Airdate – Oct 28, 2012

Some of the most successful and remembered novelty songs are those that get played every Halloween with probably the most classic being Bobby ‘Boris’ Pickett’s “The Monster Mash.”

Monsters and zombies have enjoyed a ‘rebirth’ so to speak today. Back in the 50’s and early 60’s there were a number of Grade B horror films that focused on witches, vampires, and monsters.

In 1959 a now classic horror film starring the great melodramatic actor, Peter Cushing, was released. It not only captured the interest of the teen market, but it also inspired the creation of a novelty record of the same name that made it onto the Billboard Hot 100 in late August of 1959 …

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This novelty record paired an American singer, impressionist, and voice-over actor with a folk music artist.

The impressionist/actor was best known for his contribution in animated cartoons. Some of his cartoon characters were Milton The Monster, Cool McCool, and Franken Berry in the animated cereal commercials for General Mills. He was also the voice of the pet parrot who cackled “Ring around the collar” for Wisk laundry detergent.

His name was Bob McFadden. In 1959 he teamed up with folk artist Rod McKuen and came out with an album on the Brunswick label titled, “Songs Our Mummy Taught Us.”

On that album was the single inspired by Peter Cushing’s horror movie. It made it to the 39th position on the charts and was around for Halloween that year. The title of the song and the movie was simply “The Mummy.”

On the label of the single, it has it recorded by Bob McFadden And Dor. Dor is spelled “d-o-r.”  Why that name? – well that was just Rod McKuen having a little fun as ‘Rod’ backwards is ‘Dor.’

So with a tip of the coffin to the Peter Cushings and Lon Chaney Jr.s of the horror film world, here is Bob McFadden And Dor with “The Mummy,” this week’s Tom Locke moment in time.

YouTube video of this song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTvpQjl8SWw

This “Moments In Time” story is yet another example of a “golden oldie” or forgotten favorite that earned its place in the evolution of Rock & Roll.