Although his orchestra was enormously popular in its day, Eddy Duchin would probably not be a recognizable name to most current music fans except for one thing. A few years after his death, Hollywood star Tyrone Power portrayed him in The Eddy Duchin Story, a very 
colorful tale of his life that even today occasionally shows up on TV.
Like most Hollywood efforts the movie was often inventive, but it did get the big stuff right. Born and raised in the Boston area, Duchin had trained as a pharmacist but moved to New York in the early 1930s, determined to become a professional musician. Although he lacked a classical music education and was a long way from being a piano virtuoso, he managed to catch on and begin his rise up the ranks.
Along the way, he became a darling of the society crowd and even married into it, in the person of socialite Marjorie Oelrichs (played by Kim Novak in the movie). Tragically, she died shortly after giving birth to the couples’ son in 1937. Duchin himself was also destined for a short life, dying from leukemia at just age 40 in 1951. (Ironically, Tyrone Power would also die young — at age 44 — just a couple of years after making the movie.)
Although Duchin did find a certain measure of success during his short lifetime, his strongest legacy might have been his son, Peter Duchin, who would go on to a good career of his own as a musician and writer.
One interesting tune that — not surprisingly — didn’t make the movie soundtrack was “Ol’ Man Mose,” a song the band recorded in 1938 with a vocal by Patricia Norman. Some listeners thought the singer slipped in a very naughty word when she was singing about Mose’s ‘bucket’. Whether it was true or just a trick of the ear didn’t seem to matter. The record ended up being banned in some areas, but was one of the band’s biggest sellers.
Eddy Duchin Orchestra w/ Patricia Norman – “Ol’ Man Mose”
Geezer Music Club 
I remember this man from playing in Sun Valley Idaho t the lofge.Great music
LikeLike
I have just been on this site and am trying to locate family members of the Duchin family, I am related to them. My grandmother was a Duchin her name was Rebecca Duchin and they were first cousins. My Aunt Jenny Abram who had the same name as my mother when she married was lucky enough to meet the Duchin family when she used to travel to the USA many years ago. Unfortunately they have both passed away. I am trying to trace and do my family tree and any information I can retrieve from my mothers side of the family would be very interesting. I hope you can help me with my quest.
LikeLike
This is a reply to Barbara Cohen. I just stumbled across this website today, and your comment was interesting to me. My grandfather and Eddy Duchin’s father were brothers. My grandfather was Simon Duchin (but called Shimon or sometimes “Sam”, although another brother was actually named Samuel). Where do you live, and is there some way of contacting you.
LikeLike
Hello Sheldon.
My maiden name is Duchin and my grandfather Zalman (Solomon) Duchin had a brother Sam. As far as I know my grandfather and Eddy Duchin’s father were brothers.
LikeLike
Enid, I am another descendant of Zalman Duchin. He was my great-grandfather. It’s 4 years after your posting, but if you get this, I’d be very happy to hear from you. You may write me directly at kenjsil@sbcglobal.net
LikeLike
Hi Sheldon I live in England and my family lived in the Edgware/Middlesex area My cousin is a Leon Abram whose mother Jenny Abram the same name as my mother My aunt traced Eddy Duchin on a trip to America many years ago I am not sure how you can contact me but my address in England is 5 Oleastor Court Stoneleigh Road Ilford Essex IG5 0JX my telephone number is mobile 07956914856 hope you get this and it is released.
LikeLike
This is a reply to Enid Jackowitz. I have noted your response and would advise that I live in England where some of the family fled when they left Russia. My grandmother Rebecca’s maiden name was Duchin and she had a sister but I am not sure of her first name. My grandmother had three children, my mum, an Uncle who died very young and my aunt who will be 90 in May. My grandmothers sister had one boy and six girls all of them I am afraid to say have died. The only one alive is my aunt Hannah my mums sister. I am not sure whether you can obtain my email from this site but when I got in touch with Sheldon he is a dentist and did work at Gental Dental Associates If you can get me your address or call Sheldon Duchin he will be able to give you my address in England I have tried to get information from my grandmothers sisters family but to date have not heard from them. My email address is babscohen@hotmail.co.uk Hope you get this and can reply to me or find out Sheldon Duchin’s email which is theduchins@comcast.net Kind regards Barbara Cohen nee Abram
LikeLike
Please notify me of any replies to these comments. Thank you
LikeLike
Hi:
I am not related to Eddy Duchin but have been a big fan many years and genealogy is my main hobby so I am doing as much of the Duchin family genealogy as I can find. I have found 3 children for Samuel H. Ducin/Clara Bylow born in Ukraine. (1)Simon-Salomon, no spouse, (2)Samuel 1878-1939 married Eather 1878-1961 (no last name) 5 children, Lillian married a Locke, Maurice married Rose, 2 children one married Lewis Lipsitt, Max and Isadore, no spouses, Rose married Phillip Lipkin, their child married Robert Ellsworth. (3)Frank/Tillie Baron, Eddy’s parents. Have all Oelrichs ancestry. Would like to hear from everyone how they connect to share . Don Boudreaux Lafayette, La.
