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After yet another attempt on Nucky's life, he draws a line in the sand with some pretty dangerous foes.

(HBO)

THIS WEEK: Written by Steve Kornacki and directed by Ed Bianchi, "The King of Norway" takes the action to three different cities - Chicago, New York and Atlantic City. Chalky finally makes it back to the town he once helped rule; Nucky, still obsessed about his attackers, looks for more answers with dire results; Peg hashes out her plan with the Widow Rothstein, Gillian tries to stay sane in an insane environment and we meet an 1897 version of young Deputy Sheriff Enoch Thompson.

'Boardwalk Empire' Recap / Season 5, Episode 5 / 'The King of Norway'

WALLS CLOSING IN

Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi) preps for his trip to New York and it looks as though he's having some problems picking out his clothes.

After a knock on the door, a boy enters who looks to be Joe(l) Harper, the teen Mickey Doyle hired on the docks a few weeks back. (*) He tells Nucky that Mickey Doyle wants to see him in the office ASAP. He instructs the kid to take his belongings down to his car.

(*) This is the character everyone is speculating that may (or may not be) Tommy Darmody.

Before he exits for the office, a familiarity makes Nucky turn around and look at the boy once more. Downstairs, Nucky asks if Don Maxime Ronis from Bacardi has called back but, instead, finds Mickey Doyle (Paul Sparks) waiting with ... Chalky White (Michael Kenneth Williams).

"Well ..." Doyle says deadpan. "I've leave you two to catch up."

Nucky, at first seems nervous as to Chalky's intentions. Chalky tells him that he's not carrying anything. "That wouldn't stop a man who's made up his mind..." Nucky says.

"You letting that knocker (Mickey Doyle) run things now?"

"His personality suits the operation," Nucky answers. Chalky goes on to say that the Old Rumpus looks worse than his old juke. Nucky pours them each a drink and tells Chalky that "times change." Chalky objects to the hooch.

Look who's back in town... Chalky returns to Atlantic City.

"Doesn't anyone drink anymore?" Nucky laments, putting down Chalky's whiskey. Nucky asks him what happened. Chalky explains that he ran some bars before moving on to robbing gas stations and small stores.

"Can't say I didn't earn it. I done some time," Chalky says.

"I heard you were still doing it," Nucky says.

"You wrong for once," Chalky snaps back. Nuck puts down his drink and pulls up a chair and apologizes for everything. Chalky says that he doesn't want any sympathy.

"I don't know where Narcisse is," Nucky says. Chalky says Nuck could easily find him.

"That's not something that would do either of us any good," Nucky tells him. He goes on to explain that Chalky's family moved to St. Louis and living under his wife's maiden name.

Chalky says that he can't even go and see them. "I'm a wanted man," he states. "Ain't stepped in daylight in more than a week." Nucky offers him sanctuary at the Old Rumpus under protection. "I owe you that," he says. "There's no sense in looking back. The only thing you can do is start again."

Nuck tells him that he has an appointment in New York that can't be put off and implores Chalky to stay, giving him a wad of cash to hold him over until he returns. Chalky doesn't want it.

"This is between friends..." Nucky says.

* * *

Nucky meets with Johnny Torrio (Greg Antonacci) about Capone's revelation regarding Lucky Luciano. Torrio's not buying Luciano's plan, adding that Maranzano guaranteed Nucky's safety.

"He said I had nothing to fear," Nucky corrects. "It's not the same thing." Torrio questions whether Capone got it wrong?

"He runs his mouth ... Charlie... But he still dances to Maranzano's tune," Torrio assures.

"Not if Maranzano was dead," Nucky darts back. Once again, Torrio suggests Nucky retire after getting him a drink. Nucky goes on to say that he's meeting Maranzano later that evening at his restaurant.

"I'll meet you over there," Torrio tells him. Nucky apologizes for getting Torrio involved.

Back at the Old Rumpus, Mickey Doyle wastes time in the burlesque room chatting with young man Harper (who's mopping the stage) and the piano tuner when someone is at the door. It's a federal marshal looking for Chalky White.

Does Mickey Doyle turn in Chalky White?

