Italian VersionBefore MTV
The Precursors of Music Videos
Before MTV, before rock promo clips, indeed before rock and before video, there were rock videos! Well, not exactly, but beginning in 1941 people could see short visualizations of top performers singing hit pop songs, on small screens across the land.
What they were seeing were Soundies, the 16mm film software that fed an exhibition network of thousands of film jukeboxes called Panorams. The "Mills Panoram Soundie" machines were conveniently placed in bars, restaurants and bus terminals. Patrons of these gathering spots would insert a dime into a large cabinet resembling an overgrown record jukebox, but with a glass rear-projection screen. Shortly after, a 16mm projection mechanism inside would rumble to life, and the lucky clientele would see what was probably their first moving image of performers they had previously only heard on the radio.
Some of these film clips were straightforward recordings of a visual and audio music performance, showing a band in a nightclub like setting. Others were much more complex and imaginative, using multiple scenes, fantasy story lines, comic relief and sophisticated optical effects; in other words, exactly like what is seen today on MTV, except shot in black and white and featuring swing and pop music of the World War II era.
This is our page devoted to the original coin-operated music clips.
The performers and musical styles featured in our Soundies Collection offer a rich variety of well-known jazz and swing artists, lesser known dance bands, and forgotten novelty acts. We've also included some clips from the 30ies and the 40ies plus a complete 1955 movie, "Rhythm and Blues Revue", a real gem!
You can watch on videoclick.com a mid-low quality video with a compilation of shots from various movies belonging to this Collection clicking on the Soundie Machine below.
Before MTV
Musical Footage from 1930 to 1955 Collection
We do provide duplicates of the multimedial files of the Collection on a customized DVD-ROM on a (1) cost-recovery basis.
Almost all the digital copies of the films are good quality Hi-Res editable videos.
All the videos in this Collection are available in different format, size and definition. We can suggest you the right one for the use you have in mind.
PRIVATE USE: home TV vision (DVD-Divx player), PC, iPod.
WE LICENSE FOOTAGE from our Collections for: multimedial creations on CD or DVD, TV commercials, film or TV programs, documentary Productions, web sites, marketing/ad campaigns, video email, electronic kiosks, trade shows, business seminars, cultural events, museums, expositions... and more.
Hi-Res videos from our Collections are available on DVD, CD or directly in your inbox. Clips and movies can also be downloaded from our servers using a PW or uploaded by us to your FTP.
WE ARE JUST WAITING FOR YOUR INQUIRES!!!
(1) It is possible to obtain digital duplicates of the multimedial files from this collection for research, teaching, general interest user information, and private study purposes. The fees charged for these files are on a cost-recovery basis. The size, run-time, quality, and detailed informations regarding any multimedial file are indicated in the following list.
The files are available on a customized DVD-ROM.
Billing is done when the order is fulfilled. Payment instructions will follow. Normal turn around time for requests is 3 weeks. Rush (2-3 business days) is available for an additional fee of 40 Euros.
To know the fees applied for these files please contact Vincent Romano.
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The multimedial files of the Collections are compatible with the free version of the most common players: Quicktime Player, Real Player, Windows Media Player..
Mac users can easily view MPEG 1, MPEG 2, MPEG 4, and Divx movies in MacOSX with the free version of this program: VLC Media Player.
All the material in the Romano-Archives Collections is in the public domain and has no copyright attached to it. Only exception are original articles or texts published on this Website and the Romano-Archives' original compilations on CDs or DVDs that are subject to copyright.
Material of the Romano-Archives Collections is made available solely for historical research and educational purposes only. Any trademarks appearing on the material are the sole property of the registered owners. No endorsement by the trademark owners is to be construed, nor was any sought. The products, brand names, characters, related slogans and indicia are or may be claimed as trademarks of their respective owners.
