The King's Men

'The King's Men' (qv) quartet was comprised of 'Ken Darby' (qv), arranger & bass; 'Rad Robinson' (qv) baritone; 'Jon Dodson' (qv), lead tenor; 'Bud Linn' (qv), top tenor. Formed in Hollywood in 1929, they took their name from a radio sponsor named King. Their first engagement was as a singing foursome in the Paramount film _Sweetie (1929)_ (qv)." This led to other films and radio contracts. When the 'The Boswell Sisters' (qv) left Los Angeles station KFWB in 1932, the 'The King's Men' (qv) replaced them for two years.They achieved national prominence on radio and records as a feature of the 'Paul Whiteman' (qv) Orchestra. They sang with 'Paul Whiteman' (qv)'s Orchestra from 1934 until 1937. Whiteman also acted as their agent, and encouraged their musical activities outside his organization. They subsequently appeared on other broadcasts, including the 'Rudy Vallee' (qv) program. They were heard, and sometimes seen, in many feature films, including _Sweetie (1929)_ (qv), (My Sweeter than Sweet), _Hollywood Party (1934)_ (qv) (Feelin' High), _Let's Go Native (1930)_ (qv) (title song), _Belle of the Nineties (1934)_ (qv) (Troubled Waters), _Alexander's Ragtime Band (1938)_ (qv), _Murder at the Vanities (1934)_ (qv), (Lovely One) and notably _The Wizard of Oz (1939)_ (qv), in which they are the off screen voices for the Lollipop Guild.After leaving the Whiteman band in 1937, 'Ken Darby' (qv) was hired by conductor/composer 'Herbert Stothart' (qv) at MGM. Darby's first screen credit was as vocal arranger and supervisor for _The Wizard of Oz (1939)_ (qv)" in which the 'The King's Men' (qv) are the off screen voices for specific Munchkins. Darby was the voice of the Mayor of Munchkin Land, while Robinson's voice was heard as Coroner. Dodson and Linn represented the two boys in the Lollipop Guild. Darby's other MGM films included three MacDonald/Eddy pictures. On screen, 'The King's Men' (qv) were best remembered as the singing cowboys in sixteen Hopalong Cassidy films. In the film _Honolulu (1939)_ (qv), the 'The King's Men' (qv) play the 'The Marx Brothers' (qv) on ice skates. Darby was subsequently associated with the Music Department at 'Walt Disney' (qv) Studios (_Dumbo (1941)_ (qv), _Song of the South (1946)_ (qv), _Make Mine Music (1946)_ (qv), _Pinocchio (1940)_ (qv), _So Dear to My Heart (1948)_ (qv), _Bambi (1942)_ (qv).For fifteen years 'The King's Men' (qv) were regulars on the "Fibber McGee and Molly" broadcasts, and made records with Marian and 'Jim Jordan (I)' qv. 'The King's Men' (qv) quartet was the basis for the 'Ken Darby' (qv) Singers, featured on 'John Charles Thomas' (qv) "Westinghouse Broadcasts" and on many Decca phonograph records, such as 'Bing Crosby' (qv)'s original recording of "White Christmas." Darby went on to win three Academy 'Awards' (qv) (_The King and I (1956)_ (qv), _Porgy and Bess (1959)_ (qv), _Camelot (1967)_ (qv)) as Associate Musical Supervisor with 'Alfred Newman' (qv) and 'André Previn' (qv). The 'The King's Men' (qv) and their families remained lifelong friends.::[email protected]