January Turner Classic Movies Preview

As we approach the end of 2012, The Hollywood Revue serves up its monthly preview of movies on TCM in January 2013.  Loretta Young is the star of the month, in honor of her 100th birthday, with her films on Thursdays.  Tuesday nights will feature movies about large scale robberies, and TCM will celebrate Danny Kaye's 100th birthday on January 20 with 24 hours of his films. 

Dough For The Do-Do

Here is a cartoon I have not seen in some time. Porky Pig enters the Dali-esque surreality that is Wackyland in search of the last Do-Do. From the Internet Archive, here is the 1949 animated short, Dough For The Do-Do.

Sunrise Serenade: On The Atcheson, Topeka And The Santa Fe

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "On The Atcheson, Topeka And The Santa Fe" by Johnny Mercer.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Congo Jack

Apparently, Congo Jack was a big game hunter, who somehow ended up in a secret subterranian world ruled by "the green molemen."  Their queen, who was also of an emerald shade, took a liking to the "white man of the upper world."  Jealousy and trouble ensue.  Posted on Four Color Shadows.

Sunrise Serenade: Get On Board, Little Children

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Get On Board, Little Children" by Freddie Slack and His Orchestra featuring Ella Mae Morse on vocals.  Enjoy the video below from YouTube.

Playlist For December 26, 2012

The playlist for the Decmber 26, 2012 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has been added to the playlist filing cabinet. 

Hop Into The New Year

The Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session continues this Friday night at the Rumba Room.  Free admission and lesson before 7:00 p.m., and $5 cover at the door afterwards.  The lesson will be by Mike and Becky, with music by Bethany.  Dress like you are going out!

Rumba Room

303 South Main

Memphis, TN 38103

Sunrise Serenade: White Christmas

No doubt a result of predictions for winter weather in the Memphis area last night (which surprisingly came true), this morning's Sunrise Serenade was "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Merry Christmas!

From everyone here at the SSS. 

Peace On Earth

Yes, some of the imagery in this film seems a bit dark for a Christmas cartoon, but the message is always relevant.  Bear in mind, this short was released in 1939, when Europe was either on the brink of or already at war, the U.S. was not interested in reliving the horrors of World War I, and the Japanese had not yet attacked Pearl Harbor.  From the Internet Archive, here is Peace On Earth.

The SSS will be shutting down for the long holiday weekend, but will return to full production on December 26.  Until then, have a very Merry Christmas.

Sunrise Serenade: Let it Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow.

It will still be a while in Memphis before we see it (if at all), and the folks in the Midwest have too much of it, but this morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow" by Woody Herman and His Orchestra.  Enjoy the video below from YouTube.

It's The Law!

Another posting to show that nothing is really new.  There are numerous websites that mock apparently silly or outdated laws, but this May 1942 issue of American Magazine, posted on Modern Mechanix, was doing it well before the internet.  Frankly, I'll wager that many of the magazine's "interpretations" of the law turned a blind eye to context.  For example, the law supposedly prohibiting the use of water during a fire probably applied to everyone except the fire department, so fire fighters could have an adequate supply. 

Sunrise Serenade: Sleigh Ride

Today's Sunrise Serenade was Sleigh Ride, but I have been unable to confirm the artist.  Click on the song title for a sample from emusic, or click here for the album page.

Playlist For December 19, 2012 - Christmas Special!

The playlist for the Decmber 19, 2012 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle Christmas Special has been added to the playlist filing cabinet. 

Streamlined Scooter With Hydraulic Motor

When I first saw the title of the article, from the April 1946 issue of Popular Science posted on Modern Mechnix, I thought the scooter had a gas turbine engine.  On reading further, the engine was a normal piston arrangement, and the "turbine drive" actually referred to the transmission.  Essentially, the engine drove hydraulic pumps filled with oil, and the oil turned the driving wheel.  Whether this arrangement was more efficient, I do not know, but I would definitely have one for the styling alone.

Sunrise Serenade: Jingle Bells

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was Bing Corsby and the Andrews Sisters version of "Jingle Bells."  Enjoy the video from YouTube video.

Hop Into Christmas!

The Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session continues this Friday night at the Rumba Room.  Free admission and lesson before 7:00 p.m., and $5 cover at the door afterwards.  The lesson will be by Mike and Kimmie, with music by Kimmie.  Dress like you are going out!

Rumba Room

303 South Main

Memphis, TN 38103

Sunrise Serenade: Dipsy Doodle

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Dipsy Doodle" by the Golden Gate Quartet.  Click on the song title for a sample from emusic, or click here for the album page.

Driving In A Blackout

This poster from Dieselpunk is an example of how looking at artifacts from the past can give us insight into common problems of the day about which we might not otherwise think.  Blackouts were essential during World War II to avoid giving enemy bombers glowing directions to their target.  This British poster reminds drivers to take it easy when driving during a blackout to avoid unnecessary injury to pedestrians. 

Sunrise Serenade: Is Christmas Only A Tree

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Is Christmas Only A Tree" by Bing Crosby.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.
 

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer

Continuing the holiday spirit, here is another encore from Christmas posts past:  a Jam Handy animated short directed by Max Fleischer.  From the Internet Archive, here is Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer.  I learned recently that Gene Autry, who first recorded this song, did not want to record it.  His wife persuaded him, legend goes. 

Sunrise Serenade: First Snow Fall Of The Year

We are still waiting in Memphis, and probably have a while yet to wait, but this morning's Sunrise Serenade was "First Snow Fall Of The Year" by Bing Crosby.  Enjoy the video from YouTube. 

Raffles

The Hollywood Revue has done another review of one of my favorite movies:  Raffles.  The ever smooth and well-spoken Ronald Coleman plays Raffles, a professional cricket player and "amateur cracksman" (i.e. burglar/safecracker), who tries to go straight for the sake of his new love, but who plans one last jewelry heist to help his desparate friend.  As THR notes, Coleman wraps up everything in one neatly tied silk bow (SPOILER ALERT):

When Crawshaw [bad guy] finally shows up, ready to kill, Raffles is so smooth that he manages to talk him down, return the necklace to the Melrose family, collect the reward money, confess to being the Amateur Cracksman, and escape to run off to Paris with Gwen.

Sunrise Serenade: Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Playlist For December 12, 2012

The playlist for the Decmber 12, 2012 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has been added to the playlist filing cabinet. 

Dorothy Dandridge Soundie: Cow Cow Boogie

I cannot believe it has been over two years since I posted a soundie.  To make up for that wait, here is a really hep 1942 version of "Cow Cow Boogie" by Dorothy Dandridge from the Internet Archive.

Sunrise Serenade: I'm Beginning To See The Light

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "I'm Beginning To See The Light" by Harry James and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Only Two More Hopping Days Until Christmas!

The Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session continues this Friday night at the Rumba Room.  Free admission and lesson before 7:00 p.m., and $5 cover at the door afterwards.  The lesson will be by Jaredan and Michelle, with music by Jaredan.  Dress like you are going out!

Rumba Room

303 South Main

Memphis, TN 38103

Sunrise Serenade: What Will Santa Claus Say?

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "What Will Santa Claus Say?" by Louis Prima and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Patriotic Sin Taxes?

Manufacturers during World War II continued advertising even though some products may not have been as widely available as before the war due to conversion or rationing.  A recurring theme in such advertising was the company or product's contribution to the war effort.  In this 1942 ad for Chesterfield cigarettes, posted on Vintage Ads, the company reminds consumers that they tax they pay on their smokes "is doing its bit for Uncle Sam." 

Sunrise Serenade: You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby" by Bing Crosby.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Snow Foolin'

We continue the animated holiday fun with this 1949 cartoon.  No real story here, just a bunch of animals having fun with winter sports, followed by a sing along with "Jingle Bells."  From the Internet Archive, here is Snow Foolin'.

Never Before Published Story From December 14, 1941

Today is the 71st anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor that brought the U.S. into World War II.  Today's Washington Post carried a story written by Elizabeth P. McIntosh, a reporter for the Hono­lulu Star-Bulletin, on December 14, 1941, after seven days of war.  Her editors thought it was too graphic, and it was never published until now.  This first person account of that time is a chilling and fascinating literary time capsule:

Then, from the neighborhood called Punchbowl, I saw a formation of black planes diving straight into the ocean off Pearl Harbor. The blue sky was punctured with anti-aircraft smoke puffs. Suddenly, there was a sharp whistling sound, almost over my shoulder, and below, down on School Street. I saw a rooftop fly into the air like a pasteboard movie set.

