Dear Diary,
Bro Bob Crosby was really swell on the Kraft Music Hall tonight. Just when I’m getting used to him, and all probably miss him, Bing comes back to old KMH next week. Somebody out to sponsor a program for young Robert.
Garry Moore’s program held even more appeal than usual for me tonight, simply because of a few words uttered by good old Howard Petrie at the end of the program. He was doing the regular routine of “Listen to all four Camel shows – – –” he named the four shows, then deviated a little to say, ” And be sure to listen tomorrow night to the special edition of the Camel Comedy Caravan, starring Bob Hope, Jerry Colonna, Frances Langford, Vera Vague, and Xavier Cugat.” Bob was on the Caravan the last time he was in the East. Now he’s getting up in the world – he takes over the whole darn program!
Dear Diary,
I believe Garry (ain’t I getting informal?) was a little better tonight than he was last week. Jimmie Durante took over Howard Petrie’s job as assistant to Garry in the “I got a new job” department, even though Howard’s still with Garry. I never did especially care for Durante, but it’s kind of cute the way he calls Garry “Junior.” It’s like Bing’s calling Bob “Junior,” only in a repulsive sort of way. Incidentally, Garry’s “new job” was, (it took six minutes to say it, the way he does it) “I’m the punk who dunks skunks and monks for the gink who shrinks minks and links in a four-story fur storage store in a tiny town in Tennessee called Tacoma.”
By the way, Bing sounded like he was feeling better tonight. But he didn’t mention next Monday with Robert.
Dear Diary,
Well, Mr. Moore did it tonight. He has been better, but he did it. He started the show by drooling (and I mean drooling) over Camel cigarettes. Howard Petrie, the announcer, said, “Now wait a minute, Garry, that’s my job. Besides, it’s too early for a commercial.” Garry gasped, “Too early! Howard, for seven years I’ve waited, and you say it’s too early. Now I can be funny like other comedians-for money!” Incidentally, the show got good audience reaction.
I read today that while the Hopes were visiting the Ray Millands recently, Dolores went upstairs to get her coat, and in coming down, fell down two or three steps (she wasn’t hurt). Bob, who was playing gin rummy, looked down at her and said, “She’ll do anything for a laugh.”
Muriel Windham's Diary 