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1930PaulWhitemanOrch-BingCrosby-RhythmBoys.avi
Available on DVD Only
Run Time: 00:02:06
Audio/Visual: Sound/ C Quality: # # # #
Happy Feet (1930)
Performed by PaulWhiteman and his Orchestra
From the movie "King of Jazz". Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra featuring Bing Crosby and the Rhythm Boys Orchestra. Filmed in color and edited as soundie in 1941. Still outstandingly modern!
1930happy-feet-complete-version2.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:04:22
Audio/Visual: Sound/ C Quality: # # # # #
Happy Feet (1930) COMPLETE VERSION
Performed by PaulWhiteman and his Orchestra
From the movie "King of Jazz". Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra featuring Bing Crosby and the Rhythm Boys Orchestra. Filmed in color and edited as soundie in 1941. Still outstandingly modern!
Click HERE to watch this video on GoogleVideo
1930BoysOfTheOrchestra.mp4.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:03:55
Audio/Visual: Sound/ C Quality: # # # #
The Boys of the Orchestra (1930)
Performed by PaulWhiteman and his Orchestra
From the movie "King of Jazz". Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra.
1930TheRhytmBoys.mp4
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:35
Audio/Visual: Sound/ C Quality: # # # #
So the Bluebirds and the Blackbirds got together (1930)
Performed by the Rhythm Boys Orchestra
From the movie "King of Jazz". featuring the Rhythm Boys Orchestra (Bing Crosby, Al Rinker & Harry Barris).
1930DoIKnowWhatImDoing.mp4
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:40
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # #
Excerpts from the movie "Good News" (1930)
Production: MGM
In 1930 MGM released its film version of the 1927 De Silna-Brown-Henderson stage musical "Good News". The final reel if this film no longer exist, but here we feature selected excerpts from the surviving portions.
1934BubblingOver.avi
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:19:30
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
Director: Leigh Jason
Producer: Meyer Davis, Monroe Shaff
Production Company: Magna Pictures Corporation
Bubbling Over (1934) is a short "soundie compilation", such as were the music videos of their day. Many a soundie featured all-black casts, with slim stories concocted, on which to hang a number of songs.
1935-12thStreetRag.mp4
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:45
Audio/Visual: Sound/Color Quality: # # # #
12Th Street Rag (1935)
Buddy Rogers and the California Cavaliers
Rare Soundie in color from 1935.
1935WereInTheMoney.mp4
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:40
Audio/Visual: Sound/Color Quality: # # # #
We're in the Money (1935)
Production: MGM
Rare color film from 1935, featuring The Fanchonettes, Sid Slivers, Lee Tracy and Chester Morris.
1935CabCallowayfromCottonClubandJitterbug-party.avi
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:07:31
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # #
Cab Calloway's Jitterburg Party (1935)
Performed by Cab Calloway and his Orchestra
Production: Paramount Pictures
Cab Calloway sings 3 songs. Two of them are filmed at the famous Cotton Club in Harlem, New York City. The third song is recorded at a "private party". Party guests do a Shim Sham togheter!
1936Ca-HarlemRevue.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:09:22
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
HarlemRevue (1936 circa)
Production: Feeber Film Corp
This short, by Feeber Film Corp., presents a whole slew of images of black America. The initial comic skit, which occupies approximately the first minute of "Harlem Review," presents stereotypes that today would be considered quite offensive (there is an unfunny joke about the African navy). The decor on the stage set is an alarming panoply of minstrel-show imagery. This stage set shows up in the succeeding dance number.
The latter part of "Harlem Review" presents Bill Powers, who appears to have a classically-trained voice; and the Brown Sisters, who are also quite accomplished performers.
The contrast between the first half and the second half of "Harlem Review" is quite illuminating. We can see the aspirations of black entertainers and performers struggling to achieve high artistic aspirations struggling against society's imposed limitations and stereotypes. This is quite a fascinating historical document.
1937GeneKrupa-SingSingSing.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:00
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # #
Sing, Sing, Sing (1937)
Performed by Gene Krupa and his Orchestra
The best drummer in the world! Gene Krupa.
