The sensational Rudy Vallee (1901-1986), recording, radio, movie, television and Broadway star, appeared at Fern Brook on August 16, 1932, and a year later on August 2, 1933.

His career began at Yale University and he always maintained a certain Ivy League aura - a challenge in his early career perhaps to winning acceptance to certain rural audiences.  This was evident in his first appearance at Fern Brook when he was taunted by a few members of the audience and

Vallee nearly engaged in a fight with the hecklers. A full account was published in the Wilkes-Barre Leader on August 17, 1932...

 

Hulbert Prior Vallee -- Yale University bred crooner whose haunting voice has won him unimpeachable position in the hearts of thousands of the nation’s fairest - had firmly founded convictions in the matterof his ability to sing.

In fact these convictions are so firmly founded that “Rudy” is not a hit loathe to step down off the rosterfrom which he directs his Connecticut Yankees and convince dissenters (and also hecklers) that his vocal-izing is at least above reproach.This much he did last night at Fern Brook Park where the New England crooner and his Yankeesplayed to one of the largest crowds in the resort’shistory.It all happened some time after midnight.

“Rudy”and his men had given Fern Brook patrons one ofthe finest singing and modern dance programs in many a moon, and had reached that part of the eve-ning where the earlier spell of his singing had wornoff just a little bit.Grouped in front of the orchestra platform where a number of audacious youths who might have beenenvious of the admiring glances cast by the youngladies at the tall, curly haired Vallee.One raised his voice so that it could be heard distinctly by “Rudy” and sarcastically made referenceto the “grapefruit deluge” handed Vallee in Bostona year ago.

Another followed with a similarly de-vastating crack and then both joined a loud guffaw.This was too much for “Rudy.”With plenty of fire in his eyes, Hubert Prior Valleeswung around and headed for his hecklers.  Downinto the packed dance floor he went intent on layinga heavy hand on the exponents of the ancient art of “ruzzberry.”

Quick to sense trouble in the offing, the ConnecticutYankees dropped their instruments and piled after their chief.

All but two pianists remained on the platform and continued playing. As the story books have it “cooler heads prevailed” and the offended maestro was convinced that fisticuffs would not help matters.

He and his men remountedthe platform and the dance went merrily on. The disturbers did not get off so easily however,for the augmented park police force ushered them unceremoniously from the pavillion.  They also had a conviction just as firmly implanted as “Rudy’s”

... that the famous crooner has plenty of courage.