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.