Today's Soundie features Les Brown and His Band Renown along with a 16 year old Doris Day handling the vocals. "My Lost Horizon" was filmed in April of 1941. Les Brown also filmed two other Soundies that month: "Once Over Lightly" and "Is It Love or Conscription?".
As far as I know, this was Doris Day's first film appearance of any kind. About a decade later she would go to have a successful movie career.
Enjoy!
Watch: "My Lost Horizon" by Les Brown featuring Doris Day.
Today's Soundie is "Anvil Chorus" by Al Donahue and His Orchestra. This was filmed and released in 1943. Donahue and his boys do some nice work in this one and it features some pretty good solos. I'm not sure if Al got the memo that he was being filmed. Throughout the majority of the Soundie he is facing the band and rarely acknowledges or interacts with the camera.
Enjoy!
Watch the Soundie: "Anvil Chorus" by Al Donahue and His Orchestra from 1943
I can never get enough of old film footage that captures our favorite Big Bands in action. This is a clip of Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra jammin' out to Hawaiian War Chant. This clip is from the 1942 motion picture entitled "Ship Ahoy".
Take a look at a young Buddy Rich pounding away at the drums. It's so great to be able to watch him in action. The Youtuber that put this video together did a very good job restoring the footage and the overall sound. Check it out!
One last thing, I'm pretty sure that the "special effect" in the opening part of the film which makes it appear like Buddy Rich and his drum set are floating onto the set caused many of the 1940's audience to experience vertigo. But that's just my theory. 😁 Enjoy!
Watch - "Hawaiian War Chant" by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra
Remember: If you would like access to Bonus Content and Podcast Extras then join our Patreon and become a Hepcat. It's a great way to support the station.
Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Big Band Radio Station Streaming Online from King of Prussia, PA. Commercial Free!
Today's Soundie features Larry Clinton and His Orchestra along with Peggy Mann on vocals performing "My Reverie". This was originally filmed in 1941 and by the time of it's release to Panoram movie-jukeboxes in October of 1943, Clinton's Orchestra had disbanded.
The production itself is pretty straight forward and basic, but it seems to work well with this Soundie. I really enjoy the job that Peggy Mann does with the vocals. The original version of this Clinton classic from 1938 featured Bea Wain as the female lead, but Mann does a fantastic job. She's also featured in two other Larry Clinton Soundies: "Deep Purple" and "The Night We Met in Honomu".
Enjoy!
Watch: "My Reverie" by Larry Clinton and His Orchestra with Peggy Mann on vocals.
So my wife and I were watching METV Toons last night and they just happened to air an episode of Buggy Bunny called "Hillbilly Hare" from 1950. It's an absolute classic, and the square dance scene is simply hilarious. One thing I hadn't noticed over the years it that the music for that square dance is provided by a Panoram. (Until Bugs Bunny unplugs it and starts to add his own lyrics.)
The Panoram in the cartoon is much more colorful than real machines were. Plus, the price to watch Soundies on these jukeboxes were usually a dime, not a nickel.
It was a proud night in the Ronnaldo household when my wife pointed to the TV screen and said, "Hey, isn't that the machine they played those Soundies on?"
After all these years, I think I'm finally rubbing off on her. The fact that she pointed out a Panoram almost brought a tear to my eye. 😀
I've included a brief clip of the cartoon and a couple of pictures of the "cartoon Panoram" and the "original Panoram". Sorry, because of copyright issues I can't post the complete cartoon. Also, it's not lost on me that this post is hard proof that I am indeed a complete nerd when it comes to this stuff. 😜 - Enjoy!
Clip of "Hillbilly Hare" starring Bugs Bunny from 1950.
Today's Soundie stars Noble Sissle and His Orchestra performing "Everybody's Jumpin' Now". This was released to Panoram in December of 1946, which was near the end of the road for Soundies themselves. Noble's band only had seven members, and at the time, that was considered small for an orchestra. (That would soon change as the era came to a close.) The director compensated for this by spreading out the members over a wide range of space to make the band look bigger.
Also featured as a dancer is Mabel Lee. Mabel Lee first appeared in Soundies as an extra in Louis Jordan's "Old Man Mose". She eventually received more attention and soon became Soundies' own musical star. Mabel Lee ended up appearing in over a dozen Soundies, many of which, she herself, was the featured singer or dancer.
In this particular Soundie, both Sissle and Lee team up to provide so much energy. Such a great performance.
Today's Soundie is called "Jumpin' At The Jukebox" by Al Donahue and His Orchestra. This catchy little song was released on December 6, 1943 to be played in Panorams all across the United States, but this was originally filmed in 1941 by a company called Phonovue Productions. Phonovue Productions was later purchased by Soundies in 1943 and their clips were rebranded with the Soundies logo overlay to start off the film.
