Land Of The Midnight Fun

I just discovered this old favorite had recently been uploaded to the Internet Archive.  The classic Warner Bros. animation and gags were enough for me suspend my disbelief on certain points, like the fact that the ship heads north up the East Coast from New York to get to Alaska, or the fact that there are no penguins in the Arctic, Alaska or even the Northern Hemisphere.  SPOILER ALERT - Last time I saw this short, I did not realize that the spire on which the ship lands on its return trip was the obelisk at the 1939 New York World's Fair.  From the Internet Archive, here is the 1939 animated short, Land Of The Midnight Fun. 

Sunrise Serenade: Ti-Pi-Tin

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

Native American Chief, WW2 Veteran, Big Band Drummer, Stunt Man, Actor Dies

I saw on the BBC that Chief David Bald Eagle passed away July 22 at the age of 97.  This gentleman lead quite a life.  He fought in WW2, earning a Silver Star, and was wounded on D-Day.  After returning to the states, he was a drummer in the Cliff Keyes Orchestra.  He then moved to Hollywood, where he trained actors like John Wayne in horsemanship and shooting, and served as Errol Flynn's stunt double.  In the 1950's, he joined a rodeo display team, and continued acting late into his life, appearing in Dances With Wolves. 

Sunrise Serenade: Whoa Babe

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Whoa Babe" by the Casa Loma Orchestra.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.

Playlist For July 27, 2016

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

Sunrise Serenade: Red Sails In The Sunset

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Red Sails In The Sunset" by Guy Lombardo's Royal Canadians.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Red Hot Summer Time

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.   

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: There'll Be A Hot Time In The Town Of Berlin

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "There'll Be A Hot Time In The Town Of Berlin" by Frank Sinatra.  Enjoy the video from YouTube. 

The Death Of Leslie Howard

I've been meaning to post this item for a while, and I finally got around to it.  Classic Movie Favorites originally posted this item about the death of British actor Leslie Howard.  Best known as Ashley Wilkes in Gone With The Wind, Howard appeared in a number of films I enjoy, including The Scarlet Pimpernel, Pygmalion and The First of the Few.  In a book entitled Flight 777, author Ian Colvin examines the various theories surrounding Howard's death in 1943 when his commercial flight was shot down by the Luftwaffe. 

Sunrise Serenade: Rockin' In Rhythm

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Rockin' In Rhythm" by Duke Ellington and his Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Late Breaking News: Memphis Knights Big Band Monday Night

I'm still on the road, but I couldn't let this item go unposted. The Memphis Knights Big Band will be performing this Monday night July 25th at the Woodland Hills Grand Ballroom in Cordova.  The show starts at 7:00 p.m., and admission is $10.00. More information here.

Road Trip

I'm off on a road trip to beat the Summer heat, so the SSS blog will go on a shutdown/maintenance schedule for about a week.