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Q: Contact info for singer Betty Hutton's estate ( Answered,   2 Comments )
Question  
Subject: Contact info for singer Betty Hutton's estate
Category: Arts and Entertainment > Movies and Film
Asked by: jonnysteele-ga
List Price: $10.00
Posted: 15 May 2004 20:31 PDT
Expires: 14 Jun 2004 20:31 PDT
Question ID: 347013
I'm an independent filmmaker looking for contact info for the estate
of the singer/actress Betty Hutton.  Not her recording label.  Whom do
I contact?

Request for Question Clarification by juggler-ga on 15 May 2004 20:55 PDT
Hi,

The term "estate" typically refers to the assets/property/rights of a
deceased individual.

According to Deadoraliveinfo.com, Betty Hutton is alive.
http://www.deadoraliveinfo.com/dead.nsf/hnames-nf/Hutton+Betty

Do you have any reason to believe otherwise?

Clarification of Question by jonnysteele-ga on 16 May 2004 18:19 PDT
In my attempts to clear the rights to Ms. Hutton's song, her record
label said they spoke to "her estate."  In receiving an unsatisfactory
and incomplete response to my inquiry, I want to speak to those who
represent her "estate" myself.  If Ms. Hutton is alive, I'd love to
speak to her myself.  My feeling is that she is either dead and the
sources you have looked up need to be updated, or she is alive but
does not make decisions regarding her music.

I am looking for a phone number or email address of who does make
these decisions for Ms. Hutton.  Thanks.

Request for Question Clarification by nancylynn-ga on 17 May 2004 11:33 PDT
Hello jonny:

Thank you for clarifying. We researchers took "estate" to mean Ms.
Hutton's earthly possessions!

OK, so you're interested in the rights to a specific song. Please give
us the song title and, if you can, the songwriter(s) name. If
applicable, please also tell us the name of show or movie with which
the song is associated.

It's likely the songwriter(s)' estate that controls the rights to the song. 

Best Regards,
nancylynn-ga

Clarification of Question by jonnysteele-ga on 17 May 2004 17:23 PDT
Thanks for looking into my question.  As it stands, I already have the
rights(to the song "It's Oh so Quiet")  cleared by the publisher (ie
the composer/songwriters).  I now need the rights to the particular
version that Ms. Hutton recorded.  For example, recently, the singer,
Bjork, recorded a version of the same song, and the publisher's rights
hold for both, but the final "Master" rights are separate.  I need to
contact the folks who can give me permission for the Master rights to
Ms. Hutton's version of "It's oh so Quiet."  Hope this clears it up.

Request for Question Clarification by nancylynn-ga on 18 May 2004 11:08 PDT
OK. Could you please give me the name and contact information for that
recording label -- I may need it.

It's my understanding that, after spending quite some time on the East
Coast, that Hutton returned to CA where she's lived a very private
life. I will see if I can find someone who represents Ms. Hutton, most
likely, a lawyer, as it's doubtful she has a manager or agent. (Hutton
is now 83, and she retired from show biz about 40 years ago.)

If I do find a representative for her it would help if I could explain
just why you're interested in obtaining her version of "It's So
Quiet." That rep, and Ms. Hutton, may be more amenable if they
understand the context for your desired use of her version.

Are you going to use just the audio of her version on the soundtrack
of a movie? Or, do you want to use an actual clip from the film in
which she sang it? (I don't know if this song is from a show or a
movie -- if so, please tell me. If, say, she sang it in a stage
musical, I will also need to contact whomever holds the rights to that
show.)

(Btw, I can only locate and provide contact information for a rep for
Hutton --business contact information. Even if I were to stumble upon
her home phone number or address, GA's rules forbid me from posting
personal (at home) contact information.)

