sarah Miles, Richard Boone, Candy Clark, Joan Collins, Edward Fox, John Mills, Oliver Reed and Harry Andrews. Jerry Fielding wrote the original soundtrack music for the film. No album…
Rear Window – Radio Spots
When Rear Window was released in 1954, a series of radio spots were prepared to advertise its showings. Jimmy Stewart’s voice is not heard on any of the spots. Instead, we hear Alfred Hitchcock. Stewart and Grace Kelly are mentioned in all of the spots. A few of the other stars are also mentioned in…
The World’s Greatest Old-Time Radio Shows – The Six Shooter
In 2002, Radio Spirits began issuing a series of single CD’s, each featuring two of old-time radio’s greatest shows. The CD’s were housed in a special cardboard sleeve with the opening at the top. The sleeve also had two holes punched on its left side. Radio Spirits also produce a special 4-ring binder in which…
How the West Was Won – Singles and Re-Issues
Besides all of the album releases, at least four singles of the theme were also issued in 1963. All four releases were noted in Billboard. Reprise 20159 – Les Baxter’s Balladeers This review appeared in the March 23, 1963, edition of Billboard. Dot 16461 – George Cates This release was also mentioned for the first…
How the West Was Won – Soundtrack Albums
The soundtrack album for the film, How the West Was Won, was issued at the same time as the movie in 1963 on the MGM label (1SE5 [stereo]/1E5 [mono]). The original U.S. soundtrack album was issued in a special, fold-out cover. Unless otherwise noted, all songs are by the MGM Studio Orchestra. Side 1: 1…
Theatre Guild on the Air – That’s Gratitude
Jimmy Stewart made his third of six appearances on U.S. Steel’s Theatre Guild on the Air on September 26, 1948, in the play That’s Gratitude. According to the contract, Stewart was to be paid $2500 for his appearance: Many of the newspaper previews for the program featured Stewart’s photo. The first one is from the…
Air Force Convention Reunion
On September 25, 1948, the Air Force Association’s “Operation Wing-Ding” was held at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Jimmy Stewart, Bob Hope and Ed Sullivan took turns acting as the master of ceremonies. The September 29th edition of Variety had a full run down on the activities: In their radio listings for September…
