Harley Earl's LaSalle at Patent Room

I was feeling nostalgic, so I decided to take a stroll through the drawings at patentroom.com, where I came across this 1934 LaSalle design by General Motors' resident genius, Harley Earl.  For those who don't remember, LaSalle was a companion brand to Cadillac from the late 1920s into the early 1940s. 

Tough Guy Detectives on TCM Tuesday

Three great film noir detective stories air Tuesday on Turner Classic Movies.  Two feature different versions of Philip Marlow, two are shot from the main character's perspective, and two feature the ultimate tough-guy/babe combination of Bogey and Bacall.  All that in only three movies.  A special treat is Lauren Bacall singing "And Her Tears Flowed Like Wine" in The Big Sleep. 

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 (All times Central)
5:30am - Lady In The Lake (1947) - Philip Marlowe searches for a missing woman in this mystery shot entirely from the detective's viewpoint.  Cast: Robert Montgomery, Audrey Totter, Lloyd Nolan, Tom Tully Dir: Robert Montgomery BW-103 mins, TV-PG

1:00pm - The Big Sleep (1946) - Private eye Philip Marlowe investigates a society girl's involvement in the murder of a pornographer.  Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, John Ridgely, Martha Vickers Dir: Howard Hawks BW-114 mins, TV-PG

10:00pm - Dark Passage (1947) - A man falsely accused of his wife's murder escapes to search for the real killer.  Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Bruce Bennett, Agnes Moorehead Dir: Delmer Daves BW-106 mins, TV-PG

A Car Tune Portrait

From the Internet Archive, a 1937 Fleischer studios short that reminds me of some later Warner Bros. classical music-inspired animation:  A Car Tune Portrait.

After last weekend's Lindy Hop workshop and variety of various dance opportunities, the Red Hot Lindy Hop resumes its regular, weekly dance lesson and session tonight at the Rumba Room.

This Friday, November 20, 2009:

Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Free admission before 7:00 p.m., $5 after 7:00 p.m.
Free dance lesson at 7:00 p.m. with Kimmie and Jaredan, followed with music by special guest DJ Willow until 9:30 p.m.  Salsa at 9:30 p.m.

Dress like you are going out!

Rumba Room

303 South Main Street

Memphis, TN 38103

Playlist for November 18, 2009 - Johnny Mercer Birthday Special

Click HERE for the Swing Shift Shuffle playlist from last night's show.

Happy 100th Birthday Johnny Mercer!

On November 18, 1909, Johnny Mercer was born in Savannah, Georgia.  To say his songwriting career was prolific is a massive understatement.  He wrote hit songs from the 1930s through the 1960s, including "I'm An Old Cowhand" (1936), "G.I. Jive" (1944), "Satin Doll" (1958) and "Charade" (1963).  Remember "Moon River" from Breakfast at Tiffany's?  Happy Birthday Johnny! 

P.S. - The Swing Shift Shuffle will feature an all Johnny Mercer playlist tonight, so tune in at 6:00 p.m. Central on either 89.9 FM or wevl.org.

Soundie: The Hut Sut Song

If you ever hear anyone complain that the lyrics of "today's" music are unintelligible, bear in mind the very popular 1940's song featured in this soundie. From the Internet Archive, indisputable proof that there were always songs with silly lyrics:  The Hut Sut Song.

Since Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away, why not get started on your Christmas shopping early with some of the wonderful new products featured in this 1946 Modern Mechanix article.  For the music lover, the second page includes a 10 ounce, 3x6x3/4 inch pocket radio with earphones.  Bear in mind this was 60 years before the iPod, and it used actual radio tubes. 

Superman: The Mad Scientist

This 1941 Superman short from the Internet Archive provides a brief origin story for the man of steel, in addition to the usual adventure.

Nice Movie Mix on TCM Saturday

Turner Classic Movies is airing a nice variety of films tomorrow, including the following four classic gems.  I have not The Fighting Sullivans, but I can vouch for the others as excellent; from the British Empire adventure of Gunga Din, to the patriotic wartime espionage suspense of Saboteur, to the feel good, socially conscious cuteness of Jean Arthur in The Devil and Miss Jones. 

Saturday, November 14, 2009 (All times Central)
7:00 AM The Fighting Sullivans (1944) - During WWII, five brothers enlist in the Navy and are assigned to serve on the same ship. Cast: Anne Baxter, Thomas Mitchell, Ward Bond. Dir: Lloyd Bacon. BW-111 mins, TV-G, CC

3:30 PM Gunga Din (1939) - Three British soldiers seek treasure during an uprising in India. Cast: Cary Grant, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Victor McLaglen. Dir: George Stevens. BW-117 mins, TV-PG, CC, DVS

7:00 PM Saboteur (1942) - A young man accused of sabotage goes on the lam to prove his innocence. Cast: Robert Cummings, Priscilla Lane, Norman Lloyd. Dir: Alfred Hitchcock. BW-109 mins, TV-PG, CC

2:30 AM The Devil and Miss Jones (1941) - A department store owner goes undercover as an employee to thwart union activists. Cast: Jean Arthur, Charles Coburn, Robert Cummings. Dir: Sam Wood. BW-92 mins, TV-G, CC