Playlist for March 31, 2010

The playlist for the March 31, 2010 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has just been added to the playlist filing cabinet.

Custom Duesenberg Hot Rod

Even though Duesenberg was out of business by the early 1940's, I cannot help but think it still took a lot of nerve to hot rod a Duesey.  The Hemmings blog had a post about this custom Duesenberg hot rod built by a car dealer apparently in the late 1940's. 

Sunrise Serenade: The Right Kind of Love

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "The Right Kind of Love" by the Four Vagabonds with Janette.  Click on the song title for the album page on emusic.  Sample clip at Track #10. 

Spring Into Lindy

The Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session continues this Friday night.  Free admission before 7:00 p.m., and $5 afterwards.  The lesson will be with Jaredan and Amanda, followed by music with DJ Jaredan. 

Dress like you are going out!

Rumba Room
303 South Main
Memphis, TN 38103

Sunrise Serenade: Fairy Tales (Reprise)

For the first time since I've been posting each morning's music, I experienced a rerun.  It was bound to happen eventually, and I'm surprised it took this long.  This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Fairy Tales" by Ella Fitzgeral and the Mills Brothers.  Click the song title for the album page on emusic. Sample clip at Track #20. The sample clip is only long enough to feature the Mills Brothers' section of the song, but you get the idea.

On This Day: Food Rationing Began

Among other events, The People History noted that food rationing began on March 29, 1943 in support of the American war effort during World War II.  Be thankful for the full shelves of everything at the grocery.  It was not always that way. 

29th March, 1943: The rationing of meat, cheese, butter and cooking oils goes into effect when Americans are given ration books allowing the purchase of a certain amount of meat, cheese, butter and cooking oils each month. This followed earlier rationing of gasoline.

Sunrise Serenade: Pell Mell

Nothing says "swing" like a base clarinet.  (?)  This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Pell Mell" by Les  Brown.  Click on the song title for the album page on emusic.  Sample clip at Track #11.

Fox Pop

Just goes to show what happens when one is too easily swayed by advertising.  From the Internet Archive:  Fox Pop. 

Weird Cartoon Art From 1950

I saw this item on Golden Age Comic Book Stories a few weeks back, and it reminded me that modern perceptions of past eras often overlook the unusual. When thinking of the late 1940's/early 1950's, the first images to one's mind might be very nostalgic, retro Ozzie & Harriet scenes.  This post featuring monthly images from the 1949-1950 Gnome Press Calendars demonstrates that quirky weirdness was alive and well in 1949.  My favorite was this "Revenge of the Turkey"-styled image for the month of November. 

Sunrise Serenade: C Jam Blues

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "C Jam Blues" by Duke Ellington and his Orchestra.  Click song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Stereo Photographs

Continuing the current trend of 3-D, The Boat Lullabies has been posting a series of amateur stereo photographs taken in the Salt Lake City, Utah area in the 1940's.  Stereo photographs appear as 3-D when viewed through a special lens.  The site displays the photos by rapidly alternating the left and right portions of each picture to show the three dimensional effect. 

Sunrise Serenade: Deep In The Heart Of Texas

I'm a bit late reporting today, but the Sunrise Serenade was "Deep In The Heart of Texas" by the Merry Macs.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Playlist for March 24, 2010

The playlist for the March 24, 2010 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has just been added to the playlist filing cabinet.

On This Day: Glenn Miller Started Production

From The People History:  On March 23, 1941, Glenn Miller began production on “Sun Valley Serenade.” This would be his first motion picture for the film company 20th Century Fox.

Sunrise Serenade: Organ Grinder's Swing

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Organ Grinder's Swing" by Bunny Berigan.  Click on the song title for the album page on emusic.  Sample clip at Track #23.

Sock Hop With Live Music on Thursday, Lindy Hop Friday

In addition to the regular Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session on Friday, there will be a Sock Hop Social with live music on Thursday at the U of M. 

Thursday, March 25, 2010:

Sock Hop Social
FREE!!! Dance and Lesson from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Live Band! Jeremy Shrader's Quintessentials
U of M Panhellenic Ballroom
More information at RedHotLindyHop.com. 

