Ask “Mr. Music”
Jerry Osborne



FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 3, 2005

DEAR JERRY: At the very end of Marilyn Monroe's “Bus Stop,” as the bus pulls away, I recall a chorus singing a few lines.

It may be just a little ditty made especially for that scene, because right after Bo proposes to Marilyn the musical group begins singing “I will marry you if you will you marry me,” etc.

If this really is from a full-length song, will you tell me its title?

You have uncovered even more obscure trivia tidbits, here's hoping you can do it one last time.
—Ginny Goodman, Milwaukee.

DEAR GINNY: I can, though it surely will not be the last time.

That song snippet is from the appropriately titled “Bus Stop Song (A Paper of Pins),” a Top 20 hit for the Four Lads in mid-1956 (Columbia 40736).

In case you are wondering, the part of Beauregard “Bo” Decker is played by Don Murray. Marilyn's character is named Cherie.

DEAR JERRY: We are having a debate we know you can resolve. It comes up each time “Winchester Cathedral,” by the New Vaudeville Band is on the radio.

At the time it was popular, the stations would occasionally play another version that I'm sure has not been heard on the radio since.

All I recall about it is that the singer is a woman. Her's might even be the first issue of the song.
—Roma Stevens, Spanaway, Wash.

DEAR ROMA: Your mystery lady is Dana Rollin, and her recording of “Winchester Cathedral” (Tower 283) did indeed receive some spins in November 1966 — but not many.

The New Vaudeville Band's “Winchester Cathedral” first charted in the UK on September 10, 1966, eventually rising to the Top 5 there.

Their stateside release debuted October 29, and by early December held the No. 1 position.

Meanwhile, the Dana Rollin waxing made its chart entry the following week, November 5th. It languished in the Bottom 30, never rising above No. 71.

This “Winchester Cathedral” minutiae will also answer Raymond Pachmayr (Tampa, Fla.), who asked about Dana Rollin's version.

IZ ZAT SO? Most anything by or about Marilyn Monroe is collectible, including her records and picture covers. One, though, is especially valuable.

Monroe did not grant many interviews, but one made in 1954 for Dell Publishing, titled “Sidney Skolsky Interviews Marilyn Monroe” (MM-SS 1), wound up on a single-sided, promotional record.

Besides the chit-chat, it includes Marilyn singing “Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend” (from “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”), and a portion of “I'm Gonna File My Claim” (from “River of No Return”).

This rare recording has been sold in the $3,000 to $5,000 range.





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