The vocalist is named Ellen Connor. Connor was also the featured vocalist in another Soundie by Al Donahue called "Java Jive".
I just love the fact that the producers decided to stick Ellen into a hollowed out Panoram cabinet to sing her song. The song is a little bit silly, but then again, most catchy songs are. Enjoy!
Watch: Al Donahue & His Orchestra - "Jumpin' At The Jukebox" from 1943
Today's Soundie features the beautiful and multi-talented Gloria Parker. This gem is called "Here Comes the Fattest Man in Town" and was filmed in 1946. It also includes an appearance by the legendary Mel Blanc.
This is just one of a handful of great Soundies that showcases Miss Parker's many talents. She also stars in "Broadway and Main", "Four Letters", "Penthouse Party" and "Wise Men Say". Unlike many other Soundies, these were well produced and Parker herself composed the music and wrote the lyrics. Her backup musicians in this performance include members of the house band from the Edison Hotel in New York.
Gloria Parker was much more than a pretty face that looked good on film. She worked as a songwriter, bandleader, musician and actress. A complete entertainer. She performed with her orchestras playing the marimba, piano, organ, violin, viola, vibraphone, xylophone, guitar, drums, all types of Latin percussion instruments and, of course, glass harp or what many people call "musical glasses". Now for the record, I've seen many people "play" musical glasses in the past, but Gloria's performances are simply amazing.
Her radio program "The Gloria Parker Show", which aired from 1950 to 1957, featured her all-female "Swingphony", the largest big band led by a woman. During her career, she also led "Gloria Parker and the Coquettes" and "Glorious Gloria Parker and Her All-Girl Rumba Orchestra."
Enjoy!
Watch: "Here Comes the Fattest Man in Town" by Gloria Parker
Consider supporting Swing City Radio by becoming a Hepcat. Learn more at: SupportSwing.com.
Today's Soundie features trumpeter Henry "Red" Allen joined by J.C Higginbotham (trombone) performing "Count Me Out". This was released to Panoram viewers in June of 1946. Other notable names in this Soundie are bassist Benny Moten and Alvin Burroughs on drums.
Prior to leading this talented band, Henry "Red" Allen had played in the orchestras of Fletcher Henderson, Benny Goodman and Eddie Condon. This clip really captures the energy he brought to his performances and it also showcases some terrific dancing.
Enjoy!
Watch: "Count Me Out" by Henry "Red" Allen from 1946
Today's Snader is "I May Be Wrong" featuring the beautiful vocals of Peggy Lee with music by Dave Barbour and His Quartet. This is one of 10 Snader Telescriptions that Peggy Lee recorded in the early 1950's.
This song and clip is simply fantastic. The most impressive part may be Dave Barbour's guitar solo while Peggy sews a button on his collar. They were still married at this point and their chemistry really shines through.
Enjoy!
Watch: "I May Be Wrong" by Peggy Lee and the Dave Barbour Quartet
Today's Soundie is "Eager Beaver" by Stan Kenton and His Orchestra. This was filmed on a stage set in 1945 and also features the dancing of Jean Ivory (Pictured Below). This is just one of eighteen Soundies that featured Stan Kenton.
I've always enjoyed watching Stan at work. His passion for the music and his musical leadership really comes through on film. Plus, it's also great to see Ray Wetzel, Freddie Zito, Boots Mussulli and the other boys of Kenton's talented band in action. Enjoy!
In this video, The Modernaires do a great job with Glenn Miller's classic, "Jukebox Saturday Night". The Glenn Miller Modernaires, as they are billed in this 1944 Soundie are Tommy Morgan, Hal Dickinson, Fran Scott, and Ralph Brewster. Dickinson and Brewster were members of the Modernaires with Glenn Miller. The female vocalist is Harriet Clark. Clark sang with Sonny Dunham and Charlie Barnet at different points of her career and did a fantastic job standing in for Paula Kelly. Paula Kelly was pregnant at the time this was filmed.
In my opinion, this is a wonderful cover of the song. Harriet Clark is a very good vocalist and I wish she would have made more recordings. Ralph Brewster is also an amazing singer and a true talent. The song is just as upbeat and fun as the original and the filming for this Soundie was done well. In 1944, The Modernaires were still associated with Glenn Miller who was in the military leading the Army Air Force Band at that time.
Watch: The Glenn Miller Modernaires perform "Jukebox Saturday Night" from 1944
Note: There are also rumors that Harry James was on set and provided the famous Trumpet solo for this recording. I have not been able to confirm that, and I strongly doubt that it's him.
So, when you get a chance check out this entertaining Soundie and maybe have a Soda Pop Rickey while watching. Enjoy!
