FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 9, 1998

DEAR JERRY: On radio station WRAY, in Princeton, Ind., an announcer recently stated that the actress Dorothy McGuire was once one of the singing McGuire Sisters.

I beg to differ with him. Please tell us who is right.
—D. Bauer, Fort Branch, Ind.

DEAR D.: No need to beg, for you are not only entitled to but absolutely right to differ. The actress Dorothy McGuire, with about four dozen films to her credit, including “Dark at the Top of the Stairs” and “Swiss Family Robinson,” is not connected with the McGuire Sisters trio.

DEAR JERRY: Recently I pulled out my Beatles records and began grading and pricing them using your splendid record price guides.

However, I found one that is not in any of the guides. It is “Day Tripper” backed with “We Can Work It Out,” on the Parlophone label (QMSP-16388).

What can you tell me about it? Do you know its value?
—John McLoughlin, Brookfield, Conn.

DEAR JOHN: This 1966 disc is not in the price guides because it is an overseas issue - made in Italy to be exact. Its value is about the same as the Capitol U.S. release of the same single: $25 to $35.

DEAR JERRY: My dear friend and I have exhausted all avenues to find a song we heard right before World War II. I think it was 1939 or '40. It was “our song” at that time and titled, I believe, “I'll Be Back in a Year, Little Darlin.”

We were in love at the time but were separated, not of our own doing. We have now been reunited after all the years and are searching for this song … our song. I hope and pray you can help because this means a lot to us.
—La Lane P. Thomas, Lacey's Spring, Ala. (cthomas@airnet.net)

DEAR LA LANE: What a lovely name you have. I have never encountered a La Lane before your letter. (Spanish for “The” Lane, right?)

Now, on to business. “I'll Be Back in a Year, Little Darlin” is a 1941 hit - a bit later than you recalled - by Texas Jim Robertson (Bluebird 8606). Chances are it may only be available on an original 78 rpm, one of which should be available for around ten dollars.

DEAR JERRY: Do you know who sang “How lucky can one guy be”? The song is featured in several movies relating to alleged mobster activities in and around Las Vegas.

I may be wrong but I think it was recorded by Dean Martin. Please let me know as a bet is riding on the answer. Keep up the good work.
—Jim G., New Port Richey Fl. (itsme1023@aol.com)

DEAR JIM: You're in luck, although “how lucky can one guy be” is merely a line from “Ain't That a Kick in the Head” (Capitol 4460), a 1960 release by Dean Martin.

The tune is from the Rat Pack film that same year, “Oceans Eleven.”

There is one surprising thing, which I discovered on the internet, about “Ain't That a Kick in the Head.” One of the Dean Martin fan sites posted a list of the Top 10 Dino favorites, as voted by net surfers. The number one song in this particular poll is “Ain't That a Kick in the Head.” Not bad for a tune that didn't even hit the charts when originally issued. (A recommended site for Dean fans is: http://www.deanmartinfancenter.com.)

IZ ZAT SO? For the decade of the 1950s, the McGuire Sisters rank as the top female group. Following them are the Fontane Sisters, and then the Chordettes. It was the departure of the Chordettes from the Arthur Godfrey TV show that created the opening filled by, you guessed it, the McGuire Sisters.