1937BingCrosby-WhenTheOrganPlayed.mp4
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:03:06
Audio/Visual: Sound/ Color Quality: # # # #
When the Organ Played "Oh Promise Me"(1937)
Performed by Bing Crosby
A 1937 "psychedelic" color clip over a Bing Crosby's song!
1937ca-CabCallowayandhisOrc.avi
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:31
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # #
Let's have a ball! (1937)
Performed by Cab Calloway and his Orchestra
Cab Calloway and his Orchestra filmed live on stage with a couple of outstanding tip-tap dancers.
1938Ca-Stripper-GeorgiaSothern.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:01:02
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
Georgia Sothern (1938 circa)
Amazing reel which features Georgia Sothern (and yes! That isn't a typo!) doing her dance from the 'musical hit' 'Star and Garter' (actually existed, with Gypsy Rose Lee!). To those who have no real knowledge of early strip/burlesque shows would think that it speeds up, but in reality that is the way this particular strip dance is supposed to be.
1938JimmyDurante-NRA_clip.mp4
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:49
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # #
N.R.A. Featurette (1938)
Sang by Jimmy Durante.
1939Ca-ALittleRobinToldMeSo.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:01:57
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
A Little Robin Told Me So (1939 circa)
Sang by The Three Canadian Capers.
They're doing everything! The conductor can play the piano, and the Three Canadian Capers (not to be confused with the Health Food Store) play instruments and sing! The song is ok, but their voices are a little laughable.
1939Ca-SameOldStory.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:21
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
Same Old Story (1939 circa)
Singer unknown.
A nice pleasant Soundie from the 1930's. The vocalist is good, but needs better direction in his appearance as he is too stiff. The plesant tune is played very well by the musicians on the duo pianos.
1939JackTeagarden-OldRockin'Chair.mpg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:01:22
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # #
Old Rockin' Chair (1939)
Performed by the Jack Teagarden's Orchestra
Jack Teagarden's Orchestra from 1939 featuring Hoagy Carmichael singing his famous song Old Rockin' Chair.
1939JackTeagarden-LazyBones.mpg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:00:51
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # #
Lazy Bones (1939)
Performed by the Jack Teagarden's Orchestra
Jack Teagarden's Orchestra in this short clip featuring an old lazy Afro-American actor.
1940Ca-HawaianHulaSong.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:01:51
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
Hawaian Hula Song (1940 circa)
Pretty standard soundie here with a hawaiian guitar artist, a slide guitarist, and a somewhat attractive soloist.
1940Ca-HeavenHelpASailorOnANightLikeThis.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:35
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
Heaven Help a Sailor on a Night Like This (1940 circa)
Pretty average song (I'm sure this could be classified as a "drinking song") which features an old sailor explaining to some new sailors about the time he was shipwrecked on an island of native girls! You can imagine the sexism on display here, but it's somewhat fun. Watch the girl on the right side poking the old sailor, then how the girl on the left kisses him, like she doesnt want to get her lipstick smeared!
1940Ca-InAShantyInAOldShantyTown.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:24
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
In a Shanty in a Old Shanty Town (1940 circa)
Performed by Johnny Long and his Orchestra
This is Johnny Long and his Orchestra performing one of their big hits. This band was very popular in the 1940s and developed a style where the band became a chorus on almost every performance. In the 40's the vocal was usually done by a featured vocalist who only sang the chorus after the band had played the verse and perhaps even the first chorus. So using the band members as a chorus gave Johnny Long a distrinctive sound for his group.
1940Ca-OneLookAtYou.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:27
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
One Look at You (1940 circa)
Performed by Del Casino and his Orchestra.
Another popular song of the early 1940's well sung by Del Casino. The model was cute.
1940Ca-RegKehoe-MarimbaQueens.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:27
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
Reg Kehoe and his Marimba Queens (1940 circa)
That cool guy playing the bass was none other than the one and only Frank Di Nunzio Sr. of Hersey,Pa.