LikeLike
Hello,
I’ve heard through my family that the Duchins were cousins of my grandmother. My guess is that Eddy Duchin’s father may have had a brother that married a sister of my great grandfather, Max Orocofsky. Anyone know of a connection with the Orocofsky name? I know that Max Orocofsky came from somewhere in Ukraine, but unsure exactly where. Where in Ukraine did the Duchins come from?
Thanks,
Shadde
LikeLike
I’m also trying to research my husband’s genealogy. His great-grandfather (Abraham ‘Abie’ Duchin) served in the Russian calvary. Abraham and his wife (Lena) fled Russia (Chernigov) at beginning of the communist takeover…and settled in NYC. Abie’s son, Isadore ‘Dick’ Duchin was a cousin of some degree ? to singer Eddie Duchin. I’m very interested in ANY info on Duchin genealogy, if anyone can offer information, that would be great!
LikeLike
My father Henry (Gedalya) Kadushin came from Chernigov – I just saw The Eddie Duchin Story movie tonight and it jogged me to remember a family rumor about relating to the Duchins. I have done a little research and have found many Abrahams in the lineage back to Napoleonic days. Have you come across any Kadushins in your genealogy research?
LikeLike
My grandmother, Matilda, was Abraham’s sister. Which is to say that your husband and I are distant cousins. Our branch of the Duchin family are the descendants of Zalman and Chaia Duchin, who emigrated from the village of Kozelets, near Chernigov, in 1904. Zalman and Chaia had 9 children who survived infancy. Abraham was the 2nd eldest and my grandmother was the youngest. Abraham was a very colorful character. While the rest of the boys emigrated to escape being sent to fight the Japanese, he joined the cavalry, which was probably unusual for a Jew in Czarist Russia.
The family lore was that we were related to Eddie and Peter through one of Zalman’s brothers, but I have never figured out the exact link. It appears from Enid Jackowitz’ post above that it may be through Zalman’s brother Sam (if that’s the same Zalman). I have never heard he had a brother by that name. There was a brother Mendel, and sisters Miryl and Matie. My mother thought that Mendel’s son Harry (who moved to Boston) might have been Eddie’s father, but that doesn’t appear to correspond to any of the genealogical info in other posts here.
It’s 4 years after your post, but if you see this, I’d be very happy to hear from you. I have a partial family tree of the descendants of Zalman and Chaia, which might be of interest. You may email me directly at kenjsil@sbcglobal.net
LikeLike
My Dad – also named Ed – says he was in Sonar school with Eddy. According to my father, in WWII the Navy sent anybody with musical training (Dad was a guitarist) to sonar class because they could distinguish tones more clearly.
LikeLike
Don, I can add some information to the genealogy. Samuel Duchin married Esther (not Eather) whose last name was Dickson. Esther was my great aunt and my grandmother’s (Lena) sister. I fondly remember her as “auntie Tully”. Samuel and Esther did have 5 children. As you know Lillian married (Philip) Locke. They had 2 sons, Merle and Mandell (who was always called “brother”). Maurice married Rose Brill and had 2 daughters, Edna and Grace. Mathew married Henrietta Kladky and had 2 daughters. Barbara and Susan. Ralph married Evelyn Bloom. Rose (who I fondly remember as “Toots”) married Philip Lipkin. They had 2 children (not 1), my cousins Cynthia and Arthur. My aunt Esther (we never called her that – it was always “Tully”) and grandmother Lena (my mother’s mother who died before she was married) are 2 of the 6 children of William and Ida Dickson (3 girls and 3 boys). (The 3rd girl was Bessie and the 3 boys were Ellis, Harry and Percy). My great uncle Ellis married Ethel Marcus. They had 3 children: Ruth, Lillian and Harry. Perhaps you’ve heard of Harry. His full name was Harry Ellis Dickson and at one point, was first violin and the assistant conductor of the Boston Pops in the days of Arthur Fiedler. He died only a few years ago. I can remember my mother telling stories of how close the Dickson and Duchin families were when she was a child and how Eddy would play the piano in her house when they were kids.
LikeLike
Just saw this thread and wanted to say hello. My name is Rob Shain, and Harry Dickson was my grandfather. I never connected with the Duchen family anyone until a few years ago when I reached out to Peter. Ten years ago this month we lost an amazing man, and I’m thrilled that his legacy still lives on..