For the first time, I felt that numb terror that all of London has known for months. It is the terror of not being able to do anything but fall on your stomach and hope the bomb won’t land on you. It’s the helplessness and terror of sudden visions of a ripping sensation in your back, shrapnel coursing through your chest, total blackness, maybe death.

Sunrise Serenade: Five O'Clock Whistle

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Five O'Clock Whistle" by Ella Fitzgerald.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Vintage Hot Rod Video

Below is a neat little video, posted on The Jalopy Journal, featuring footage of early American hot rods.  From The JJ: 

Once I watched the entire video I realized that it’s mainly pre-war dry lakes footage that has been colorized, sandwiched in the middle with high res. scans of Don Cox’s Kodachrome photos as seen in The Birth of Hot Rodding. You may have already seen some of these film clips or the pictures, but the whole video is played to a few 78 rpm hot rod songs that really bring it all together nicely.

Sunrise Serenade: Christmas Night In Harlem

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Christmas Night In Harlem" by Raymond Scott.  Enjoy the video from YouTube. 

Playlist For December 5, 2012

The playlist for the Decmber 5, 2012 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has been added to the playlist filing cabinet. 

Machinalia by Boris Artzybasheff

The next time you slam the door on your car or otherwise abuse an innocent piece of machinery, remember these anthropomorphic images from Boris Artzybasheff posted on Retronaut.  Just because they are not human does not mean they do not have feelings.

Sunrise Serenade: Here Comes Santa Claus

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Here Comes Santa Claus" by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters.  Enjoy the video below from YouTube.

Holiday Hops And Rags

The Tiger Rag happens tomorrow night and every Wednesday at the Madison Dance Studio inside Minglewood Hall at 1555 Madison Avenue at 8:00 p.m. You can also sign up for a series of dance classes taught every Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. More info here. 

The Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session continues this Friday night at the Rumba Room.  Free admission and lesson before 7:00 p.m., and $5 cover at the door afterwards.  The lesson will be by Kirk and Angela, with music by Kirk and EJ.  Dress like you are going out!

Rumba Room

303 South Main

Memphis, TN 38103

Sunrise Serenade: It Don't Mean A Thing

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" by the Mills Brothers.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Comic Book Newstand Time Machine

I post a lot of comic book related items on the SSS, but I am not a comic book collector or expert.  I just think they are fun windows on the past.  That being said, the site I recently found is neat, neat, neat, NEAT!  On the Newstand section of Mike's Amazing World of Comics, you can enter any month and year going back to 1934, and it will generate a gallery of comic book covers that were available at that time.

Sunrise Serenade: You Don't Have To Be A Santa Claus

The SSS is back in full operation this morning, and my unconscious caught the holiday spirit during the time off because today's Sunrise Serenade was "You Don't Have To Be A Santa Claus" by the Mills Brothers.  Click on the song title for a sample from emusic, or click here for the album page.

December Turner Classic Movies Preview

The Hollywood Revue offers up its final TCM preview for 2012, and Barbara Stanwyck is the star of the month.  Plenty of holiday classics are lined up as well.  

Playlist For November 28, 2012

The playlist for the November 28, 2012 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has been added to the playlist filing cabinet. 

Fall Tigers And Holiday Hops

The Tiger Rag happens tomorrow night and every Wednesday at the Madison Dance Studio inside Minglewood Hall at 1555 Madison Avenue at 8:00 p.m. You can also sign up for a series of dance classes taught every Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. More info here. 

The Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session continues this Friday night at the Rumba Room.  Free admission and lesson before 7:00 p.m., and $5 cover at the door afterwards.  The lesson will be by Jaredan and Erin, with music by Erin.  Dress like you are going out!

Rumba Room

303 South Main

Memphis, TN 38103

Happy Thanksgiving!

