Hop Into The New Year

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

Rumba Room

303 South Main

Memphis, TN 38103

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

Showdown

Here is a fun little encore from 2010 on which to end the year.  When a mobster's henchman poses as Superman to commit a series of crimes, fireworks are sure to follow.  Featuring a very close cartoon facsimile of Edward G. Robinson, from the Internet Archive, here is Showdown.

Sunrise Serenade: Let's Start The New Year Right

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Let's Start The New Year Right" by Bing Crosby.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

The playlist for the December 25, 2013 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle, Christmas Special Part 2, has been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

Merry Christmas!

With all the last minute holiday activity, I missed yesterday's post, but for today, from all of us at the SSS, a very Merry Christmas!  The child above sleeps basking in the glow of a Christmas tree in 1940 (from the Library of Congress).  Posts will be somewhat intermittent for the next week or so, but be sure to catch part 2 of the Swing Shift Shuffle Christmas and New Year's Special. 

Chrysler Airflow

The Hemmings blog did a nice post on the origin and impact of the Chrysler Airflow.  This car was one of the first, mass-produced automobiles to consider the effect of aerodynamics on performance.  Introduced in 1934, its design was a little to far advanced for the car consumer at the time, and within a few years, its radical shape had morphed back into something more traditional.  Personally, I think the two door coupes, which rarely seem to be pictured anywhere, look much better than the four door sedans. 

Sunrise Serenade: The Christmas Song

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "The Christmas Song" by Les Brown and His Orchestra featuring Doris Day on vocals.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Peace On Earth

On this last Friday before Christmas, I thought we would revisit another favorite Christmas cartoon of mine.  Although some of the imagery in this film seems a bit dark for a holiday cartoon, the message is always relevant.  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.

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

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "You Don't Have To Be A Santa Claus" by the Mills Brothers.  Enjoy the video from YouTube. 

Sunrise Serenade: Santa Claus Got Stuck In My Chimney

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Santa Claus Got Stuck In My Chimney" by Ella Fitzgerald.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Playlist For December 18, 2013 - Christmas Special Part 1

The playlist for the December 18, 2013 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle, Christmas Special Part 1, has been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

Raymond Loewy: The 20th Century's Designer

This past November 5 would have been Raymond Loewy's 120th birthday, and as a post on Gizmodo noted, he was justifiably considered the man who made the 20th century beautiful.  From trains, planes and automobiles to graphic design and space exploration, Loewy was a designer to tried his hand, quite successfully, at designing everything.  The above Art Deco steam locomotive is his design, as was the Coke bottle. 

Swing Shift Shuffle Christmas Special, Part 1 Airs Tonight

Since Christmas falls on a Wednesday this year, I decided to do a double Christmas Special.  Tonight will be all Christmas music, and on Christmas day, we will continue the Yuletide spirit with more Christmas music, as well as seasonal and some New Years Eve tunes.  I hope you can join us for one or both. 

Sunrise Serenade: I Want You For Christmas

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "I Want Your For Christmas" by Dick Robertson and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Only One More Hopping Session Until Christmas!

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

Rumba Room

303 South Main

Memphis, TN 38103

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

Sunrise Serenade: Runnin' Wild

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Runnin' Wild" by Jimmie Lunceford and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Sunrise Serenade: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" by Ella Fitzgerald.  Enjoy the video from YouTube. 

Christmas Comes But Once A Year

It's time for the holiday cartoons again!  In this 1936 Fleischer Studio short, a group of orphans receive broken, cast off toys for Christmas, but Grampy comes to the rescue, ingeniously making new, better toys out of items around the orphanage.  Grampy was a Maker!  From the Internet Archive, here is Christmas Comes But Once A Year. 

