BOB BURNS RADIO CELEBRITY OF THE 1940s

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

     Museum Associate Art Jacobs shares this story about radio's famous Bob Burns.

"Bob Burns a musical comedian who appeared on radio and in the movies is featured in the 1941 Radio-Movie-Guide magazine. Burns a native from Arkansas, is best known as "The Arkansas Traveler" a character that amused his audience with stories about the kinfolk back home. Burns played a novelty musical instrument of his own invention which he called the "bazooka". It consisted of a stove pipe and a whiskey funnel that created an unusual sound."

 Bob Burns, radio comic of the 1940s. Magazine photo courtesy of Art Jacobs 2014

"By 1940 Burns was nationally known on the radio and was signed as a contract player with Paramount Pictures. During the 1930's and 40's Burns began investing his money in real estate throughout the San Fernando Valley. At one time, it was said that Bob Burns owned over 800 acres of West Valley land. His ranch was located on the corner of Sherman Way and Mason in Canoga Park. 

Locally, Burns became the honorary mayor of Canoga Park and was very active in the community.

On February 1956, Bob Burns passed away in Encino, California of kidney cancer and is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery."

NEAL ALLEY SHARES EARLY VALLEY AIR INDUSTRY PHOTOS

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

Lockheed Lodestar Aircraft - likely at Glendale Central Airport - c. 1940 - Collection of Neil Alley.

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The Museum of the San Fernando Valley

Acquisitions Committee
gary.fredburg@TheMuseumSFV.org
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Woodland Hills, CA 91364-2230

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CHERISHING OUR VALLEY          2013

         Rufe Davis is one of those great old time performers whose name and talent is in the process of being forgotten. Rufe (that’s short for Rufus) got his start in show business as a jazz guitarist. One of his first big breaks was in 1937 with the band of the drummer – big band leader Gene Krupa’s orchestra. Rufe was famous for his comic imitations of animals and musical instruments.

         In his film and television career, Rufe was often featured as the comic sidekick for the lead actor. For much of his career he lived and worked in the San Fernando Valley.

         In 1939 Rufe Davis signed with Republic Pictures in Studio City. He was cast as “Lullaby”, the Republic series “The Three Mesquiteers”  from 1940 to 1942.  Davis was in 14 of this series. From 1963 to 1968, he starred as the railroad brakeman / conductor on the CBS 

television series “Green Acres” and Petticoat Junction.”  

 He became friends with Ralph Muzzillo, Sr. when Ralph worked for Gene Krupa as a trumpeter.

         Rufe Davis is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery in the Hollywood Hills overlooking Burbank.

         Rufe Davis  - Rufus Davidson

         1908 to 1974 

Note: This autographed photo of Rufe Davis, in the collection of Ralph Muzzillo Sr, courtesy of Ralph Muzzillo Jr, has a note superimposed by a publicity photograph likely released by Paramount Pictures. Printed on the picture, it reads:  "Best Wishes Rufe Davis" Written in pen over the printed message is" "To Ralph - Paramount Remember - Rufe Davis." (Click on this image to enlarge it.)

Gene Krupa – drummer – actor – big band era band leader.

1909 – 1973

            Gene Krupa and Ralph Muzzillo Sr. when they played in the Benny Goodman band.  His drum solos were the first ever to be featured American popular music records. He’s the drummer in Benny Goodman’s “Sing, Sing, Sing.”  Gene Krupa became the whipping boy for fundamentalist religious groups who found drum music as a tool to seduce and corrupt youth. Swing music and jazz dancing were also attacked by Hitler and other fascists as undermining the purity of the white race. Krupa was watched constantly by police and eventually arrested for possession of two marijuana cigarettes and given three months in prison.

NICE BARBARA STANWYCK PHOTO FOUND IN PUTNEY COLLECTION

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY  2011

Among the many treasures in the recently acquired Putney Collection is this 1940 promotional photograph of Barbara Stanwyck and attached information statement.

Barbara Stanwyck promotional photograph - 1940 

Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Joan Putney 2011.  (click on image to enlarge)

"BROOKLYN BOMBSHELL - Somehow, it seems, there's always a red-head from Brooklyn, somewhere in Hollywood. First it was Clara Bow, then Barbara Stanwyck came along. And, if Barbara ever chooses to step down and assume the home life of Mrs. Robert Taylor, there is Susan Hayward waiting to take up the laurels. Barbara, at present, is working opposite Fred MacMurray in Paramount's "Remember the Night." And she's celebrating her tenth anniversary as a screen celebrity. She's the despair of costume designers, and the delight of directors. For Barbara cares not a whit about her gowns and costumes; all she asks is a good part in a good picture, and it is to this uncanny knack of selecting top roles that she attributes her success.