Friday, March 26, 2010:

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 Kirk and Kimmie followed by music with DJ Kimmie 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

Sunrise Serenade: I'm Going Mad For A Pad

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "I'm Going Mad for a Pad" by Anita O'Day and Stan Kenton. 

Ginger Rogers on TCM Wednesday

The Turner Classic Movies tribute to Ginger Rogers continues Wednesday evening with several of her films from the mid to late 1930's that include a "Who's Who" of Golden Age Hollywood costars like James Stewart, Katherine Hepburn, David Niven, Lucille Ball, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., and Charles Coburn.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010 (All Times Central)

7:00pm Vivacious Lady (1937) After a whirlwind courtship, a nightclub singer has to adjust to her professor husband's conservative family.  Cast: Ginger Rogers, James Stewart, James Ellison, Beulah Bondi Dir: George Stevens BW-90 mins, TV-G

8:45pm Bachelor Mother (1939) A fun-loving shop girl is mistaken for the mother of a foundling. Cast: Ginger Rogers, David Niven, Charles Coburn, Frank Albertson Dir: Garson Kanin BW-82 mins, TV-G

10:15pm Stage Door (1937) Women at a theatrical boarding house try to make their big break happen. 
Cast: Katharine Hepburn, Ginger Rogers, Adolphe Menjou, Gail Patrick Dir: Gregory LaCava BW-92 mins, TV-G

12:00am Having Wonderful Time (1938) A New York girl finds love at a summer resort.  Cast: Ginger Rogers, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Peggy Conklin, Lucille Ball Dir: Alfred Santell BW-70 mins, TV-G

1:15am Fifth Avenue Girl (1939) To annoy his family, a millionaire hires an out-of-work girl to pose as a gold digger.  Cast: Ginger Rogers, Walter Connolly, Verree Teasdale, James Ellison Dir: Gregory La Cava BW-83 mins, TV-G

2:45am In Person (1935) A movie star runs off to the mountains for an incognito vacation.  Cast: Ginger Rogers, George Brent, Alan Mowbray, Grant Mitchell Dir: William A. Seiter BW-87 mins, TV-G

Sunrise Serenade: Louisiana Hayride

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Louisiana Hayride" by the Boswell Sisters.  Click on the song title for the album page on emusic.  Sample clip at Track #8.

Superman: The Bulleteers

Time to bring back the Man of Steel.  From 1942 and the Internet Archive, Superman in The Bulleteers. 

Top Ten Serials by Studio

Over on Todd's Serial Experience blog, he posted lists of his favorite serials by studio.  He started with the top ten Republic serials, followed by series from Universal, Columbia, and Mascot/Independent studios.  I have seen several of the serials in each of his lists, and would have to agree.  I need to track down some of the others.

Sunrise Serenade: Swing Is The Thing

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Swing Is The Thing" by the Mills Brothers.  Click on the song title for the album page on emusic.  Sample clip at Track #9.

Fuel Efficiency vs. Firepower

Does someone else always get your favorite parking space?  Do other drivers cut you off in traffic?  Does your current vehicle leave you feeling unsafe?  Is the neighborhood association threatening military action because your grass is a 1/4" too high?  If you answered yes to any of the above, have I got a deal for you. 

Hop on over to the Hemmings blog for all the specs on this beautiful 1944 Sherman M4A2E8.  Granted, it is not the most fuel efficient transport available, but you will not have to worry about unintended acceleration, accidental airbag deployment or heavy machine gun fire. 

Sunrise Serenade: Air Conditioned Jungle

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Air Conditioned Jungle" by Duke Ellington and his Orchestra.  Click on the song title for the album page on emusic.  Sample clip at Disc 1, Track #8.

Playlist for March 17, 2010 - Saint Patrick's Day Special

The playlist for the March 17, 2010 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has just been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  Although not every song was Irish-related, there was at least one song of Erin in every set. 

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!  In addition to being the feast day in honor of the patron saint of Ireland, here are a few other historical events for which March 17 is known:

1919:  Birthday of Nathaniel Adams Coles a/k/a Nat King Cole

1949:  The first car with a Porsche badge is shown at the Geneva Auto Show

More information on this day in history at The People History.

Sunrise Serenade: Are You All Reet?

