Glenn Miller

During the war, famous musicians (band leaders) fronted military bands to help the war effort. Glenn Miller was in the Air Force, Artie Shaw was in the Navy and Harry James fronted an army band.

These bands were formed originally with the intent of bolstering the morale of the troops. Their assignments also included providing music and entertainment for shows that were associated with "War Bond Drives" and other fund raisers. As for the musicians in these bands, it was a preferred way to spend the duration playing their instruments, rather than holding a rifle in some dangerous military action.

Jimmy Stewart aka Glenn Miller remained in the United States Air Force after the war. He was a bomber pilot during that conflict where he flew B29's over Europe. At the time he was assigned to the 8th Air Force Bomber Command. Years later when the movie "Strategic Air Command" was made, Jimmy flew the bombers that were used for some of the film sequences. 

I was in the United States Air Force as a musician in the mid 50's and was stationed at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska. This was a Strategic Air Command Base (headquarters to be exact)  and these big B47's and B52's bombers would frequently land there.

On occasion the word would go out around the base that Jimmy Stewart had just landed. His presence was the "buzz" of many of his admirers.  However, I personally never saw him around.  Jimmy stayed in the Air Force Reserve and became a high ranking officer till his retirement as a two star general.

Hollywood's treatment of such biographies as The Glenn Miller Story is typical Hollywood "schlock".  The bit about String of Pearls and how this number got it's name is close to embarrassing.

However, it must be remembered that  in those days these films were written in this "sugar-coated" manner.  Hollywood studios didn't embarrass easily in the 50's.  If it were discovered that June Allyson (Mrs. Glenn Miller) knew how to tap dance they would have written this into the story line.  It wouldn't have had any relevence to the story of Glenn Miller's war time experiences but that wouldn't have mattered.

 Murray McEachran,a gifted trombone player from Toronto (who was residing in Los Angeles at the time) was asked to do the sound track for that movie.  He was to play the trombone parts that Jimmy Stewart did as Glenn Miller.  Murray did a first rate job with what he had to work with on these sessions.

After the recordings were complete, the studio still thought they were missing another segment that required his trombone services.   This was about two weeks after the completion of Murray's sound track contract.  Although what the studio requested was only a few minutes of recorded music, Murray was busy with other commitments.   

However, he agreed to come back for this very short recording bit when the studio said they would really make it worth his while. They didn't want to substitute another player's sound for what Murray had already done.

Along with this financial inducement and as a gesture of appreciation for his troubles they gave him a new "Cadillac" convertible. Hollywood could be generous in those days.

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