Kay Kyser
James Kern Kyser (June 18, 1905 – July 23, 1985), known as Kay Kyser, was a popular radio personality and bandleader in the 1930's and 40's. Kyser's most popular show was Kay Kyser's Kollege of Musical Knowledge, which combined popular music with a quiz show format. It aired on Mutual Radio in 1938 and then moved to NBC Radio from 1939 to 1949. Kyser led the band as “The Ol’ Perfessor,” spouting signature catch phrases like, “That’s right—you’re wrong,” “Evenin’ folks, how y’all?” and “C'mon, chillun! Le's dance!” Kyser was also known for having his singers sing the song titles, a device copied by Sammy Kaye and Blue Barron. When the song began, one of the band's lead singers (usually Harry Babbitt) sang the title phrase, and then the first verse or two of the song was performed instrumentally before the lyrics resumed.
Known For
Credits
- 1999 · Television: The First Fifty Years as Self (archive footage)
- 1982 · Showbiz Goes to War as (archive footage)
- 1968 · The Movie Orgy as Self (archive footage)
- 1961 · The Mike Douglas Show as Self
- 1944 · Carolina Blues as Himself
- 1944 · G.I. Journal as Self
- 1943 · Around the World as Kay Kyser
- 1943 · Swing Fever as Lowell Blackford
- 1943 · Screen Snapshots (Series 23, no. 3) as Himself
- 1943 · Thousands Cheer as Kay Kyser
- 1943 · Stage Door Canteen as Kay Kyser
- 1943 · Show-Business at War as Self
- 1942 · My Favorite Spy as Kay Kyser
- 1941 · Playmates as Kay Kyser
- 1941 · Hedda Hopper's Hollywood No. 2 as
- 1941 · Hedda Hopper's Hollywood No. 1 as Self
- 1940 · You'll Find Out as Himself
- 1940 · If I Forget You as Orchestra
- 1940 · Africa Squeaks as Cake Icer (voice)
- 1939 · That's Right – You're Wrong as Kay Kyser
- 1933 · Unsichtbare Gegner as Sir Thomas