FATS WALLER / FINE ARABIAN STUFF 1939 ~ U.S. SEALED

Highnote Records, Inc.

Drafted while events were fresh in his mind in 1942–1943, Alabama-born American diplomat George Platt Waller’s memoir chronicles his war-time experience in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. In vivid prose, he recalls the outbreak of World War II in September 1939, the “Phony War, ” the German invasion of May 10, 1940, and the Wehrmacht occupation. Intimately involved with the political and public life of this small democratic nation, Waller did not follow Grand Duchess Charlotte and her government into exile. Instead, he remained as long as he could to witness and champion the Luxembourg people, doing his best to rescue the flood of refugees seeking visas and asylum in the United States. Waller bitterly condemns the Nazi civilian administration, its oppressive racial laws, and its attempts to annex the country to Germany under the banner of Heim ins Reich. From his pivotal position as dean of the diplomatic community, representative of the powerful United States; and trusted confidant of leaders, executives, and citizens alike, Waller was privy to information from a wide range of sources: government, military, the church, the professions, the resistance, ordinary people, and refugees. He narrates gripping accounts of individual initiative and courage and exposes the many official hindrances to the timely rescue of refugees. His observations shed new light on life in Luxembourg from 1939 to 1941, when he was finally expelled from the country. The editors’ introduction places this brief but highly significant memoir in the context of Waller’s family background, education, and career, including his dramatic return to Luxembourg at its liberation by American troops in 1944 and his participation in the Grand Duchy’s postwar renaissance. Extensive annotations and photographs complement the text.

Wealthy, caring gentleman Alec Walker (Cary Grant) falls for artist Julie Eden (Carole Lombard), an attractive, compassionate young widow. There's only one problem--Walker is already married. His wife, Maida (Kay Francis), is a cold and calculating social climber who only married Alec for his money and social position. Julie, unwilling to be the other woman, returns to New York, forcing Alec to beg for a divorce. Maida agrees but her real plans include emotional sabotage and maintaining her claim to the Walker fortune. Based on the novel MEMORY OF LOVE by Bessie Breuer, this romantic drama is skillfully directed by John Cromwell (THE PRISONER OF ZENDA, OF HUMAN BONDAGE). The famously flippant, fast-quipping Grant is excellent in one of his few decidedly melodramatic roles. Similarly, Lombard's affecting turn expanded upon her reputation as a fine comedic actress. The showstopping performance, however, belongs to Francis as the obsessive and greedy villain.

This musical retrospective is a look at the career of Fats Waller, an incomparable jazz musician and comedian who started entertaining folks at the tender age of 10.

Release Date: 2002-10-04, Audio CD, Classics France/Trad Alive

Bluebird RCA (USA)

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West End Records

Santa Claus (Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, or simply "Santa") is the figure in Western cultures who is described as bringing gifts on Christmas Eve. The modern depiction of Santa Claus as a fat, jolly man (or gnome) wearing a red coat and trousers with white cuffs and collar, and black leather belt and boots, became popular in the United States in the 19th century due to the significant influence of caricaturist and political cartoonist Thomas Nast. Includes 7.5" holiday season festive stuffed plush Santa Claus as featured