Lady, Play Your Mandolin

Here is a mostly musical "Harman-Ising" cartoon from 1931.  If you ever wondered what Mickey Mouse would look like as a fox, now you know.  From the Internet Archive, here is Lady, Play Your Mandolin. 

Sunrise Serenade: If You Build A Better Mousetrap

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "If You Build A Better Mousetrap" by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra with Art Lund and Peggy Lee on vocals.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.

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. 

Playlist For April 27, 2016

The playlist for the April 27, 2016 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has now been added to the playlist filing cabinet.   

Zippo

Surprisingly, despite being named after a cigarette lighter, this 1944 hero's abilities apparently have nothing to do with fire.  Instead, "Zippo" refers to his speed, accomplished by the mechanically powered wheels on the feet of his costume.  Posted on Four Color Shadows.

Sunrise Serenade: On The Sunny Side Of The Street

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "On The Sunny Side Of The Street" by the Benny Goodman Sextet with Peggy Lee on vocals.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

April's Last Lindy Hop

The Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session continues at the Rumba Room this Friday night.  Free beginner lesson at 7:00 p.m.  Free admission before 7:00 and $5 thereafter.  Lesson by Pip and Monica with music by DJ Monica. 

Dress like you are going out!

Rumba Room

303 South Main

Memphis, TN 38103

The University of Memphis RHLH chapter hosts a free beginner swing dance lesson every Monday (except school holidays) in Field House.  Beginner lesson at 7:30 p.m.  More information here. 

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

Sunrise Serenade: So Tired

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "So Tired" by Russ Morgan.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

His Girl Friday

Posted on Film Noir Photos, here is Rosalind Russell and her His Girl Friday co-star, Cary Grant, having some fun out on the town in 1940. 

Sunrise Serenade: Green Eyes

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Green Eyes" by Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Sunrise Serenade: What Is This Thing Called Love?

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "What Is This Thing Called Love?" by Anita O'Day.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Sunrise Serenade: Beat Me Daddy Eight To The Bar

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Beat Me Daddy Eight To The Bar" by the Andrews Sisters.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Playlists For April 13, 2016 Spring Pledge Drive Special, and April 20, 2016

The playlist for the April 20, 2016 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has now been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  In addition, the playlist for the Spring Pledge Drive Special, "It's A Memphis Swing," aired on April 13, 2016, was added last week, but in all the Pledge Drive activity I forgot to post it. 

Dancing Movie Posters 1930's

Vintage Ads posted a series of movie posters featuring dancing, and Fred & Ginger understandably made a few appearances.

Sunrise Serenade: Caravan

This mornings Sunrise Serenade was "Caravan" by the Mills Brothers.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Hop Off The Tax Day Blues

The Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session continues at the Rumba Room this Friday night.  Free beginner lesson at 7:00 p.m.  Free admission before 7:00 and $5 thereafter.  Lesson by Jaredan and Erin with music by DJ Jaredan. 

Dress like you are going out!

Rumba Room

303 South Main

Memphis, TN 38103

The University of Memphis RHLH chapter hosts a free beginner swing dance lesson every Monday (except school holidays) in Field House.  Beginner lesson at 7:30 p.m.  More information here. 

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

Sunrise Serenade: Memphis Blues

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Memphis Blues" by Bing Crosby and Ella Fitzgerald.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.

Art Deco Rest Room In Nashville Hotel

Mod Betty from Retro Roadmap posted this item about the preserved Art Deco men's room in the lower level of the Hermitage Hotel in Nashville.  The original rest rooms were reconfigured and remodeled in the 1930's, and the Hermitage has preserved the style of that era.

Sunrise Serenade: M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I" by Ella Fitzgerald.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.

Sunrise Serenade: Shake Down The Stars

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Shake Down The Stars" by Ella Fitzgerald.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Spacehawk

While "Spacehawk," posted on Pappy's Golden Age Comics Blogzine, certainly has the whole "Space" vibe goin' on; he bears absolutely no resemblance to any "Hawk" I have ever seen.  I do note, however, that this story continues the classic science fiction comic book tradition of the male hero being completely covered in protective clothing, including a mask; while the leading lady is in a low cut, strapless mini-dress that would have been illegal in many public places in 1940.  No complaints, mind you, just noting the fact for the record.