He played his stand bass up til he was in his early 90's. Sadly he passed away in February 2005.
1941caCabCallowayMinniethe.avi
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:43
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # #
Minnie the Moocher (1941 circa)
Performed by Cab Calloway and his Orchestra
Cab's classic in a very slow an bluesy version. Great vocal improvisations.
1941ca-MexicanHatDance.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:00
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
Mexican Hat Dance (1941 circa)
In a totally surreal soundie, a mexican mariachi singer sings a lovely song to a pretty senorita. He then throws his hat on to to the ground and she then performs a pretty standard Mexican hat dance (with the patented Soundie underwear glimpses) she does a couple of high kicks... interesting move there, and then LITERALLY walks next door to... a soundstage!!! Where on earth in Mexico can you find an adobe house right next to a soundstage with a full mariachi orchestra? She then takes her tambourine and does a MEAN tune with it.
1941ca-SweetSue-Just You.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:03:07
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
Sweet Sue (Yust You) (1941 circa)
Performed by Six Hits & A Miss and the all-women Lorraine Page Orchestra.
The song's words & music by Will Harris & Victor Young
The song grows on you after a while. The dance sequences are memorable as are the girl's costumes.
The song is pretty standard (actually, it's a fairly fun song) and the soundie is fun as usual, with lots of dancing girls in short skirts, some rather curious male dancers (why ARE they holding out their hand? for her snot rag?) and a pretty good, but unspectacular singer. But what makes this soundie REALLY interesting is the beginning. The song appears to start in the middle, and then somewhat ends curiously in a fade out, then it starts up again. We then see the whole song.. But hold on! Comparing the two "end" scenes, we can clearly see that these two ends are different, so was the beginning an outtake? We'll never know, and that's what makes this soundie a cut above the rest.
1941Ca-TheHutSutSong.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:44
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
The Hut Sut Song (1941 circa)
Performed by the King's Men
In this short the King's Men, a singing quartet of some note, drive their fellow lodgers to distraction by sing a catchy nonsense song and get themselves committed as a result.
The founder of the group, Ken Darby, went on to be a major musical figure in Hollywood, winning 3 Oscars.
1941ca-Casanova.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:38
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
Casanova (1941 circa)
The half-half costumes in this one are just great, especially the front/back one at the end. Truly bizarre and pleasantly creepy - a bit of a Cabaret feel to it somehow. I was intrigued with how 'Casanova' keeps pressing the girl's hand into his crotch as they sit canoodling on the bench, as she sings about how he'll have to marry her if he wants a kiss.
1941Ca-LullabyOfBrodway.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:39
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
Lullaby of Brodway (1941 circa)
Performed by The Mel-Tones
The union of Torme and the Mel-Tones was created from fortuitous circumstances. Drummer/band leader Ben Pollack, who was the Chico Marx band organizer/manager at the time, must be credited as the matchmaker. He brought Torme together with these five Los Angeles City College students, who had billed themselves as "The School Kids," singing informally in and around the campus environs. Their respective needs meshed as the group's bass singer and vocal arranger Tom Kenny was headed for a US Army uniform. Torme arrived on the scene as if on cue, and the first edition of the group was launched with Bernie Parke, Diz Disruhd, Betty Beveridge, and Ginny O'Connor, plus Torme who doubled as arranger. Later Disruhd became another wartime draftee and was replaced by Les Baxter (whose reputation in future years as a composer/ arranger elevated him to the heavy talent ranks in the industry).
They assumed a fresh name, "The Skylarks," which failed to achieve more than a modicum of success. They then tried the label "The Mel-Tones," which caught on as the key name for them and indeed, they flourished as the hippest modern-sounding vocal group-appearing in several motion pictures and numerous sustaining radio shows. They ultimately expanded their name to Mel Torme and the Mel-Tones in recognition of Torme's dual role as the arranger and solo vocalist. As fate would often dictate, just when things were cooking and popping, Torme also inevitable answered the call to the Armed Services in 1945, and the group broke up.
