Re: A short conversation between Margulis and Challis.
by Nick Dellow
The "Nat" is Nat Shilkret. This is part of Bob Mantler's taped interview of Nat Shilkret, Bill Challis and Andy Sannella conducted in 1961.
To be perfectly honest, despite the interview stretching over four hours in total, it produced relatively little of significance. Mantler doesn't ask a single question about Bix, spends a considerable amount of time playing (and re-playing) very straight Shilkret sides, and often disagrees with his interviewees! It seems to me that this was a classic case of a wasted opportunity.
By the way David, Sylvester Ahola told me some very funny stories about Nat Brusiloff, who seems to have been something of a practical joker a la Venuti! I have these stories on tape, but could relate one or two of them here if you and Albert would like me to do so. Hooley worked for him at NBC in the 1930s.