RUDY VALLEE

July 28, 1901

Rudy Vallée was born Hubert Prior

Vallée in Vermont and raised in Maine. He started his career as a saxophone player and singer and became a popular bandleader, hosting a hit radio program in the 1930s.  

His first film was 1929’s The Vagabond Lover. He also wrote a popular song of the same title.  He was known as a crooner, and often depicted singing through a megaphone. On Broadway he appeared in How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and repeated his role in the film version in 1967. That same year he played “Batman” villain Lord Marmaduke Ffogg. 

Vallée played himself in “Lucy Takes a Cruise to Havana,” the first episode of “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” in 1957.  

Vallée

had no scenes with Cesar Romero, although the two had been seen together in 1949′s The Beautiful Blonde from Bashful Bend. Both would play “Batman” villains: Romero as The Joker and Vallée
as Lord Marmaduke Ffogg.  Vallée had also appeared on “Hedda Hopper’s Hollywood” in 1942. 

In 1956 and 1957, Rudy Vallee did two appearances on the Desilu sitcom “December Bride” once again playing himself. The second appearance aired just a month after Vallee appeared on “Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour.” 

He also played himself on a 1970 episode of “Here’s Lucy”.  

The plot has Vallée waiting tables to pass the time until his music comes back into style. To help him make a come-back, Lucy convinces Kim to help update his look and sound while Harry gets him a booking at the local teen hangout.  

When the full length portrait of Vallée in a raccoon coat is revealed, Vallée says he wore the coat in his first picture, Varsity Hero. In reality Vallée’s first film (aside from two shorts playing himself) was The Vagabond Lover in 1929. Vallée himself was not a fan of the film.  In a 1980 interview, he jokingly quipped,

“They’re still fumigating the theaters where it was shown. Almost ruined me. In fact, I think it’s only shown in penitentiaries and comfort stations.”

The “Here’s Lucy” set depicting Vallée’s home was decorated with items brought in from Vallée’s private collection, including a Whiffenpoof Trophy and a small red megaphone with a letter “Y” on it.  Both of these were likely given to him by Yale University, home of the Whiffenpoofs. 

Vallée

was married four times and was known to be difficult to work and live with. 

“I’ll admit I have a too-quick temper.” ~ Rudy

Vallée

Vallée

died in 1986 at age 84. His childhood home is now a registered landmark.