Doyle plays dumb and when the fed tells him that there may be a reward, he leads him into the kitchen where we see a man who looks like Chalky. The fed pulls his gun and realizes it's not him but a slick decoy.

"Come back any time, now..." Doyle tells the fed as he leaves.

* * *

In the Big Apple, Nucky meets with New York boss Salvatore Maranzano (Giampiero Judica) at his eatery. Nucky's Cuban bodyguard Arquimedes (Paul Calderon) looks out the window, making sure the scene is safe. Nucky asks Maranzano when he's getting rid of Luciano.

"He disappoints me," Maranzano states.

"He'll come for me again and then he'll come for you," Nucky says.

"When one sits on the throne, that is to be expected," the boss says. "I do not take such things personally."

"What's more personal than someone trying to kill you?" Nuck asks.

"Fidelis. Trust. Loyalty. The foundation of the Roman Empire," Maranzano tells him.

"Didn't Caesar get a knife in the back?" Nucky retorts. (1)

"Still, I prefer to only deal with Italians," Maranzano admits.

(1) US Hitory.org explains: "The first conspirator greeted Caesar, then plunged a knife into his neck. Other stabbers followed suit. One by one, several members of the Senate took turns stabbing Julius Caesar (100-44 B.C.E.), the dictator of the entire Roman Empire. Stunned that even his good friend Brutus was in on the plot, Caesar choked out his final words: kai su, teknon? (You too, my child?). On the steps of the Senate, the most powerful man in the ancient world died in a pool of his own blood."

"Where does that leave me?" Nucky asks.

"You are Malta. An island onto yourself," Maranzano. "Loyal to Rome but exempt from Roman law." Just then, a car drives up but it's not Johnny Torrio but a carload of Tommy guns that blasts the eatery full of of bullets. Sal, Archie and Nucky all take cover.

* * *

Lucky Luciano (Vincent Piazza), Meyer Lansky (Anatol Yusef) meet Torrio at his home. They tell him that bulls were all around at the shooting and no telling who is dead or alive. Lansky begins a schpeel about how valued Torrio's advice has been when the phone rings. It's Nucky and he ain't happy.

"I have a message for you and the two pissants you're in league with. I will not rest until I see you in your graves," Nucky says as he slams down the receiver.

Nucky then gets on the horn with Don Maxime Ronis (Lee Godart) who tells Nuck that he has bad news. He explains that Sally was detained outside of Havana after curfew and there was a dispute and she died on the spot.

"I want the names of those responsible," Nucky orders.

"There are no names," Ronis says. A shaken up Nucky takes a large gulp of whiskey. He's lost a trustworthy friend.

In Harlem, Chalky visits the Narcisse brothel that was shot up a few weeks back by Benny Siegel. After being patted down, he walks down the long hallway. Inside, Chalky retrieves a smaller gun looking for Narcisse when, instead, he finds ... DAUGHTER MAITLAND (Margot Bingham) caring for what is presumably Chalky's child.

FAMILY DINNER AT THE MUELLER'S

At the Lexington, Mike D'Angelo (Louis Cancelmi) drops by the strange liar of Al Capone and his merry men. As usual, it's an odd pandemonium with everything from the insectophobic banker to grown men speaking in three word sentences, in fear of not appeasing their boss.

"History doesn't repeat itself... But it does rhyme," Al says, when brother Ralphie asks what Nucky Thompson said when Capone warned him about Lucky Luciano.

"THAT'S his response..." Capone tells his men, aggravated. An oddly-paranoid Capone tells Ralph that he thinks it's an omen, telling everyone they need to be on their toes. He then mentions his income tax case. Ralphie assures him that the lawyers have it taken care of. After a few moments of silence, he orders the entire operation be moved to Cicero, Illinois. The books... the cash ... Everything. "By tomorrow!"

D'Angelo questions his boss about the timing. "You got something better to do?" Capone asks.

* * *

We're back once again in Eli Thompson's (Shea Whigham) drunken dream state. A knock on the door wakes him up. It's his wife June Thompson (Nisi Sturgis). Eli overslept and forgot to pick up his wife. He is shocked to she that she is far along in a pregnancy. June explains that it happened the last time she visited. He inquires as to why she never told him.

"You're under enough pressure..." June says. Eli assures that he's happy about the child and his wife hopes that he starts taking care of himself and, more important, stop drinking. He agrees and admits, "I need you, June..." He tells her he doesn't want her to touch Nucky's money anymore because he's moving up the ladder.

He further insists a new baby and the move to Chicago is a chance for him to start over and, perhaps, a blessing in disguise. June asks about where they'll be eating that night. Eli tells her that they'll be getting a home cooked meal from his partner and his wife.

Nelson Van Mueller refuses to be ruled by fear. What about Eli?

At the Mueller's, the family endures Chester playing his flute. Among the songs is the Scout standby "Make New Friends." June seems to be the only one enjoying it as Sigrid (Christiane Seidel) is busy in the kitchen and Mueller (Michael Shannon) and Eli discuss their fate with Capone. Eli assures that Luciano can think what he wants.

"That didn't stop Capone from sticking a gun in my mouth," Mueller says adding that Eli will be implicated as well since the former A.C. sheriff knows all about him.

"He'll go to work on you. You'll fold," Mueller says. Eli takes offense.

"I, for one, refuse to be ruled by fear," Mueller states before getting screamed at by Sigrid for dinner.

"Coming, dear!" he says, quickly getting up.

The dinner is very icy with Sigrid not exactly the chatty or friendly hostess. June tries best she can to make chit-chat but it's to no avail.

Mueller's daughter Abigail whispers into June's ear that her real mother died (Lucy Danziger) and that she was a ballerina.

More awkward talk... When June remarks that Eli is handy, Sigrid suggests that perhaps he can stop by during the day and help out with some of the things wrong with Mueller's house-in-a-box.

After dinner, Eli insists on doing the dishes and giving the women a much-deserved break. He and Mueller gather up the dishes and, as Eli walks into the kitchen, sees a photograph on the wall. Recognition rears its ugly head. He drops the plates when he sees the photo of King Haakon VII of Norway (2).

King Haakon VII of Norway

(2) Says Encyclopedia Britannica: "The second son of the future king Frederick VIII of Denmark, was "originally called Prince Charles (Carl) of Denmark. He was trained for a naval career. In 1896 he married Princess Maud, daughter of England's Edward VII. He was offered the Norwegian crown in 1905, after the dissolution of the Swedish–Norwegian union, and he agreed to accept it only if he were approved in a Norwegian plebiscite. Overwhelmingly approved on Nov. 12, 1905, he was elected king by the Storting (parliament) on November 18. He was given the Old Norse name of Haakon."

"You remember now?" Sigrid asks Eli.

"Someone tell me what's going on," June asks. Sigrid admits to everyone that she and Eli have been having sex for quite some time. A knock on the door. It's Mike D'Angelo. He tells Mueller that both he and Eli need to go with him. Mueller objects, saying it's a bad time. D'Angelo's treasury badge tells him otherwise.

"We gotta talk... Nelson," the agent says.

In their holding room, Mueller looks at Eli hard. Eli asks him not to stare and tells him that what he did with Sigrid was an accident.

"You mean like a streetcar hitting a horse?" Mueller says. Eli admits that his life is a bonafide shipwreck.

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'BOARDWALK EMPIRE': THE FINAL SEASON

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FOREVER IN THE SHADOW OF 'THE SOPRANOS'

"Well, land ho..." Mueller sneers. Eli takes a swig from a flask and passes it to Mueller, who also takes a gulp. D'Angelo enters and tells the men he needs them sober. The agents explain to both men that they know about all of their ill deeds which includes Van Alden's murder of Agent Sebso and Eli's fatal beating of Agent James Tolliver.

The feds tell them that they can either cooperate with them or see how things look from inside the gas chamber. Mueller asks what do they need them to do.

"We're making a case for tax evasion," one agent says. Eli scoffs and laughs. Mueller buys in and understands the case they very well may have. D'Angelo gives them the key to the count room and the combination to the safe and orders them to get the ledger books that night.

"You both wore badges," D'Angelo says. "Here's your chance to earn them." Mueller mentions that the books are written in code. D'Angelo explains that they have Reese the insectophobic banker. He opens a closet door to reveal the accountant tied up with roaches crawling all over him.

YOUNG DEPUTY ON THE RISE

In 1897 Atlantic City, young Nucky Thompson (Marc Pickering) is summoned under the boardwalk by a cranky old woman. She tells him of the incessant moans she hears nightly and, on this particular morning, there's one dead body in particular. "All manner of dark doings afoot," she states. The young lawman investigates.

"Misfortune or mayhem?" she asks. Neither. Nucky simply finds a dead hog. She seems almost disappointed and explains that he and the Sheriff don't know what really happens under said boards.

Later, Sheriff Lindsay (Boris McGiver) asks Nucky about the old crank. Lindsay remarks that the old woman has driven him nuts for the past 20 years.

"Next time it will be the Jersey Devil," Nucky jokes. (3)

An early drawing of the Jersey Devil.

(3) The Pinelands Preservation Alliance tells us: "Designated in 1938 as the country's only state demon, the Jersey Devil is described as a kangaroo-like creature with the face of a horse, the head of a dog, bat-like wings, horns and a tail. For more than 250 years this mysterious creature is said to prowl through the marshes of Southern New Jersey and emerge periodically to rampage through the towns and cities. ... Countless stories have circulated describing the Devils escapades, raiding chicken coops and farms, destroying crops and killing animals. His presence has been seen and felt by many in at least fifty different towns when he emerges from his natural lair in the Pinelands and wanders throughout Southern New Jersey"

Lindsay remarks that he and his wife approve of Nucky's girlfriend Mabel (who we met a couple of weeks back as a little girl). Nucky says that her father doesn't.

"I'll vouch for your character," Lindsay tells him. "And your salary."

"Obliged to sort it out myself," Nuck says.

Nucky asks his boss if he ever ate ate the Oyster House. (4)

(4) Perhaps Nucky is speaking of Dock's Oyster House. Says the official web site: "In 1897, Harry "call me Dock" Dougherty opened Dock's Oyster House with 60 seats and very high standards. Harry's vision of a fine restaurant which served the best seafood and steaks available in a warm, friendly environment has been carried on by three generations of Doughertys who share his commitment to quality and service. That commitment has sustained Dock's through two World Wars, the Great Depression, and the decline and rebirth of Atlantic City, and has established the family owned restaurant as a local institution."

Nuck tells Lindsay that Mabel's father treats him like some beggar boy. Just then, Pat Halligan (the man who left $50 in his hat in episode 1 this season) exits the Commodore's office and sarcastically asks Lindsay if he caught the Rolling Chair Robber.

"We're hot on his trail," Lindsay says. Halligan looks at Nucky and refers to him as "Little Ragged Dick" (**) "How's the hat game these days?"

"Sailing right along, sir," Nucky responds.

"You're a slick one," Halligan tells Nuck.

This was the fourth mention of Ragged Dick on "Boardwalk Empire."

(**) Previously footnoted: Roughly the fourth time the show has made mention of Ragged Dick. Last season ('The Old Ship of Zion'), Uncle Nucky gave Will a copy of the book and told him that he could learn a lot from it. In Season 3, (in 'Two Imposters'), Gyp Rosetti picked up the tome when he descended upon Nucky's office at the Ritz and in season 1 ('Broadway Limited') Nucky compared Jimmy Darmody to Ragged Dick. The young shoe-shine boy was the subject of a rags-to-riches novel published in 1868 for kiddies by Horatio Alger, Jr. To read some "Ragged Dick" stories, click HERE.

They enter The Commodore's office (John Ellison Conlee). A young Leander Whitlock is also in the office. The Commodore and Leander explain that Halligan was bent out of joint because he wants to renegotiate terms of an old agreement.

"It's a squeeze form New York and I won't stand for it," the Commodore sternly admits. Lindsay warns that Halligan has friends.

"They're not my friends and I don't want to see them around," Commodore says.

