Russell Arms and His Hit “Cinco Robles”

Russell Arms was a gifted entertainer whose career spanned film, television, and music. While he is best remembered for his time as a singer on the popular 1950s television show Your Hit Parade, he also found chart success with the 1957 single “Cinco Robles (Five Oaks).” Arms began his career in radio and film but transitioned to music, where his easygoing voice and polished charm won over fans.

Though his fame faded with the rise of rock and roll, his contributions to mid-century American entertainment remain notable.

Full Name	Russell Lee Arms
Birthdate	February 3, 1920
Birthplace	Berkeley, California, USA
Death	February 13, 2012 (Hamilton, Illinois)
Main Occupations	Actor, Singer
Genres	Traditional Pop
Notable Hit	“Cinco Robles (Five Oaks)” – #22 on Billboard Hot 100 (1957)
Military Service	Signal Corps, U.S. Army (1941–1946; 1951–1953)
Years Active	1940s–1970s (acting and singing)
Known For	Vocalist on *Your Hit Parade* (1952–1957)
Autobiography	*My Hit Parade … and a Few Misses* (2005)

Early Life and Entry into Show Business

Russell Lee Arms was born on February 3, 1920, in Berkeley, California. He developed an interest in performance during his youth and began his career in radio broadcasting. He worked for several stations, including WNEW in New York City, where he built early experience behind the microphone.

He later trained at the Pasadena Playhouse, which launched the careers of many Hollywood stars. Arms transitioned into acting in the early 1940s, securing supporting roles in feature films.

His screen appearances included:

• Cover Up (1949)

• Loaded Pistols (1948) with Gene Autry

• Wings for the Eagle (1942) with Ann Sheridan

• By the Light of the Silvery Moon (1953) with Doris Day

His acting career was interrupted when he joined the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War II. He served from 1941 to 1946 and again from 1951 to 1953 during the Korean War era.

Transition to Music and Your Hit Parade

After his military service, Arms returned to Hollywood but found that leading film roles were hard to come by. Encouraged by actress and singer Marilyn Maxwell, he pivoted to singing, a move that would define the next phase of his career.

In 1952, Arms joined the cast of NBC’s popular musical TV series Your Hit Parade. The show featured singers performing the week’s most popular songs, ranked by record and sheet music sales. Arms appeared alongside artists like:

• Snooky Lanson

• Gisele MacKenzie

• Dorothy Collins

• June Valli

• Eileen Wilson

He remained with Your Hit Parade until 1957, earning recognition as a polished vocalist with a warm, engaging presence.

Hit Record: “Cinco Robles (Five Oaks)”

During his time on television, Arms signed with Era Records and recorded the album Where Can a Wanderer Go in 1957. The lead single, “Cinco Robles (Five Oaks),” quickly became a hit.

The song entered the Billboard Hot 100 on January 12, 1957, and stayed on the chart for 15 weeks, peaking at #22. Its romantic melody and poetic lyrics resonated with listeners during a time when pop vocals still dominated the airwaves.

Though Arms never matched that chart success again, “Cinco Robles” became his signature recording and helped solidify his place in 1950s pop history.

Other Musical Works

In addition to “Cinco Robles,” Arms recorded many other songs, showing a flair for classic standards and romantic ballads. His repertoire included:

• “Is There a Heaven”

• “Share My Love”

• “Evangeline”

• “Where Can a Wanderer Go”

• “On a Little Street in Singapore”

• “Along the Colorado Trail”

• “Moon Over Miami”

• “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square”

• “The River Seine”

• “How Are Things in Glocca Morra”

• “April in Portugal”

• “Autumn in Rome”

• “The Gal That Got Away”

• “P.S. I Love You”

• “The More I See You”

• “You Turned the Tables on Me”

• “It’s Easy to Remember”

• “Just Because”

• “They Didn’t Believe Me”

• “For Every Man There’s a Woman”

These songs demonstrated Arms’ ability to interpret both sentimental ballads and upbeat tunes with equal finesse.

Television and Guest Roles

As rock and roll began to dominate the charts in the late 1950s, Your Hit Parade lost popularity and ended in 1959. Nevertheless, Arms remained active in television, appearing in numerous shows through the 1960s and 1970s.

He made guest appearances on programs such as:

• Gunsmoke

• Dragnet

• Perry Mason

• December Bride

• Rawhide

• Lock Up

• Have Gun – Will Travel

• Hardcastle and McCormick

His combination of screen presence and vocal talent kept him in demand across various entertainment formats.

Later Years and Autobiography

In his later years, Russell Arms settled with his second wife Mary Lynne in Palm Springs, California. They later relocated to Hamilton, Illinois, where he spent his final years.

In 2005, Arms published his autobiography, My Hit Parade … and a Few Misses. The memoir detailed his journey from Hollywood actor to pop singer and offered insight into the golden era of television music programs.

He continued to attend nostalgia conventions and was fondly remembered by fans of 1950s television and music.

Death and Legacy

Russell Arms passed away on February 13, 2012, in Hamilton, Illinois, just ten days after his 92nd birthday. Though his career was shaped by a specific time in American entertainment history, his contributions left a lasting mark.

He remains part of a generation of performers who helped bridge the gap between big band swing, Hollywood musicals, and early television variety shows.

Summary of Key Career Highlights