Look ... Mother?! It's an American Tradition! The Carnival!

LOOK MOTHER?! IT'S AN AMERICAN TRADITION!
THE CARNIVAL!

Our All-American Roadtrip in the 1947 Woodie doth begin! 

Are you with me gentle readers, dahlings, Mothers and others? 

The windows of
"this wood paneled wagon" are cranked full down to the nubbie for a most delightful upshot of wind "a whipping

through our tendrils of hair"!

Should have worn the kerchief or cap...you're thinking most positively, now?

Oh and Ho never thee mind...tangles in our hair and life are grand!

FORGET YOU'VE GOT A REPUTATION TO UPHOLD!

A bit of country roadside dust is coating the lips?
DO, simply DO lick away with pleasure and glee.

Slipped off , are the white patent pumps and wing tip shoes to allow for a bit more pressure

on the... eh...accelerator?

 My,...BUT the shift gear is getting a fine work out and grinding, too.

Thermos of lemonade (and a tad of vermouth winkie-nawt really) is sweating ever so nicely whilst resting proprietorially

by yon side for an occasional nip...

making a dampening and comforting ever growing darkening stain
 on the hem of our lovely cotton shift or trousers?!

MEANWHILE...back at the "road-e-oh"...and,

not far along the streaming macadam of red white and blue....

But, what to our wandering eyes should appear

on yon said left of our splendiferous American

Highways?

Say WHAT?!  Say Motha, Actually WHAT?!

Why...it's an American Tradition!  It's a Carnival!

Be Still Foolish Vintage Hearts...and Handle thy wheels with caution and care.

Screech, Slam, Pow and Drag the Drogues....Gentle Readers? This Bungalow Gal and YOU are careening onto a grass covered field on two of four Woodie wheels

 for a "Slice of  It 'tal"! (Translation from Suburban Dictionary:...I'm landing this baby!)

Before us, the lights of the carnival, hypnotically twirl in psychedelic patterns
 from the Merry Mixer and Ferris Wheels to the Pixie Rides!

We're grabbing...hand over hand...for yellow rubber duckies, whilst madly bouncing ping pong balls into mid air aiming and hoping against hope for a "Lucky Lindy Land" smack dab into the Goldfish Bowls! 
Please, Please, PLEASE

just let us capture THAT prize?! 

An elusive blow up Tweeter and Woofer!

Oh say, we breathe in hushed awes and coos:
 There IS The Carnival Glass! 

Believe it or not? 
You've nevah, evah lived if you haven't gaily tossed a "penny upon a platter" for THIS treasured piece of heirloom history and treasure of the glass!

Say what?  There's more fun and frivolity ore game o' chance?!
 If one can just snag a round plastic hoop 'ore that wooden peg...

another prize, yes, YES it's mine oh yes,...MINE!

The spotted overstuffed Dalmatian. exactly and actually, will do for our prize too!

Light bulbs flashing on the Pop Corn Caravan and the sights, such sounds, of American Country whisping

on the warm summers' night!

Oh, we're in heaven in a corn field!

Cotton Candy Stickies on the tip our nose, whilst snow cone icees sparkle on our hands BUT a moment before melting into water from the humid summers' night heat?

 Giggle and burp?  Sights and Sounds on the Haunted House Ride?!

Let's look for someone to kiss on the "Kissing Swan Ride"?
Even if it's a sail  in the wash and water of the firehouse tide?
(Puh, ANY kiss is generally a worthy kiss, I've found! That is...
if given and received with "wicked good" intentions!)

If we wander into the House of Mirrors?  Will we actually want to find our way out?
What a time to be without your Firehouse Red Lipstick!

But, find OUR way out indeed we  must...for the trip has only just begun

and we've miles upon miles of delightful people, giant mudballs,

leaning chickens, snapping turtles and American

ROADS TO COVER and DISCOVER!

Come thee along overstuffed Dalmatian and Gentle Readers?
Place your treasures up your rear...(I meant " in " the rear of this '47 Woodie)! 

 

Everything "wicked good" goes.  Pray thee?  Please, though

don't fight over the seating arrangement in this '47 Woodie too awfully much?

Only sublime, alongside a vintage frame of mind is ALLOWED!

Tha's fine and right...just enjoy the ride!

