In the 1970’s when I was a young radio announcer for WGNC in Gastonia, NC I got to interview Mr. Vallee and his little poodle Mimi in their room at Holiday Inn Carowinds. He then treated me to lunch. It was unreal to sit next to this magnificent talent and hear from his lips stories about Al Jolson, Maurice Chevalier, Elvis, Bing Crosby and others. I wish I had had a camera! He told why he cracked up laughing on There is a Tavern in the Town.It was August 12th, 1977 and his one man show had gotten a terrible review by The Charlotte Observer. The surreal feeling I had driving back to WGNC is just as surreal 43 years later! Sadly, my mother died the next day. His show was fantastic! Show business history! I found personally that stories of his swearing and profanity were true! Very colorful and enjoyable! One of the highlights of my career!
I had heard the story of Susanna Foster, a promising actress, becoming homeless. I was surprised to hear her talk about it herself. This is a valuable artifact as are many of Skip E.'s programs.
Great interview Alan. Skip is an acquired taste but it's great to have these interviews. Vallee would pass away the following year. Still very sharp and a full head of hair!
This is fabulous. Susanna Foster is wonderful. No bullshit. Tells it like it is/was. She "was" one of the 'best'. Then Rudy Vallee- It's like 'Saturday Night, Live'. Love it!!
A lot of comments seem to want to cast shade on Rudy Vallee, but most of us will never know what it is like to be one of the biggest names of your era, nor understand what it feels like to go from that to not having people recognize your name in our disposable culture. Of course the guy had a lot he wanted to say. No matter what you might think of him the man earned his place in entertainment history.
Susanna Foster, Kathryn Grayson, Deanna Durbin and Jeanette MacDonald were all FIRST RATE sopranos with incredible vocal techniques. Foster was most famous for The Phantom of the Opera with Nelson Eddy and Claude Rains. Her singing in it is spectacular. This interview is harrowing, since her son died that year. She lived another 23 years and died suddenly at age 84 in The Lillian Booth Actor’s Home in New Jersey. Durbin was luckier financially (HUGE severance from Universal-$2M in today’s money), but her career was similarly short. Jeanette’s singing voice held up better and longer than any. Kathryn sang into her late middle age but no longer as a high soprano. Her acting career was the longest, however, since she acted on TV into her 70’s. She was a VERY NICE lady, too, and loved her fans right back.
He was an interesting one, he had a mouth like a sailor. When he did Here’s Lucy, he used profanity in front of some kids which was where Lucy drew the line. Despite their long friendship, she told him if it happened again he would be gone.
![What's My Line? - Rudy Vallee; Darren McGavin [panel] (Nov 26, 1961)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/onJF43xXG2o/mqdefault.jpg)
In the 1970’s when I was a young radio announcer for WGNC in Gastonia, NC I got to interview Mr. Vallee and his little poodle Mimi in their room at Holiday Inn Carowinds. He then treated me to lunch. It was unreal to sit next to this magnificent talent and hear from his lips stories about Al Jolson, Maurice Chevalier, Elvis, Bing Crosby and others. I wish I had had a camera! He told why he cracked up laughing on There is a Tavern in the Town.It was August 12th, 1977 and his one man show had gotten a terrible review by The Charlotte Observer. The surreal feeling I had driving back to WGNC is just as surreal 43 years later! Sadly, my mother died the next day. His show was fantastic! Show business history! I found personally that stories of his swearing and profanity were true! Very colorful and enjoyable! One of the highlights of my career!
Can you repeat the stories he told? What did he say about Jolson and Elvis?
I had heard the story of Susanna Foster, a promising actress, becoming homeless. I was surprised to hear her talk about it herself. This is a valuable artifact as are many of Skip E.'s programs.
Great interview Alan. Skip is an acquired taste but it's great to have these interviews. Vallee would pass away the following year. Still very sharp and a full head of hair!
This is fabulous. Susanna Foster is wonderful. No bullshit. Tells it like it is/was. She "was" one of the 'best'. Then Rudy Vallee- It's like 'Saturday Night, Live'. Love it!!
She had a beautiful voice.
Thanks so Much for Posting This !!!!
A lot of comments seem to want to cast shade on Rudy Vallee, but most of us will never know what it is like to be one of the biggest names of your era, nor understand what it feels like to go from that to not having people recognize your name in our disposable culture. Of course the guy had a lot he wanted to say. No matter what you might think of him the man earned his place in entertainment history.
Great interviews. I enjoy watching them all.
Even Skip stayed out of his own way. Good interview and information!!
Ĺ
J
Alan, you sure have some gems.
During an awards ceremony honoring old time radio performers back in 1978, I watched Rudy Vallee empty an entire room with his pompous ego.
Her singing was superb
Great upload Alan, any chance you have Gary Crosby’s appearances on Skip’s program? Would love to see them if so.
I have Chris, I'll look for Gary.
He had a full head of hair in his 80's.
Great post OP.
And had just played a haughty wealthy silver-haired Main-Liner in.....Trading Places.
I'm so glad Deanna Durbin didn't degrade her self in pointless interviews
*herself
Susanna Foster, Kathryn Grayson, Deanna Durbin and Jeanette MacDonald were all FIRST RATE sopranos with incredible vocal techniques. Foster was most famous for The Phantom of the Opera with Nelson Eddy and Claude Rains. Her singing in it is spectacular.
This interview is harrowing, since her son died that year. She lived another 23 years and died suddenly at age 84 in The Lillian Booth Actor’s Home in New Jersey.
Durbin was luckier financially (HUGE severance from Universal-$2M in today’s money), but her career was similarly short. Jeanette’s singing voice held up better and longer than any. Kathryn sang into her late middle age but no longer as a high soprano. Her acting career was the longest, however, since she acted on TV into her 70’s. She was a VERY NICE lady, too, and loved her fans right back.
Jeff- Susanna was the 'best' of all of them.She could really out-sing them all.
I can't stand Skip constantly itching his head and picking his nose playing with his damn hair!!
Boy do I boy do I agree with you I find him so obnoxious but he gets interesting people
If Vallee spoke any faster no one would be able to understand him. He sure thinks alot of himself.
old news
He was an interesting one, he had a mouth like a sailor. When he did Here’s Lucy, he used profanity in front of some kids which was where Lucy drew the line. Despite their long friendship, she told him if it happened again he would be gone.
Ruddy seemed starving for attention. Trying to get a million stories out in one short interview.
alcohol and loneliness really took its toll
who stole his hair brush
Is she drunk she became an alcoholic