Regards,
nancylynn-ga

Request for Question Clarification by nancylynn-ga on 18 May 2004 21:14 PDT
Hi:

Is that phone number for Mr. Weisman a work number or a personal phone
number? GA doesn't allow posting of personal contact information, such
as home phone numbers. If so, I will ask the editors to delete that
number ASAP.

Re: Bjork: Yes, I would suggest you post that as a separate question.
However, I would also suggest you that you first contact her label.
It's the recording label that must grant permission. (Obviously,
unlike Hutton, Bjork has a thriving career and is actively recording
for a label, so it should be easier to find the person you need to OK
use of her version.)

Clarification of Question by jonnysteele-ga on 19 May 2004 20:39 PDT
The phone number for Christian Weisman (in regards to a lead for the
Betty Huton version of "It's Oh So Quiet") is a business phone number.
 I have as of yet to reach anyone who can lead me to the person I need
to speak directly to who is in charge of the song's rights.  But I'm
hoping Mr. Weisman can help.  Again, the phone number--310-358-4731 is
a business number, not personal.  Hope this helps.

Request for Question Clarification by nancylynn-ga on 20 May 2004 14:00 PDT
Two days ago I sent an e-mail to the last record company to release
Hutton's version of that song. (They re-released it in 1996.)

If they don't reply by tomorrow afternoon, I'll call them, and I'll
also call Mr.  Weisman. But these are going to have to be very brief
calls, as I'm on the East Coast.

If neither of those leads pans out, I'll let you know. At that point,
I'll have to give up and let another researcher take a crack at this.

Request for Question Clarification by nancylynn-ga on 22 May 2004 07:15 PDT
Just to update you:

At this point I have sent a follow-up fax to the last record company
that re-released Hutton's recording (they hadn't responded to my
e-mail); contacted a law firm once associated with Hutton (though it's
likely they don't represent her anymore); and contacted a TV show on
which Hutton was interviewed last year.

It's really a matter of waiting for someone to reply and offer to help!

If I don't hear back from any of those leads by Monday afternoon, ET,
I'll try calling the contact you supplied; however, I really think the
last record label to release the song is the party with whom you need
to discuss this matter.

Clarification of Question by jonnysteele-ga on 22 May 2004 15:43 PDT
Thanks for the ongoing research.  I hope that the last record label is
the right group to ask.  Looking forward to the final result!

Request for Question Clarification by nancylynn-ga on 23 May 2004 08:45 PDT
I forgot to add: I have also contacted Thomson/RCA (Thomson, a
France-based corp., bought RCA), for guidance and assistance in
obtaining rights to use Hutton's recording.

If you're willing to shell out a few more bucks, you could pick up One
Way Records' 1996 re-release of "BETTY HUTTON: The RCA YEARS," which
includes her verison of "It's Oh So Quiet."

Here's the details on the CD, at Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000002R8X/102-6971115-4764923?v=glance

I'm hoping to hear back from One Way Records very soon. (I've now
contacted them twice.) But, in the meantime, you might want to buy
their re-release because the credits/liner notes should state who
holds the copyright to those Hutton RCA recordings. There should be
something like "used with permission of [RCA or whomever the copyright
holder is]".
Answer  
Subject: Re: Contact info for singer Betty Hutton's estate
Answered By: nancylynn-ga on 25 May 2004 13:51 PDT
 
Mr. Eddie Wilner of One Way Records has kindly come to our rescue!

According to Mr. Wilner: "You need to contact RCA (BMG). {It] owns the
rights to that recording."

Mr. Wilner suggests you call his contact at BMG, "Mike Mjehovich (pronounced
May-vich). His number is 212-930-4047."

There you go!

Regards,
nancylynn-ga

Request for Answer Clarification by jonnysteele-ga on 25 May 2004 20:01 PDT
Thanks NancyLynn--let's see if this works!

Clarification of Answer by nancylynn-ga on 26 May 2004 11:14 PDT
I sure hope it works out, too!

But if this lead doesn't pan out, please post a Request For
Clarification to that effect, prior to rating my answer, and I will
assist you further.

