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Irving Berlin DID NOT write this song for Kate Smith. According to the entry "God Bless America" on Wikipedia, he wrote it for a revue called Yip Yip Yaphank, a tribute to the U.S. Army during World War I. The year given was circa 1917–1918. He decided not to use it in the revue at that time, substituting "We're on our way to France" instead. He decided to revise and release it in 1938 and chose Kate Smith to introduce it via a radio broadcast on November 11th, 1938 then called, Armistice Day. Kate Smith DID sing "God Bless America" in the 1943 Warner Bros. production of This is the Army. T.E. Goodwin 06:57, 23 February 2007 (UTC)
This article was automatically assessed because at least one WikiProject had rated the article as start, and the rating on other projects was brought up to start class. BetacommandBot 15:46, 9 November 2007 (UTC)
The article states She sang the controversial top twenty song of 1931, " That's Why Darkies Were Born". It seems unlikely this song was controversial in 1931, it was performed by Paul Robeson and its title used in a joke by Rufus T. Firefly. I'm inclined to remove the word, and perhaps the entire sentence, since it's something of a non sequitur. -- CliffC ( talk) 04:53, 2 March 2009 (UTC)
The song itself may not have been "controversial" at the time, that's true. However, Kate Smith herself is a controversial historical figure because she popularized a tune (and herself in the bargain) with overtly racial lyrics. Just because Paul Robeson sang it and Groucho Marx joked about it doesn't make the song less racist and it's disingenuous to imply that. Woody Guthrie wrote "This Land is Your Land" as a direct response to Smith's "God Bless America", because Smith and her music represented mainstream America's views at the time, which Guthrie did not agree with. And considering the social changes that were to come in the United States, he wasn't the only one. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 47.138.92.237 ( talk) 04:59, 26 December 2016 (UTC)
I was born in 1930, and when homesick during grade school, every day I listened to Kate Smith, whose talk show was introduced by Ted Collins saying: "It's high noon in New York, and time for Kate Smith." She was a delight to listen to. 76.1.252.112 ( talk) 18:57, 9 June 2009 (UTC)Bob Beers
This passage of the article is very interesting, but with no references at all. Where does it come from? It would be hard to let such detailed claims stand alone. -- Melchior2006 ( talk) 12:40, 23 April 2011 (UTC)
This may seem too trivial for the article, but I attended a "Planes of Fame" history event Sat. June 4th, 2011 in Chino, CA and a Maj. Robert Sternfels (Pilot of the B-24 "Sandman" in the operation Tidal Wave / Ploesti Raid) spoke and mentioned a B-24 Liberator bomber was named for Kate Smith. Some internet searches do describe a B-24 liberator as being named in her honor. Bob specifically mentioned that Kate paid for the aircraft -- about $260K in 1943 dollars. My father is a WW-2 vet and he confirmed that several successful and/or wealthy people purchased aircraft or other military equipment to support the war effort. Just thought I'd mention it. 71.139.65.209 ( talk) 08:11, 6 June 2011 (UTC)
My elderly aunt claims that Kate Smith was anti-Semitic. I can't find one single example on the internet. Does anyone know origin of this rumor or have knowledge of the episode(s)? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Ericsilver ( talk • contribs) 12:50, 16 September 2011 (UTC) drop dead jackass — Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.185.243.40 ( talk) 03:29, 26 July 2013 (UTC)
Well she was definitely racist. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 209.252.183.253 ( talk) 22:29, 26 December 2016 (UTC)
Idiots should listen to the song first. It was probably the most anti-racist song of the time up to today. 2601:181:8301:4510:483A:2C73:EB23:F9C8 ( talk) 15:14, 22 April 2019 (UTC)
The phrase "confined to a wheelchair" is demeaning, offensive, and oppressive, and most of all illogical, and should not be used here. A person is never "confined to a wheelchair": he doesn't shower or sleep in his wheelchair. When he rides a plane he rides in a seat, not his wheelchair. "Confined" is inaccurate and conveys an inaccurate stereotype of inability of wheelchair users to engage in sexual, social, travel and physical pursuits. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Denverjason ( talk • contribs) 03:10, 27 September 2011 (UTC)
The summary box contains erroneous information regarding Kate Smith's birthplace: She was not born in London, England, but in Greenville, VA, as stated under Early Life. Drsusan44 ( talk) 15:24, 22 May 2015 (UTC)