History:

UP NEXT ON THIS BLOG?  1940s' ERA of CARNIVALS AND FAIRS

Won't Want TO MISS THIS!

Hubba, Hubba!

Grab The Woodie...It's A Summer Road Trip!

Gentle Readers...let's do gather our baggage and roll out the 1947 Woodie!

We're headed 'ore the bi-ways and hi-ways of America on a splendid ROAD TRIP!

We'll be

laying heated rubber atop the asphalt pavement,
careening one way streets the wrong way, navigating
hairpin curves of  delight and excitement,

and bumping down ivy tangled dusty back country roads
looking for lovers and others...

We're Checking Out All Of America And We're Checking Out You!

So join along in a veritable joy ride of excitement, pleasure and please do

 comport yourselves with wild abandonment?!

"Forget you've got a reputation to uphold" sez Jolene Bungalow Gal

Scoot now...dahlings?!

I've got a million things to do...why
there's, the lingerie to pack, just the perfect shoes for the
races,...the purse for the cotillion...the hat for
the Grand Canyon (snug lest it does not blow away!)...
and fey...

I'm off!


Hubba, Hubba
Oh-Dad-E-Oh!

A Rendezvous With Beauty 1940s Style!

Rule Number 1, Gentle Readers?  Wherever there are women, there are bound to be men. 

Rule Number 2, Gentle Readers?  Wherever there are women, there are bound to be the needs for beauty essentials, hair styles, make-up and fashion.

 Naturally, this need is a sincere response to these abounding men and a myriad of other reasons as well!

Alright, so Jolene Bungalow Gal stretched Rule Number 2 a bit, but perhaps not? 

Let's read onward, shall we? 

 Let's explore the breadth and depth of beauteous hairstyles and culture in the 1940s and a wee tad bit of the predecessor of beauty ideals via the 1930s.

Let's have a looksee at the products and some of the beautiful mavens who practiced the "application" of beauty, hairstyles and trends!

BUT REMEMBER?

In the era of the 1930s and 1940s?

Oh, do be sure dahlings that you remember...

fashion style was imitated globally and
these ideals of beauty radiated the world over!

Let's wander about the 1930s first...

and think Finger Waves in hairstyles.

And,  think hats...1930s and 1940s.

Why, we have the Lilly Daché who

built the Daché Hat Emporium back in the 1930s!

Our darling women, the world over swooned at the

thought of donning a hat on any ocassion!

Hats...Hats...oh hats...all the rage of yesterday but where have you gone today?

Ms. Daché, our Lilly, was noted for her creations of

snoods, silk flower cocktail hats, turbans and

profile hats!
"Oh Fey,...Howevah Did We Miss The Hat Parade"?
(all caps on that statement)

Hat's remained en vogue into the 1940s

and took on the styles of a

rather military air, in total after that.

From bicorn to tricorn, popcorn (eh, sorry) and peaked hats,

their popularity lived on with the WWII era darlings.

And with the hats, oh mother, there

was the hair!  Quite the important affair...hair!

                                                So what were the styles of the era and age of

attitude and style, during the 1940s, that displayed

just the quintessential touches for a woman?  How vividly elegant

and meticulous were these styles?

Who was tres chic?

Well, DO Remember, much of the era found the world at war and

women such as Rosie The Riveter

hadn't the time to fuss and fluff with their hair for

hours.  (Nor the economic resources either!)

What's more?  Hair was worn much more deliciously

smooth at the crown, allowing women the ease to don delicate headwear on everyday outings.

 Soon enough, style changes... intermingled with brevity, added mounds and piles to the hair!

Overall style? Shoulder length hair was popular! Rolled curls, smooth and controlled

were a popular look in 1940s hairstyles along with twisting for night.

Futher,  while hair was worn in a simple

feminine style that was useful most everyday?  From the dahlings' hair

pulled away from the face and curled... it was STILL IMPORTANT

to balance glamour with neat good looks!

Those truly special events and evenings

at the Copacabana, for example?  The haute monde
nightclubs and hotspots elsewhere of
the elite
partied, jaded, droll and wearied was

reserved for fantastically

elaborate hair styles.

