Jackinthebox Loc: travel the world

A Canadian friend sent this to me and I find that right neighborly. :oops:

It is an interesting story and video...

Here are the facts... The link at the bottom will take you to a video showing the very first public singing of "GOD BLESS AMERICA". But before you watch it, you should also know the story behind the first public showing of the song.

The time was 1940. America was still in a terrible economic depression. Hitler was taking over Europe and Americans were afraid we'd have to go to war. It was a time of hardship and worry for most Americans.

This was the era just before TV, when radio shows were HUGE, and American families sat around their radios in the evenings, listening to their favorite entertainers, and no entertainer of that era was bigger than Kate Smith.

Kate was also large; plus size, as we now say, and the popular phrase still used today is in deference to her, "It ain't over till the fat lady sings". Kate Smith might not have made it big in the age of TV, but with her voice coming over the radio, she was the biggest star of her time.

Kate was also patriotic. It hurt her to see Americans so depressed and afraid of what the next day would bring . She had hope for America , and faith in her fellow Americans. She wanted to do something to cheer them up, so she went to the famous American song-writer, Irving Berlin (who also wrote "White Christmas") and asked him to write a song that would make Americans feel good again about their country. When she described what she was looking for, he said he had just the song for her.

He went to his files and found a song that he had written, but never published, 22 years before - way back in 1917. He gave it to her and she worked on it with her studio orchestra. She and Irving Berlin were not sure how the song would be received by the public, but both agreed they would not take any profits from God Bless America . Any profits would go to the Boy Scouts of America. Over the years, the Boy Scouts have received millions of dollars in royalties from this song.

This video starts out with Kate Smith coming into the radio studio with the orchestra and an audience. She introduces the new song for the very first time, and starts singing. After the first couple verses, with her voice in the background still singing, scenes are shown from the 1940 movie, "You're In The Army Now." At the 4:20 mark of the video you see a young actor in the movie, sitting in an office, reading a paper;
Well guess first and I will tell you next post.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/TnQDW-NMaRs?rel=0

Leon S Loc: Minnesota

Thanks for this post. When I was about 4 or 5 my grandmother would take care of me while my mother was at work. My grandmother would never miss the Kate Smith show. Busha (grandmother) was originally from Poland and had left for a chance at a better life and to get away from the constant wars in Poland. About the time of Kate Smith singing this song her three sons were entering into military service. One of the three won her the Mothers Star for her window. That star remained in her window until her death. Busha shared the love of this country with Kate Smith.

One Jughead Loc: Greene County, OH

Looked like Ronald Reagan to me!

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Beat me to it.

montana red Loc: baldwinville ma

1940 the year i was born . i remember kate smith radio show and still love her voice. thank you for posting....red

ottopj Loc: Annapolis, MD USA

Nice memories of my younger years with my mom and grandmother.

Being about 5 or 6, I remember coming in from the cold one winter day and taking off my snow suit and heading to the bathroom in my jockey shorts.

My grandmother was watching the Kate Smith show. When she saw me in my drawers, she jumped up and spread her dress in front of the tv.

Her reasoning was that if we could see Kate Smith, Kate Smith could see us!

imntrt1 Loc: St. Louis

Yep...Ronald Reagan

mdfenton

Imagine Obama and friends supporting this now.

PRETENDER Loc: Micanopy,Florida

Thanks for reminding me why I love this country.

dragonswing Loc: Pa

I have seen this before, but still enjoy it every time.

Jackinthebox Loc: travel the world

You are very welcome.
Now about Poland. I am not Polish in any way at all but I learned to have great admiration for Poland and its people. Under the communist system there was nothing much to do nor the money for anything but education. Thus the Polish became some of the best educated people in the communist world. While the soviet Union took to alcohol the Polish used their time and resources to educate themselves. America of course benefitted from it as those highly skilled Polish came to the USA in droves.

The many Polish jokes are so misplaced but used by all and the people from Polish heritage bear it so well it is a class of distinction all by itself.

James Michener's, American Author extraordinaire, book entitled "POLAND" is a must read for all Americans. Especially those from Polish heritage.

Mr. Michener was given an assignment to determine the most exotic place in the world. He found that place to be Poland.

At the risk of hi-jacking my own topic, I strongly suggest to get the book and learn all about it. Its available at Amazon.com and your local library.

Jackinthebox Loc: travel the world

:thumbup: :thumbup:

Jackinthebox Loc: travel the world

I know that it is not pretending that you say it and I and most of us agree.

Jackinthebox Loc: travel the world

It would be good if they did.

Jackinthebox Loc: travel the world

:thumbup: :thumbup: