Evelyn Kay Klein and her magic violin (a 1756 Bergonzi) starts the song, Lets Fall in Love. Not only was this one of the most talented orchestras in the world, it was also a talented choir. To be in the presence of these ladies at a live concert must have been special in itself as they were the closest thing to a real angel you could find on this planet. All of the girls had to dress alike, in pure white, no leg or even an ankle could show and necklines had to be modest. They were not allowed to marry while a part of the orchestra. Any girl who was asked out on a date had to have their potential suitor submitted to a background check to ensure they were worthy of a musical queen and then a committee of 5 girls would interview their \"sorority sister\" further to ensure that the girls were always held in the highest regard as to their moral standards. Spitalny, as well, wanted them protected from harm and felt personally responsible for each of the ladies. Each girl had to sign a 2 year contract and once that was completed, still had to give 6 months notice to leave so that Evelyn and Phil could find a suitable replacement. The girls had to be between 17 and 30 when hired and maintain beautiful hair in a fashion prescribed by Evelyn~as well as keeping their weight under 122. If that wasn't enough, 6 hours per day practice was required, all music had to be committed to memory as music stands were not permitted. Yet it was a dream gig for any woman. They were quite well reimbursed.
The contralto in the Queens choir was always known as Maxine even though several contraltos came and went during the 20 years of existence. This gave the girls a sense of continuity and closeness and related to audiences a sense of stability. It was stable enough. This was a dream gig and many of the original 1934 members were still with the Queens when it was disbanded in 1955. Phil and Evelyn eventually married even though she was 20 years his junior. Phil had to wait 10 years before proposing because it was his rule about the girls having to remain unmarried. Phil and Evelyn married in 1946 and retired to Miami Beach. After the 12 year run on radio (NBC 1936-46) and CBS (1947-48) the band continued live concerts from 1949 until 1955.'
Phil Spitalny and His Musical Queens, Vitaphone 1719, filmed in Brooklyn, New York, Lets Fall in Love released August 23, 1934. Thanks to TCM for preserving this film. A bio of Phil, as well as a list of ladies in the orchestra are in the information section of the previous film ~\"The Musical Queens~All Girl Orchestra, 1934, Vitaphone Film, Phil Spitalny, leader.
Contralto and Choral:
What is this thing, this wondrous thing, this precious thing, what is this thing?
Love!
Lets Fall in Love~Why shouldn't we fall in love? Our hearts are made of it~
Lets take a chance, why be afraid of it? Lets follow our hearts and make our own paradise.
Little we know of it, still we can try to make a go of it.
We might have been meant for each other, to be or not to be, let our hearts dis~~cov~~er
Lets fall in love, why shouldn't we fall in love?
Now is the time for it, while we are young~
Lets Fall In Love
In Love