THOSE HOLLYWOOD STARLETS AND ICONS OF YESTERYEAR TOOK THEIR

FAIR SHARE AND TOLL ON WOMEN AND THEIR HAIRSTYLES EVERYWHERE!
That old black magic of the Hollywood red carpet was and is the PLACE to find hair inspiration.

Let's shout-out a recap of some hairstyles?

We have the Chignon.

What's a Chignon, you'll ask?

The word is derived from the French phrase ‘Chignon du cou’.

A chignon was a basic, knotted bun worn low on the neck

and was the epitome of grace in women's hairstyles.

Often times you would see starlets and the gel

next door wearing a chignon covered with a

scarf for the sport, work or the yet ever so, always present glam appeal!

Heart Shaped and Pushed Bangs were huge!

Sideswept Loose Curls ala Veronica Lake?

Veronica Lake was a popular American actress and

pin-up model known for her film noir roles during the 1940s

and not least of all for her sexy come on

peek-a-boo hairstyle of cascading waves.

(An interesting note here:  The 1940s very rarely saw women part their hair in the middle)

Waved Side Rolls

Side Waves

High Waved Pomp

Conservative Waved Pomp

Forward Bangs
Ringlets

Pin Curls

Let's re-wind those two words a minute?  Pin Curls! The pin curls were amongst your

most basic types of curls in the 1940s and so over the years that followed.

 Waves, Waves, Waves and more waves!

Shingles (don't ask)

The Omelette Fold (don't ask again)

The Do Rags (a piece of cloth used to cover chemically treated hair and keep hair in place)

Victory Rolls, a second mother on those! 

 This hairstyle terminology

was adapted from the fighter plane maneuver and a fashion statment which celebrated the victory after

WWII.

Defense Plant Hair Do?  Perhaps the one exception to center parted hair.

Not all beauty was or is ever painless to the feminine gender!

 In the heyday before blow dryers, gidgets and gadgets and a plethora of  clever subterfuges to ease hair styling?

Women (and girls) also used rollers with hair wet and slept the night through to awaken to lovely curling locks!

Well, hasn't this information been a tad enlightening?  Seeing so many

hair styles in one single Blog?  Jolene Bungalow Gal

is sincerely knowing that she's raised your level of intrigue

as to the era and to the styles of some of the most

amazing women in history?

You can find more on these hairstyles by searching WWII

related resources, 1940s hairstyles and glamourous gals

and starlets of the era of the "Greatest Generation"!

Anything for our men, our fellas, our guys on the front lines!

Hubba, Hubba!

Entirely Time To Have A Bit of Girl Time!

It's entirely time to have a bit of Girl Time
1940's Girl Time, that is! 

What were the the hairstyles
and their trends of a "heyday ago"?

Oh, you may be surprised
at naughty and nice!

COMING SOON!

Go on Now?

Pamper Yourselves
until Jolene Bungalow Gal Returns
in her best Carole Lombard
style, Rita Hayworth headress
and
 the full story as only
SHE can tell it?

"No One Need Think War is Pretty" Jolene

Words to Taps

Day is done, gone the sun,

From the hills,from the lake,

From the skies.

All is well,safely rest,

God is nigh.

Go to sleep, peaceful sleep,

May the soldieror sailor,

God keep.

On the land or the deep,

Safe in sleep.

Love, good night, Must thou go,

When the day, And the night

Need thee so?

All is well. Speedeth all

To their rest.

Fades the light; And afar

Goeth day, And the stars

Shineth bright,

Fare thee well; Day has gone,

Night is on.

Thanks and praise, For our days,

'Neath the sun, Neath the stars,

'Neath the sky,

As we go, This we know,

God is nigh

(Note: there are no "official" words to Taps

above are the most popular.)

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

________________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release May 2, 2000

Memorandum on the White House Program for the National Moment

of Remembrance

Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies

Subject: White House Program for the National Moment of Remembrance

As Memorial Day approaches, it is time to pause and consider the

true meaning of this holiday. Memorial Day represents one day of

national awareness and reverence, honoring those Americans who died

while defending our Nation and its values. While we should honor these

heroes every day for the profound contribution they have made to

securing our Nation's freedom, we should honor them especially on

Memorial Day.

In this time of unprecedented success and prosperity throughout our

land, I ask that all Americans come together to recognize how fortunate

we are to live in freedom and to observe a universal ``National Moment

of Remembrance'' on each Memorial Day. This memorial observance

represents a simple and unifying way to commemorate our history and

honor the struggle to protect our freedoms.