1941Ca-OnceInAWhile.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:50
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
Once in a While (1941 circa)
Singer unknown
A very popular early 1940's song. The youthful tenor has a pleasant voice and an excellent relaxed personality. I like his acting response to the woman (who looks kind of silly in her static pose) sitting next to him. It's surprising he didn't become famous. I wonder what happened to him.
1941Ca-RamblingWreckFromGeorgiaTech.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:00:50
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
Rambling Wreck from Georgia Tech (1941 circa)
Performed by The Gordonairs of Fred Waring's Pennsylvanians and The University Chorus.
Rousing song, with a somewhat ribald soundie for it. It shows a shameless party going on, with beer, babes and song! Everyone gets up and dances and chugs away! One man goes to the washroom! One wonders who this soundie was made for, except for the fellows at the said college.
1941Ca-RowRowRow.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:34
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
Row Row Row (1941 circa)
Singer unknown
Song from the Broadway show "Ziegfield Follies Of 1912" Composed by William Jerome and James V. Monaco.
Clever version of the song. Nicely performed. Good vocal and orchestra.
1941Ca-TicaTiTicaTa.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:56
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
Tica Ti Tica Ta (1941 circa)
Performed by Ginger Harmon and the Mercer Brothers.
This is a charming little soundie--though a little patronizing to Latin culture, as you might expect. The dancing is good, and the tune is catchy.
1941Havana-MadridShow.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:05:36
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
Havana-Madrid Show (1941)
Pefformed by Maya's Pan-American Orchestra with Carlos and Zedra.
Shake, shake, shake, señora! A latin-flavoured soundie with hot rhumba action and listless bandleaders morosely shaking maracas. Flamenco trousers alert! Hoochie-coochie Carmen Miranda wannabe chicky-booms her way through the second Soundie. Not the most brilliant, but an interesing precursor to the music video era.
1941-ICantGiveYouAnythingButLove.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:41
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
I Can't Give You Anything But Love (1941)
Performed by Carolyn Marsh with Ray Bloch and his Orchestra.
An old standard, and great band. We have to remember, in the 40's this was a state of the art "music video" - no special effects and no head banging or break dancing. It was a simpler time featuring songs with memorable lyrics and a recognizable beat to dance to. Perhaps our tastes have become too sophisticated. This soundie is good, clean entertainment.
1941-AJazzEtude.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:49
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
A Jazz Etude (1941)
Danced by Billy Burt.
This soundie has some odd staging, and takes place on a very dark set. The first thing I thought when the tap dancer came out was: "Whoa--where's his body?" It's that dark. The lighting is pretty creative though; it makes the performers' hands, faces, and instruments stand out.
Add that to a fast paced unpredictable bit of piano jazz, and you've got one really surreal soundie.
1941Soundie-SusanMiller_DannyHector.mp4
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:42
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # #
Boogle Woogie (1941)
Directed by George B. Hesmond.
Band leader Susan Miller with Lorraine Paige, the Trumpeteers and Danny Hector.
1941-WhatThisCountryNeeds.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:33
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
What This Country Needs (1941)
Performed by The Singing Powers’ Models.
Features Jimmie Dodd.
Great song with a slight patriotic bent, 'Just what the country needs" features a guy (with a slight Hitler look) being upstaged by a pretty brunette. who says we need more kisses! More moonlight! More romance!! Everyone agrees and starts to sing along! Hoo-ray for Democracy!
1941AGayRanchero.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:47
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
A Gay Ranchero (1941).
Minoco Productions.
Performed by Noro Morales and his Orchestra.
This peppy soundie has Mexican stereotypes aplenty, as well as hot Latin rhythms. It tells the musical story of the love of a codependent wife for her worthless husband Pancho. It's all rather silly, but it's got rhythm.