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Are You All Reet?" by Cab Calloway.  Click on song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Lindy Hop Guest DJ and Live Music

Big thanks to the Red Hot Lindy Hop folks for inviting me to DJ last Friday!  We had a blast, and hopefully everyone's sense of rhythm will recover from some of the tunes I inflicted on them.  The lessons and sessions continue at the Rumba Room this Friday, with another guest DJ, Jeff Miller of Virginia Beach. 

This Friday, March 19, 2010:

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 Kirk and Erin followed by music by special guest DJ Jeff Miller 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

On March 25, 2010, there will be a Sock Hop Social at the U of M featuring Jeremy Shrader's Quintessentials.  More information at RedHotLindyHop.com. 

Sunrise Serenade: The Song Is Ended

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "The Song Is Ended" by the Mills Brothers with Louis Armstrong.  Click on the song title for the album page on emusic.  Sample clip at Track #5.

Flash Gordon Buck Rogers Books

Golden Age Comic Book Stories posted a collection of Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers book covers from "The Better Little Book" series between 1934-1945.  There is some classic Golden Age Sci-Fi artwork in this set. 

Sunrise Serenade: Harlem Air Shaft

Thanks to Daylight Saving Time, today's Sunrise Serenade actually started at sunrise!  It was "Harlem Air Shaft" by Duke Ellington and his Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

The Dover Boys (or, the Rivals of Roquefort Hall)

Here is one of my favorite Chuck Jones cartoons.  From the Internet Archive, its the 1946 animated short, The Dover Boys. 

Daredevils of 1930

Dull Tool Dim Bulb posted a series of daredevil photographs from 1930, featuring the untimely demise of several never-to-be antique sedans and/or hot rods.  The safety equipment in those days appeared to be simply quick reflexes, as the gentlemen at in the photo demonstrated.

Playlist for March 10, 2010

The Swing Shift Shuffle playlists are back!  Click HERE for the filing cabinet where the playlists will be stored.  At the moment, the cabinet contents are just the March 10, 2010 show, but older show playlists will be filed soon, as will playlists for future shows. 

Sunrise Serenade: Deep Henderson

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Deep Henderson" by Ambrose and his Orchestra.  Click on the song title for the album page on emusic.  Sample clip at Disc 2, Track #9.

World War II Naval Dazzle & Camouflage

The Make: blog posted not one, but two interesting items about naval camouflage.  The first addressed "dazzle camouflage" which was intended not to hide the ship, but instead confuse optically operated rangefinders regarding the vessel's type, size, speed and heading.

The second posting featured a warship that eluded the Japanese fleet in 1942 camouflaged as tropical island.

Playlists Will Return!

In case you are wondering where the Swing Shift Shuffle playlists have gone, never fear.  I am moving the playlists to a new location that will be open soon.  In the meantime, if you have a question about something I played on the show, just e-mail me at tim@wevl.org.  Thanks for listening and your patience!

Sunrise Serenade: I Want to Rock

Just as a reminder that the musical term "rock" was around well before Elvis or the Beatles, today's Sunrise Serenade was "I Want to Rock" by Cab Calloway and his Orchestra in 1942.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Honoring the WASP

In 1942, the U.S. armed forces had a shortage of trained pilots, so they began training women to fly military aircraft in non-combat missions, which freed the male pilots for combat duty.  A story on NPR reveals that now, after years of relative obscurity, the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) are finally getting the recognition they deserve.

Sunrise Serenade: Fairy Tales

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Fairy Tales" by Ella Fitzgerald and the Mills Brothers.  Click the song title for the album page on emusic.  Sample clip at Track #20.  The sample clip is only long enough to feature the Mills Brothers' section of the song, but you get the idea. 

Yours Truly to DJ at the Red Hot Lindy Hop

The folks from Red Hot Lindy Hop graciously invited me to be a guest DJ at the weekly lesson and session at the Rumba Room this Friday.  Radio not being the most visual medium, it will be an interesting experience to watch people listening (and dancing) to the music I play. 

This Friday, March 12, 2010:

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 Mike and Amanda followed by music with Yours Truly 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

Sunrise Serenade: Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me" by Count Basie and his Orchestra.  Click on the song title for the album page on emusic.  Sample clip at Track #7.