I went to a Flyers home game a few weeks ago. Lauren Hart did indeed sing, but she sang The Star-Spangled Banner, not God Bless America. So the situation is not as the article describes it. I can't find any info online about when the change happened, and whether they switch back and forth. I'm inclined to add a 'fact' tag, in the hope that some better-informed editor can resolve this (and add a cite). TypoBoy ( talk) 18:12, 9 March 2015 (UTC)
If the William H. Smith who registered for the World War I draft in Washington, D.C. on September 12, 1918 is in fact her father--his listing of a "Lottie Smith" as his closest contact (with the same address), being a possible nickname for "Charlotte", and "Proprietor of Capitol News Co." matching the occupation at this page--the family lived at 227 "B" Street in N.W. Washington, D.C. (now Constitution Avenue). A public school fairly close at that time would have been William Seaton School located on "I" Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets N.W. (constructed 1871, demolished 1969). He lists his birth date as October 7, 1880 (making him 38 at the time).--Artaxerxes 15:18, 18 February 2017 (UTC)
Drawing from a number of sources (not all of which are "allowable") parent names and birth/death dates are: Charlotte "Lottie" Yarnell (née Hanby) (1872-1962) and William Herman Smith (1880-?). "Lottie" was indeed a common nickname for "Charlotte" at the time. Issues: with father eight years younger, was he the second husband? Is "Yarnell" another married name? Sometimes names are combined from different ancestral surnames (especially in the South). No death date or place for father? What happened to him?--Artaxerxes 14:14, 22 February 2017 (UTC)
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The article reads:
Her cheery radio sign-on was parodied by comedian Henry Morgan when he launched his own show in 1942: "Good evening, anybody, here's Morgan," which became his sign-on.
However, the article does not appear to contain her actual sign-on, only Morgan's parody.
The absence of the original is awkward, and should be remedied.
Karl gregory jones ( talk) 20:36, 19 November 2018 (UTC)
One of the sources was apparently a book published by the Kate Smith Foundation, the other was something called The Bookhound. Let's discuss. I'd have objected to the wording used, as it seems to be making the argument that having black musicians on your show says something about whether or not you're a racist, which is at best synthesis, but let's argue sources first. -- valereee ( talk) 11:47, 24 April 2019 (UTC)
Here's a similar IP back again. IP, consider creating an account so that we can leave you messages on your talk page. -- valereee ( talk) 11:57, 5 May 2019 (UTC)
Kate Smith has been accused of racism for singing racist songs. It is logical then to assume a racist would not invite black entertainers and musicians on her radio and television shows, yet Kate Smith did that. She did it during a time when a lot of radio and television hosts were not inviting backs on their shows. Valeree needs to show why it is not relevant to include this information. She has asserted that it is not relevant but offers no proof as to why it isn't. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.164.64.134 ( talk) 12:00, 5 May 2019 (UTC)
And I am only reporting that her biographer lists numerous radio and television programs of hers which included black musicians and entertainers. These are taken from radio and tv logs and from actual broadcasts. These are not opinion. By the way, McFarland is a reputable academic publisher. AND I HAVE NO CONNECTION WITH THE KATE SMITH FOUNDATION. I did not even know much about her until this controversy erupted. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.164.64.134 ( talk) 12:33, 5 May 2019 (UTC)
References
I propose moving detail of the Statue of Kate Smith to the standalone page. --- Another Believer ( Talk) 16:56, 11 June 2020 (UTC)
Please include sister and family 67.82.73.129 ( talk) 06:21, 14 January 2023 (UTC)
This is the
talk page for discussing improvements to the
Kate Smith article. This is not a forum for general discussion of the article's subject. |
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Irving Berlin DID NOT write this song for Kate Smith. According to the entry "God Bless America" on Wikipedia, he wrote it for a revue called Yip Yip Yaphank, a tribute to the U.S. Army during World War I. The year given was circa 1917–1918. He decided not to use it in the revue at that time, substituting "We're on our way to France" instead. He decided to revise and release it in 1938 and chose Kate Smith to introduce it via a radio broadcast on November 11th, 1938 then called, Armistice Day. Kate Smith DID sing "God Bless America" in the 1943 Warner Bros. production of This is the Army. T.E. Goodwin 06:57, 23 February 2007 (UTC)
