According to an article in Variety (dated December 1, 1937), Jimmy Stewart was the guest on this show. Appearing along with him were Allan Jones (M.C.), Rosalind Russell, Fannie Brice, Betty Jayne, Doug McPhail, Helen Troy, Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, Sigmund Romberg, C. Aubrey Smith, Ronald Sinclair, Meredith Willson’s Orchestra and Max Terr’s Chorus.
No newspaper previews placing Stewart on the program could be located, although most listed some of the other guests. Below is a typical newspaper preview, this one from The Syracuse Herald, Syracuse, NY.
The Variety article goes on to say that Stewart and Russell appeared in a skit together, “wherein an actress rewrites an author’s script from the viewpoint of a spotlight hugger.”
There also were several changes to the program beginning with this broadcast. These were outlined in an article in the November 24, 1937, edition of the Motion Picture Daily:
A review of this show appeared in the November 27, 1937, edition of the Motion Picture Daily. It mentions that the Stewart-Russell segment was, “a neat little comedy skit.”
Since the original posting, we have had the opportunity to see the script for this program. The Stewart-Russell portion of the script has been exactly reconstructed below so that you can enjoy it. It begins with host, Allan Jones, introducing Jimmy.
ALLAN: And now, folks, I bring you one of our grandest stars – we all love him – and I’ll bet you do, too – But if you felt that way before – wait’ll you see him in his latest picture, “Navy Blue and Gold” – Jimmy Stewart!
(RUSSELL-STEWART SPOT)
JIMMY: Look Allan, I suppose this isn’t a very good time to bring this up, but – I’m is sort of a spot – This act I’m supposed to do now – I don’t think so much of.
ALLAN: What’s the matter with it?
JIMMY: Well – I don’t know –it just doesn’t seem to have the — — Allan, what I wanted to ask you about, — I have a story here that I’ve written.
ALLAN: Why I never knew you were a writer.
JIMMY: Oh yes, that’s my real vocation, writing. Why last year every week I used to take in one of my movie scripts to the big producers.
ALLAN: Is that so?
JIMMY: Now I tear them up myself. But this one I have here, — well, Allan, I just didn’t think I had this one in me.
ALLAN: Did you write it with any particular star in mind?
JIMMY: Oh yes, I wrote it for Rosalind Russell. Why if Rosalind ever acted in this, it would make her the biggest star in pictures today. Why she’d be a sensation. She would — — —
ROSALIND: Hello, Jimmy.
JIMMY: Rosalind Russell! Well what do you know about that, we were just talking about you.
ROSALIND: Yes, I heard you.
JIMMY: Well, will you act in my story, Ros, – if you will I’ll take it right to the front office tomorrow and we’ll have it produced.
ROSALIND: Now wait a minute, Jimmy. I can’t make a big decision like that. First of all, what’s my part like?
JIMMY: Well it’s – it’s kind of sensational…it’s got sort of a Broadway Melody”, “Conquest”, “The Thin man”, “Captains Courageous”, “Rendezvous” and “Navy Blue and Gold” feeling about it.
ROSALIND: No “David Copperfield?”
JIMMY: Yeah – come to think of it – a little – at the end.
ROSALIND: But how about my part, Jimmy? Is it big? – does it give me great emotional scope?
JIMMY: I’ll Say. Look Rosalind – you’ll eat this up… It’s a story of…
ROSALIND: Oh, never mind about the story…Just tell me about my part.
JIMMY: You don’t want to hear the story?
ROSALIND: Oh yes, yes, later, but first, I’ll tell you what, Jimmy, let’s you and I act out my scenes right now.
JIMMY: Well Ros, as the author, I’d rather stay on the side lines and kind of direct.
ROSALIND: Oh yes, I quite understand. I’ll tell you, we’ll get Allan to play out the scene.
JIMMY: That’s a good idea. You and Allan can act out the big scene. Now, here’s the situation! You and Allan are cast away alone on a desert island…You know, palm trees, blue lagoons…..
ROSALIND: But, Jimmy, what sort of clothes do I wear on this desert island?
JIMMY: Well – I sort of saw you in .. well – in very little – not much.
ROSALIND: ah-hah! – Just as I thought.
JIMMY: What do you want to wear?
ROSALIND: Well, I just bought the most stunning new evening dress…ohoh, Jimmy, you’ll love it.
JIMMY: But, look, Rosalind – you can’t wear an evening dress..You’re on a desert island.
ROSALIND: But it’s positively beautiful, Jimmy, it’s the best looking dress I have owned. It’s pink with divine sequins all over the skirt, it sparkles and, – oh you wouldn’t want to deprive me of that.
JIMMY: You want to wear that dress on a desert island?
ROSALIND: Jimmy – why don’t you change the scene to a smart night club – a café.
JIMMY: You mean – you and Allan are cast-away on a smart café – alone?
ROSALIND: Of course. It’s much better that way….it gives it charm, sophistication. It’s never been done before. Go on – it sounds wonderful.
JIMMY: Now – we fade in on a beautiful sunlit day.
ROSALIND: Night….I’m wearing an evening dress.
JIMMY: All right…We fade in on a beautiful sunlit night. Allan has gone out to look for firewood.
