The Swing Shift Shuffle is a radio program of swing, big band, jazz, boogie woogie and other popular music from the 1930's and 40's that airs every Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. (US Central Time) on WEVL 89.9 FM in Memphis, Tennessee, with a live webcast at wevl.org. In addition to the radio show, this blog is dedicated to all aspects of the Swing Era, including art, automobiles, cartoons, comics, history, movies, music, news, science, technology, and anything else that happened during that time. It also includes announcements about events in the Memphis/Mid-South area related to the Swing Era, such as classic movies, concerts, dances, lectures, etc. If you see something that fits the description, send it to me at tim@wevl.org. If you would like more information about the radio show, just go to the Radio Show FAQ page.

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Playlist For February 28, 2018

The playlist for the February 28, 2018 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has now been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

Sunrise Serenade: Song Of India

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Song Of India" by the Casa Loma Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Red Hot Lindy Hop Into March This Saturday

Image may contain: 1 person, dancing, crowd and indoor
The next Red Hot Lindy Hop event is this Saturday, March 3, at the Rumba Room.  There will be a lindy hop lesson from 6-7, with open dancing from 7-9.  Admission is $5 for the lesson and dance.  More info here.
303 South Main
Memphis, TN 38103

Sunrise Serenade: The Dipsy Doodle

Today'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

Monday, February 26, 2018

Baby Needs A New Pair Of Shoes! Got A Ration Book?

US poster, WWII
Sarah Sundin posted this article about shoe rationing during World War II.  The military needed both leather and rubber, so folks on the home front had to make things last, and that included the kids.  No exceptions in shoe rationing was made for children.  In 1943, everyone was limited to three pairs a year, which was reduced to two pairs in 1944, and you needed a stamp from your ration book to buy them. 

Sunrise Serenade: Why Don't You Practice What You Preach

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Why Don't You Practice What You Preach" by the Boswell Sisters.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.

Friday, February 23, 2018

Snow Foolin'

With the 2018 Winter Olympics about to conclude, I thought we would stick with that theme.  No real story here, just a bunch of animals having fun with winter sports, followed by a sing along with "Jingle Bells."  From the Internet Archive, here is Snow Foolin'.

Sunrise Serenade: Back Bay Shuffle

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Back Bay Shuffle" by Artie Shaw.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Thursday, February 22, 2018

Before The Bookmobile, There Was The Bookhorse


In the 1930's, the Works Progress Administration created the Pack Horse Library Initiative to provide reading materials to people living in poor, remote areas of Kentucky.  Posted on History Daily, this article and series of photographs explains the challenges these women, who were paid by the WPA, faced while delivering their literature. 

Sunrise Serenade: I Fell Down And Broke My Heart In Two

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "I Fell Down And Broke My Heart In Two" by Bonnie Baker.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Playlist For February 21, 2018

The playlist for the February 21, 2018 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has now been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

Sunrise Serenade: One Dozen Roses

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "One Dozen Roses" by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Ball Of Fire

BALL OF FIRE (’41): A Barrel of Fun by Susan Doll According to film historians Gerald Mast and Wes Gehring, Howard Hawks is the quintessential director of screwball comedy. This opinion can be backed up with facts and films, but I am always caught...
FilmStruck posted this review of the 1941 film, Ball of Fire, starring Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck.  This movie, along with its musical remake, A Song Is Born (1948), is one of my favorites, and this review has some interesting historical insight into this classic, screwball comedy.  For example, when one of the gangsters holding the eccentric professors prisoner starts using items in the room for target practice, he says "I saw me a picture last week," and proceeds to wet the sight of his gun, as leading man Gary Cooper did in his previous film, Sergeant York (1941).

Sunrise Serenade: You Took Advantage Of Me

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "You Took Advantage Of Me" by Anita O'Day.  Enjoy the video from YouTube

Thursday, February 15, 2018

It Happened One Night

It Happened One Night
Here is a nice lobby card, posted on Vintage Ads, for the 1934 film, It Happened One Night.  A fun movie, it is the story of a runaway heiress being accompanied by a (unknown to her) reporter after the story of her running away.  There are some great scenes relating to intercity bus travel, complete with stops at tourist courts.

