Humpty Dumpty

This encore from 2011 is a 1935 animated short by Ub Iwerks with music by Carl Stalling.  Humpty Dumpty, Jr. and Easter Egg escape a villianous "Bad Egg" by falling into a pot of hot water, thus becoming "hard boiled" characters.  (Groan!).  From the Internet Archive, here is Humpty Dumpty. 

Sunrise Serenade: Mairzy Doats

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Mairzy Doats" by the Merry Macs.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

TCM In March

The Hollywood Revue's preview of March programming on Turner Classic Movies it out.  The Star of the Month is Mary Astor (here with Bogie in The Maltese Falcon), and 24 hour movie marathons featuring her will start every Wednesday.

Sunrise Serenade: I Just Got A Letter

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "I Just Got A Letter" by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra with Marion Hutton on vocals.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Playlist For February 26, 2014

The playlist for the February 26, 2014 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle, has been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

The Story Of Caleb Scott

Here is an interesting story, posted on Four Color Shadows, with no hero.  The protagonist, Caleb Scott, has an obsession that he pursues at all costs to the bitter end. 

Sunrise Serenade: Take The "A" Train

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was the classic "Take The 'A' Train" by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Hop Like A March Hare

The Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session continues this Friday night at the Rumba Room.  Free beginner lesson at 7:00 p.m.  Admission $5.  Lesson by Jaredan and Brooke with music by Brooke.  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: "That's What You Think"

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "That's What You Think" by Gene Krupa and His Orchestra with Anita O'Day on vocals.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

1934 BMW R7 Motorcycle

Although it never went into production, elements of the 1934 BMW R7 motorcycle appeared on other BMW models, and it foreshadowed features of modern bikes.  Retronaut posted some great photos and commentary about the cycle. 

Sunrise Serenade: I Got A Gal In Kalamazoo

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "I Got A Gal In Kalamazoo" by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Hollywood Capers

This encore from 2011 features a 1935 Looney Tunes short starring "Beans," who sneaks into the Warner Bros. studio and causes chaos.  From the Internet Archive, here is Hollywood Capers. 

Sunrise Serenade: Winter Wonderland

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was probably appropriate somewhere in the U.S., if not in Memphis today:  "Winter Wonderland" by the Andrews Sisters.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Asta: The Dog Star

Since the Oscars are approaching, Movie Morlocks posted an interesting biography of a performer who should have been awarded best supporting actor on many occasions, namely "Skippy," later better known by the name of his most famous role, "Asta" from The Thin Man.  In addition to two of the Thin Man series, he also starred in Topper Takes a Trip and Bringing Up Baby. 

Sunrise Serenade: Murder, He Says

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Murder, He Says" by the Four Vagabonds.  Click on the song title for a sample from emusic, or click here for the album page.

Playlist For February 19, 2014

The playlist for the February 19, 2014 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle, has been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

Scottie

Sound the pipes and pass the haggis, Scottish stereotypes are on the march!  Posted on Four Color Shadows, this 1943 comic features Scottie, a kilted Highlander in the British Army, who takes on some Nazis in North Africa.

Sunrise Serenade: Don't Worry 'Bout That Mule

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Don't Worry 'Bout That Mule" by Woody Herman and his Orchestra.  Click on the song title for a sample from emusic, or click here for the album page.

Live Music At The Lindy Hop

The Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session continues this Friday night with at the Rumba Room with live music from The Side Street Steppers.  Lesson starts at 7:00 p.m.  Admission $5 before 7:00, and $7 at the door afterwards.  Lesson by Phil and Meghan.  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: Apple Honey

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Apple Honey" by Woody Herman and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

National World War II Museum Collections Online

I started to follow the blog of the National World War II Museum recently, and I have posted a few items from it.  Consequently, I am pleased to learn that the museum's digital collection is now available online.  The collection includes 150 oral histories and over 5000 photographs. 

Sunrise Serenade: I'm Beginning To See The Light

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "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: She Wronged Him Right - Happy Valentine's Day!

Here is a good, old-fashioned romantic adventure play for Valentine's Day.  Distressed damsel (Betty) cannot pay the mortgage, and is menaced by the villainous landlord, complete with waxed mustache.  As she faces dire peril, our hero dispatches the villain and rescues his love.  Now throw in all the wacky Fleischer animation gags, and you're good to go.  From the Internet Archive, here is Betty Boop in the 1934 cartoon, She Wronged Him Right. 

Sunrise Serenade: Jeepers Creepers

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Jeepers Creepers" by Bert Ambrose and His Orchestra with Evelyn Dall on vocals.  Enjoy the video from YouTube. 