Nucky suggests deputizing several young men to safeguard Atlantic City at the ferries, train stations.

"Just enforcing the vagrancy laws," Leander adds.

The Commodore wants to speak privately so Nucky leaves the room. In the hall, he can overhear him ask Lindsay how he's [Nucky] getting along. Lindsay tells the Commodore that Nucky is a good boy who works hard and keeps his mouth shut. The Commodore calls Nucky a 'mooncalf,' which, basically means a foolish person or, according to Dictionary.com, a congenitally grossly deformed and mentally defective person.

* * *

Later, at the Oyster House, Nucky, Mabel and her father have dinner.

Mabel's father scoffs at the schoolchildren she teaches in Camden. Nucky insists that she's in the right place because Atlantic City is on the rise and it's a great place to stake your claim.

Her father jokes that Nucky should just then go ahead and go off into the Klondike. (5)

(5) History.net explains: "The Klondike Gold Rush was an event of migration by an estimated 100,000 people prospecting to the Klondike region of north-western Canada in the Yukon region between 1896 and 1899. It's also called the Yukon Gold Rush, the Last Great Gold Rush and the Alaska Gold Rush."

Mabel calls her father absurd. "I'd go if that's where the ambition led..." Nucky tells the man. He goes on to say that there are riches to be found right in A.C.

"He's going to mine people instead of gold," Mabel says.

"From bellboy to deputy sheriff..." the dad says. He sends his daughter off for a pack of 'Fatimas.' (6)

In the mood for some Fatima cigarettes?

(6) The Stanford School of Medicine explains: "In the early 1900s, manufactures of Turkish and Egyptian cigarettes tripled their sales and became legitimate competitors to leading brands. Liggett & Myers' Fatima cigarettes, named after the common first name for Arabic women, was one of many cigarettes developed at this time which received wide success. The pack art featured a veiled woman, the Turkish crescent moon with stars, and the iron cross, the symbol of the Ottoman empire. Advertising for Fatima was discontinued during the Great Depression. The cigarette received a modern makeover after WWII, becoming a King Size cigarette to compete with other popular brands of the era. It was phased out in the 1980s."

When she's gone, her father says that he really doesn't see what his daughter does in Nucky. "I should admire your qualities but somehow I don't," he says.

Nucky says that he wouldn't expect him to because they're fighting over the same thing. "One of us is bound to lose." He leans in and tells her father that he plans on marrying Mable and providing for her and their family.

Her father doesn't see it and says that he thinks Nucky talks "a bold line." In essence, nothing about the young man impresses him.

Later that night, Nucky visits Lindsay's home. He tells his boss that he wants to be more involved in important matters, including more business with The Commodore.

"No one asked you," Lindsay says. "That's not how it works." He tells Nucky to go home because it's late. "We'll talk about it some other time."

* * *

The cranky old lady from the beginning is back, complaining about noises and misdeeds under the boards. Again, she tells Nucky of hearing the souls moaning. Nucky inspects what's underneath once again but this time, it's no hog but Mr. Halligan, tied up and covered in seaweed.

PEG HATCHING A PLAN

In New York, Margaret Thompson (Kelly Macdonald) and Carolyn Rothstein attempt to hash out their problem. She hands over a check from OLD RUPUS ASSOCIATES (a company incorporated in NJ). Rothstein's lawyer says that funds from a holding company out-of-state will take longer to clear. He scoffs.

CATCH UP ON SEASON 4 'BOARDWALK EMPIRE' RECAPS

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Episode 1 / 'New York Sour'

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Episode 2 / 'Resignation'

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Episode 3 / 'Acres of Diamonds'

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Episode 4 / 'All In'

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Episode 5 / 'Erlkönig'

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Episode 6 / 'The North Star'

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Episode 7 / 'William Wilson'

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Episode 8 / 'The Old Ship of Zion'

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Episode 9 / 'Marriage and Hunting'

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Episode 10 / 'White Horse Pike'

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Episode 11 / 'Havre de Grace'

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Episode 12 / 'Farewell Daddy Blues'

Margaret objects, telling them, "This is the only deal."

