The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-12-17

Undoubtedly the most picturized bandleader of the year will be Xavier Cugat, maestro of Your Du- bonnet Date" over MES Wednes- day nights. Cugat, just arrived in New York after completing three pictures, goes back to Hollywood in March to face a schedule of five more films. They are Mexico City," Weekend at the Waldorf" An chorS AWeigh," "The Band Wagon" and Hollywood Canteen.'
 Aviation Machinists Mate 3rd class Harold Eastman, U. s. Navy, got himself out of hole the other night on Blind Date," when, after he declared that radio actress Marie Windsor was just the right size for him, the actress curiouSly asked him how he could tell, since he could Navy man shot back, Well, any, where between four and seven feet is just my size" Sailor won his date with the actress, but not until he threatened her with the statement that If you don't go out with me tonight I'll trade this blueiacket for straightjacket."
 Bob Burns told his Thursday radio listeners that he had finally solved the paper shortage. His eX- planation: "Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra have got all the guys in the country cuttin' out paper dolls that they can call their own" Christmas carols make up '"The Lyn Murray Show" on Christmas Eve, Friday, Dec. 24, over CBS, when the Lyn Murray Singers offer a varied program of Christmas songs of many lands. Included are Handels "Joy to the World" Here a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella," Twelve Days of Christmas" God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen" "Lo How Rose Fer Blooming" ''The First Noel" and silent Night =.
 Julius, the colored janitor on Lionel Barrymores Mayor of the Town program, has proved so popular he's been made a regular member of the cast. He's played by the well-known stage-radio actor, Lou Lubin. He's in Curtain Call" the drama for Dec. 15, and will be back again on Dec. 29.
 A distinguished group of actors and singers will be heard in a spe- cial Christmas Day program of the Treasury Star Parade" on more than $50 stations throughout the nation. The transcription, 'Tet There Be Peace," was written by Forrest Barnes. Original music was arranged and conducted by David Broekman.
 Star Playhouse" the only five a-Week daytime program offering smash hit screen stories with name movie stars in the leading roles, will air Palm Beach Story" and Gen tleman Jim" during the New Year
 "Blondie' bandleader Bill Aartzt completed his Christmas shopping early, drove his family home, and within an hour thief stole his car. Artzt is now disciple of early Christmas shopping.
 Felix Mills, conductor of the Burns and Allen show, is one con- ductor who has a doubly reliable source of information as to just which tunes rate tops with the boys in the service, getting really hot tips from his two sons, Mac, aged 18, in the Navy and George, aged 20, in the Coast Guard. When the government recently issued an order for 60,OOO ocarinas (musical sweet potatoes) to be sent each month to boys overseas, the SportSmen quartet offered their prize collection. For years the boys have used the instrument to warm up before starting the days work.
 For several years Mack McGar has bene billed as star fiddler on the Grand Ole Opry," heard every Sat- urday night on NEG. Recently 1t was learned that Mack has been expert on the mandolin since child hood, and he is now featured with that instrument on many of the programs. Groucho Marx and his Blue Ribbon Town" ingenue, Fay Me- Kenzie, will use the Christmas holi- days to tour all military and naval hospitals in the Southern California area, offering songs and comedy for the wounded service men. Irving Brecher, comedy writer for the movies. is persistent and op- timistic guy. His persistence has finally paid off. AboLs three years ago Irv batted out radio serial, ''The Life of Riley" for Groucho Marx. Somehow or other the deal didn't work out. But, Brecher kept pushing his script. The result is that it will finally come to the air starring William Bendix for a sponsor new to radio. Groucho, in- cidentally. hasn't done badly for himself, either. He clowns hi- lariously on his Blue Ribbon Town" programs over CBS Saturday nights at 8 D. m., EWT.
 Donald Dame, tenor who is ap- bearing for his first season with
 the Metropolitan Opera, makes an- other solo appearance on "The Lyn