Alstone Signed Alex Alstone orchestra has been signed by RCA Victor and is due for the big buildup. With the band business on the upswing band discs have enjoyed better sales than in any year since 1945. Record companies are all support­ ing new bands. Capitol has Billy May; MGM has launched Skip Martin crew; Coral is pushing Neal Hefti and Mercury is spark­ ing the Ralph Marterie outfit. a classic BING CROSBY and Judy Garland at a rehearsal for a Crosby radio of fhe American show. The recent Crosby debut on POPOFF? tv was a mild sensation. Miss New radio set, The Popov, has musical stage Garland will take her two-a-day gone into production in Russia. sung superbly by vaudeville show to Chicago and Soviets say it’s named after inven­ Detroit in the fall. tor of radio, Alexander Popov. GORDON MacRAE Day Exits "Jazz" and LUCILLE NORMAN Doris Day will not co-star with Danny Thomas in Warners re­ make of "The Jazz Singer” as orig­ Thirteen great songs are here—songs that run the whole inally announced. Though Day- remarkable gamut of Jerome Kern’s talent, from the saucy Thomas team was a hit in "See Let’s Begin to Lovely To Look At, I Won’t Dance, Yester­ You in My Dreams” studio feels days, and the all-time favorite Smoke Gets In Your Eyes. femme lead in "Jazz Singer” is too small a role for Miss Day. There’s a brand new excitement in the sound of this familiar music. George Greeley’s sparkling arrangements set the stage for incomparable performances by the stars, WESTWARD HERD and Anne Triólas bright, diverting comedy support. To­ Woody Herman heads the herd gether, they all project a warmth and intimacy that make back to L.A. for an engagement "Roberta’s” charm irresistible. at the Hollywood Palladium on RITA GAM, tv actress, plays the L-334 • 33'A rpm 16 September. Billy May will lead in her first motion picture, KDF-334 • 45 rpm come in off the road to follow "The Thief." Ray Milland starrer DDN-334 • 78 rpm Herman on 7 October. will have no dialogue. v // 28.