Sunrise Serenade: Gotta Go Places And Do Things

It is a bit late, but this morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Gotta Go Places And Do Things" by Cab Calloway.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Old Movies, Television Shows On Memphis TV

While I was off on the annual SSS holiday shutdown, I discovered a new TV channel in the Memphis area.  Well, at least it is new to me, and I think I would have noticed it before.  Broadcast on digital channel 23.2 in Memphis; channel 34.1 in Senatobia, MS; channel 15 on Comcast Cable, and channel 34 on Uverse, it is called Acmeclassics.com.  Its programming consists of old movies, movie serials, newsreels, cartoons, and TV shows, many of which are public domain.  As far as I have observed, the programs are broadcast without commercial interruption.  The commercials and public service announcements appear in between the shows.  The variety has been impressive.  I have seen Betty Boop, Noveltoon and Private Snafu cartoons, Pathe newsreels, early 1930's movies, classic TV shows like The Cisco Kid, Bonanza  and The Andy Griffith Show, as well as some British TV shows from the 1960s.  Movie serials are a regular part of the programming as well.  I have been thoroughly enjoying it.  The schedule is best found at the website, since the programs can begin at any time during the hour (e.g. 9:13 start time).  My only note of caution is that, on Uverse at least, the online guide is one hour ahead of the programming.  If you push "INFO" while on the Uverse channel guide, you will probably get information on the show that will air one hour from now.   

Sunrise Serenade: Here Comes Santa Claus

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

Playlist For December 11, 2013

The playlist for the December 11, 2013 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

Perfect Car For Burnouts

Thanks to Boing Boing for posting this item about a reproduction of a 1947 "Zippomobile."  According to the post, Joe Griffin of right here in Memphis, Tennessee, recreated this "productmobile" (e.g. Oscar Meyer Wienermobile or Hershey's Kissmobile) without any plans of the originals, using only photos and a 1947 Chrysler New Yorker Saratoga. 

Sunrise Serenade: Christmas Candles

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Christmas Candles" by the Andrews Sisters.  Enjoy the video from YouTube. 

Live Music At The Lindy Hop

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

Rumba Room

303 South Main

Memphis, TN 38103

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

Sunrise Serenade: Buzz, Buzz, Buzz

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Buzz, Buzz, Buzz" by Memphis' own Jimmie Lunceford and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

December On TCM

I know I am posting it later than usual, but better late than never is The Hollywood Revue's monthly preview of programming on Turner Classic Movies.  Fred Astaire is the Star of the Month, and of course, there will be plenty of holiday films. 

Sunrise Serenade: Moses Smote The Water

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Moses Smote The Water" by the Golden Gate Quartet.  Enjoy the video from YouTube. 

Playlist For December 4, 2013

The playlist for the December 4, 2013 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

Happy Thanksgiving!

From all of us here at the SSS, have a safe, healthy and happy Thanksgiving!  The Library of Congress Prints & Photographs collection reveals the family of Mr. Timothy Levy Crouch enjoying Thanksgiving dinner in 1940, complete with a twenty pound turkey and a kids' table. 

It is also time for the SSS annual post-Thanksgiving holiday shutdown.  Posts will be limited to the radio show playlist and any timely event announcements.  Normal posting will resume on December 9.  For those of you venturing out on Black Friday, please be careful, courteous and patient with your fellow shoppers.

Playlist For November 27, 2013

The playlist for the November 27, 2013 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

Black Friday Lindy Hop

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

Rumba Room

303 South Main

Memphis, TN 38103

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

Sunrise Serenade: Sweet Georgia Brown

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Sweet Georgia Brown" by Johnny Mercer.  Enjoy the video from YouTube. 

Myrna Loy In A Suit

Film Noir Photos posted this apparent publicity shot of Myrna Loy for the 1934 film, The Thin Man, the first of the Thin Man series starring William Powell as Nick Charles and Loy as Nora.  That being said, I have seen The Thin Man numerous times, and Myrna Loy never appears in a suit in the film.  Perhaps this shot was just a teaser. 

Sunrise Serenade: Lulu's Back In Town

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Lulu's Back In Town" by Johnny Mercer.  Enjoy the video from YouTube. 

