Rudy Vallee: Modest Inspirer of Goose Flesh or National Menace?

While venturing on a virtual quest to find out what Chuck Palahniuk's reference to Rudy Vallee in his book Snuff actually means (the preceding page is unavailable to Internet peekers, so the context is unclear), I happened upon this must-see February 1958 interview of Rudy Vallee by esteemed television journalist Mike Wallace.

Besides featuring Wallace's shameless (and therefore hilarious) hawking of Parliament cigarettes, the clip provides a candid glimpse into the personality and life of Westbrook's most famous son. The priceless pull-quote:

Rudy Vallee was the Frank Sinatra, Pat Boone, and
Elvis Presley of his day but all in one. That was nearly thirty years ago when
some people even made jokes that his affect on women made him a national
menace.

This clip is full of meat to sink my teeth into, but I think all will agree with this observation: If only we could all contest being a sex symbol so vigorously.

- John C.L. Morgan

P.S. If this post were a book, it would be dedicated to WD reader Chris (see comments section below), for it wouldn't have occurred if he hadn't unearthed the most scandalous reference to Rudy Vallee I've yet to encounter.