Memorable Moments With The Glenn Miller Orchestra Quiz

Answer: In the Mood

"In The Mood" is said to have been based on a piece of music a band leader named Wingy Manone had written years earlier named "Tar Paper Stomp." It was Glenn Miller's biggest hit ever. Even the Beatles got "in the mood", throwing in a few bars of this tune at the end of "All You Need Is Love."

Answer: Hotel Pennsylvania

The Hotel Pennsylvania has had the number PE6-5000 since 1919, making it the oldest continually used phone number in New York City. Today you can reach them at 736-5000 -- and you can tell them I sent you. This famous number number also shows up in the movie "Breakfast at Tiffany's", and a cartoon spoof named "Transylvannia 6-5000" staring none other than Bugs Bunny.

Answer: Orchestra Wives

For some reason, the band takes the name of Gene Morrison's Orchestra for this story of a star-struck girl's troubled marriage to a band member. As if this bit of trickery would make us fail to guess who these tunesmiths really were! The role of trumpet player was a new one for leading man George Montgomery who spent most of his career staring in American Westerns.

Answer: False

Unfortunately, Glenn never got to record a Christmas album before his plane disappeared over the English Channel in 1944. It wasn't until 1991 that a new Glenn Miller Orchestra released "In the Christmas Mood", using some of Glenn's themes combined with Christmas standards. It's a must for any swing lover's Christmas playlist.

Answer: A clarinet and three saxophones.

According to the movie, the "Glenn Miller Story" it was after a trumpeter in the band hurt his mouth that Glenn decided to let a clarinet take the main melody line in the band. With the clarinet holding the melody and a tenor sax playing the same note, they'd be joined by three other saxophones playing harmony.

It was musical dynamite and Glenn turned it into a sound that was enjoyed by millions.

Answer: A trombone

While Artie Shaw carried a clarinet and Harry James laid down licks with his trumpet, it was the trombone that made Glenn swing. He bought his first trombone in 1915 with money that he had saved from milking cows. What a different story it might have been if he had spent it on comic books instead!

Answer: Chattanooga

This song was number one on the charts on the fateful day of December 7, 1941. To show how powerful a good song can be, this little ditty was part of the reason that Chattanooga later became home of the National Model Railroad Association. If you ever do make it to Chattanooga be sure to check out the Choo-Choo Hotel where guests can book a night in a room consisting of half of a restored train passenger car.

Answer: James Stewart

Joining the ineffable Mr. Stewart in this biopic was an all-star cast including Louis Armstrong, Ben Pollack, and Gene Krupa all playing themselves. The film was nominated for three Academy Awards and won the Oscar for Best Music Recording. Audiences should be advised to bring a hanky if they wish to view this film. It is a genuine tear-jerker.

Answer: Little Brown Jug

The tune of this song well predates the swing era since it was originally written in 1869. Miller's peppy re-imagining of the tune, however, was an unabashed success. Who knew a folk song about alcoholism could be so chipper?

Answer: True

Miller originally tried to join the Navy but was rejected. Not giving up, he managed to get into the Army instead and was allowed to do what he did best by leading the Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band. In less than one year the band managed to put on a staggering 800 performances both live and over the radio.