Hildegarde, or "The Incomparable Hildegarde" as
she was usually known, has died at age 99. Primarily
a nightclub and cabaret singer, she was one of the
first--if not the first--entertainers to use one name.
I mention all this because her "Raleigh Room" series,
sponsored by Raleigh cigarettes, was a popular attraction
on NBC from 1944-46; she then switched sponsors (Campbell
Soups) and network (CBS) in the 1946-47 season. Prior
to all this, she had appeared with Ed Wynn, on Believe It
Or Not, and on Beat The Band (Red Skelton's 1943 summer
replacement). She liked to give the impression she was
from somewhere in Europe, but in truth she was Hildegarde
Loretta Sell from Milwaukee.
she was usually known, has died at age 99. Primarily
a nightclub and cabaret singer, she was one of the
first--if not the first--entertainers to use one name.
I mention all this because her "Raleigh Room" series,
sponsored by Raleigh cigarettes, was a popular attraction
on NBC from 1944-46; she then switched sponsors (Campbell
Soups) and network (CBS) in the 1946-47 season. Prior
to all this, she had appeared with Ed Wynn, on Believe It
Or Not, and on Beat The Band (Red Skelton's 1943 summer
replacement). She liked to give the impression she was
from somewhere in Europe, but in truth she was Hildegarde
Loretta Sell from Milwaukee.