Majestic Grille Sunday Supper And A Movie

The Majestic Grille launches is holiday tradition of "Supper And A Movie" with Miracle on 34th Street this Sunday, December 1.  The other films in the series will be The Thin Man on December 8, Holiday Inn on December 15, and It's A Wonderful Life on December 22. 

Sunrise Serenade: Jeepers Creepers

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Jeepers Creepers" by Louis Armstrong.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Jerky Turkey

One advantage of never going out much is that I've managed to ignore the Christmas decorations going up on November 1.  As a result, I can start my holiday season at Thanksgiving.  We are continuing our tradition of 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, Jerky Turkey.

Sunrise Serenade: Swanee River

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Swanee River" by Les Brown and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title for a sample from emusic, or click here for the album page.

Duke & Duchess Of Windsor's Custom Cadillac Auctioned Today

The 1941 custom built Cadillac limousine known as "The Duchess," built for the Duke and Duchess of Windsor (formerly King Edward VIII and Ms. Wallis Simpson), is up for auction today.  As reported by Hemmings, General Motors executive Alfred P. Sloan, Jr., a friend of the couple, had legendary GM designer Harley Earl and his team design this one-off car for the couple's trip to New York City in 1941.   This car represents the end of the custom coachbuilding era, when standard chassis were mated with bodies tailored to the owner's specifications.  It also inspired later Rolls Royce designs, and is expected to bring between $500,000 and $800,000. 

Sunrise Serenade: Guess I'll Go Back Home

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Guess I'll Go Back Home" by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra, with Tex Beneke on vocals.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Playlist For November 20, 2013

The playlist for the November 20, 2013 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

Sunrise Serenade: Bugle Call Rag

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

Pre-Holiday Hop

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

Rumba Room

303 South Main

Memphis, TN 38103

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

Sunrise Serenade: Peanut Vendor

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Peanut Vendor" by Raymond Scott and his Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Sunrise Serenade: South American Way

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "South American Way" by Carmen Miranda.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Playlist For November 13, 2013 - Fall Pledge Drive Special

The playlist for the November 13, 2013 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle - Fall Pledge Drive Special "South of the Border" - has been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

SSS Fall Pledge Drive Special Tonight! South Of The Border

As you know, the SSS airs exclusively on WEVL, an independent, nonprofit, noncommercial, listener-supported, volunteer radio station here in Memphis.  WEVL is in the middle of its Fall Pledge Drive, which is our most important fundraiser of the year.  There are lots of special programs during Pledge Drive, and tonight's SSS is no exception.  "South of the Border" will showcase Swing Era music about, influenced or inspired by Latin America, or performed by Latin American artists.  Featured in tonight's show will be Oscar Aleman, Xavier Cugat, and the Brazillian Bombshell herself, Carmen Miranda.  Yes, this is a photo of Carmen, without her trademark fruitty hat attire. 

Sunrise Serenade: Cuban Boogie Woogie

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Cuban Boogie Woogie" by Charlie Barnet and His Orchestra.  Enjoy the video from YouTube. 

Live Music At The Red Hot Lindy Hop

The Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session features live music this Friday night at the Rumba Room with Mike Martin.  Free lesson at 7:00 p.m.  Free admission before 7:00, and $7 band cover at the door afterwards.  Dress like you are going out!

Rumba Room

303 South Main

Memphis, TN 38103

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

Sunrise Serenade: South American Joe

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "South American Joe" by Ambrose and His Orchestra with Donald Stewart on vocals.  Enjoy the video from YouTube. 

Veterans Day

November 11 was originally known as Armistice Day, to commemorate the ending of World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.  In the UK and Commonwealth countries, it continues as Remembrance Day, and the intent is to remember those who fell in the line of duty.  The U.S. changed the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day in 1954 to honor all veterans.  Film Noir Photos posted this very appropriate picture of Lana Turner, Deanna Durbin and Marlene Dietrich welcoming the one millionth visitor to the Hollywood Canteen in 1944. 