1941Helzapoppin-Jam.mpg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:21
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # #
Swing Jam (from the movie) Helzapoppin' (1941)
Production: Universal Pictures
Surely one of the best Swing dance performance of the 40ies. Absolutely outstanding!!!
1941TenPrettyGirls-IllMakeYouMine.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:03:05
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
Ten Pretty Girls - I'll Make You Mine (1941)
Singer unknown
Eleven pretty girls, counting the vocalist.
Anonymous 'sweet' band with cute vocalist plays two hits from '37 - 'Ten Pretty Girls' written by Will Grosz & Jimmy Kennedy, followed by 'I'll Make You Mine' by the prolific & brilliant Sammy Cahn (Sinatra fans may recall he recorded it years later). There's a jump cut to a slick radiogram set which looks a bit pointless, or possibly a cheeky advert, until you realise they've used it to bridge two separate performances - the 'rehearsal' (note as with most soundies the film is reversed, as the sign near the band stand is backwards) and the performance; in the 2nd number the vocalist is now in a fancy dress and the band is all in black tie. Fun stuff!
1941ZigMeBabyWithAGentleZag.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:20
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
Zig Me Baby With a Gentle Zag (1941)
Features, among the others,Gai Moran and Danny Hocktor.
Not a bad song here, certainly lively enough and the 2 sure know how to dance.
1942ca-Stardust.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:45
Stardust (1942 circa)
Male vocalist: Harry Cool
Written By: Mitchell Parish, Hoagy Carmichael
The name of the singer is Harry Cool. No Joke, that's his real name. He was a Decca recording artist way back in the 1940s. This particular clip comes from the Castle Films Musical Collection called "Songs Of Romance." I do agree that he needs to get his hand out of his pocket and stop fidgeting with his ring! Other than that he has a plesant voice. The dancers are The June Taylor Dancers.
1942-GagsAndGals.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:08:26
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
Gags and Gals (1942)
This exercise in female objectification is actually a lot of fun. There are three soundies here. The first, “Male Order,” features women a guy can purchase on approval, who arrive in shipping cartons and dance in his living room. The second, “At Your Service,” is all about how women, specifically carhops at drive-ins, live to serve men, even to the point of wearing skimpy uniforms and dancing on car hoods so that the male customers can look up their dresses. The third soundie, “Playmates,” features grown women dressed up and acting like little girls, while singing the familiar playground song. The titillating quality of this gets pretty creepy after awhile, even though it’s obvious that these are grown women, especially when they bend way over to peek into rain barrels, so we can get a good look at their undies. Again, these soundies are appalling, but still lively and a great deal of fun. “At Your Service” has a great retro drive-in feel.
1942-LampOfMemory.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:00
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
Lamp of Memory (1941 circa)
Directed by Reginald Le Borg, stars Yvonne De Carlo.
Yvonne De Carlo, was quite a good singer dancer, as this short proves. Lamp of Memory is a nice little song, with a latin beat, Dicarlo falls asleep and dreams of dancing with a beautiful latin man (don't we all?) and soon wakes up. Bad edit comes as she concludes the song. This was a fun little soundie.
1943ca-AfroMood.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:05:14
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
Afro Mood Burlesque (1943 circa)
Performed by Amalia Aguillar
A burlesque short starring Amalia Aguilar.
Great music and a hot outstanding dancer!
1943-IDontWantToWalkWithoutYou.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:03:01
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
I Don't Want to Walk Without You (1943)
Featuring Kay Lorraine, Merle Pitt's Five Shades of Blue, and Frank Wilcox as the porter.
Once again, we have a soundie that shoves everything under the sun!
1) Female and effeminate singers, CHECK!
2) strange dancing CHECK!
3) Oldest College Graduates CHECK!
4) Black Stereotypes? CHECK! (but liked his dancing, and I can bet you those items were cemented to the tray)
It was an alright Soundie I guess.
1943OurTeacher.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:42
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
Our Teacher (1943)
Features Henny Youngman.
This is a song called "Our Teacher" sung by one liner king, Henny Youngman.
