Q.

I remember a tune of some years ago titled This is the Moment. Some of the lyrics are still in my memory and I think it’s a beautiful tune, although it may never have been very popular. I looked it up in my “fake book.”I found the tune, but no reference is made to the composers, or when it was written. I think it may have been in an old movie musical. Can you help? – Ron Campbell, Fort Lauderdale

A.

This Is the Moment was written in 1948 by Leo Robin (words) and Frederick Hollander (music). It was indeed in a movie musical that Betty Grable introduced this song. The title of the movie was That Lady in Ermine, nominated for an Academy Award in 1948. Others in the cast were Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Cesar Romero and Walter Abel.

Q.

My record changer needs repair. Could you please recommend a reliable repairer? – Thomas Connell, Fort Lauderdale

A.

I am referring you to Everything Audio, 79 NE 167th St., North Miami 33162; 1-305-653-0128. They repair and sell turntables and turntable supplies. Ask for owner Les Goldberg.

Q.

I have acquired several reel-to-reel tapes of Count Basie and need to transfer them to cassette, as I have not replaced my reel-to-reel machine since it expired. Do you know of a source for this transfer? The tapes are old and may not be useful, but I’d like to give it a try. – Paul Aldridge, Fort Lauderdale

A.

An excellent source for this kind of work is Grey Recording Studios, 7450 U.S. Highway 1, Hypoluxo 33462-6066; 1-407-588-3867.

Obituary

Pinky Herman, writer/composer, 88, died Dec. 12 in Margate. Composer of hundreds of songs; best-known hits Manhattan Merry-Go-Round, Seven Days a Week, Myrtle the Turtle and Flip the Frog, Shadows in the Moonlight, If I Had a Million Dollars, I’m Still in Love With You and many others.

‘Ugly Chile’

For Herb Frank, Pompano Beach – Thanks to a few of my readers, I have learned that the song Ugly Chile was written by trombonist George Brunis, who recorded it on the Commodore label. Doing a further search I located the Johnny Mercer version that you were seeking. Mercer recorded it in 1946 with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra on Capitol No. 268 (78 rpm). You can get this original recording at Records Revisited, 34 W. 33rd St., New York City 10001; 1-212-695-7155.

Jazz duel available

For T.C. Price, Plantation – Thanks to Artie at Sir Arthur’s Oldies, you can now get a tape of the “mystery” jazz duel between Les Paul and Shorty Nadine (Nat King Cole) from the Jazz at the Philharmonic series. Just contact Artie at Sir Arthur’s Oldies, 7401 NW 57th St., Tamarac 33319; 1-305-722-8303.

Marvin Randolph’s column answers readers’ questions relating to popular music and jazz of the early 1900s through the late 1940s. Please! No inquiries about music composed after 1949. No opera, no classical, no children’s. No appraisals. Only popular music and jazz. Send your questions to Sun-Sentinel, 3333 S. Congress Ave., Delray Beach, Fla. 33445; attention: Musical Memories.