The entire Swing Shift Shuffle crew wishes you all a very happy, healthy and safe Thanksgiving!  It is time for the annual post-Thanksgiving shutdown, so blog posting will be reduced next week down to just the show playlist and any imminent events worth noting.  Full posting will return December 3.  In the meantime, enjoy the start of your holidays as the above family did in 1942.  From the Library of Congress American Memory Collection:

Thanksgiving, 1942. Turkey, pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes--nothing is too good for Uncle Sam's fighting nephews when they come home to Silver Spring, Maryland. The four Coast Guardsmen, eyes riveted on the juicy turkey, watch their father, Wayman Fincham, as he carves. Seated next to him is Mrs. Fincham and next to her is the wife of Fincham's eldest son, who is fighting overseas. Another daughter-in-law is seated between the two Coast Guardsmen at the right. The sixth and youngest of the Finchams is a Coast Guardsman in training.

Playlist For November 21, 2012

The playlist for the November 21, 2012 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has been added to the playlist filing cabinet. 

Room Interiors 1946

In this portfolio of room interiors from 1946, posted on Retronaut, Armstrong Linoleum offered its interior design ideas.  In this image, the space-saving benefits become obvious when you learn that the three boys' beds all nest (sliding under each other) when not in use.

Sunrise Serenade: On The Sunny Side Of The Street

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

Rag And Hop Take A Thanksgiving Break

In order to allow everyone to prepare for, and recover from, Thanksgiving (not to mention do the whole "Black Friday" thing), there will be no Tiger Rag tomorrow or Red Hot Lindy Hop this Friday.  The regular events will return next week. 

Sunrise Serenade: When Paw Was Courtin' Maw

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "When Paw Was Courtin' Maw" by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.

Chiquita Banana

In this circa 1940's animated short, which would have been shown in movie theaters, Chiquita Banana extols the benefits of bananas, explains how to tell when the fruit is best for cooking, eating, etc.; and warns never put bananas in the refridgerator.  Posted on Vintage Ads.

Sunrise Serenade: Freedom Train

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Freedom Train" by Johnny Mercer, Peggy Lee, Benny Goodman, Margaret Whiting, the Pied Pipers & Paul Weston Orchestra.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.

Jerky Turkey

Good grief it is the holiday season again already!  This Thanksgiving, we are again inviting the great Tex Avery to tell the classic story of a simple Pilgrim looking for that first Thanksgiving Day meal, and throw in a pack of World War II era jokes to boot.  From the Internet Archive, the 1945 animated short, Jerkey Turkey.

Sunrise Serenade: Sabre Dance

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Sabre Dance" by the Andrews Sisters.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Workings Of Flea Circus Finally Revealed

Whenever I used to hear or see references to a flea circus, I was never sure if it was an actual "thing" because I could not figure out how it would work.  Modern Mechanix to the rescue with this posting from the June 1946 issue of Mechanix Illustrated.  It seems the little fellows lived their lives, both on stage and off, tethered to their equipment by a harness. 

Sunrise Serenade: Bach Goes To Town

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Bach Goes To Town" by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Playlist For November 14, 2012 - Fall Pledge Drive Special

The playlist for the November 14, 2012 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle - Fall Pledge Drive Special - has been added to the playlist filing cabinet. 

Streak The Wonder Dog

This posting on Four Color Shadows features Streak the Wonder Dog, a courageous canine who helps detect and apprehend the killer of his police officer friend.  The fun part is that the story is told from the dog's perspective.  It may seem a bit corny, but remember, you are human.  I would like to think that everything is that simple and black and white (color-blind, get it?) to a dog. 

Sunrise Serenade & Pledge Drive Special Preview: In The Mountain King's Hall

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "In The Mountain King's Hall" from the Peer Gynt Suite by Edvard Grieg, arranged and performed in a swing style by Henri Rene and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

This piece was probably in my unconscious because I discovered it during my research for tonight's Swing Shift Shuffle WEVL Fall Pledge Drive Special - Imports:  Swing adaptations featuring melodies and instruments from other styles of music.

As you may know, WEVL gets over 75% of its operating funds from memberships, and we get the most of those memberships during our Spring and Fall Pledge Drives.  So if you enjoy the Swing Shift Shuffle, or any of the fine programming on WEVL, be sure to help us reach our goal of $67,000 by this Saturday at 6:00 p.m.  For more information, or to pledge online, visit wevl.org. 