Today's Soundie is "Watcha Know Joe?" (notice the spelling of the title) by Larry Clinton. This is a simple, straight-forward Soundie that features the band playing on a studio stage. The vocals are handled by Butch Stone.
The footage was originally filmed in 1941 but was released as a Soundie in August of 1943. By the time of it's release, Larry Clinton was already serving in the armed forces in World War II.
Take notice that the Phonovue prints (the credit overlay at the beginning) cite the title of the song as "Watcha Know Joe?." I know the budgets on the production of these Soundies were quite tight, but you think they could have afforded that extra "H" they left out of the word "Whatcha". :)
All jokes aside, Clinton and the boys perform a unique and entertaining version of this song. Enjoy!
Watch: "Watcha Know Joe?" by Larry Clinton and his Orchestra.
Today's Soundie features Sonny Dunham and His Orchestra performing their version of "Skylark". This was released to Panoram in June of 1942 and is just one of eight Soundies put out by this respected trumpeter. The vocal are handled by the beautiful Harriett Clark, who seems to be quite relaxed while performing her singing duties. Look for the superimposed caption that identifies Sonny Dunham during his solo.
Enjoy!
Watch: Sonny Dunham and His Orchestra perform "Skylark" from 1942.
Today's Soundie is yet another one from Stan Kenton. "It's Been A Long, Long Time" was released to Panoram in December of 1945 and just one of the eighteen Soundies Kenton and His Band filmed through the years. It features the beautiful June Christy on vocals along with the postwar lineup of the Band.
This Soundie was filmed very well and manages to capture Stan Kenton being Stan Kenton. Enjoy!
Watch: A Soundie by Stan Kenton - "It's Been a Long, Long Time" from 1945
Today's Soundie features Will Bradley and His Orchestra performing "Boardwalk Boogie." Such a great song. The Soundie itself was filmed in 1941, and filmed quite well capturing a great band in it's prime as well as some very good dancing. While watching this you can feel the raw energy that defined the Will Bradley Orchestra.
The "Beach Party" where the "jitterbugs" are hanging out is really a soundstage in New York City. Ironically enough, this was shot in the chilly month of December.
There are some big names that appear in this clip including: Ray McKinley, Freddie Slack, Peanuts Hucko and, of course, Will Bradley himself. This song was originally titled "This Little Icky Went to Town" but was later changed to "Boardwalk Boogie" for this Soundie.
Enjoy!
Watch the Soundie: "Boardwalk Boogie" featuring Will Bradley and His Orchestra
Today's Soundie features Red Allen and J.C. Higginbotham performing "Drink Hearty". This was released to Panoram in March of 1946. It was one of five Soundies the duo did together. Two others were: "Count Me Out" and "House On 52nd Street".
Red Allen is best remembered as an excellent sideman that played with Fletcher Henderson and Benny Goodman. J.C. Higginbotham is best known for his work with Chick Webb, Mills Blue Rhythm Band and Louis Armstrong.
Excellent Soundie. Enjoy!
Watch: "Drink Hearty" by Red Allen and J.C. Higginbotham from 1946.
Today's Soundie features the beautiful Mabel Lee singing a song called "Half Past Jump Time". This was released to Panoram in December of 1945 and the music was provided by Deryck Sampson and His Band.
Mabel Lee started to appear in Soundies a few years before this release as an extra. One of her first was in Louis Jordan's "Old Man Mose". By 1945 she had become a star on the small screen of the Panoram.
"Half Past Jump Time" is a catchy, fun song that shows off Mabel Lee's talent. It's one of the few clips where she is conservatively dressed, but while dancing she still manages to put in a racy performance. There's no doubt that her popularity was tied to her great looks, but Lee's talent as a performer shouldn't be overlooked.
I'd also like to add that Deryck Sampson and His Band puts in a very nice performance as well.
Enjoy!
Watch: Mabel Lee perform "Half Past Jump Time" from 1945
Today's Soundie is by Larry Clinton and His Orchestra, a track called "Smiles". This was filmed in 1941, but not released to Panoram until December of 1943. By the time of this release, Clinton's Orchestra had already disbanded and Larry was off serving in the military during World War II.
This is yet another straight forward Soundie by Clinton. All of his Soundies were quite basic but still entertaining in my opinion. Enjoy!
Watch: Larry Clinton and His Orchestra perform "Smiles"
Today's Soundie is from 1945 and features the Dinning Sisters performing their version of "Winter Wonderland". This just "popped" up on Youtube a few days ago so I don't know much about the history behind this clip. But I love it and 'tis the season. One thing I do know know about this Soundie, is that it is one of only three Christmas Soundies that were filmed.
Enjoy and Happy Holidays!
Watch: "Winter Wonderland" by the Dinning Sisters from 1945
