About Us | Contact | Subscribe

Home: 20's Jazz

If I Could Be With You
(One Hour Tonight)

Ruth Etting

Ruth Etting

Subscribe to 20's Jazz

Navigation:

Home

Back

More videos like this

Ruth Etting sings "If I Could Be With You (One Hour Tonight)" with co-star Jay Velie (as pianist Eddie Farrell) in a excerpt from the 1930 Vitaphone short "One Good Turn".

*"If I Could Be With You (One Hour Tonight)" was written by James P. Johnson, with lyrics by Henry Creamer.

In the film "One Good Turn" Ruth Etting appears as Ruth Eton of the the singing duo "Eton & Farrell". When her agent urges her to go solo in order to advance her career rather than abandon her partner Eddie Farrell she commits herself to giving him intensive voice lessons. Unfortunately for Ruth Eton, months later when his abilities have finally improved enough to perform on his own Farrell proves to be far less loyal of character when he dumps her for an opportunity to launch his solo career. Then in a surprise plot twist Eddie suddenly loses his voice only to discover who his true friends are in the end.

Ruth Etting was Born in David City, Nebraska in 1896 where she was raised by her grandparents from age five following the death of her mother.

After attending a Chicago art school she left to work as a costume designer at the Marigold Gardens a local nightclub.

There her amazing vocal talent was discovered when she filled in for the clubs regular singer who was sick.

On July 17th 1922 Ruth married notorious Chicago mobster "Moe the Gimp" Snyder who also became her manager.

Producing a number of "test" recordings for Victor in 1924, Ruth made her first issued sides for Columbia in February of 1926 and went on to make her Broadway debut in the "Ziegfeld Follies of 1927".

Achieving National fame Ruth Etting was dubbed "America's Sweetheart of Song" and continued to perform prolifically throughout the 1920's and '30's with signature songs including "Shine On Harvest Moon" and "Love Me or Leave Me".

After her divorce from Moe Snyder was finalized in 1937 Ruth retired from show business and married her, long time, pianist Harry Myrl Alderman.

But it wasn't over, in a jealous rage Moe Snyder kidnapped and forced Alderman to bring him to see his ex-wife and their daughter.

Once at their home Snyder threatened to kill them all and shot Harry Alderman three times.

Fortunately the pianist survived and Ruth was called to testify at Moe Snyder's December 1938 trial for attempted murder.

Following Moe's conviction Ruth Etting and Harry Alderman relocated to a farm outside of Colorado Springs, Colorado to live the rest of their lives out of the spotlight.

Ruth Etting died in Colorado Springs on September 24th 1978 at the age of eighty-one.