Sunrise Serenade: Negra De Cabello Duro

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Negra De Cabello Duro" by Oscar Aleman.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.

Naughty But Mice

This encore from 2010 features a Famous Studios' "Noveltoon" released by Paramount, in which Herman the city mouse helps his country cousins rid themselves of a troublesome feline.  From the Internet Archive, here is the 1947 animated short, Naughty But Mice.

Sunrise Serenade: Ain't Misbehavin'

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Ain't Misbehavin'" by Fats Waller.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Lowensteins East Grand Opening

Here is a neat little snapshot of Memphis memories from Ask Vance.  In 1949, Lowenstein's, which along with Goldsmith's, constituted the main home-grown department store industry in Memphis; opened "Lowenstein's East" at the corner of Poplar Avenue and Highland Street.  Now considered the edge of Midtown Memphis, the building, with its giant display gallery over the main entrance, houses a SpinStreet Records and a PetCo.  I remember when it was Lowenstein's, and Christmas decorations would appear in that gallery during the holidays.  As for Goldsmith's, it was eventually purchased by Macy's, which has several stores in the Memphis area. 

Sunrise Serenade: Ac-cent-tchu-ate The Positive

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Ac-cent-tchu-ate The Positive" by Johnny Mercer and the Pied Pipers.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Playlist For November 6, 2013

The playlist for the November 6, 2013 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

Casablanca Buick Crossing The Block

This 1940 Buick phaeton would be a collectible in its own right, but this is not just any classic car.  It was in front of this very automobile that Humphrey Bogart (Rick) told Ingrid Bergman (Ilsa), "We'll always have Paris."  As posted on the Hemmings blog, this former Warner Bros. prop will be up for auction on November 25.  The burns on the upholstery are "period correct," as they came from Bogie's ever present cigarette. 

Sunrise Serenade: Hawaiian War Chant

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

Red Hot Lindy Hop And Live Music Next Week

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

Live music next week with Mike Martin. 

Rumba Room

303 South Main

Memphis, TN 38103

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

Sunrise Serenade: Bugle Call Rag

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Bugle Call Rag" by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

The Goose That Laid The Golden Egg

This encore from 2010 features a 1936 Van Beuren production, in which Captain Kidd steals Felix the Cat's profitable goose.  From the Internet Archive, here is The Goose That Laid The Golden Egg. 

Sunrise Serenade: On A Slow Boat To China

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "On A Slow Boat To China" by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra, featuring Al Hendrickson on vocals.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Happy Halloween!

From the SSS and Donna Reed, posted on Film Noir Photos.

Turner Classic Movies In November

I may have been remiss the past few months in overlooking The Hollywood Revue's monthly preview of programming on Turner Classic Movies, so I am eager to make amends by directing your attention to their preview of November's TCM schedule.  The Friday Night Spotlight will be classic screwball comedies, and Burt Lancaster will be Star of the Month, with his films on Wednesday. 

Sunrise Serenade: Conga Brava

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Conga Brava" by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra.  Enjoy the YouTube video below. 

Playlist For October 30, 2013

The playlist for the October 30, 2013 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

75th Anniversary Of Orson Welles' War Of The Worlds Broadcast

Seventy-five years ago today, on Sunday, October 30, 1938, a young actor named Orson Welles broadcast a Halloween episode of the CBS radio drama The Mercury Theatre on the Air based on H.G. Wells' novel, The War of the Worlds.  Adapting the novel to the time, the broadcast opened as a series of radio news alerts reporting something strange happening in New Jersey.  The rest is history.  Although traditional urban lore suggests that the broadcast caused mass panic among radio listeners who thought the portrayed events were real, historians have cast significant doubt on those claims, indicating that press reports of panic at the time were exaggerated.

Sunrise Serenade: Riverboat Shuffle

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Riverboat Shuffle" by Hoagy Carmichael.  Enjoy the video from Dailymotion. 

