BW - EP153—006: Independence Day 1944—The Ginny Simms Purple Heart Show

Breaking Walls: The Podcast on the History of American Network Radio Broadcasting

Virginia Ellen, “Ginny” Simms was born in San Antonio, Texas on May 25rd, 1913. Her family moved to California, where she attended Fresno High School and Fresno State Teachers College. There she studied piano and began performing. Singing with her sorority sisters, she formed a popular vocal trio. In 1932, Simms became the vocalist for the Tom Gerun band in San Francisco. In 1934, she joined the Kay Kyser Orchestra, receiving her first national exposure on his radio program. Simms appeared in three films with Kyser: That's Right—You're Wrong in 1939, You'll Find Out, in 1940, and Playmates in 1941. On April 6th, 1941, Simms and Kyser co-starred in an original comedy, “Niagara to Reno,” on CBS' Silver Theater. The two nearly married, but upon breaking up, she left his orchestra in September. Just a few days later, on September 19th 1941, Simms was on CBS solo for five minutes on Fridays at 9:55. Then on Tuesday September 8th, 1942 at 8PM, she took to the air with her own show for Philip Morris. Originally called Johnny Presents, it was later changed to The Purple Heart Show, with an emphasis on wounded and decorated servicemen. Edgar “Cookie” Fairchild led the orchestra. She starred in more films, including Here We Go Again in 1942, Hit The Ice, in 1943, and Broadway Rhythm, which premiered in January of 1944. On Independence Day 1944 at 8PM, Ginny Simms took to the air with her Purple Heart Show. Opposite in New York, CBS aired Big Town, and both ABC and Mutual aired news commentary.