Sunrise Serenade: Sleepy Head

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

Swing Shift Shuffle WEVL 40th Anniversary Pledge Drive Special: "It's A Memphis Swing"

Production here at the factory has been very busy of late, to the point of causing my posting to become a bit irregular the past week or so.  Regardless, I would not fail to let you know about tonight's SSS Pledge Drive Special - "It's A Memphis Swing."  In honor of WEVL's 40th Anniversary, I'll be playing music from the Swing Era about Memphis, by Memphis artists, or by artists who played in Memphis during the time.  Jimmie Lunceford, Kay Starr and Clyde McCoy will feature prominently.  Tune in tonight at 6:00 p.m. (CDT) on 89.9 FM in Memphis, or anywhere at wevl.org, enjoy the show, and help support the home of the SSS - Memphis' only independent, listener-supported volunteer radio station. 

Sunrise Serenade: Le That Be A Lesson To You

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Let That Be A Lesson To You" from the 1937 movie, Hollywood Hotel, featuring Benny Goodman and His Orchestra, with Johnny "Scat" Davis, Dick Powell and Rosemary Lane all contributing vocals.  Enjoy this video from Daily Motion.

Let That be a lesson 2 U by NilbogLAND

Sunrise Serenade: Breakin' The Ice

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Breakin' The Ice" by Fats Waller and His Rhythm.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

The Trees Knees

In this Hugh Harman-Rudolph Ising animated short from 1931, Bosko goes into the woods to cut some firewood, but ends doing a little "Harman-Ising" with nature after the flora and fauna convince him to spare the trees.  From the Internet Archive, here is The Trees Knees.

Sunrise Serenade: Stomp It Off

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Stomp It Off" by Jimmie Lunceford.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Sunrise Serenade: Did You Mean It?

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Did You Mean It?" by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra with Ella Fitzgerald on vocals.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.

Playlist For April 6, 2016

The playlist for the April 6, 2016 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has now been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

NASA Still Flying 1940's British Bombers

Back in July, I posted an item from the BBC about a 1936 German sailing ship that is still in service with the U.S. Coast Guard.  Continuing that theme, the BBC has posted another "U.S. Government using old-European technology" article.  This instance, however, is on the other end of the technological spectrum from a sailing ship.  NASA still maintains and files three Canberras, a design that was commissioned and designed at the end of World War II, and first flew in 1950. 

Nasa’s Canberras are a part of the agency’s Airborne Science Program (ASP), explains Charles Mallini, who is the program manager for Nasa’s Canberra fleet. “The ASP is responsible for providing aircraft systems that further science and advance the use of satellite data,” he says.

. . . .

That Canberras are still flying is a tribute to the aircraft’s design, which is all the more impressive given that the Canberra is from the very first generation of jet aircraft – a time when aircraft designers were struggling to deal with the enormous issues that came from travelling at such high speeds. And it’s even more exceptional because the Canberras are doing a job that was undreamed of when the aircraft first entered service.

Sunrise Serenade: It's Only A Paper Moon

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "It's Only A Paper Moon" by The (Nat) King Cole Trio.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

The Hops Continue And Live Music Next Week

The Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session continues at the Rumba Room this Friday night.  Free beginner lesson at 7:00 p.m.  Free admission before 7:00 and $5 thereafter.  Lesson by Caesar and Ruth with music by DJ Ruth. 

Dress like you are going out!

Rumba Room

303 South Main

Memphis, TN 38103

Live music next week by the Side Street Steppers.

The University of Memphis RHLH chapter hosts a free beginner swing dance lesson every Monday (except school holidays) in Field House.  Beginner lesson at 7:30 p.m.  More information here. 

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

Sunrise Serenade: Petootie Pie

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Petootie Pie" by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Jordan.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Sunrise Serenade: This Is The Army, Mr. Jones

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "This Is The Army, Mr. Jones" by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.