Pictures like "So Big," "The Plough and the Stars,", "Stella Dallas," The Mad Miss Manton," "Union Pacific," and "Golden Boy." have stamped her as a versatile actress and an accomplished performer. But, it was not ever thus. Youngest of five children, she was placed in an orphanage when her mother died. Barbara went to public schools in Brooklyn and divided her yearnings between a dancing career and that of a missionary to China.

Eventually she took dancing lessons - after working in a department store - and worked up through night clubs to Shubert productions. Then Willard Mack put her in a small part in "The Noose," and Ruby Stevens became Barbara Stanwyck.  It was a combination of Barbara Fritchio and Jane Stanwyck.

She was a year - a hit in "Burlesque" (the play) and came to Hollywood in 1929. Less than a year ago, Barbara became the envy of a million women by marrying Robert Taylor. While she was working in "Remember The Night", he was working in "Remember" and just so they wouldn't forget, they bought a new home in Beverly Hills. But, she still has her horse ranch in the San Fernando Valley."

 Robert Taylor - vintage postcard - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2011  - (click on image to enlarge)

CATHERINE OLSON'S SNAPSHOTS

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY     2011

When, lifelong San Fernando Valley resident Catherine Olson died earlier this year, her daughter Mary made sure that The Museum received some of her interesting photographs and 1984 Olympic Games memorabilia. Here are three snapshots from one of Catherine's albums. They give us a glimpse of what recreation was like in the 1930s.

 This photograph (number 3624) is marked "Hollywood Ball Field"  One of the billboards reads KMPC. I think it is Gilmore Field. What is your opinion? (click on image to enlarge)

 Someday, The Museum may have the special equipment enabling us to identify locations from background hills and other geographical evidence.  I'm sure that the flowers these folks are hiding in are California lupin.  Refer to photograph

"Aunt Catherine"  1940  -  Museum image number 3623 -  Gift of Mary Olson Friedman 2011.

PHOTOS FROM A RESEDA CARPENTER'S TIME IN HAWAII IN 1939

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY

When Raymond Estavillo died on the 15th of May in 2011, most of the friends and neighbors of the 94 year old man simply knew of him as a retired master carpenter. In actuality Mr. Estavillo, who was born in 1917, had served his nation at a time of great peril. As a youth, Raymond joined the United States Army just before the dark days of World War II. He shared a Christmas dinner at Schofield Barracks in the Territory of Hawaii just two years before the Japanese attack on that base and the port of Pearl Harbor in 1941. The photographs taken and saved by Army Air Corpsman Raymond Estavillo are today are an important part of American history, and because he was our neighbor in Reseda - now, part of San Fernando Valley history as well.

United States Army Air Corpsmen on Parade at Schofield Barracks c. 1939 .   Photo in collection of Raymond Estavillo - courtesy of Paul Estavillo 2011 -  Photo E7  (click on image to enlarge)

 United States Army Transport Ship Entering Pearl Harbor c. 1940 -   Photo in collection of Raymond Estavillo - courtesy of Paul Estavillo 2011 -  Photo E8  (click on image to enlarge)

 Attack Plane on Exhibit c. 1940    Photo in collection of Raymond Estavillo - courtesy of Paul Estavillo 2011 -  Photo E9  (click on image to enlarge)

 General's Airplane   Photo in collection of Raymond Estavillo - courtesy of Paul Estavillo 2011 -  Photo E10  (click on image to enlarge)

 Attack Plane in Hanger - Hawaii c. 1940    Photo in collection of Raymond Estavillo - courtesy of Paul Estavillo 2011 -  Photo E11  (click on image to enlarge)

Pursuit Plane -   Photo in collection of Raymond Estavillo - courtesy of Paul Estavillo 2011 -  Photo E12  (click on image to enlarge)

JUST BEFORE THE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011

Raymond Estavillo was a young soldier attached to the US Army Air Corps in 1938, when he was assigned to Schofield Barracks in the Territory of Hawaii. Soldiers were regularly trained in artillery gunnery there. Raymond was assigned to the 19^th Infantry Company L.  He returned to the mainland of the United States just prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. These are some of the photographs from his Hawaii album.

 Freighter in Pearl Harbor c. 1939 - collection of Raymond Estavillo - Photo courtesy of Paul Estavillo 2011.  (click on image to enlarge)  Photo E-1

 Canon on display  - collection of Raymond Estavillo - Photo courtesy of Paul Estavillo 2011.  (click on image to enlarge)  Photo E-2

 Military review parade - Schofield Barracks Hawaii - c. 1940  - collection of Raymond Estavillo - Photo courtesy of Paul Estavillo 2011.  (click on image to enlarge)  Photo E-3

 Attack aircraft c. 1939 - Schofield Barracks Hawaii  - collection of Raymond Estavillo - Photo courtesy of Paul Estavillo 2011.  (click on image to enlarge)  Photo E-4

American attack planes lined up on US Army Air Corps field - Schofield Barracks Hawaii - c. 1940  - collection of Raymond Estavillo - Photo courtesy of Paul Estavillo 2011.  (click on image to enlarge)  Photo E-5

Military Review Parade Band - Schofield Barracks Hawaii - c. 1940  - collection of Raymond Estavillo - Photo courtesy of Paul Estavillo 2011.  (click on image to enlarge)  Photo E-6

1942 A MISSOURI BOY FIRST ENCOUNTERS THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011

Photographs often tell more than viewers realize.