Request for Answer Clarification by jonnysteele-ga on 27 May 2004 18:44 PDT
I called Mr. Mjehovich and his voice mail said he won't be back in his
office until June 7, so I'll have to wait until then I guess.  I'll
update you when I find out anything, and then I'll rate the answer, if
that's okay with you.  Let me know.  Thanks again.

Jon

Clarification of Answer by nancylynn-ga on 28 May 2004 05:19 PDT
That's fine, John.

I just did a little more searching: If waiting until the 7th is
problematic for you, you could try someone else in that department,
it's the Special Products Dept., and contact information is listed
here:
http://www.bmgsmg.com/sp/contact.php

Request for Answer Clarification by jonnysteele-ga on 01 Jun 2004 18:45 PDT
I looked at the link and I've run into these places before--it seems
to be the department that one contacts if one plans on creating their
own cd to market (as a special promotion or something like that--where
you take artists and add them to a compilation or something).  Looking
over the info and FAQs it doesn't seem to be the right place to
contact.  I guess I can call them to check, but maybe you can see if
there's another avenue to check.  Thanks as always.

Jon

Clarification of Answer by nancylynn-ga on 02 Jun 2004 06:33 PDT
As I understand it, that's the department One Way Records has to go
through when they re-release an original RCA recording.

If it turns out it isn't the correct department, I'm sure they'll be
glad to connect you directly to the correct person or department.

Clarification of Answer by nancylynn-ga on 02 Jun 2004 06:56 PDT
I just took another stroll around BMG's site and, on an FAQ pop-up, I
found the direct numbers for requesting use of a song:

You can call either:

BMG Coypright Information Hotline:
212-930-4425

Or
BMG Licensing Information Hotline:
212-930-4434
Comments  
Subject: Re: Contact info for singer Betty Hutton's estate
From: nancylynn-ga on 16 May 2004 14:52 PDT
 
I'm a huge fan of Betty Hutton (especially her performance in the
Sturges's classic, "Miracle of Morgan Creek"), and am happy to report
that, like juggler-ga, I've found no evidence that the fabulous Ms.
Hutton has left us.

The very reliable Internet Movie Database lists only a date of birth
-- but not a date of death -- for Hutton:
http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0002149/ 

Here's a fascinating bio on her:
http://www.geocities.com/howardkeelhomepage/bettyhuttonpage.htm

It verifies a story my mother used to tell me about Hutton retiring
from show biz to become a volunteer in a soup kitchen. Here's the full
story:

"Eventually, Betty ended up in Rhode Island at a dry-out clinic for an
addiction to sleeping pills.  There she met Father Peter Maguire.  She
became a devout Catholic and found a much needed friend in the priest.
 He counseled Betty and helped her pull herself up again.  By 1974,
the one-time bombshell star of stage and screen was working as a cook
and housekeeper in the Rhode Island refectory.  When Betty had
mentioned that she wished she had gotten an education, as he had,
Father Peter again worked on her behalf.  He spoke to the Sisters at
the Catholic college of Salve Regina University.  Betty was taken on
as a student, with credit for life experience.  She worked hard and
soon earned a Bachelor?s Degree.  The Sister?s were so impressed by
her efforts, that Betty was ultimately awarded an honorary doctorate. 
In the twilight of middle age, Betty started a whole new career as an
acting teacher."
Subject: Re: Contact info for singer Betty Hutton's estate
From: kentdoa-ga on 11 Dec 2004 14:28 PST
 
A couple of nights ago (I'm writing this on 12/11/2004) TCM showed a
replay of an interview Betty Hutton did with host Robert Osborne. 
They were also showing a bunch of her films that night. I didn't catch
when the original interview took place but it seemed it was certainly
sometime in the last year or so.  It was very interesting to watch and
to learn more details about her life.  In the interview she said she
was currently living in Palm Springs, California.

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