This article was automatically assessed because at least one WikiProject had rated the article as start, and the rating on other projects was brought up to start class. BetacommandBot 15:46, 9 November 2007 (UTC)
The article states She sang the controversial top twenty song of 1931, " That's Why Darkies Were Born". It seems unlikely this song was controversial in 1931, it was performed by Paul Robeson and its title used in a joke by Rufus T. Firefly. I'm inclined to remove the word, and perhaps the entire sentence, since it's something of a non sequitur. -- CliffC ( talk) 04:53, 2 March 2009 (UTC)
The song itself may not have been "controversial" at the time, that's true. However, Kate Smith herself is a controversial historical figure because she popularized a tune (and herself in the bargain) with overtly racial lyrics. Just because Paul Robeson sang it and Groucho Marx joked about it doesn't make the song less racist and it's disingenuous to imply that. Woody Guthrie wrote "This Land is Your Land" as a direct response to Smith's "God Bless America", because Smith and her music represented mainstream America's views at the time, which Guthrie did not agree with. And considering the social changes that were to come in the United States, he wasn't the only one. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 47.138.92.237 ( talk) 04:59, 26 December 2016 (UTC)
I was born in 1930, and when homesick during grade school, every day I listened to Kate Smith, whose talk show was introduced by Ted Collins saying: "It's high noon in New York, and time for Kate Smith." She was a delight to listen to. 76.1.252.112 ( talk) 18:57, 9 June 2009 (UTC)Bob Beers
This passage of the article is very interesting, but with no references at all. Where does it come from? It would be hard to let such detailed claims stand alone. -- Melchior2006 ( talk) 12:40, 23 April 2011 (UTC)
This may seem too trivial for the article, but I attended a "Planes of Fame" history event Sat. June 4th, 2011 in Chino, CA and a Maj. Robert Sternfels (Pilot of the B-24 "Sandman" in the operation Tidal Wave / Ploesti Raid) spoke and mentioned a B-24 Liberator bomber was named for Kate Smith. Some internet searches do describe a B-24 liberator as being named in her honor. Bob specifically mentioned that Kate paid for the aircraft -- about $260K in 1943 dollars. My father is a WW-2 vet and he confirmed that several successful and/or wealthy people purchased aircraft or other military equipment to support the war effort. Just thought I'd mention it. 71.139.65.209 ( talk) 08:11, 6 June 2011 (UTC)
My elderly aunt claims that Kate Smith was anti-Semitic. I can't find one single example on the internet. Does anyone know origin of this rumor or have knowledge of the episode(s)? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Ericsilver ( talk • contribs) 12:50, 16 September 2011 (UTC) drop dead jackass — Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.185.243.40 ( talk) 03:29, 26 July 2013 (UTC)
Well she was definitely racist. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 209.252.183.253 ( talk) 22:29, 26 December 2016 (UTC)
Idiots should listen to the song first. It was probably the most anti-racist song of the time up to today. 2601:181:8301:4510:483A:2C73:EB23:F9C8 ( talk) 15:14, 22 April 2019 (UTC)
The phrase "confined to a wheelchair" is demeaning, offensive, and oppressive, and most of all illogical, and should not be used here. A person is never "confined to a wheelchair": he doesn't shower or sleep in his wheelchair. When he rides a plane he rides in a seat, not his wheelchair. "Confined" is inaccurate and conveys an inaccurate stereotype of inability of wheelchair users to engage in sexual, social, travel and physical pursuits. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Denverjason ( talk • contribs) 03:10, 27 September 2011 (UTC)
The summary box contains erroneous information regarding Kate Smith's birthplace: She was not born in London, England, but in Greenville, VA, as stated under Early Life. Drsusan44 ( talk) 15:24, 22 May 2015 (UTC)
I went to a Flyers home game a few weeks ago. Lauren Hart did indeed sing, but she sang The Star-Spangled Banner, not God Bless America. So the situation is not as the article describes it. I can't find any info online about when the change happened, and whether they switch back and forth. I'm inclined to add a 'fact' tag, in the hope that some better-informed editor can resolve this (and add a cite). TypoBoy ( talk) 18:12, 9 March 2015 (UTC)
