Starter of this subject: Cort Vitty
Last post in this subject: 8/4/2005
Messages in this subject: 2
| Cort Vitty | 8/4/2005 2 replies |
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I noted with sadness the recent passing of Loretta Sell, at the age of 99. Known to her legion of fans as "The Incomparable Hildegarde", she was renowned as a night club entertainer; however, let's not forget that in the early 1940's, Hildegarde was clearly one of the most popular radio personalities on the air.
As the star of the (top ten rated)"Raleigh Room", the multi-talented performer sang, played piano and joked with guests while demonstrating impeccable style and comic timimg. Her self deprecating humor arguably became the template for her future career in supper clubs, where she charmed audiences with her fun and sassy routines. True to form, I undersand she stipulated her funeral ceremony be conducted in the evening -- since she didn't like to get up early in the morning! She certainly was - a one of a kind! Hildegarde would often express a sincere "God Bless" when writing or speaking: Now it's our turn to wish the lady from Wisconsin a heartfelt God Bless. |
| Big Don | 8/5/2005 1 replies |
| Didn't she coin the phrase (later used by Jackie Gleason), "Give me a little travelling music, Harry " (Sosnick ?), as she began her "table-hopping" in "The Raleigh Room" ? Yep, she was quite a gal. |
| Cort Vitty | 8/5/2005 0 replies |
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Hi Big Don,
You are 100% correct on all counts: Harry Sosnick (who also lived into his 90's) led the orchastra and Hildegarde would request "traveling music" as she flew around the fictional Raleigh Room. I've read that Jackie Gleason liberally "borrowed" ideas from other performers and claimed them as his own. Interesting to note that in the same era, Gleason was an unknown second banana appearing in the stage show "Follow the Girls." The top billed star of that WWII vehicle was Gertrude Niesen, another unfortunately forgotten radio performer, who was a wonderful singer and yet another one-of-a-kind personality. I guess her story could be the suject of another post. Regards, Cort |