Rag And Hop Into The Holidays

The Tiger Rag happens tomorrow night and every Wednesday at the Madison Dance Studio inside Minglewood Hall at 1555 Madison Avenue at 8:00 p.m. You can also sign up for a series of dance classes taught every Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. More info here. 

The Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session continues this Friday night at the Rumba Room.  Free admission and lesson before 7:00 p.m., and $5 cover at the door afterwards.  The lesson will be by Mike and Becky, with music by Alexis.  Dress like you are going out!

Rumba Room

303 South Main

Memphis, TN 38103

Sunrise Serenade: Darling Nellie Gray (G.E. Radio Commercial)

Today's Sunrise Serenade was the combination "Darling Nellie Gray & G.E. Radio Commercial" by the Golden Gate Quartet.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Automotive Spoils Of War

Over at The Jalopy Journal, a poster noted the connection between the development of aircraft technology during World War and the advancements in automotive technology after the war.  These advances were often the result of returning pilots who sought the same speed from the automobiles as they had in their airplanes.  Such advances included

The wider use of a supercharger on gasoline engines, the P-38 fighter plane drop tank (aka the Birth of the Belly Tanker!), brake scoops for cooling, the plastic bubble canopy (Roth and Starbird’s signature), multiple, individual dash gauges, hydraulics for suspension, tube shock absorbers, bomber nose art, and the list goes on… Just look at any Dry Lakes hot rod of 1939 and compare it to the average Highboy roadster racing in 1949.

Sunrise Serenade: Crosstown

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

Betty Boop: Training Pigeons

It is time for another visit to Miss Boop and friends.  This time she and her pup, unflatteringly named "Pudgy," are training pigeons on the roof of their apartment building.  When one of the pigeons refuses to return home to the roost, Pudgy takes it upon himself to recover the errant avian.  A cute little chase ensues.  From the Internet Archive, here is the 1936 animated short, Training Pigeons. 

Sunrise Serenade: Fiddlin' Joe

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Fiddlin' Joe" by the Mills Brothers.  Click on the song title for a sample from emusic, or click here for the album page.

Majestic Grille Sunday Supper And A Movie Series

The Majestic Grille is starting its Sunday Supper and a Movie series again, with a line-up of the follwing holiday classics (and, yes, The Thin Man counts because it takes place during the holidays):

Nov 25 - Miracle on 34th Street

Dec 2 - Christmas in Connecticut
Dec 9* - The Thin Man *starts at 7:30pm
Dec 16 - Holiday Inn
Dec 23 - It's a Wonderful Life

A special menu will be available at 6:30 p.m., and the movies start at 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted.  Reservations are highly recommended.

Sunrise Serenade: Hit That Jive Jack

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Hit That Jive Jack" by the Four Vagabonds.  Click on the song title for a sample from emusic, or click here for the album page.

Playlist For Novmeber 7, 2012

The playlist for the November 7, 2012 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has been added to the playlist filing cabinet. 

"Every Girl's Crazy Bout A Sharp Dressed Man"

Yes, I know ZZ Top isn't exactly a Swing Era reference, but the phrase certainly applies to this 1934 catalog from Montague-Burton posted on Retronaut.  These dudes knew how to dress with style.  I am especially pleased to note that appropriate attire included a fedora.

Sunrise Serenade: My Gal Sal

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

The Rags And Hops Continue

The Tiger Rag happens tomorrow night and every Wednesday at the Madison Dance Studio inside Minglewood Hall at 1555 Madison Avenue at 8:00 p.m. You can also sign up for a series of dance classes taught every Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. More info here. 

The Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session continues this Friday night at the Rumba Room.  Free admission and lesson before 7:00 p.m., and $5 cover at the door afterwards.  The lesson will be by Kirk and Meghan, with music by Amanda.  Dress like you are going out!

Rumba Room

303 South Main

Memphis, TN 38103

Sunrise Serenade: Limehouse Blues

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

Streamlined Steam

Yes, folks.  There was a time when even steam-driven transportation looked like the streamlined locomotive captured in this 1946 photograph posted on Dieselpunk.

Sunrise Serenade: Ride On

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Ride On" by Stan Kenton and His Orchestra with Anita O'Day.  Enjoy the YouTube video below. 

