The Hour Of Charm All Girl Orchestra

The Hour of Charm All Girl Orchestra was assembled during the great depression in the U.S. in the early 1930s by conductor and band leader Phil Spitalny who was said to have scoured the country for six months, at a cost of $20,000, auditioning some 1,500 women musicians, before selecting 22 of them to be in his group (other sources say they initially were 32 musicians). For live performances on tour another 25 musicians were added for a bigger sound.

Spitalny and the orchestra were most popular in the late 1930s and 1940s. They made their debut in New York City at the Capitol Theater in 1934, and began a network radio program, "The Hour of Charm," on January 3, 1935.

Spitalny said that he found the best players in small towns, reasoning that the women were able to devote more time to practicing their instruments and developing good technique. He instructed them to follow a strict and rigid routine, rehearsing for five or six hours a day, and, as part of their contract, the women pledged not to leave and get married without giving six months' notice.

Ranging in age from 17 to 30, it didn't take long for the band to become an attraction - and for years, their show was a fixture on Sundays, first over CBS (1935), then NBC (1936-46), and then back on CBS (1946-48). The group charted twice, with "We Must Be Vigilant", which rose to #21 in 1942 and "Our Lady of Fatima" by Hour of Charm Choir landing at #23 in 1950.

They became so popular by 1940 that the orchestra had expanded to 34 members. The group disbanded 1955 with the retirement of Spitalny.

Violinist Evelyn Kaye Klein early during the auditions became a part of the group and later also became its concert master. She was prominently featured as Evelyn And Her Magic Violin.