1943ChimeBells.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:03:07
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
Chime Bells (1943)
Performed by Rosalie Allie
Rosalie Allie yodels to her sailor boyfriend who is overseas during the war.
1944BeyondTheBlueHorizon.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:20
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
Beyond the Blue Horizon (1944)
Performed by The Three Suns.
A talented and lively trio. Nice showmanship, excellent musical arrangement.
1944GroovieMovie.mp4
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:09:17
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # #
Groovie Movie (1944)
Directed by Will Jason
Production Company: Metro-Goldwin-Mayer M.G.M.
Performed by: Jeanne Ohelps-Veloz, Charles Saggau, Pete Smith, Irene Thomas and Arthur Walsh
A talented and lively group of Lindy-Hop dancers . Nice showmanship, excellent musical arrangement.
1945GotToBeThisOrThat.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:23
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
Got to Be This or That (1945)
Performed by Emil Coleman and His Orchestra, vocal by June Barton.
The band has a nice sound. Decent arrangement. Great singer.
1945Ca-JangoReinhard_hot-club.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:03:52
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # #
J'Attenndrai ("I Will Wait") (1945 Circa)
Performed by Jango Reinhard and his Quintet of The Hot Club of France
Here's a cool short film of the great Gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt and his Quintet of the Hot Club of France performing J'Attenndrai ("I Will Wait") A newsreel-style announcer introduces the band as they lounge around a room, smoking and playing cards while a young Django and Stephane Grappelli lightly jam. Then it goes into a full blown performance of the Quintet. You can get a good view of Django's fret hand, which had two damaged fingers from a fire he suffered when he was eighteen. Despite his permanent hand injury, Django went on to be one of the main innovators of using the guitar as a melody instrument, along with Charlie Christian, Lonnie Johnson and Sister Rosetta Tharpe.
1945TheHouseILiveIn.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:06:30
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
The House I Live In (1945)
Featuring Frank Sinatra
Produced by: RKO Radio Pictures
Frank Sinatra is known for his roles as a thug, a gangster, a bank robber, a murderer. He reportedly had connections to the mafia in real life. His father was, after all, Italian. What we don't think of Sinatra as is a uniter of people from different faiths.
In this short film, Sinatra sings some campy songs that should only exist in the 1940s. Between songs, he stops a gang of young boys from beating up a young Jewish boy. He encourages them to be friends with him because "religion doesn't matter" and reminds the kids when they get blood from the blood bank it comes from Jews and blacks. He also tells how Americans of different faiths have joined together to defeat the "jap menace".
Would this film work today? Probably not. But it's still enjoyable and a fun little romp in the park. If you want to learn about solidarity in the 1940s, or just love Frank Sinatra, check it out. Recommended, even if it is distributed by the Anti-Defamation League.
1946Ca-Surrender.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:30
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
Surrender (1946 circa)
Performed by Perry Como. (?)
A sweet and lovely song. This must be Perry Como, probably in the year 1946.
1946ToHearYourBanjoPlay.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:17:24
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
To Hear Your Banjo Play (1946)
Distribution Company: Creative Age Films
Produced and Directed by Irving Lerner and Willard Van Dyke
Featuring Peter Seeger, Woodie Guthrie, Baldwin Hawes, Sonny Terry, Brownie Mc Ghee, Texas Gladden and the Margot Mayo's American Square Dance Group
What a unique picture of America this shows! A capture in black and white film of how Country Music was, before the refinement through commercialization removed the very raw edge that made it music of the people for the people.
Altough some of it is stagemanaged (and there is nothing wrong with that) clips of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, Step Dancing and Square Dancing make this a wonderful slice of Folk History in America.
1947-BoyWhatAGirl.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 01:10:59
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
Bpy! What a Girl (1947)
Director: Arthur H. Leonard
Producer: Jack Golberg - Arthur H. Leonard
Production Company: Herald Pictures
Great music and dancing in this movie which deserves to be better known.
