Absolutely agree, these are not really values but bubbles that will burst again once the craze has subsided.
The issue of the different take is intriguing. It seems that the second take of CO 35081 was released in 1959 on an LP, Harmony HL 7159 and, more importantly maybe, on a 1966 compilation LP "Golden Hits of the 40s" (Harmony HL 7373). The people who selected the music for their movies are far more likely to have come across such an LP than the original shellac release.
In any case, when I listen to the "Avenger" version below, I am not even sure that this is a 1945 recording. Maybe that's just because they cleaned up the sound so much. But the singer's phrasing of the song is also very different from Kitty's in the take 1 that was released on shellac. Nevertheless, the Soundtrack to the movie, seems to credit Harry James and his Orchestra as performing the song: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4154796/soundtrack/?ref_=tt_trv_snd
Are we clutching at straws here on values? $600 for a VG+ copy? In any case, the version used in the video game is a take with different lyrics, and a lot of people are paying money for a record that isn't exactly the same as what they think they are buying.
The craze is continuing. Clearly, most of the sellers have no idea what they are buying. 8 of 11 copies I have seen auctioned off for fantasy prices on eBay were the 1946-1948 repress; neither that nor the condition has any major effect on the price.
I wonder how many of the bidders have a way of ever listening to their records anyway. Most of these records are probably going to be framed or slabbed (maybe even with a Certificate of Authenticity?), and then they are going to collect dust.
What makes this record suddenly so desirable is that a version of Harry James' "It's Been A Long, Long Time" appears in two recent super-hero movies "Avengers: Endgame" (2019) and "Captain America: Winter Soldier" (2014) (excerpts).
Fortunately, there are enough copies around to satisfy the demand and still leave some copies for less well-heeled people like me. I found a V+ copy in a thrift store today for $2.:-)
Now I understand why this record has been occupying the "78 RPM - Top 50 Viewed" for weeks (and why it is even #1 on US "Columbia - Sorted by Views All Time" here).
Lyrics:
Never thought that you would be
standing here so close to me
there’s so much I feel that I should say
but words can wait until some other day
Kiss me once, then kiss me twice
Then kiss me once again
It’s been a long, long time
Haven’t felt like this, my dear
Since I can't remember when
It’s been a long, long time
You’ll never know how many dreams
I’ve dreamed about you
Or just how empty they all seemed without you
So kiss me once, then kiss me twice
Then kiss me once again
It’s been a long, long time
What claims to be the "Avenger: Endgame" version below is different, and not just because it leaves out the first stanza:
This record goes for crazy money right now since the A-side was used in the "Avengers: Endgame" film. There are copies of this EVERYWHERE - a good way to pick up an extra 200 bucks!