Mouse Wreckers

I remember watching this classic Warner Bros. cartoon as a kid.  Now, I have to ask myself "Why didn't Bert and Hubie just pick a house that did not have a cat?  It would have saved everyone a lot of trouble."  Of course, cartoons and logic do not mix.  From the Internet Archive, here is the 1947 animated short, Mouse Wreckers. 

Sunrise Serenade: School Days

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "School Days" by Louis Jordan.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Turner Classic Movies In November

It is time once again for The Hollywood Revue's monthly preview of programming on TCM.  For November 2012, Constance Bennett is the star of the month, and for the literary minded, every Monday and Wednesday night will feature films based on books. 

Sunrise Serenade: Fightin' Doug McArthur

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Fightin' Doug McArthur" by Gene Krupa and His Orchestra with Anita O'Day on vocals.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Playlist For October 31, 2012

The playlist for the October 31, 2012 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle - Halloween Special - has been added to the playlist filing cabinet. 

Happy Halloween! Special Show Tonight!

Don't keep it a secret!  Tell everyone about the Swing Shift Shuffle Halloween Special tonight!  Thanks to Film Noir Photos for the pic of Joyce Holden in seasonally appropriate attire. 

Sunrise Serenade: Pig Foot Pete

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Pig Foot Pete" by Ella Mae Morse.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.

Stay Warm With Rags And Hops

The Tiger Rag happens tomorrow night and every Wednesday at the Madison Dance Studio inside Minglewood Hall at 1555 Madison Avenue at 8:00 p.m. You can also sign up for a series of dance classes taught every Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. More info here. 

The Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session continues this Friday night at the Rumba Room.  Free admission and lesson before 7:00 p.m., and $5 cover at the door afterwards.  The lesson will be by Matt and Jasmine, with music by Bethany.  Dress like you are going out!

Rumba Room

303 South Main

Memphis, TN 38103

Sunrise Serenade: Your Socks Don't Match

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Your Socks Don't Match" by Bing Crosby and Louis Jordan.  Click on the  song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Olympic Trailer Park 1940

Ansel Adams shot these photos, posted on Retronaut, of life in the Olympic Trailer Park in 1940.  While the quarters may have been somewhat cramped by today's standards, everything appears to be neat and clean, and some of the cars parked near the trailers were only a few years old at the time. 

Sunrise Serenade: Rip Van Winkle

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Rip Van Winkle" by Ella Mae Morse.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

A Coach For Cinderella

Made by Chevrolet, that is.  In another Jam Handy short, a group of elves construct a coach for Cinderella so she can attend the Prince's ball.  After building the coach from sticks, flowers, pumpkins, etc.; they put it through a "Modernizer," which transforms it into the new Chevrolet for 1936.  Old Cindy is riding in style.  Listen for "Peanut Vendor" as the Modernizer does its work.  From the Internet Archive, here is A Coach For Cinderella.

Sunrise Serenade: Benny's Coming Home On Saturday

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Benny's Coming Home On Saturday" by Ella Fitzgerald.  Click on the song title for a sample from emusic, or click here for the album page.

Hollywood 1944

There is an interesting post on Movie Morlocks, the official Turner Classic Movies blog, summarizing the contents of some 1940's movie magazines.  In addition to Hollywood gossip, these articles provide insight into some of the everyday considerations on the home front.  For example, Victory Gardens:

According to Photoplay, Janet Gaynor had the most elaborate garden, because she owned a farm. Everything on her table came from her farm, including the milk, which came from her goats. Gaynor’s garden may have been extensive, but Deanna Durbin’s beets were so big she had “to dig them up with a shovel.” On the other end of the spectrum, Ann Sothern knew little about living on a farm or gardening. She planted her corn in a single row, which meant it did not cross-pollinate. As a result, there were no ears on her corn.

Sunrise Serenade: Texas And Pacific

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Texas And Pacific" by Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Playlist For October 24, 2012

The playlist for the October 24, 2012 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has been added to the playlist filing cabinet. 

Prestone Goes To War

Here is another patriotic ad from World War II posted on Modern Mechanix.  This Prestone Anti-Freeze ad from the January 1942 issue of Mechanix Illustrated not only touts the benefits of the product and its military uses, it also explains that, while some may be available for private use, the overwhelming demand of the war effort will "probably" not be sufficient to meet all civilian needs.