Rothstein knows who she's dealing with and immediately takes the check, accepting the terms. "You're right where you belong, aren't you?" she asks Margaret.

"Perhaps I am," Peg answers. When they leave, her boss chastises her for being married the whole time. "You routinely associate with criminals?"

She agrees. "Will I have the goodness of thanking your husband personally?" he asks.

"He does nothing from the goodness of his heart, sir," she tells him. She goes on to say that to show his thanks he can set up an account for him under an assumed name.

"For what purpose?" he asks. To set about shorting the stock of the Mayflower Grain Corporation."

GILLIAN PLAYS IT SANE

Gillian Darmody (Gretchen Mol), looking the most sane in her asylum, reads in the facility's solarium when her inmate friend Charlotte enters and tells her to "protect your fur." She then hands Gillian a newspaper ad for Sak's Fur Vault before being hauled away by some guards.

As she's dragged out of the room, Charlotte yells for them to not take her teeth. Gillian is obviously distressed by all the screams that follow.

Later, Gillian approaches Charlotte, who's in a wheelchair and some sort of sedation. Gillian asks what Dr. Cotton did to her. Did she remove her teeth? Charlotte says that the sickness was someplace else. She opens her robe to reveal a horrific scar across her stomach.

Will Gillian ever make it out of the insane asylum? Or will Dr. Cotton find a way to keep her there?

Later, Gillian meets with Dr. Cotton, making her case and explaining that she's made a full recovery and wants to be released. He's not buying it.

"I'm seeing clearly now," she explains. "Thinking clearly." She goes on to tell him that she wants to "start the process."

"Which 'process' is that?" he asks. He goes on to remind her that the reason that she's there is that she took someone's life in a state of temporary insanity out of grief.

He says that 'temporary insanity' is a convenient excuse to commit a crime. "Where does insanity go?" He explains that diseases live in the tissue only to re-emerge.

"I'm better. I've been helped," she tells him.

"We'll find what's inside you..." he assures. "We'll fix it."

OTHER STUFF ON MY MIND

• The title of the episode — "King of Norway" — obviously comes from the photograph of King Haakon VII that was on the kitchen which that sparked Eli into remembering his infidelity with Sigrid.

• Let's get this out up front. I don't know where they found Marc Pickering but let's thank the bootlegin' gods that they did. Wow. Did this young actor capture the very essence of Buscemi and Nucky Thompson. If 'Empire' fans were wowed after John Ellison Conlee's Commodore after episode 1, I can only imagine the audience response after seeing this young British thesp. Three words: More, more and more.

• Nuck certainly looks like he can't pick out his clothes without poor Eddie, right?

• Did you check out that double-take that Nucky gave young man Harper?

• I'm glad we're not the only ones who think The Old Rumpus looks like yesterday's lunchmeat.

• What delusional world is Eli living in that he thinks he's moving up the Capone ladder?

• Nucky, why didn't you just ASK for a cold drink instead of all that weird beating around the bush with Torrio?

• That totally looked like a young Leander Whitlock in The Commodore's office, right? The mutton chops!

• That was one icy dinner. Who else saw the Sigrid-Eli infidelity coming?

• The legal document Carolyn Rothstein signs is dated as APRIL 23, 1931.

• Shorting the stock of the Mayflower Grain Corporation... That's certainly ONE way to get back at Kennedy.

• This season, Rudy Vallee has been mentioned more than once. He was an all-around entertainer who appeared in movies and was a hugely popular singer. Most consider him to be one of the first teen idol balladeers.

• A quick Google search tells us that the real Sal Maranzano was indeed as annoying as his fictional counterpart, comparing his organization to the Roman Empire.

• Not sure I'm buying that Torrio would backstab the Nuckster. If only he wants back in thinking that Capone had tried to have him killed. But why kill Nucky?

• The screwy tune heard over Eli's drunken haze is George van Dusen's 1931 oddball hit "The Yodelling Chinaman."

Anthony Venutolo may be reached at avenutolo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @AnthonyVenutolo and Google+. Find NJ.com on Facebook.