THE REAL FATHER O'MALLEY

100th Anniversary Concert to Feature the Music of Father Joseph P. Connor, Inspiration for Classic Film "Going My Way"

 

By Cynthia Cumming

 

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WEST ORANGE, NJ - What do American Bandstand, the Oscar-winning film "Going My Way," and former New Jersey Governor Brendan T. Byrne have in common? The answer is a 100th Anniversary concert celebrating the life and music of Father Joseph P. Connor, beloved parochial vicar and American music composer at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in West Orange on September 14.

The Les Elgart Orchestra, a 40s Big Band best-known for "Bandstand Boogie," the American Bandstand theme song, will perform many of Father Connor's compositions. Connor was the inspiration for Father O'Malley in "Going My Way," the classic film that earned Bing Crosby a best actor nod in 1944. The event chair is Gov. Brendan T. Byrne, who was a youth at Our Lady of Lourdes while Father Connor served there.

Father O'Connor composed popular and religious music during the twenties, thirties and forties. His best-known contemporary work is When I take my Sugar to Tea, which is regularly performed by the Les Elgart Orchestra. Other songs include By a Waterfall, You Brought a New Kind of Love to Me, The Golden Dawn, Lilies of Lorraine, The Far Green Hills of Home, Little Black Dog, I Shall Return, Love Sends a Little Gift of Roses, Miracle of the Bells and Honeymoon Lane. Father O'Connor wrote several movie scores including Footlights on Parade and 42nd Street.

“His history is truly amazing,” said Our Lady of Lourdes Pastor, Father James Ferry. “He was composing during the great swing era, and this year—our 100th anniversary-- is the right time to tell his unique story, celebrate his contributions to the parishes he served, and touch more people through his music.”

He is credited with 180 songs of his own; 330 in collaboration with composers like Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal, and his works were recorded by superstars like Frank Sinatra. His friends included Ed Sullivan, Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, and Jack Dempsey. He also worked closely with Oscar Hammerstein.Father Connor frequently used pseudonyms for his works, including Pierre Norman and John OpenshawIn.

Just like Father Chuck O'Malley in "Going My Way," Father Connor used his royalties for parish and the poor, and spearheaded the construction of Our Lady of Lourdes School. Sadly, after a short illness, Father Connor passed away in 1952 at the age of 54.

The Les Elgart Orchestra will perform Father Connor's music in a concert on Sept. 14 at Our Lady of Lourdes, One Eagle Rock Avenue, beginning at 2:15 pm. General admission is $50.00. On November 9, a 100th Anniversary Mass will be held and a Gala Celebration will take place at the Hanover Manor. More information on those events will be provided in the near future.

 

For more information on the event, visit the Our Lady of Lourdes website at http://www.lourdeswestorange.org/.

 

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BING CROSBY BENEFIT CONCERT

Citizens Who Care presents its 21st annual benefit concert "Yes Indeed! The Great Songs of Bing Crosby," at the Veterans Memorial Center Theatre, 203 E. 14th St., Davis, in Woodland, California at 7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23, and again at 2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 24.

To most Americans, Bing Crosby was the eternal crooner, a much-celebrated and beloved performer of unparalleled popularity. Yet he was far more than that. He was an architect of 20th century entertainment, a force in the development of three industries that barely existed when he came into the world -- recordings, motion pictures, and broadcasting.

Throughout much of his career, he dominated the music charts with nearly 300 hit singles to his credit. To this, he added stardom in movies, radio and television. His work helped to transform and define the cultural life not only of the United States, but of the world.

"Yes, Indeed! -- The Great Songs of Bing Crosby" captures the highlights of Crosby's unparalleled 50-year career, stretching from his early jazz roots with "Bix" Beiderbecke and Paul Whiteman, through his crooner years of the 1930s, his movie hits of the 1940s and 50s, and beyond.

Stephen Peithman tells the Crosby story with the help of performers Joe Alkire, Bob Bowen, Gwyneth Bruch, Martha Dickman, Paul Fearn, Lisa Derthick, and Lenore Sebastian, accompanied by musical director LuAnn Higgs and percussionist Jim Nakayama.

Songs include "Swinging on a Star," "Three Little Words," "Sweet Georgia Brown," "Brother Can You Spare a Dime," "It's Easy to Remember," "Don't Fence Me In," "Pennies from Heaven," "What's New?," "Yes, Indeed!," "Blue Skies," "Play a Simple Melody," "How Deep is the Ocean?," "Too Marvelous for Words," "Dear Hearts and Gentle People," "When Irish Eyes are Smiling," "Imagination," "The Second Time Around," "In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening," and "Star Dust," among others.

All proceeds will benefit Citizens Who Care, a nonprofit agency in Yolo County, dedicated to providing social support programs and respite services for the frail elderly and their family caregivers.

All seats are $35. For tickets and information call 758-3704 or go to www.citizenswhocare.us. Tickets are also available at the Citizens Who Care office, 409 Lincoln Ave., Woodland.

The Yolo County charity Citizens Who Care seeks to improve the quality of life for the frail elderly of Yolo County and their family caregivers through social support programs and services. Trained, caring volunteers, with the support of our professional staff, provide a variety of support and social programs...

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BING CROSBY IN NORWAY

Here is a clip from Bing's medley of hits from the same concert in Norway. He was in great voice for all of the health problems he had...

FEELS GOOD, FEELS RIGHT

Here is a rare clip of Bing Crosby performing in Norway on August 27,1977...less than two months before he died. He sings a great song..."Feels Good, Feels Right"...