Who plays conductor? announcer?

"Rhapsody in Blue" (released in 1945) depicts in some detail that famous "All-Gershwin Concert"
which took place in reality at the Los Angeles Philharmonic Auditorium on Feb. 11, 1937. That
was the concert where hints of what was later diagnosed as Gershwin's fatal brain tumor were
first evident (although not diagnosed till it was too late). I understand that Alexander Smallens
conducted that historic concert in Feb. '37.
FIRST QUESTION: in the 1945 film, who played the role of conductor Smallens? Smallens himself?
A non-musician actor? (Who?) Or one of the music directors, conductors, or arrangers who were
working for Warners when the film was being shot, in 1943-44? Whoever plays that role in the
1945 film has a full head of gray hair which he wears in the style of an aged cowboy like Will
Rogers, long on the front and complete with cowlick (unusual for classical, "longhair" or
"highbrow" musicians).
It's interesting that other historic concerts depicted in the film, which had been conducted in
reality by Walter Damrosch and Paul Whiteman, ARE credited in the film's cast ("Hugo Kirchhoffer
as Damrosch," "Whiteman as Himself"). But no credit to the conductor of that Feb.'37 concert in
Los Angeles...
SECOND QUESTION. The last episode of the film takes place in Lewisohn Stadium, N.Y., a concert
at which Gershwin's tragedy is revealed. That concert in the film is introduced by an announcer who
is thin, balding, perhaps 50+ years of age, with a thin moustache, and who speaks with old-style
"pear-shaped tones." Could that announcer be played by John B. Hughes, a prominent radio news
commentator of that era ("News & Views with John B. Hughes")? Hughes IS listed in the cast of
this film, but only as "Himself," which is not very helpful for those who haven't the foggiest what
Mr. Hughes looked like...
-- Steven P Hill, University of Illinois (S-HILL4@UIUC.EDU).