If the William H. Smith who registered for the World War I draft in Washington, D.C. on September 12, 1918 is in fact her father--his listing of a "Lottie Smith" as his closest contact (with the same address), being a possible nickname for "Charlotte", and "Proprietor of Capitol News Co." matching the occupation at this page--the family lived at 227 "B" Street in N.W. Washington, D.C. (now Constitution Avenue). A public school fairly close at that time would have been William Seaton School located on "I" Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets N.W. (constructed 1871, demolished 1969). He lists his birth date as October 7, 1880 (making him 38 at the time).--Artaxerxes 15:18, 18 February 2017 (UTC)
Drawing from a number of sources (not all of which are "allowable") parent names and birth/death dates are: Charlotte "Lottie" Yarnell (née Hanby) (1872-1962) and William Herman Smith (1880-?). "Lottie" was indeed a common nickname for "Charlotte" at the time. Issues: with father eight years younger, was he the second husband? Is "Yarnell" another married name? Sometimes names are combined from different ancestral surnames (especially in the South). No death date or place for father? What happened to him?--Artaxerxes 14:14, 22 February 2017 (UTC)
Hello fellow Wikipedians,
I have just modified 2 external links on Kate Smith. Please take a moment to review my edit. If you have any questions, or need the bot to ignore the links, or the page altogether, please visit this simple FaQ for additional information. I made the following changes:
When you have finished reviewing my changes, you may follow the instructions on the template below to fix any issues with the URLs.
This message was posted before February 2018.
After February 2018, "External links modified" talk page sections are no longer generated or monitored by InternetArchiveBot. No special action is required regarding these talk page notices, other than
regular verification using the archive tool instructions below. Editors
have permission to delete these "External links modified" talk page sections if they want to de-clutter talk pages, but see the
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source check}}
(last update: 5 June 2024).
Cheers.— InternetArchiveBot ( Report bug) 02:18, 7 December 2017 (UTC)
The article reads:
Her cheery radio sign-on was parodied by comedian Henry Morgan when he launched his own show in 1942: "Good evening, anybody, here's Morgan," which became his sign-on.
However, the article does not appear to contain her actual sign-on, only Morgan's parody.
The absence of the original is awkward, and should be remedied.
Karl gregory jones ( talk) 20:36, 19 November 2018 (UTC)
One of the sources was apparently a book published by the Kate Smith Foundation, the other was something called The Bookhound. Let's discuss. I'd have objected to the wording used, as it seems to be making the argument that having black musicians on your show says something about whether or not you're a racist, which is at best synthesis, but let's argue sources first. -- valereee ( talk) 11:47, 24 April 2019 (UTC)
Here's a similar IP back again. IP, consider creating an account so that we can leave you messages on your talk page. -- valereee ( talk) 11:57, 5 May 2019 (UTC)
Kate Smith has been accused of racism for singing racist songs. It is logical then to assume a racist would not invite black entertainers and musicians on her radio and television shows, yet Kate Smith did that. She did it during a time when a lot of radio and television hosts were not inviting backs on their shows. Valeree needs to show why it is not relevant to include this information. She has asserted that it is not relevant but offers no proof as to why it isn't. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.164.64.134 ( talk) 12:00, 5 May 2019 (UTC)
And I am only reporting that her biographer lists numerous radio and television programs of hers which included black musicians and entertainers. These are taken from radio and tv logs and from actual broadcasts. These are not opinion. By the way, McFarland is a reputable academic publisher. AND I HAVE NO CONNECTION WITH THE KATE SMITH FOUNDATION. I did not even know much about her until this controversy erupted. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.164.64.134 ( talk) 12:33, 5 May 2019 (UTC)
References
I propose moving detail of the Statue of Kate Smith to the standalone page. --- Another Believer ( Talk) 16:56, 11 June 2020 (UTC)
Please include sister and family 67.82.73.129 ( talk) 06:21, 14 January 2023 (UTC)