The Swing Shift Shuffle is a radio program of swing, big band, jazz, boogie woogie and other popular music from the 1930's and 40's that airs every Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. (US Central Time) on WEVL 89.9 FM in Memphis, Tennessee, with a live webcast at wevl.org. In addition to the radio show, this blog is dedicated to all aspects of the Swing Era, including art, automobiles, cartoons, comics, history, movies, music, news, science, technology, and anything else that happened during that time. It also includes announcements about events in the Memphis/Mid-South area related to the Swing Era, such as classic movies, concerts, dances, lectures, etc. If you see something that fits the description, send it to me at tim@wevl.org. If you would like more information about the radio show, just go to the Radio Show FAQ page.

Thursday, March 31, 2016

TCM In April

Judy Garland
The Hollywood Revue's monthly preview of programming on Turner Classic Movies is out again, and April promises some great films.  Judy Garland is the Star of the Month, with her movies on Friday nights.  On Monday nights, the spotlight will be on the Best of the Barrymores with films featuring John, Lionel, and Ethel Barrymore.  There is also a series called "From Caligari to Hitler," focusing on films from Germany’s Weimar era, which will run on Wednesday nights starting April 13th.

Sunrise Serenade: Song Of India

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Song Of India" by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Playlist For March 30, 2016

The playlist for the March 30, 2016 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has now been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

April Fool's Day Hop!

The Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session continues at the Rumba Room this Friday night.  Free beginner lesson at 7:00 p.m.  Free admission before 7:00 and $5 thereafter.    
303 South Main
Memphis, TN 38103

The University of Memphis RHLH chapter hosts a free beginner swing dance lesson every Monday (except school holidays) in Field House.  Beginner lesson at 7:30 p.m.  More information here

The Tiger Rag lessons and guided practice sessions are back at the Madison Dance Studio in Minglewood Plaza, 1555 Madison Ave Memphis, TN 38104.  Learn more and register here

Sunrise Serenade: I'm Getting Sentimental Over You

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You" by Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Sunrise Serenade: The Two Little Squirrels (Nuts To You)

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "The Two Little Squirrels (Nuts To You)" by Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Monday, March 28, 2016

Sunrise Serenade: Dr. Heckle And Mr. Jibe

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Dr. Heckle And Mr. Jibe" by the Dorsey Brothers with Johnny Mercer on vocals.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.

Friday, March 25, 2016

Humpty Dumpty And Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!  In this 1935 animated short by Ub Iwerks, Humpty Dumpty, Jr. and his girl Easter Egg escape a villianous "Bad Egg" by falling into a pot of hot water, thus becoming "hard boiled" characters.  (Rimshot).  From the Internet Archive, here is Humpty Dumpty

Sunrise Serenade: Easter Parade

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was perfectly timed for once.  It was "Easter Parade" by Harry James and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Wartime Cinema


The National World War II Museum posted this article about "Wartime War Movies," meaning not just films about the war, but films about the war that were made during the war.  The item lists "the usual suspects," including among others, Casablanca, Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo, and Bataan, which I have actually not seen. 

Sunrise Serenade: Louisville, KY

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Louisville, KY" by Ella Fitzgerald.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Playlist For March 23, 2016

The playlist for the March 23, 2016 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has now been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

Start Easter Weekend With A Hop On Good Friday

The Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session continues at the Rumba Room this Friday night.  Free beginner lesson at 7:00 p.m.  Free admission before 7:00 and $5 thereafter.  Lesson by Keenan and Joy with music by DJ Ben.  
303 South Main
Memphis, TN 38103

The University of Memphis RHLH chapter hosts a free beginner swing dance lesson every Monday (except school holidays) in Field House.  Beginner lesson at 7:30 p.m.  More information here

The Tiger Rag lessons and guided practice sessions are back at the Madison Dance Studio in Minglewood Plaza, 1555 Madison Ave Memphis, TN 38104.  Learn more and register here

Sunrise Serenade: The Mood That I'm In

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "The Mood That I'm In" by Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Brussells, Belgium

Flag of Belgium.svg When the terror attacks struck Paris in November, many people (including me) posted the famous scene from Casablanca featuring the French national anthem, La Marseillaise.  Now that Brussels, Belgium has been similarly struck, the fact that I am unfamiliar with any classic movie featuring the Belgian national anthem, La Brabançonne, will not prevent me from posting something in support of the people of Brussels and Belgium.  In searching for something appropriate, I discovered an interesting story from World War II that is very worthy of retelling at this time. 