D-Day Officer Battle Gear

Retronaut posted this sketch of a Platoon Leader's battle gear on D-Day with the following description. 

This drawing by combat historian Lt. Jack Shea, who was attached to the 29th Infantry Division, gives a sense of just how prepared these troops needed to be, both for their initial amphibious assault, and for days of slogging through the potentially treacherous Normandy countryside.

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

Playlist For February 12, 2014

The playlist for the February 12, 2014 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle, has been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

St. Valentines Day Hop, U of M Swing Dance 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. and admission before 7:00, and $5 at the door afterwards.  Lesson by Keenan and Erin with music by EJ.  Dress like you are going out!

Rumba Room

303 South Main

Memphis, TN 38103

Live band next week:  The Side Street Steppers.

University of Memphis Swing Dance Night:  Saturday, February 15 7:30-11:00 p.m. in the Beale Room at the UC. 

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: The Dipsy Doodle

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "The Dipsy Doodle" by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra with Edythe Wright on vocals.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

R.I.P. Shirley Temple

The Good Ship Lollipop has sailed with its most famous passenger.  Shirley Temple died today at age 85.  She was the highest box office draw from 1935-1938, and is still the youngest person ever to receive an Oscar, at age six.  Variety has a full tribute.  Her work as a child star is what most will remember, although personally, I also enjoy some of her later work as a young woman, including Fort Apache with John Wayne and The Bachelor and the Bobby Soxer with Cary Grant and Myrna Loy. 


P.S. - I could not resist posting this photo of her in what appears to be a Chrysler Airflow pedal car.

Sunrise Serenade: Eadie Was A Lady

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Eadie Was A Lady" by Cab Calloway and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

"And In This Corner, Playing The Bass Clarinet . . . ." - Wait, what?

Talk about mixed media.  According to this post on the National World War II Museum blog, in January 1944, the Houston, Texas "War Sports Activities Committee" hosted a unique war bond fundraising event featuring championship wrestling accompanied by classical music performed by the Houston Symphony Orchestra.  The event raised over $7,000,000, but apparently one disgruntled wrestler blamed the orchestra for his loss, citing the distracting music.

Sunrise Serenade: I Got A Right To Sing The Blues

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "I Got A Right To Sing The Blues" by Cab Calloway and his Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Superman: Secret Agent

In this encore from 2011, the Man of Steel must save a beautiful blond female secret agent from a band of (presumably) Nazi saboteurs.  From the Internet Archive, here is the 1943 short, Secret Agent.

Sunrise Serenade: The Hut Sut Song

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "The Hut Sut Song" by the Merry Macs.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.

Pictures By Radio

Posted on Paleofuture, from 1942:  A radio operator in London transmits a photograph by radio to Cairo - essentially a wireless facsimile. 

Sunrise Serenade: He Ain't Got Rhythm

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "He Ain't Got Rhythm" by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra featuring Jimmy Rushing on vocals.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Playlist For February 5, 2014

The playlist for the February 5, 2014 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle, has been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

Tommy Tomorrow

Here is a 1949 comic, posted on Four Color Shadows, that nicely resolves all those temporal paradox/changing the timeline problems that vex Doctor Who, Starfleet officers, teenagers in DeLoreans, etc.  In this issue of Tommy Tomorrow, our hero travels back from the future (1989), to the present (1949).  Not understanding the dangerous consequences of telling humans their future, Tommy tries to convince them that he is from the future.  Fortunately for us, however, due to a series of coincidental entertainment events, the better than you might think technology of 1949, and human skepticism, no one believes him.  They all think he is a talented, but fake, publicity stunt for the aforementioned events.  Thus, we were all saved from the temporally paradoxical issues caused by time travel, thanks to our ancestors' ignorance. 

Sunrise Serenade: Papa's In Bed With His Britches On

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Papa's In Bed With His Britches On" by Cab Calloway and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Keep 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. and admission before 7:00, and $5 at the door afterwards.  Lesson by Justin and Jeska with music by Jeska.  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: Flight Of The Bumblebee

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Flight Of The Bumblebee" by Harry James and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Prototype 1934 Camping Trailer

Among the many interesting items that crossed the block in the series of Scottsdale, Arizona auctions a few weeks ago was this 1934 Bowlus Papoose camping trailer, posted on the Hemmings blog.  With travelling salesmen as one of its primary target markets, the Papoose's aerodynamic design was said to improve gas mileage for vehicles of the time.  Its high production cost, however, resulted in only a few being built. 

Sunrise Serenade: Vibraphone Blues

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Vibraphone Blues" by Lionel Hampton.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.