Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941, stars of Hollywood traveled around the United States to promote the sale of war bonds. One of those stars was actress Dorothy Lamour, who came to Decatur and Atlanta in May of 1942 for bond rally events.
In case you are too young to remember Dorothy Lamour and you are not obsessed with old movies like I am, Dorothy Lamour was a major Hollywood movie star. She starred in movies beginning in the 1930’s. She is best known for several movies she made with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope, including Road to Singapore, Road to Zanzibar, Road to Morocco and more. She appeared in seventy-one movies and television programs.
Lamour appeared at a rally held in Decatur, Georgia on May 9, 1942. Over eight thousand people attended the rally. Carolyn Anderson Parker and Jane Anderson Autry were living in Dunwoody at the time and made the trip with their family to Decatur to be there for the excitement.
The entertainment included the bands of Chamblee and Tucker schools, the orchestra and chorus of Decatur Girls High School, and seventy-five children from the Methodist Children’s Home.
DeKalb County 4H and FFA (Future Farmers of America) members enjoyed free movie showings in Decatur that morning and then gathered for their part in the bond rally parade.
That evening, a Music Festival was held at Georgia Tech’s Grant Field. The Atlanta Constitution wrote up a description of the event, which would begin at 8:00 p.m. and last two hours and forty-five minutes. Dorothy Lamour was the headline and was set to appear at the end of the evening. The program included a twin piano performance, baton twirling contest, parade of bands, dance performances by local school children, a match lighting stunt, and Swiss flag swinging exhibition. Songs in the program included “Any Bonds Today” by Irving Berlin, and “El Capitan” by John Phillips Sousa.
A write-up the following day reported that 45,000 people attended the Music Festival. Dorothy Lamour ended the program with a plea for everyone to buy bonds, followed by a performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by the bands.
Among the other stars who appeared at bond rallies were Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, James Cagney, Greer Garson, Hedy Lamarr, Lana Turner, Irene Dunn, Harpo Marx, Lucille Ball, Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland-just to name a few.
Atlanta Constitution, Bond Program to be Held in Decatur Today: Dorothy Lamour Will be Present for Mammoth Rally, May 9, 1942.
Atlanta Constitution, Paul Warwick, Festival Sideline Glances, May 10, 1942.