Accordingly, I hereby direct all executive departments and agencies,

in consultation with the White House Program for the National Moment of

Remembrance (Program), to promote a ``National Moment of Remembrance''

to occur at 3 p.m. (local time) on each Memorial Day.

Recognizing that Memorial Day is a Federal holiday, all executive

departments and agencies, in coordination with the Program and to the

extent possible and permitted by law, shall promote and provide

resources to support a National Moment of Remembrance, including:

Encouraging individual department and agency personnel, and

Americans everywhere, to pause for one minute at 3:00 p.m.

(local time) on Memorial Day, to remember and reflect on the

sacrifices made by so many to provide freedom for all.

Recognizing, in conjunction with Memorial Day, department

and agency personnel whose family members have made the

ultimate sacrifice for this Nation.

Providing such information and assistance as may be

necessary for the Program to carry out its functions.

I have asked the Director of the White House Millennium Council to

issue additional guidance, pursuant to this Memorandum, to the heads of

executive departments and agencies regarding specific activities and

events to commemorate the National Moment of Remembrance.

William J. Clinton

Note: This memorandum was released by the Office of the Press

Secretary on May 3.

Celebrate Memorial Day In An Infinite Number Of Respectful Ways. 

Visit cemeteries and place flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.

Visit  memorials.

Fly the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon.

Fly the 'POW/MIA Flag'  (Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act).

Participate in a "National Moment of Remembrance": at 3:00 p.m.(local time) to remember and reflect upon the sacrifices made by so many.

Renew a pledge to aid the widows, widowers, and orphans of our fallen dead, and to aid the disabled veterans.

In Flanders Fields

John McCrae, 1915.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Sent

From the Bottom of this
Red, White And Blue American Heart
and stamped with honor and respect?

You can bet your last dollar on it!

"THANK YOU

YOUR SACRIFICES CAN

NEVER BE REPAID".



Hubba, Hubba
Oh-Dad-E-Oh
Mew.

Artist Laureate of America-Norman Rockwell

"I showed the America I knew and observed to others who might not have noticed."

—Norman Rockwell

He was as American as Apple Pie and Uncle Sam! 

Who was he? 

He was, Norman Rockwell,

a reknowned and prolific artist, illustrator and historian 

who held the hearts and imaginations of Americans!

Through the genius of his works of art, Norman Rockwell recreated and interpreted  the essence of American life.  Yes, he painted a swathe of America's on-going history manifested from every day life.  Rockwell's messages, through his art, could be heard more clearly and far more loudly than the spoken word.

Norman was born in New York City in 1894,  and it is said that he always wanted to be an artist.  His first artwork commission, four Christmas cards, were painted before his sixteen birthday.   During his teens and quite incredibly, but oh so believably, he found himself employed as art director of Boys’ Life, the official publication of the Boy Scouts of America.  This employ established him in the beginnings of a remarkably successful  freelance career illustrating a plethora of young people’s publications.

Following a family move to New Rochelle, NY, Rockwell joined with the cartoonist Clyde Forsythe and produced work for such magazines as Literary Digest, Country Gentleman and Life.  During 1916,  22-year-old Rockwell painted his first works for the cover of The Saturday Evening Post!  Through, perhaps, his role as Illustrator for The Saturday Evening Post, he found himself elevated to the best-loved of American Artists!  

Over the ensuing 47 years, 321 more covers by Rockwell would appear on The Saturday Evening Post.

Mr. Rockwell was the father of three sons, Jarvis, Thomas and Peter through his second wife, Mary Barstow, a school teacher.  Norman's first marriage in 1916 to Irene O’Connor, had ended in divorce by 1930.

Norman, with his sons and Mary, moved to Arlington, Vermont, in 1939, and his work  took on the nuances of  American life in the small town.

During the 1940s, Norman produced perhaps some of his most famous and beloved works.  From poignant scenes of Americans at war, and at home to joyous reunions, gatherings, family events and so much more.  From humor to everyay life, he depicted and encapsulated America.

