ALAN CARNEY COMIC ACTOR

 CHERISHING OUR VALLEY        2013 

At one time, about the time of the Second World War, Alan Carney was one of the most recognized comic actors in the United States.

 Alan Carney (December 22, 1909 – May 2, 1973) - Actor and Comedian

 Photograph autographed "To Ralph - Best of Everything to you - Your friend Alan Carney 1948.

By 1948, Carney was working regularly for RKO Pictures. In the 1960s he became one Disney's most reliable performers. Alan Carney died in Van Nuys, California, at the age of 63.

ERNANI BERNARDI BIG BAND MUSICIAN AND L..A. CITY COUNCILMAN

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY               2013

Ernani Bernardi was a Los Angeles City Councilman from the seventh district. He lived from 1911 to 2006, and died in Van Nuys, California. Ernie was political reformer and protector of the tax paying public. But, before he was a politician, Bernandi first interacted with the public as a highly successful saxophone player with big bands, such as the Benny Goodman Orchestra and the early Jimmy Dorsey Casa Loma Orchestra.

Condolence letter from Ernani Berndari to the son of his fellow band member Ralph Muzzillo Sr. Bernardi includes his Jimmy Dorsey band nickname "Noni" in his signature. This letter and a Los Angeles City Council tribute certificate honoring the life of Ralph Muzzillo Sr. on January 3, 1986 are gifts to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Ralph Muzzillo Jr. 2013.

Ernani (Noni) Berndardi

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The Museum of the San Fernando Valley

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Woodland Hills, CA 91364-2230

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BING CROSBY OVERPAID?

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY            2013

In the Big Band Era memorabilia of trumpet player Ralph Muzzillo Sr., was this priceless "payroll" document for the Paul Whiteman Orchestra  for January 20th. 1928. Each employee signed for his check (or, perhaps cash.) Among the signatures for their work at the Mosque Theatre in Newark, New Jersey were some of the greatest musical entertainers of the time: Bix Biederbecke trumpet, Bing Crosy vocalist, Jimmy Dorsey saxophone, and the great classical composer Ferde Grofe arranger. Ralph Muzzillo Sr. lived in Encino and spent his last years in Tarzana.

Jan. 20 to 28, 1928  Payroll for the Paul Whitman Orchestra.

Courtesy of Ralph Muzzillo Jr. 2013

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley Library - Entertainment Industry History

Note: Make sure that you double check on this image to enlarge it. Each name on this payroll deserves to be researched, since they may well be the founding fathers of American big band era jazz.

Save America's Big Band Era History

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The Museum of the San Fernando Valley

Acquisitions Committee
21031 Ventura Blvd., Suite 419
Woodland Hills, CA 91364-2230

THE MUSEUM’S TELEPHONE
1 (818) 347-9665

THE MUSEUM'S EMAILS
gerald.fecht@TheMuseumSFV.org
info@TheMuseumSFV.org

 

THE MUSEUM’S BLOG

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THE MUSEUM’S WEBSITE

www.TheMuseumSFV.org

CARL BALLANTINE A GREAT CHARACTER ACTOR

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY           2013

Perhaps, when Carl Ballantine signed this drawing on June 7, 1948 in Philadelphia to his friend Ralph Muzzillo Sr, neither Ralph the trumpeter nor Ballantine the magician would have guessed that Ballantine would become one of America's most beloved character actors. 

Autographed card of Carl Ballantine 1948. Given to Ralph Muzzillo Sr, image courtesy of Ralph Muzzillo Jr. 2013.  (click on image to enlarge it.)
"To Ralph, Many thanks and best wishes always, Carl Ballantine."

 Carl Ballantine 1917 to 2009

Carl Ballantine had considerable success on stage and early television as a magician, including the Steve Allan Show on CBS. While performing in Las Vegas, Ballantine became friends with San Fernando Valley residents Harry James and Betty Grable. His greatest success came when he made his home in the Hollywood hills and became a regular on McHale's Navy from 1962 to 1966, with the Valley's own Ernest Borgnine

THE GREAT FILM CASABLANCA WAS MADE IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY           2013

Casablanca, was a very important, anti-fascist film made during the Second World War. It's theme song "As Time Goes By" has become the credits theme for today's Warner Brothers films.

 

Arthur "Dooley" Wilson played the role of "Sam" the piano player in the great classic film "Casablanca" made in 1942 in the San Fernando Valley. Stars Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman made the film for Warner Brothers in Burbank. The exterior air port scenes were filmed at the historic Van Nuys Airport.  - ps ........ No one ever said, "play it again Sam."

Dooley Wilson was a long time friend of Ralph Muzzillo Sr, from whose collection this photograph was borrowed, courtesy of Ralph Muzzillo Jr. 

This entry is part of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley's effort to preserve and present the history and culture of our region of Southern California. If you have artifacts or photos to share with The Museum's collection of Film and Television - Entertainment Industry History, contact your Museum today.

Donate tax-deductible memorabilia to your Museum today.

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley

Acquisitions Committee
21031 Ventura Blvd., Suite 419
Woodland Hills, CA 91364-2230

THE MUSEUM’S TELEPHONE
1 (818) 347-9665

THE MUSEUM'S EMAILS
gerald.fecht@TheMuseumSFV.org
info@TheMuseumSFV.org

THE MUSEUM’S BLOG

www.museumsanfernandovalley.blogspot.com/

THE MUSEUM’S WEBSITE

www.TheMuseumSFV.org

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.

JIMMY DORSEY VALLEY CONNECTION

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY          2014

Jimmy Dorsey led one of America's great stage orchestra in the era of the Big Bands. The Jimmy Dorsey band had fans throughout the world and made the careers of hundreds of singers and musicians. The following photographs are courtesy of Ralph Muzzillo Jr. and are from his father's personal collection. Ralph Muzzillo Sr. was one of the great trumpet players of his time. He lived much of his life in Encino and died in Tarzana.

Jimmy Dorsey - American Big Band Leader

"To Lil Eve, sincerely Jimmy Dorsey and my boys." Nov. 1938

Ralph Muzzillo   1910 - 1985   - Trumpet Virtuoso

 Ray McKinley featured drummer with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra

Collection of Ralph Muzzillo Sr. - Courtesy of Ralph Muzzillo Jr. 2013

"To Ralph (commonly called 'Muzulow - Muggilaw' who combines the qualities of simplicity, and good sense.  I could was lyrical, Joe, but that's about the most one can say for any man. For a long time, I hope Ray"  "P.S. To my friend, the No. 1 first trumpet player in the band. R.K."

 

Jimmy Dorsey and his orchestra - Wamid's Million Dollar Pier 1938

 Jimmy Dorsey greets his parents.