Hoagy Carmichael - Riverboat Shuffle (Alternate... by JazznBluesexperience

Beat Your Feet After All "Soles" Night At The Hop

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

Rumba Room

303 South Main

Memphis, TN 38103

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

Sunrise Serenade: I Want To Learn About Love

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "I Want To Learn About Love" by Ella Fitzgerald with the Daydreamers.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Handle With Care (And Boy Do We Mean It!)

An appropriate sequel to the Calutron Girls post last week is this item from Paleofuture.  When the Manhattan Project had to move some material, say plutonium, why call attention to it with a lot of escorts and security?  Just hand it off to a courier with the instructions that "at the first sign of any unusual behavior inside the box he was to abandon the automobile in a hurry and run as far away from it as his legs would carry him."  What happened next?  Click above to learn the rest of the story. 

Sunrise Serenade: El Choclo

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "El Choclo" by Stan Kenton and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Betty Boop: Whoops! I'm A Cowboy

In this 1937 Betty Boop cartoon, she rejects the marriage proposal from her co-worker, Wiffle Piffle, because she wants to marry a bronco-busting cowboy.  In the "extremis and euphoria" of love, Mr. Piffle goes West to learn cowboy ways at a dude ranch.  From the Internet Archive, here is Whoops!  I'm A Cowboy.

Sunrise Serenade: Sun Valley Jump

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

New York World's Fair Stunt Drivers

What is a World's Fair, with all of its hope and optimism for a bright, prosperous future, without a little good, old fashioned daring and destruction.  Retronaut posted this photos of the Jimmie Lynch Death Dodgers, a stunt driver show, at the 1939 New York World's Fair. 

Sunrise Serenade: Deep River

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Deep River" by Stan Kenton and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title for a sample from last.fm.

Playlist For October 23, 2013

The playlist for the October 23, 2013 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

Nigel, Basil & Evelyn

This picture, posted on Film Noir Photos, shows one of my favorite actors, Basil Rathbone, on the set of Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror, with co-stars Nigel Bruce and Evelyn Ankers. 

Sunrise Serenade: Runnin' Wild

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

Stay Warm With The Red Hot Lindy Hop

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

Rumba Room

303 South Main

Memphis, TN 38103

The Tiger Rag lessons and guided practice sessions are in full swing 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.

Calutron Girls

In many operations during World War II, maintaining secrecy meant that everyone was on a "need to know" basis.  As a result, some employees had no idea of the part their work played in some very top secret projects.  These "Calutron Girls," posted on Retronaut, worked at their stations, monitoring meters and adjusting dials, without ever knowing that they were actually separating isotopes of  unranium for the Manhattan Project. 

Sunrise Serenade: Guess I'll Go Back Home

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Guess I'll Go Back Home" by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra, with Tex Beneke on vocals.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Superman: The Mummy Strikes

Superman is back in this encore from 2010, this time facing an ancient Egyptian menance.  From the Internet Archive, here is the 1943 animated short, The Mummy Strikes.

Sunrise Serenade: Boogie Woogie Piggy

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Boogie Woogie Piggy" by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra, with Tex Beneke on vocals.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Rex Dexter Returns . . . To Earth!

Rex Dexter of Mars returns!  I posted a Rex Dexter story back in July 2012, and today I came across what is essentially his origin story, posted on Pappy's Golden Age Comics Blogzine.  It seems that Rex' great grandfather, his wife and a few other scientists were so fed up with strife and war on Earth in 1939 that they left the planet to start a new life on Mars.  Blasting off from the 1939 World's Fair (where else?), the Dexters settled on Mars.  Great Granddad had a plan, however, and he left instructions for his descedents to return to Earth in the year 2040 to report on the progress of the Mars experiment.  Rex and his girlfriend faithfully carry out their predecessor's orders to find a modern Utopia on Earth, where everyone works only because they want to, machines do the "menial labor," and city buses are free!  We better hurry up, we only have about 26 years to get there.