In the waning days of World War II, after the German commander in Paris surrendered, the Allies turned toward the liberation of Belgium.  In Brussels, the Germans had imprisoned 1500 political prisoners and some 50 Allied airmen in the main prison.  By September 1, 1945, the prisoners were celebrating their apparently imminent release.  The German commander of Belgium, General Jungclaus, however, had other ideas.  He ordered the prisoners shipped to Germany by train.  Thus begins the story of the "Phantom Train." 

The following excerpt is from WWII Netherlands Escape Lines, a site dedicated to the history of aid given to Allied airmen by the resistance in Belgium, France and The Netherlands. 
When the assistant stationmaster arrived for work early that morning he realized what was happening and ordered that the train’s departure must be delayed by every possible means.  The engine’s oil pump was torn out and two successive engineers were made unavailable to take out the train, one having deliberately injured himself.  While the packed train sat in the station, a railway worker, out of sight of the SS guards, tapped on the sides of the cattle cars, and whispered to the prisoners, “Don’t worry, you won’t cross the frontier.”
When the train finally did get underway, in the middle of the afternoon on Sep. 2, it was only because SS guards had guns at the head of the third engineer.  But railway workers ensured that signals were always red; another train blocked its way; railway signalmen forced it onto a siding; the fireman blew the whistle so much that steam power was lost; and so on.  It took eight hours to go to Malines, a town only twelve miles north of Brussels, where the German plans called for picking up a load of Jews.  But the engineer devised another delay.  Pretending that the engine needed more water, and knowing that the water tower at Malines was destroyed, he convinced the guards into letting him divert the train to another town, Muizen, where the train spent the night of Sep. 2-3.  By now the Nazi officials had no idea where the train was.
Meanwhile, diplomats from neutral nations had been pleading with Gen. Jungclaus to allow the return of the train.  He refused until the Resistance relayed a warning to him that unless it was returned, they would attack German hospital trains carrying wounded German soldiers.  He finally relented.
On Sep. 3 the “Phantom Train” returned to Brussels where International Red Cross workers freed the prisoners. Fifteen hundred people had been saved.  The British Army liberated Brussels on Sep. 4.  As the train passed through Brussels, prisoners saw Belgian flags draped from balconies in defiance of the Nazis.  The prisoners broke into song, singing La Brabançonne, the Belgian National Anthem.
This story seems an appropriate tribute to the resilience of the Belgian people, both then and now.

Sunrise Serenade: Riffin' The Scotch

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Riffin' The Scotch" by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra featuring Billie Holiday on vocal.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Monday, March 21, 2016

"Hope-Less" Bob Hope

Like last week, here is another bio-comic from 1947, but this time, our hero is none other than Bob Hope.  Absent this comic, I would have never known that Hope tried professional boxing for a time.  Posted on Four Color Shadows.

Sunrise Serenade: Harlem Air Shaft

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Harlem Air Shaft" by Duke Ellington and his Orchestra.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.

Friday, March 18, 2016

The Wearing Of The Grin

As a belated Happy Saint Patrick's Day wish, here is Porky Pig's adventure with the Little People from the Old Sod.  From DailyMotion (pardon the ad), enjoy The Wearing Of The Grin.

Looney Toons - The Wearing of Grin by JomJul

Sunrise Serenade: Posin'

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Posin'" by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Sunrise Serenade: Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby" by Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Playlist For March 16, 2016

The playlist for the March 16, 2016 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has now been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

G.I. Jive

Dull Tool Dim Bulb posted this photo of a G.I. enjoying some barrack-room music from Columbia records in the 1940s.

Sunrise Serenade: Always True To You In My Fashion

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Always True To You In My Fashion" by Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Live Music At The Lindy Hop


Live music returns to the Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session at the Rumba Room this Friday night with Earl Lowe and Friends.  Free beginner lesson at 7:00 p.m.  Admission $7.  Lesson by Isaiah and Brooke with music by DJ Brooke during the band breaks.  
303 South Main
Memphis, TN 38103

The University of Memphis RHLH chapter hosts a free beginner swing dance lesson every Monday (except school holidays) in Field House.  Beginner lesson at 7:30 p.m.  More information here

The Tiger Rag lessons and guided practice sessions are back at the Madison Dance Studio in Minglewood Plaza, 1555 Madison Ave Memphis, TN 38104.  Learn more and register here

Sunrise Serenade: Nagasaki

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Nagasaki" by the Benny Goodman Sextet.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Monday, March 14, 2016

The Head Black Sheep

As a kid, one of my favorite shows was "Baa, Baa Black Sheep" (the original title of what later became "Black Sheep Squadron").  Robert Conrad played Major Greg "Pappy" Boyington, a real-life marine who led the USMC fighter squadron in the Pacific during WWII.  Thirty years earlier, Major Boyington appeared in this "true stories"-style comic published in 1947, and posted on Four Color Shadows.