There She Is, Miss America - Fighting Nazis?

Who knew Captain America had a female counterpart?  I certainly did not until I saw Pappy's Golden Age Comics post about Miss America.  I can imagine that beauty pagent schedule:  1) talent competition; 2) evening gown competition; 3) Axis fighting; 4) swimsuit competition; etc.

Sunrise Serenade: I'm Beginning to See the Light

Today's Sunrise Serenade was (appropriately enough) "I'm Beginning to See the Light" by Ella Fitzgerald and the Ink Spots.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Betty Boop: A Song A Day

From the Internet Archive, Betty Boop cares for sick animals in A Song A Day (1936).

Alice in Wonderland (1933) Cary Grant, Gary Cooper, W.C. Fields

Boing Boing posted about the DVD release of the 1933 version of Alice in Wonderland, starring Cary Grant, Gary Cooper and W.C. Fields.  There have been many more film versions of this story than I was aware, but this particular adaptation, in addition to featuring some of the royalty of Golden Age Hollywood, had the endorsement of Alice Liddell.  Ms. Liddell was the woman for whom Lewis Carroll wrote the original stories when she was a child, in other words, the real "Alice". 

Sunrise Serenade: Doin' What Comes Naturally

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Doin' What Comes Naturally" by Dinah Shore.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Smokin' Ida Lupino

Film Noir Photos posted this 1947 photo of Ida Lupino practicing a folk dance with Director Peter Godfrey on the set of Escape Me Never.  This image leads to me ask the question:  Could anyone ever do anything in the 1940's without smoking?  One would think a smoldering cigarette in one's hand might make dancing difficult, if not dangerous. 

Sunrise Serenade: Leap Frog

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Leap Frog" by Les Brown and his Band of Reknown.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Playlist for March 3, 2010

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

Hattie McDaniel

Since the Oscars are this weekend, I thought it would be appropriate to point out a very interesting article on actress Hattie McDaniel on TCM's Movie Morlocks blog.  Best known for her portrayal of "Mammy" in Gone With The Wind, Ms. McDaniel was a strong and sparkling personality.  She was the first African-American to win an Academy Award, beating Hollywood superstar and GWTW costar Olivia De Havilland for best actress.  She was also the first African-American woman to sing on radio in America.  Below is a clip from Thank Your Lucky Stars featuring her singing talents in "Ice Cold Katie." 

Sunrise Serenade: Smoke Rings

Apologies for not posting today's Sunrise Serenade until midday, but computer problems happen.  This morning's song was "Smoke Rings" by the Mills Brothers.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Lindy Hop Friday

The weekly Red Hot Lindy Hop lessons and sessions continue at the Rumba Room this Friday.

This Friday, March 5, 2010:

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 Jaredan and Becky followed by music with DJ Jaredan until 9:30 p.m.  Salsa at 9:30 p.m.

Dress like you are going out!

Next week, yours truly will be the DJ. 

Rumba Room

303 South Main Street

Memphis, TN 38103

Sunrise Serenade: World on a String

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "I've Got the World on a String" by the Spirits of Rhythm.  Click on the song title for the album page on emusic.  Sample clip at Track #4. 

Streamlined Swing Shift Shuffle

I am pleased to announce that swingshiftshuffle.com and the Swing Shift Shuffle blog have merged into one site.  All of the information on the original radio show website is now on this blog, including answers to frequently asked questions about the show, links, playlists, and of course, the blog.  You can now get all your SSS information in one place.  If I missed anything, just let me know by e-mail to tim@wevl.org.  Thanks for listening and for reading!

Depression Era Science Fiction

Golden Age Comicbook Stories posted a set of covers and advertising flyers from a science fiction series entitled Science Wonder Stories.  The covers in the post run from June 1929 to May 1930.  These offer an interesting glimpse into popular science fiction at the beginning of the Great Depression. 

Sunrise Serenade: Cuckoo in the Clock

The "Sunrise Serenade" is the music that happens to be running through my head when I wake up in the morning.  Today's serenade was "Cuckoo in the Clock" by Benny Goodman with Johnny Mercer on vocals.  Click on the song title to go to the album page on emusic.  Sample clip on Disc #2, Track #21.