President Franklin Roosevelt’s address to Congress in 1943, moved Mr. Rockwell to paint, the Four Freedoms paintings. These paintings were reproduced in consecutive issuances of The Saturday Evening Post alongside essays by contemporary writers. Rockwell’s renderings of the Freedom of Speech, Freedom to Worship, Freedom from Want, and Freedom from Fear were incredibly popular. His artist renderings went on  tour throughout America in an exhibition jointly sponsored by the Post and the U.S. Treasury Department.  Through this exhibit and through the sale of war bonds?   More than $130 million was raised for the war effort!  Oh, my stars and stripes, gentle readers!

Despite all of this success,1943 proved to be an enormous loss to the Rockwells. Fire ravished and destroyed his Arlington studio alongside near countless paintings and a myriad collection of historical props and costumes.  In 1954 the family again moved, this time to Stockbridge, MA and within six years he suffered the death of his second wife. 1961, found Rockwell married to Molly Punderson, who was  a retired teacher. In the next two years, he concluded his 47-year collaboration with The Saturday Evening Post and began working for Look magazine.  Rockwell continued onward painting his most sincere and pressing concerns and devotion to include American poverty and civil rights. 

In 1973, Rockwell established a trust to preserve his legacy and his works.  He placed his artistic creations into the fine custody of the Old Corner House Stockbridge Historical Society, now known  as Norman Rockwell Museum at Stockbridge.

  In 1977, Rockwell  was honored

with the nation’s highest civilian honor,

 the Presidential Medal of Freedom. 

As life woud have it, a Legend had passed,....gone. 

 November 8, 1978, Norman Rockwell died in his home in Sturbridge, MA.

Norman will be remembered forever through his works.  His very creations are an intrinsic part of all of us!

The world was changed by this Legend, this man

Norman Rockwell.

Mew.

Hubba, Hubba

Sad-Dad-E-Oh

"Honey," she said, "just pick me a lady."

HERE SHE COMES, MISS AMERICA!

While femininity reigns supreme and long legged women sashay across the stage before millions of admirers, the air is abuzz with vibrant energy and zeal surging from both audience and participants!

This cachet of talented and beautiful women parade before our eyes!  They're the epitome of women with a dark and sultry air of seduction to the color and charm of the girl next door.

You'll find these women command the stage, not only as spirited and beautiful, but the picture of candor, and sweetness! They represent some of the best America has to offer!

Alongside the jagged edge of talent and brains they exude relaxation and warmth, sincerity and vulnerability and  are equally at ease with their presence.

They capture our hearts, again  and again as they've done for decades, through their wit, grace, poise, intelligence, beauty, vulnerability and charm...all a strong magnetic appeal for anyone!

Look as far and wide as ye may, anyone would be hard pressed to find a more superbly executed, finished, polished production-so wonderfully staged yet, filled with honest, and truthful moments alongside gleaming smiles and high hopes.

The show, this pageant, is intense, precise and connected of the white hot charms of these talented American women.

Tell you more?  Thank you for asking!

This two day beauty pageant originated on September 8, 1921 in a seaside resort town known as Atlantic City, New Jersey. Atlantic City hoteliers,through what was reportedly an attempt to take advantage of the women's newfound role in society, perfected this idea. What better way to inovate and sway vacationers to extend their Labor Day weekend than a bathing suit contest?!  Hooplah!  Why didn't I think of that?  Atlantic City, with her surf, sun and boardwalk would prove the most perfect location for this event! Why King Neptune himself greeted the beauties who competed!  (Yours truly would give her tap shoes away for that esteemable honor alone!)

Surprise of surprises! This beauty contest bloomed and gained more interest AND recognition through time! Over the next eight decades, it would become a national tradition dedicated to defining the ideal American woman.

HERE SHE COMES, MISS AMERICA!

And indeed they came! Beautiful bevies of womenhood traveled to the Atlantic City resort each year,  sometimes with nothing but a dream and the hope that the Pageant would further their career aspirations! Why, it was an opportunity to cash in on looks and talents for the promising average working woman! These Miss Americas, winning the title, were reported to make $100,000 and more during their reign! Holy Smokes, why that's more than....(I'll look that  up and get back to you, poste haste, gentle readers!)

Still and all, this wasn't the perfect stage for American values and women to be paraded, or so it was said. So many pre-conceived values, from standards such as beauty, money, and a women's freedom and objectification! From patriotism to motherhood and American values, this Pageant was fraught, at times,  with scorn from anxious Americans!

