So, as I mentioned, the title character as portrayed by Dick Powell on the old-time radio series "Richard Diamond, Private Detective" would always croon a song to his girlfriend at the close of each episode.
Those two "Contemporary Christmas Carol" episodes are no different and he sings a different Christmas song on each.
What is absolutely fascinating to me is the choice of songs!
On the broadcast of December 24, 1949, he sings this song:
That's "Mele Kalikimaka," still well-known these days (in my circles anyway) from Bing Crosby's recording with the Andrews Sisters:
I find it interesting that Powell pronounces Hawaii in the old-school manner of "Ha-VIE-ee" rather than "Ha-WHY-ee" as Bing and the Sisters do, which has evolved into the preferred way.
Anway, "Rick" says it's a new song and one would think that maybe Bing's record had just come out and the song is making the rounds.
But, this rendition of the song has the same melody, but largely different lyrics. Hmmm...
And closer inspection indicates that Bing Crosby did not record his version until September 7, 1950, about a year after this broadcast!
So, how did the song make it to Dick Powell at that point in time?
Will things make more chronological sense with this song from the broadcast of December 21, 1951? Let's see:
Nope, this one is also not a likely candidate based on the broadcast date!
The song is "Wonderful Christmas Night," which I think was only recorded a couple of times.
First was former Jimmie Lunceford band vocalist Dan Grissom in 1948:
Then King of the Cowboys Roy Rogers with his queen Dale Evans in 1949:
I think it's a terrific, if obscure, song and I love both of those versions. But it by no means became a standard, so why was Dick Powell singing it two years later?
After 70-ish years, we'll never know how those two particular songs were chosen for the "Richard Diamond" Christmas shows, but it is fascinating to think about!
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