LikeLike
I just found this site. I’m related through the Lipkin family and have been a crazy genealogist for many years, I have much data online about the Duchin family at Wikitree.com and will be glad to have Wikitree send you an invitation to join (it’s free), if interested. I would like your input as to the accuracy of my data and would welcome additional information. Several Duchin relatives are already helping.
LikeLike
I am interested in learning more about the Duchin family and would wlcome to join wikitree . Regards from a “relative in England
LikeLike
Barbara, Send me your e-mail address as that is how Wikitree’s invitations are done. Also, if you are able, can you give me your direct line to a Duchin family member?
LikeLike
Hi Paula. My email address is babscohen@hotmail.co.uk The only information I have as all my family who I could have asked are now deceased
My mothers name was Jane born on 30th March 1908 to Louis Levan and Rebecca Levin formerly Duchin. My grandmother who i never met had a sister and she had 7 children 1 boy called Phillip and 6 girls Jenny, Rebecca, Lily and the other girls names for the moment I cannot remember I know my Aunty Jenny and her husband myer used to visit the states to see their daughter and they managed after many visits to meet Eddy Duchin.
LikeLike
Hi Paula,
Sure, I’m interested in learning more from you and through Wikitree and will share whatever relevant info I have with you.
LikeLike
Hi Fred. To get an invite…Wiki needs your e-mail address. If you send it to me, I’ll be sure you get an invite. It’s not perfect, but it’s got a lot of good features and it’s free. Best way to reach me is exagranat@gmail.com If you give me your direct line to a Duchin, it’s the quickest way to do it. Regards. Paula
LikeLike
The film is one of my all-time favorites. I rate the musical number “Brazil”; one of the best musical numbers ever in the movies. Does anyone know was the real pianist in the film? My guess is it was the great Carman Cavallero.
Robert Blair – Austin, Texas
LikeLike
According to info on IMDB you’re partially right. Cavallero did some of it, but much of the soundtrack was actual recordings from Eddy himself.
PS On a side note, this movie was featured on Turner Classic Movie channel yesterday and apparently that triggered some interest, because this post got almost 2,000 additional visits!
LikeLike
i just arrived at this site after searching for the title of the film, which i remember from my childhood but don’t remember seeing so i ordered a dvd from ebay. i had seen some movie with a scene where somebody was carrying drums but i guess it wasn’t this one. i’m still looking for Peter Duchin’s comment i had found awhile back about a section of the film that was way off-base. i’m enjoying his book, which i borrowed from the library.
LikeLike
According to Robert Osborne, host for TCM, Tyrone Power spent a great deal of time prior to filming learning to play the piano. Many of the shots you see in the movie are accurate as far as Power’s playing, but it wouldn’t surprise me if some of the musical numbers were overdubbed by Carmen Cavallero.
LikeLike
I always watch and rate an actor’s ability to mimic playing an instrument. For instance, IMHO, Bing Crosby was one of the worst piano “players” in movies. (Still I love his films.) On the other end of the scale, Tyrone Power, whom I’m sure couldn’t play a lick of piano, or at least not well enough to play it on screen, nevertheless did a fabulous job of mimicking the playing of the music in the Eddie Duchin story. While I could tell he wasn’t actually playing, I have to admit I was dazzled by his finger work.
LikeLike
My college roommate, Barbara Mallen, often told me about how her Dad played bass in Eddy Duchin’s band. I was always so fascinated . Cheers to Charlie Mallen who passed many years ago.
Lynne Tatian Lynch
LikeLike
Brilliant pianist. The music reminds me of an era long past, it gives me the best feeling of nostalgia. A bittersweet story I thoroughly enjoyed watching on TV.
LikeLike
You mentioned the movie being on TV. It’s interesting that whenever it plays, this post receives a lot more attention. When it was shown last year it triggered almost 2,000 visits, and when the movie played this time another 2,700+ folks viewed this post.
Welcome to those who are new visitors — you’ll find a lot of good stories on the GMC!
LikeLike
On April 6 I saw the movie The Eddie Duchin story. I thought it was a very cool movie. And surprisingly I didn’t know that Tyrone Powell could play the piano. I love true life stories.
LikeLike
During WW II, Duchin brought his destroyer into the Hawain Islands where my father was stationed. my father had been a speakeasy trumpet player and life long music fan. he and Duchin spent the evening together. one of the things that impressed my father was that Duchin was actually the skipper of that vessel and not just a touring musician. when he got back to the States after the war, my father bought one of the first lps, a recording of Duchin’s “Warsaw Concerto” a very moving piece that he played over and over, listening with his eyes shut.