What you say?

This Institution, the Pageant had emerged as one of our country's sources of pride and most popular event! All this in spite of naysayers and critics of stringent religious groups to women's groups and women's rights movements who were aghast and against the display of female form

in public and labeled it beneath respectable behavior?  No!  Finally, the assault and criticism brought  closure to the Pageant event in 1928.

 In considering this closure and ensuing history of the Pageant, now would be a fine time to mention...
"If you look closely, you'll find much by way of

American history since the advent of this pageant and through the decades of it's history" . This Pageant alone, will regale and reveal much about America and it's acceptance of women. Too, it reveals an insight and changing evolving througout American history and the struggles and promises experienced through the decades. You'll see for yourself, an intense

change in American culture, if you choose to look closely! From the Depression, World War II, and the Jazz Age and Rosie The Rivetor,..history doth unfold!

Dahlings? Here Comes Miss America...

Chin Up, Shoulders Back and

flash those pearly whites,  Dahlings.

DO let us ponder the
 All-American Girl's Dream
 and the women who graced
the American Runways in
the 1930s and 1940s!

Prepare yourselves,...gentle readers...

for a bit of  entertainment, information, consternation,

a proffered revelation or two and

perhaps tads and scads of

hyperventilation.

Keep thine eyes on the talent cards, your hand atop your
foolish heart
...and ever ready to
trump your aces
as a bevy of beauties and a Queen of  the Sweet "Hearts"
 bound before your eyes....

Swimsuits Sublime to Chiffon Divine...

Here She Comes, Miss America!

"I'm rather looking forward to sharing".

Hubba, Hubba

and Hoopla

Help US Honor WWII HOMEFRONT to the FRONT!

HEADLINES TODAY and Just Weeks Away...

Help Us Pay HOMAGE And GRATEFUL TRIBUTE
to
WWII Veterans, GI Joes and Janes
from
Home Front to Front!

Dedication Ceremony
June 26, 2010
"God and Country"
Gettysburg Fringe Festival

Gettysburg, PA

CONSIDER JOINING OR SUPPORTING US?

OUR AMERICANS WERE SO GALLANT UNDER THE
MOST DIFFICULT CONDITIONS
KNOWN TO AMERICANS TODAY.

Contact:  gettysburg11@gettysburgsgreatestgeneration.org
or
866-550-0894

That's right, the  unveiling of a non-profit foundation "GETTYSBURG'S GREATEST GENERATION!"
Welcome and THANK World War II  Col. Glenn D. Frazier, Author of  Hell's Guest,
Gettysburg's Own John M. Sachs, WWII Veteran,  and other
distinguished Guests.

For More Information:


Gettysburg's Greatest Generation Non Profit Organization

Join the Interactive NING Group and share your memories:
America's Greatest Generation


Join The American Front to Homefront WWII Interactive Group!

(American States Join In!)

More DETAILS Arriving From the Front Daily!:
Gettysburg Fringe Festival

Gettysburg Fringe Festival

Honoring our American History, through the events, education, memories and hearts of the GI Joes and Janes of WWII "The Greatest Generation"...both on The FRONT and The HOMEFRONT!

Experience WWII History like never before!

STAY TUNED DAHLINGS?

Hubba, Hubba from Jolene

Quite The Stir Bungalow

And, now we'll return our focus to the Glenn Miller Band!

I'M IN THE MOOD! HOW'S ABOUT YOU?

Born March 1, 1904 in Clarinda, Iowa, his name was Alton Glenn Miller.  Americans knew and may yet remember him as an American jazz musician, arranger, composer, and bandleader in the swing era.

The tumultuous years from 1939 to 1943 found Glenn Miller to be one of the best-selling recording artists in America!  He nosed-out other great bands of the era!  Miller's signature recordings include the sounds of  Chattanooga Choo Choo, In The Mood,  America Patrol, Tuxedo Junction, Moonlight Serenade, Little Brown Jug and Pennsylvania 6-5000. 

Tragically, stories surrounding his demise reveal, that apparently, whilst traveling to entertain U.S. troops in France during World War II, Miller's plane disappeared in fog and horrid weather somewhere over the English Channel. Glenn Miller's body has never been found.