Family snapshots often tell more history than meets a casual glance. Here are three photographs that were among my brother James Fecht's effects, when he died last year. In three short years he went from a high school altar boy to a United States Marine in combat in the South Pacific. 

Altar servers at Saint Brendan Catholic Church in Mexico, Missouri - 1940.  (click on image to enlarge)  Photo 2853 - l to r: James Fecht, Joe Enslen, Jim Torrance, Don McLaughlin and Bob Phillips.

 In 1941, James Fecht was a recent high school graduate. anxious to make his mark in the world. This photograph was taken in Mexico, Missouri shortly before the outbreak of World War II. His hands were still swollen from an amateur boxing match earlier in the week. He boxed as a Marine recruit at Camp Pendleton the next year.  (photo 2854)

1942 on Elmer Avenue in North Hollywood, California.  (photo 2855) 

On his first leave after boot camp, Jim Fecht and his Marine buddy Webb McKelvey went to Los Angeles, where Webb introduced Jim to his cousin Joye Barnes from North Hollywood. Jim met Joye and several of her friends from Corvallis High School in Studio City, at the USO Cantina in Hollywood. Jim was dazzled. After the war, Jim and Joye were married and made the San Fernando Valley their home.

A TATOO 1940's STYLE

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011

I don't know about you, but I love a good coincidence.
Last Sunday, as I was manning The Museum of the San Fernando Valley's table at the Campo de Cahuenga reenactment event, I met a gentleman from the Native Daughters of the Golden West booth next door. As we chatted, I discovered that Henry Crowell, now into his 80s, once made his living in a traveling circus.
At the age of 11, Henry ran away from home to join the Wallace Brothers Circus out of York, South Carolina. His first job was cleaning out the cages of the big cats, not exactly encouraging. He went on to work with other big top events, including the world famous Clyde Beatty Circus. (Clyde is buried in Forest Lawn in the Hollywood Hills above Burbank.)
As we talked, he asked me where I am from.  I explained that I was born in a little town called Mexico, in Missouri. "Well," Henry announced, "I remember Mexico, Missouri very well. It is the place where I got this tatoo."  Up rolled his sleeve and proof of his adventure in my hometown was there to see. "I was just a kid, when I was in the circus there," he said. "And this is my souvenir."
There is just one more aspect to Henry's story, and that comes from one of my very earliest memories.
When I was very little, my family lived on the outskirts of Mexico near the County Fair Grounds. And, I recall, on vaguely, being lifted up by big brother Jimmy to see giant elephants go back, and cages with the most fearsome cats imaginable. Could Henry and I have seen each other for just a second all those 71 years ago?

 Henry Crowell displays his tatoo - Photo by Gerald Fecht 2011 for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.

Henry and Dolores Crowell came to the Campo de Cahuenga reenactment event from their home in Littlerock, California. It's a small world, after all.

THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES

At the outset of World War II, Ronald Reagan starred in a very popular film called Knute Rockne All American. Information about his life and artifacts from his careers in film and politics are an important part of your Museum's collections and historical responsibility.

Postcard of Ronald Reagan in the 1940 film Knute Rockne All American. (click on image to enlarge)

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY NOTABLE JANE RUSSELL

Jane Russell actress - historic postcard collection of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - gift of Gerald Fecht 2009 (click on image to enlarge)

One of the biggest motion picture celebrities of the 1940s was Van Nuys High School graduate, Jane Russell. Contracted by Howard Hughes, Jane would become one of the great symbols of her era. This image is part of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley's growing collection of "Valley notables."

Report Cards - Chatswoth Park School - Gift to the Museum from Gary Fredburg - 2008 (click on image to enlarge)

Other report cards added to the Museum's education collection are:

Report Card - Chatsworth Park School - February 4, 1938 - A - 4
Teacher: Gertrude N. Ramsdale / Willim Altheuser (principal)

Report Card - Chatsworth Park School - April 20, 1938 - Grade B - 5
Teacher: Constance Lourau

Report Card - Chatsworth Park School - June 23, 1939 B - 6
Teacher: Elizabeth L. Moser

Report Card - Chatsworth Park School - June 1940 - Grade A - 7
Teacher: Lily L. Griffin

Report Card - Chatsworth Park School - December 6, 1940 - Grade B-8
Teachers: Lily L. Griffin / Elizabeth M. Hale (sewing)

Report Card - Chatsworth Park School - January 31, 1941 - Grade B-8
Teachers: Lily L. Griffin / Elizabeth M. Hale (sewing)