LikeLike
I loved Eddy Duchin’s music and Peter’s too. Does Peter have any children or other relatives to carry on their piano
performng traditions?
LikeLike
I moved to New York City in 1969 as a musician and by accident, became the Guitarist and vocalist with the PETER DUCHIN ORCHESTRA, one of my most enjoyable experiences in NYC. Peter is a wonderful man and a great talent and personality. The night before I went to work for him, I saw THE EDDY DUCHIN STORY on TV and thought, “I’m going to work for Peter, tomorrow night, WOW!!”. Stayed with him until I left NYC in the late 70s.
LikeLike
What a great gig!
LikeLike
The Eddy Duchin Story, 1956, with Tyrone Power, was on TCM this evening. I have seen it many times and will watch it over and over, because the music is so beautiful and nostalgic, and the story, real or part fantasy, is so heart wrenching and lovely, and sad too, for the real Eddy Duchin. Did he really marry a second time before he died (so young). He may not have had classical music training, but he certainly could play the great melodies of the 30’s and 40’s with style, making anyone want to get up and dance and sing along. I love the movie.
LikeLike
I just watched the Eddy Duchin movie and it is a tear jerker. Of course, I had to check up on his real life and was sad and happy to learn all the tragic details of his famous career. Tyrone was an unexpected actor for this movie but did an excellent job although not the actual pianist. Are there grandchildren carrying on with the family musical talent?
LikeLike
My grandfather was Louis Levine who married Rebecca Duchin.
They had three children hannah,jenny and Morry
Rebecca Duchin had 3 sisters and 1brother. Sisters were hannah who had 7 children’ Bloomer children unknown and Means again children unknown
Brothers name Frank surname Duchin.
Hannah duchins children’ jenny,Annie,Becky,Millie,Philip,rose and lily
,
LikeLike
The Eddie Duchin Story is one of the saddest films; yet so enjoyable at the same time. Featuring such classic actors as Tyrone Power and Kim Novak who worked and looked so good together on film. If that wasn’t enough the Piano music was so nice and uplifting. After seeing this movie i had to go out an buy the soundtrack. I think now it is about 11 times i have seen it now. A great movie to bring the audiences attention to a great musician.
LikeLike
very nice
LikeLike
I first saw the movie in junior high, 9 th grade. Had recently heard of Ty Powers death, and when his character as Eddy Duchin, died, it was so realistic they it haunted me for years.
When VCR s came out in the 80’s I bought the tape and have it still, but fear that it will break for having been played so often. Of course I have the DVD, and the sound track on vinyl, cassette and never found it on 8 track
I .fondly remember my mother telling us stories of my Dad playing with Carmen Cavallaro and what a great talent he was as well. To clarify, my DAd played poker with him, not a musical instrument , at the Glen Allen Casino.
If I had to name an artist, or recording star, or band of today, I would fail the trivia Test but the great music will live on forever
LikeLike
Thanks for your comment. It’s always good to get someone’s personal recollections.
LikeLike
I just saw the movie again. I have seen it many times since I was about 10 yrs. old. It moved me then as a kid and it still moves me now at 64! What a beautiful story. The music brings back many fond memories. I used to listen to the album over and over. It was a time of great music.
LikeLike
What’s up, I read your blog regularly. Your writing style is awesome, keep up the good work!
LikeLike
A lot of details of Eddy Duchin’s life and about the movie are corroborated here – interesting piece and answers a lot of questions:
http://www.bigbandlibrary.com/eddyduchin.html
LikeLike
I saw that picture way back in the 50’s and still remember exactly – I loved the music, and everything about it. I also had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Carmen Cavallaro, who played the piano in the movie. So sorry that Tyrone Power as well as Carmen Cavallaro are not with us now.
LikeLike
My father, Anthony DeStio (Sonny Dee), was Eddy’s drummer at the time of Eddy’s death. They played the Starlight Roof & the Wedgewood Room @ the Waldorf. When The Eddy Duchin story was made, Carmen Cavallaro’s band was used instead of Eddy’s guys. 😦
LikeLike
I only came across this site this morning, already on my third post.
I just loved reading the posts from Eddy’s family and from those who knew him in some way, I hope Barbara Cohen has been able to make contact with her distant relatives.
This is such a brilliant site, i watched the trailer for the Eddy Duchin film now want to watch the whole film
LikeLike
I also just came across this website. I happened to watch the Eddy Duchin Story last night. My grandmother’s name maiden name was Mary Duchin. She was a daughter of Samuel Harry Duchin and Sarah (Cerea Freidel) Munrowe.
LikeLike
The Eddy Duchin Story can be watched anytime on Prime for $3.99. It’s my favorite movie and Tyrone Power is one of my favorite actors.
LikeLike