Sunrise Serenade: I'll Always Be In Love With You

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "I'll Always Be In Love With You" by Ella Fitzgerald.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Playlist For February 14, 2018 - Valentine/Malentine Day Special

The playlist for the February 14, 2018 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle - The Valentine/Maletine Day Special - has now been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

Happy Valentine's Day & Special Program Tonight!


Happy Valentine's Day from Ms. Toby Wing, whom I found in an old Film Noir Photos post.  In honor of the holiday, I'll be doing a Valentine/Malentine Special on the Swing Shift Shuffle tonight.  While most of the songs will be romantic, each set will feature a "Malentine," for those who are less enamored of February 14.  Hope you tune in. 

Sunrise Serenade: One Meatball

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "One Meatball" by the Andrews Sisters with Bing Crosby.  Enjoy the video below from YouTube.

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

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

Monday, February 12, 2018

Period Appropriate Motoring Attire


This post on the Hemmings blog discusses the importance of accessories; specifically - period correct clothing to go with your vintage car.  The post has several references to resources for those interested in vintage clothing, regardless of whether that interest relates to automobiles or not.  One interesting point to me was that the desire for a "complete package" can run both ways.  While many folks may become interested in vintage clothing as an accessory to their vintage car, there are some, like the couple pictured here, who acquired their vintage car as an accessory to their vintage clothes.

Sunrise Serenade: Louisiana Fairy Tale

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Louisiana Fairy Tale" by Fats Waller and His Rhythm.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Friday, February 9, 2018

Hockey Homicide

With the 2018 Winter Olympics now in progress, this 1945 Walt Disney animated short seemed appropriate.  It reminds me of the old question:  "Did you ever go to a fight and have a hockey game break out?"  Posted on YouTube, here is Hockey Homicide.

Sunrise Serenade: The Rhumba Jumps

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "The Rhumba Jumps" by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra with Marion Hutton and Tex Beneke on vocals.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.

Thursday, February 8, 2018

1939 Nash


Although the ad for this 1939 Nash, posted on Vintage Ads, makes only a slight mention of it, one of the neatest features of the pictured sedan was the bed.  Introduced in 1936, the rear seat back hinged up, and in doing so opened up the trunk to the passenger compartment.  Two adults could sleep with their legs and feet in the trunk, and their heads and shoulders on the rear seat cushions.  I saw photos of one for sale a few years ago, and it was a cool-looking car, inside and out. 

Sunrise Serenade: I've Got Rings On My Fingers

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "I've Got Rings On My Fingers" by the Merry Macs.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Playlist For February 7, 2018

The playlist for the February 7, 2018 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has now been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

Sunrise Serenade: Cash For Your Trash

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Cash For Your Trash" by Fats Waller and His Rhythm.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Pulp Magazine Archive

  The Internet Archive is a massive and growing resource, and I have long since given up on the idea of exploring it all.  Thus, I am always happy to find when someone else posts about an IA collection with which I was not yet familiar.  Unfortunately, I have managed to completely forget where I found out about the IA's Pulp Magazine Archive, but to that now forgotten blog poster, please accept my thanks.  This collection has full color scans of pulp magazines starting in the early 20th century, proceeding through the height of the pulp era in the 1930's to 1950's, and even up to the (relatively) more recent, glossy (but still pulp-like in content) magazines of the 1980's and 1990's.  The cover art, especially on some of the science fiction titles, is especially cool.

Sunrise Serenade: Moon Ray

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Moon Ray" by Ella Fitzgerald.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Friday, February 2, 2018

Doggone Tired

Here is a classic Tex Avery cartoon from MGM in 1949.  Hoping to avoid being the target of a hunt on the following morning, a clever rabbit keeps the hunter's dog awake all night.  Found on YouTube, here is Doggone Tired.

Sunrise Serenade: Texas And Pacific

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Texas And Pacific" by Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Thursday, February 1, 2018

Sunrise Serenade: Moonlight Cocktail

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Moonlight Cocktail" by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.