ROSALIND: In a café?
JIMMY: It was your idea to make it a café.
ROSALIND: That’s all right…he he can be out looking for cavier.
JIMMY: Somehow it doesn’t seem quite the same.
ROSALIND: Go on, Jimmy – don’t interrupt.
JIMMY: Suddenly, in the distance, there is a sound of savage drums.
ROSALIND: Swing music.
JIMMY: You’re really dead set on this café business?
ROSALIND: Of course, why it’s wonderful, I never knew you could write.
JIMMY: I’m beginning to doubt it myself..anyhow – a look of fear comes over your face….you call loudly. “Reginald, Reginald!”
ROSALIND: Who is that?
JIMMY: Who is what?
ROSALIND: Reginald!
JIMMY: That’s the part Allan is playing.
ROSALIND: Oh, no, Jimmy – I’d never call anyone named Reginald.
JIMMY: Who would you call?
ROSALIND: I’ll call Clark.
JIMMY: I’ll bet he doesn’t answer.
ROSALIND: Don’t argue, Jimmy – go on.
JIMMY: Well – Allan – I mean, Rosalind – I mean, Reginald.
ROSALIND: You mean Clark.
JIMMY: Yeah….Clark comes rushing into the scene – he drops the firewood.
ROSALIND: The caviar.
JIMMY: He grabs you in his arms…The two of you stand there shivering…suddenly, through the bushes….
ROSALIND: The kitchen.
JIMMY: There springs a cannibal.
ROSALIND: A Waiter.
JIMMY: Now look Ros, you can’t have it a waiter, it’ll mix the whole thing up.
ROSALIND: But we must, after all it’s in a night club.
JIMMY: I just want you to remember this one thing – this is my story!
ROSALIND: Temper – temper – temper – say you’re sorry.
JIMMY: All right, I’m sorry. Well, anyhow, the cannibal – the waiter, jumps at you with a spear in his hand.
ROSALIND: Oh no, Jimmy – that’s no good. He jumps at us with a bill in his hand.
JIMMY: You scream! Allan reaches in his pocket for his gun.
ROSALIND: You mean, for his wallet.
JIMMY: Gun!
ROSALIND: Wallet!
JIMMY: But, Rosalind – it won’t work. He reaches for his gun – he starts to shoot – but the gun is empty.
ROSALIND: May I make a little suggestion, Jimmy?
JIMMY: How little?
ROSALIND: He reaches for his wallet – he starts to pay – but the wallet is empty….Why, that’s a marvelous situation.
JIMMY: I sort of thought you’d like it.
ROSALIND: What happens next?
JIMMY: You’re asking me?
ROSALIND: You’re the author.
JIMMY: Well, anyhow – here you are – on a desert island – faced with a waiter and no money in your gun.
ROSALIND: Splendid! What happens next?
JIMMY: You step between Reginald – I mean, Clark – and the savage – I mean, waiter and out of your pocket…
ROSALIND: There are no pockets in an evening dress.
JIMMY: (SKEPTICALLY) You’ve got to wear an evening dress?
ROSALIND: Positively!
JIMMY: And it can’t have pockets?
ROSALIND: Certainly not!
JIMMY: I guess we’d better call off the whole thing off.
ROSALIND: Nonsense, Jimmy….I’ve got it! I’ll draw whatever it is out of my evening bag.
JIMMY: Oh – you’ve got an evening bag?
ROSALIND: As a special concession to you.
JIMMY: Thank you, thank you….Well, out of your evening bag – you draw a native charm…the savage kneels, hands you his spear – and you take it.
ROSALIND: Why, Jimmy….that’s perfect….All it needs is just a few little changes.
JIMMY: Just a few changes?
ROSALIND: Out of my evening bag I draw a pencil – the waiter bows – hands me his bill….and I sign it…How do you like that?
JIMMY: Can I let you know later?
ROSALIND: What are we going to call the picture, Jimmy?
JIMMY: One thing I’m sure of and that’s the title.
ROSALIND: Really, what is it?
JIMMY: This’ll kill you Ros – “The White Goddess”.
ROSALIND: Hmmm – you don’t really like that – do you?
JIMMY: Well – I did once.
ROSALIND: I can’t say I like it.
JIMMY: But just think how it’ll look on an electric sign: “Rosalind Russell in “The White Goddess”, by James Stewart.
ROSALIND: Let me see – what would be a good, glamorous title?
JIMMY: We could call it “The Glamorous White Goddess”.
ROSALIND: No – it should be something smart and social. Think of something, Jimmy.
JIMMY: I’m thinking of Rosalind Russell in “The White Goddess” by James Stewart.
ROSALIND: No – I don’t like that, either. I’ve got it! It’s perfect – it’s wonderful….Jimmy, this is the best yet.
JIMMY: You mean – even better than your other suggestions?
ROSALIND: We’ll call it “The Woman Pays”. What do you think of that?
JIMMY: I still like Rosalind Russell in “The White Goddess” by James Stewart.
ROSALIND: But, Jimmy – I can just see it – in lights – Rosalind Russell in “The Woman Pays”…by Rosalind Russell.
