The War Years

Soon they were back in Europe. Through 1939 they enjoyed remarkable success in Europe. Herbert recalls, We left England for the last time just three days before war was declared on Germany and the only boat we could get was to Australia. We were overseas from then on except for two months in 1940 and then we went back to South America. We didn't get back until 1941. In the meantime the Ink Spots were coming up, and people had sort of forgotten us.

In the period between John Jr.'s death and their return to the States, they re-recorded Lazy River. It was followed by Someday You'll Want Me to Want You, Swing Is the Thing, Long About Midnight, Organ Grinders Swing, and The Song is Ended. They honored Duke Ellington with a swing version of the Caravan, and then produced a series of classic recordings; South of the Border, which they performed in a tour of South America, along with Ain't Misbehavin, It Don’t Mean a Thing, Jeepers Creepers, Three Little Fishes, and Basin Street Blues.

During this era, there was also a brief time when the group performed with a non?family singer. Gene Smith served as a stand-in for one year when Harry was drafted into the Army. Although Smith's solo singing did not particularly resemble the group's usual sound, he was able to harmonize well in Harry's stead until the fourth brother's return. Smith is very noticeable in a number of the Mills Brothers' film appearances.