Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
Saturday 9: Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? (1932)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
1) Bing Crosby wants a dime for food. Adjusted for inflation, 10¢ in 1932 is now worth $1.69. Can you think of anything you could buy at the grocery story with $1.69? Maybe with a coupon, or perhaps it would buy a big can of Fancy Feast cat food! Sad, isn't it.
2) This song was originally released as a 78 rpm record. Have you ever seen a 78? I've not only seen them, I had my mom's collection for years AND a record player that still played 78rpms. They were heavy and sounded scratchy, but I loved listening to them.
3) In 1932, Jean Harlow was Hollywood's glamor queen. Who do you think sets the standard for glamor today? Nicole Kidman, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Charlize Theron and Reese Witherspoon. I don't necessarily buy into their politics, but think they are beautiful (and good actresses). Probably should include Angelina, too.
4) One of 1932's best selling books was Agatha Christie's Peril at End House. She remains popular today. Are you familiar with her work? Prolific. I have read a couple of her books, and have seen a few of the movies made from them, such as "Murder on the Orient Express". I can't say she is a favorite, but I'm sure everyone has at least heard of her!
5) This week's featured artist, Bing Crosby, worked as a caddy when he was 12 and continued to enjoy time on the golf course his entire life. What type of exercise do you do most often? What's that?
6) Bing had twin sons, Dennis and Philip. Many people believe that the propensity for twins is hereditary. Are there twins in your family? Not my immediate family, but I have twin cousins, on my mom's side of the family, and one of them has a set of twins, so there must be something to that hereditary thing.
7) Bing's daughter, Mary Crosby, has her own place in TV history. Do you know why? She has been on TV and in movies a lot, but is maybe best known for her role as Kristin, on Dallas.
8) In the mid 1970s, Crosby and his family did commercials for Minute Maid. Do you have any orange juice in your refrigerator? We always have OJ in the 'fridge, but it isn't Minute Maid. We buy Florida Natural.
9) Now for something completely random: Do you like beef jerky? Not especially. I've eaten it, and would, again, if I was really hungry and had nothing else, but it's too salty for my taste (and hard to chew!).
I'm impressed that you knew who Mary Crosby was. I had no clue.
ReplyDeleteTV addict.... and I'm old enough to remember her from years ago!
DeleteHow fun that you had your Mom's collection of records and player. Wishing you a very nice Saturday.
ReplyDeleteOh my, 78's and 45's too! I didnt watch Dallas, so not familiar with Mary Crosby. All of the 'sirens' of today are so made up, it is hard to tell who is who. My Dad was a twin, but it didnt pass on to me. Have oj in fridge 90% of the time for sure. Happy Saturday.
ReplyDeleteGreat q's and a's. Mine will be be up shortly. Blessings
ReplyDeleteI don't know anything about Bing. I didn't even know his daughter acted on Dallas which I used to watch. lol
ReplyDeleteNo twins in my family that I know of.
Have a great weekend!
I feel so guilty that my brother and I broke so many of those old records using them as frisbees long before we knew what frisbees were. My father had got them and an old gramophone at an auction. I remember my mother being angry that he spent money on them. At least one of my sisters is addicted to the new 'Dallas'. There are twins in the Duncan-Smith's side of the family - my maternal grandmother's.
ReplyDeleteDid you know old Bing was not a good husband and dad? I read about him. Anyway I could get a couple of things for $1.69 but not much!
ReplyDeleteYes, I have heard that he was very mean and not a good husband or father. Back 'in the day' Hollywood did their best to shield the actors from the public's view and they got away with a lot we never heard until more recently.
DeleteI had forgotten that Mary Crosby was on Dallas! My Uncle Pete gave us a big stack of 78 records..mostly big band music. I wonder what my mom and dad ever did with them? That same uncle was a huge Bing Crosby fan. He actually reminded me of Bing. Have a fantastic weekend, Terri! Your page looks so pretty!
ReplyDelete