Ken Curtis sings, The Caisson Song

That's right, Ken Curtis who played Festus Hagen on Gunsmoke was a singer before he became an actor.

In this Soundie Ken Curtis sings with The Shep Fields All-Reed Band.

Ken had been signed with the Tommy Dorsey band as a back-up for Frank Sinatra, but when Frank finally left, Dick Haymes contractually replaced Sinatra leaving Ken Curtis without a gig. That was in 1942 and Curtis quickly moved on to join Shep Fields.

After leaving Shep Fields, Ken went on to lead the Sons of the Pioneers for a number of years.

I hope you enjoy this addition to my offerings from my late uncle's 16mm film collection!

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Ken
• Curtis
• Shep
• Fields
• All-reed
• Orchestra
• Caisson
• Song
• soundie

[BirdOfParadise777]

Backwards! That's why Kens smile looks odd!

There are video programs that can "flip" this video so that it will "look" right.

[Quidamkid]

@BirdOfParadise777 Or you could watch it in a mirror if it really bothers you. LOL Personally, I just mentally reverse it.

[MrDavenn]

Is this from a movie?

[Quidamkid]

@MrDavenn

No this is a Soundie, a 3 minute film manufactured to be projected in a panoram video jukebox. Soundies were made from 1940 till the company went belly-up in 1947. There were approximately 1800 Soundies films produced over those years. Many of them have been lost to improper storage, ill-use or just plain ignorance. My uncle was a collector of old films and most of my videos come from his collection.

[zencoming]

ahhh. ... projection ... that explains all the 'left handedness" ... the left handed salute, the reversed "SF" on the speakers, the left handed guitar player, bass player, clarinets being held with left hand ... I was wondering ... !!! :-)

[komamura007]

Totally awesome clip!! The Man sang some of the most memorable songs during his lifetime. Thanks for the upload.

[slimjim7285]

All I gotta say is UNF

[BigBlockTA79]

A true GEM! Things like this show the spirit that helped the USA and our allies be victorious in WW2

[fordman4444]

Ahh! Back when Americans were Americans!! !!!!!

[gopsu88]

Thanks for sharing this video. I had no idea Ken Curtis could sing like this. GREAT!!

[smokeyone63]

What a great piece of nostalgia. Thanks