Sunrise Serenade: Deed I Do

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Deed I Do" by Lena Horne.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Friday, March 11, 2016

Betty Boop: Old Man Of The Mountain

Here is an encore from 2012 with one of my favorite songs.  In this animated short from Fleischer Studios, Betty Boop and Cab Calloway team up for some musical mischief.  The lyrics in this version of "Old Man of the Mountain" differ somewhat from those of the popular recorded version of the song, in which the Old Man is more pleasant and less menacing.  From the Internet Archive, here is the 1933 cartoon, Old Man Of The Mountain.

Sunrise Serenade: Sepia Panorama

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Sepia Panorama" by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Chrysler Arsenal Of Democracy


I saw the subject of this post in the actual print version of Hemmings Motor News (yes, people still occasionally read print publications).  It directed me to the Chrysler Arsenal of Democracy video, a documentary about Chrysler's contribution to the war effort during World War II, including its production of the M3 Grant and M4 Sherman tanks. 

Sunrise Serenade: Tico Tico No Fuba

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Tico Tico No Fuba" by Oscar Aleman.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Paylist For March 9, 2016

The playlist for the March 9, 2016 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has now been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

Computers In World War II


As this post on the National World War II Museum blog points out, there are some who think of computers as relatively modern, digital electronic devices.  The post explains that computers, some of which were mechanical, were in wide use during World War II, from calculating air speed and firing ranges to breaking codes.  On that note, Turing's Bombe (pictured) is probably the most famous computer of the era.

Sunrise Serenade: Sweet Lucy Brown

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Sweet Lucy Brown" by the Mills Brothers.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

March Down To The Hop

The Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session continues at the Rumba Room this Friday night.  Free beginner lesson at 7:00 p.m.  Free admission before 7:00 and $5 thereafter.  Lesson by Mike and Josey with music by DJ Alexis.  
303 South Main
Memphis, TN 38103

The University of Memphis RHLH chapter hosts a free beginner swing dance lesson every Monday (except school holidays) in Field House.  Beginner lesson at 7:30 p.m.  More information here

The Tiger Rag lessons and guided practice sessions are back at the Madison Dance Studio in Minglewood Plaza, 1555 Madison Ave Memphis, TN 38104.  Learn more and register here

Sunrise Serenade: Anvil Chorus

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Anvil Chorus" by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Monday, March 7, 2016

Party Like It's 1939

She admits that most of the men looking for a woman with her approach to life are likely to be in their 90s or dead. Joanna is seen here in her dated sitting room
This story made the rounds in the UK last week, and you know it had to end up here.  I first saw it on the BBCJoanna Francis from Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, UK is so into the 1930's that, for the past ten years, she has lived as if it was 1939.  Her entire house was reconverted back to a WWII era dwelling, including removal of modern appliances and plumbing; and installation of an outside toilet and air raid shelter.  She wears period correct clothes, listens to period correct music, rides a bike, and bases her meals off WWII ration allowances.  The one thing missing from her life?  Apparently, a man.  Personally, I think after all this publicity, that problem may resolve in due time.  More photos from the story in The Daily Mail.

Sunrise Serenade: Anytime, Anyday, Anywhere

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Anytime, Anyday, Anywhere" by the Mills Brothers.  Enjoy the video below from YouTube.

Friday, March 4, 2016

The Corny Concerto

This encore from 2009 features another classic Warner Bros.' cartoon.  This one is a tribute/parody of Disney's Fantasia.  From the Internet Archive, here is the 1943 animated short, The Corny Concerto.

Sunrise Serenade: Julius Caesar

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Julius Caesar" by the Mills Brothers.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Thursday, March 3, 2016

TCM In March

Merle Oberon
Although I was delayed a few days in posting it, here is the monthly preview of programming on Turner Classic Movies from The Hollywood Revue.  Merle Oberon is the Star of the Month, with her films on Friday evenings.  There will also be a Thursday night series on movies condemned by the League of Decency, as well as a series on art and artists every Monday night. 

Sunrise Serenade: Sidekick Joe

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Sidekick Joe" by the Mills Brothers.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line