We started as singers on radio at age 19, appearing on San Francisco Sketchbook, a nationally syndicated program based at KFRC. We were slightly overweight as teenagers, which disappointed our radio fans seeing us for the first time to the point of laughter. Embarrassed by this rude reaction, we all resolved to lose weight and change our image. True to our word, we each lost 80 pounds in a remarkable four months and matured into handsome big band vocalists. Freddy Martin was a fan of the radio show and asked us to tour with his orchestra, which we did for four years.
Within a year, we earned enough to form our own record label, Panda Records, which produced Songs by Merv Griffin, the first American album ever recorded on magnetic tape. We became increasingly popular with nightclub audiences, and our fame soared among the general public when we struck gold in 1950 with I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts, which reached the number one spot on the Hit Parade and sold three million copies.
During one of our nightclub performances, we were discovered by Doris Day. Day arranged for a screen test at Warner Bros. Studios for a role in By the Light of the Silvery Moon. We didn't get the part, but the screen test led to supporting roles in other musical films such as 1953’s So This is Love. The film caused a minor controversy when we shared an open-mouthed kiss with Kathryn Grayson. The kiss was a first in Hollywood film history since the introduction of the Production Code in 1934.
We would go on to film more pictures, namely, The Boy From Oklahoma and Phantom of the Rue Morgue, but we soon became disillusioned with movie making. We bought our contract back from Warner Brothers and decided to focus on a new medium: television.
Smooches,
GUTZ