(March 1, 1904- missing December 15, 1944)

Born to parents, Elmer and Mattie Lou Miller, the family moved from Iowa to Nebraska, then to Missouri, and finally, to Fort Morgan, Colorado. Through each move and with passage of time, Glenn Miller's musical talents took an irresistible step forward.  From his first mandolin to the high school band, Miller sought ways to nourish his musical gifts of remarkable talent.

Upon High School Graduation in 1921, Glenn Miller further pursued his love of music, theory and composition while continuing his College education. From Los Angeles, California to New York City, NY... Glenn could be found working with bands, the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra, Ray Noble,  as a trombonist and as a musical arranger. In 1928, Miller married Helen Burger married his College sweetheart!

1934 found Miller first recording under his own name, while still working with the Noble orchestra. After an initial, less than successful attempt in 1937 forming a band, the first real engagement with an all new Glenn Miller Orchestra was in 1938, Glen Island Casino!

1939 and 1942 found, Glenn Miller and his Orchestra enjoying the music of amazing popularity and commercial success!  Hoopla!   The Glenn Miller Orchestra recorded 17 Top 10 Hits in 1939!  More successes followed in the years ahead for Glenn Miller and his Orchestra.   Songs such as the classic swing sensations "In the Mood," "Little Brown Jug", "A String of Pearls" and "Moonlight Serenade." Miller's success included movies and a radio series entitled "Moonlight Serenade."   This series could be found airing on CBS three times each week.

Glenn Miller's Orchestra's distinguished popularity could be attributed to the band's exceptional sound, personality and style!  Miller was known to have stated emphatically that "A band ought to have a sound all of its own. It ought to have a personality." The combination of saxophone and clarinet was appealing to the listeners and added a resonance and swing! 

In the wake of WWII's beginning, Glenn Miller unselfishly abandoned his civilian musical success to serve his country!  What a guy!  In 1942, he enlisted in the US Army Air Force (AAF Band)  An important note or two...at the great old age of 38, Miller was considered too old to be drafted.  Miller wrote to the then Army Brigadier General Charles Young in attempts to persuade the United States Army to accept him, and YES in his own words, "be placed in charge of a modernized Army band."  

And, well...dreams do come true and Big Band Leaders could influence the Army as well! 

Meaning,...we'll find it not such a surprise that Miller was persuasive in his appeal and the Army Air Force Band was ahem...a huge success too!  Through a maddening pace of over 800 performances, among them 300 personal appearances, and 500 broadcasts, Miller served as the host of  "I Sustain the Wings",...a weekly radio show!  Glenn played trombone with the Rhythmaires, a 15-piece dance band,  and could be found jazzing and swinging (and winging) in service clubs.  Here's a particularly lovely morsel...Glenn Miller  promoted the activities of civil service women aircraft mechanics employed at Maxwell, AFB! And, the recordings of the Glenn Miller AAF band were used as propaganda broadcasts for the Office of War Information. How about that?

Did Jolene say "What A Guy", yet?

The Disappearance that stopped the Music...

As in the beginning of this tome and Blog, or Blong, and where we began,...It is recorded, on December 15, 1944, as Glenn Miller, aged 40,  began embarkation on a tour of Europe, the flight/transport, (a single-engined UC-64 Norseman, USAAF serial 44-70285) on which he was aboard departed from RAF Twinwood Farm in Clapham, Bedfordshire and disappeared while flying over the English Channel.  The plane was never recovered.

Miller's status is missing in action. 

When Glenn Miller went missing, he left behind his wife... Helen, and two children, Steven and Jonnie.

Glenn Miller is remembered today as a great man, musician and for an unwavering patriotic devotion for his country! Aside from the music, he also influenced the evolution and commercial success of swing! 

The Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band's long term legacy has carried on with the Airmen of Note, a band within the United States Air Force Band. This band was created in 1950 from smaller groups within the Bolling Air Force Base in Washington D.C. and continues to play jazz music for the Air Force community and the general public.

Things Are BETTER With The Big Band Swing,...I'm here to say!

Hubba, Hubba to you Glenn Dahling...never before and never again.

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Experience WWII History like never before!

STAY TUNED DAHLINGS?

Hubba, Hubba from Jolene

And, now we'll return our focus to the Glenn Miller Band!