Word Association Wednesday: A Modern Fairy Tale

To spin off Boy Meets Horn for this week’s Word Association, my wheels were turning for another tune with meets in the title — ideally something from around 1938. The obvious choice (to me, anyway) was the pop song When a Prince of a Fella Meets a Cinderella, subtitled A Modern Fairy Tale.

The Sisters Shine

The most popular version was by The Andrews Sisters on Decca:

This was early in the Andrews Sisters’ career, but their sound was already remarkably well‑formed — tight harmonies, crisp swing, and Patty unmistakably out front.

Bunny at the Ball

The tune also found its way to Bunny Berigan, who recorded his version for Victor with vocalist Jayne Dover:

No doubt that Bunny was assigned that song to record and wouldn't have picked it himself, but the band does a good job and Bunny’s trumpet is always great.

We had previously heard Jayne with Will Hudson, and she sang with a few other bands. An underrated canary!

Kay in the Court

Perhaps a more likely candidate to record this “Modern Fairy Tale” was Kay Kyser, who cut it for Brunswick with Harry Babbit:

The band was still leaning into the sweet‑band formula at this point, but their records from this era are consistently pleasant, and Harry's warm, easy delivery is a highlight.

Busse’s Ballroom Shuffle

We have one more record, this one by Henry Busse for Decca with vocalist Skip Morr:

I like the shuffle rhythm and always enjoy Henry’s muted trumpet.

Gracie's Glass Slipper

The first version of the song that I ever heard was not from a record, but from a radio show — The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show. Gracie sang the tune on the show from October 7, 1938:

At that time, the show was more of a variety format than the later sitcom style. George and Gracie weren’t portrayed as married yet, and Gracie was written as a bit man‑crazy. She often got a song, and her take on Prince of a Fella is pure Gracie: sweet, slightly off‑kilter, and completely endearing!

Oh, and I wasn't actually around in 1938 — I had an LP that featured a recording of that show!

Avery’s Animated Afterparty

1938 also brought us a delightful entry from Warner Bros.’ Merrie Melodies series: Cinderella Meets Fella, directed by Tex Avery. It’s full of Tex’s trademark wackiness and features an embryonic version of Elmer Fudd — still in full Egghead mode!

Cinderella and her fella were having quite a year in 1938 — on records, on the radio, and even in the cartoons. A modern fairy tale indeed!