1947-BoyWhatAGirl-Excerpts-Dance.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:01:11
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # #
1947 Excerpt from the movie "Boy! What a Girl". Lindy Hop dancers.
1947-BoyWhatAGirl-Excerpts-AnnCornell.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:37
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # #
1947 Excerpt from the movie "Boy! What a Girl". Ann Cornell sings "Crazy Riffin'".
1947-BoyWhatAGirl-Excerpts-Harlemaniacs.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:04
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # #
1947 Excerpt from the movie "Boy! What a Girl". The Harlemaniacs performing "Oh Me. Oh My. Oh Gosh!"
1947-BoyWhatAGirl-Excerpts-CatlettKrupa.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:21
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # #
1947 Excerpt from the movie "Boy! What a Girl". Gene Krupa appears in this clip with another fabulous drummer, "Big" Sid Catlett. Krupa performs, with the Sid Catlett's Band, "Just a Riff".
1947-TheFabulousDorseys.avi
Available on DVD
Run Time: 01:28:00
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # #
The Fabulous Dorseys (1947)
Director: Alfred E. Green
Producer: Charles R. Rogers
Production Company: Embassy Productions
Distributed by: United Artists
If you are a fan of big band swinging music, this is your ticket. Was this a true account of these talented musicians who, the film would have us believe, acted as brotherly as 2 enemies? Who knows, but the story and all the old tunes are highly enjoyable.
1948Ca-MarchOfTime-NewOrleans.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:11:34
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
March of Time - New Orleans (1948 circa)
The trombone player is Wendell Eugene, still alive and active in music.
The trumpet man is Thomas Jefferson.
1948Short-MusicalVariety-Nov-Dec.mp4
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:10:12
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
Musical Varieties (1948)
Starring Rosemary Lane, Johnny Downs, Radio Rogues and the Eddie Le Barons Orchestra.
1951Daddy.mpeg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:02:41
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # # #
Daddy (1951)
With The Bobby Troup Trio and Virginia Maxey.
The Bobby Troup trio & Virgina Maxey (all excellent musicians) do a light and breezy rendition of the song, "Daddy," which Mr. Troup composed. Musical trios were especially popular in the early 1950's.
1955Rhythm-and-Blues-Revue.mpg
Available on DVD
Run Time: 01:11:25
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # #
Rhythm and Blues Revue (1955)
Director: Joseph Kohn, Leonard Reed
Producer: Ben Frye
Production Company: Studio Films Inc.
Musical variety show filmed at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, New York City in 1955, featuring a cast of popular African-American performers: Willie Bryant, Freddie Robinson, Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, Faye Adams, Bill Bailey, Herb Jeffries, Amos Milburn, Sarah Vaughan, Nipsey Russell, Big Joe Turner, Martha Davis, Little Buck, Nat 'King' Cole, Mantan Moreland, Cab Calloway, Freddy & Flo, The Lark, The Delta Rhythm Boys, Nipsy Russel and Ruth Brown. Almost all those artists were veterans of the many "Soundies" they recorded during WW ll.
1955TheHaircuts.mov
Available on DVD
Run Time: 00:05:43
Audio/Visual: Sound/ B&W Quality: # # # #
The Haircuts - So Rare and Flippin' (1955)
From the 1955 TV Show "The Show of Shows"
Legendary musical variety TV show excerpt, featuring The Haircuts (Sid Caesar, Carl Reiner and Howard Morris).
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8 titles of new available Musical Films and Clips added on May-29-2009
1942 Private Buckaroo - 67m
1942 Reet, Petite and Gone - 67m
1944 Dixie Jambouree - 59m
1946 Breakfast in Hollywood - 87m
1946 Soundie-Ooo La La - 3m
1947 Hi-Di-Do featuring Cab Calloway - 63m
1947 Soundie-Ina Rae Hutton - 16m
1948 Killer Diller featuring Nat King Cole - 73m
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Last update: June-07-2009
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