Story of a Song from a Paperman’s Notes
In March 1943 John Burke dined with Harry Lillis Crosby and inspired the song Swinging on a Star with composer Jimmy Van Heusen. The tune soared onto The Hit Parade for 20 weeks, becoming a cultural riff about choosing life choices. Burke and Van Heusen reportedly face surtaxes, while a book and possibly a film are planned.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Johnny Burke
Harry Lillis Crosby
Gary
Crosby
Burke
Jimmy van Heusen
Bing
Joe E. Lewis
Hedy Lamarr
J. Burke
J. van Heusen
Berle Hostess Quips and Coward Diary Gossip
A column recalls Mrs. Berle’s frank dinner quips to a Russian General in Washington and excerpts from Noel Coward’s Middle East Diary. It also notes a comedy of errors with a telegram comma, and a correction about John Doe’s police role.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Brazil
A. A. Berle
Washington
The
Rhine
Noel Coward
Coward
Brooklyn
Eisenhower
Colyum
Columbia University
Scrambled Eggs and Celebrity Pranks in Hollywood Circles
Betty Hutton’s stand in Marie Osborne, once Baby Marie, headlines a light show of old stars. Helen Forrest reports shedding 15 pounds in two weeks, while anecdotes recall Clark Gable’s call to Anita Colby who pretended to reach Lana Turner, then hung up.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Betty Hutton
Marie Osborne
Baby Marie
Helen Forrest
Clark Gable
Anita Colby
Francine
Lana Turner
Household tips and child toy safety notes
The text suggests using ordinary soap on screw threads to penetrate hardwood, tying a button on a string attached to a toddler’s wagon to prevent slipping, and warns that rayon threads weaken when wet. It cautions care when straightening stocking seams or removing hose after a shower.
Painting Radiators for Low Visibility in Home Rooms
The guide advises making radiators inconspicuous by matching their color to surrounding walls. It suggests refinishing in summer or fall before winter heat usage and starts with wiping off grease using a rag dampened with gasoline or a dry cleaner.
Gentle Wool Care Guide for Knits and Velvets
Washing tips for wool garments advise not lifting wet knitwear to avoid stretching. Instead squeeze suds through and support the fabric with hands. The rule is gentle handling to protect fibers when cleaning delicate knits and velvets.
Hat Cleaning Advice From Old Handbook
To freshen a felt hat that becomes soiled rub lightly with fine sandpaper. Go over the entire surface to avoid a spotted effect.
Olives Help Remove Stuck Newspaper From Table
A varnished table top can trap newspaper pages. Apply olive oil to soak into the adhesive for thorough minutes. After soaking, gently lift the paper from the surface.
Fragrant Orange Peel Tease for Tea Flavor
A note suggests adding a small amount of dry orange peel to tea for pleasant flavor. Keep the container tightly closed to preserve aroma and quality of the infusion.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Liberator
G.I
U. S
Navy
Burma
G.I. Joe
Ernie Pyle
H. B. Miller
USN
David S. Ingalls
Center
Hawaii
U. S. Navy
Pacific
Leyte
Isle
Signal Corps
Joey
Whippet
America
Madeline Stone
Frank Munn
Frank Hummert
Munn
John Doe
Doe
Bellans
Hottie Us
Bill
Fleischmann
Fleischmann's
Standard Brands Incorporated
Grand Central Annex
New York 17
N. Y
Ben-Gay
Tae
Ean
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!