Jack Frost

This cartoon seemed appropriate for the changing leaves and cool weather.  In this 1934 animated short from Ub Iwerks, a young grizzly bear ignores the warnings of Jack Frost, and underestimates the chilling power of Old Man Winter.  Carl Stalling, of future Warner Bros. fame, provided the musical score.  From the Internet Archive, here is Jack Frost.

Camera Comics

As noted by Peta Pixel, and posted on How To Be A Retronaut, from 1944 to 1946, the U.S. Camera Publishing Company issued a series of comic books to get kids interested in photography.  These Camera Comics books featured stories of photographers in wartime, crime fighting and other adventures; as well as stories about pioneering figures in the history of photography.  The fictional characters included Linda Lens, Kid Click, and my favorite, "Jim Lane, Insurance Investigator."  I wonder if he was Lois Lane's brother.  There were also some neat ads for Kodak and Graflex showing the role their products were playing in the war effort. 

Sunrise Serenade: Nightmare

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

Hiding In Plain Sight

This article entitled "Fooling The Spy In The Sky," from the December 1942 issue of Popular Mechanics and posted on Modern Mechanix, described the latest do-it-yourself craze of the time:  camouflage research.  As the article explained, advances in military surveillance technology since World War I, particularly improved aerial reconnaissance, required new approaches to concealment.

Sunrise Serenade: At An Arabian House Party

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "At An Arabian House Party" by Raymond Scott.  Click on the song title for a sample from emusic, or click here for the album page.

Playlist For November 2, 2011

The playlist for the November 2, 2011 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has just been added to the playlist filing cabinet.

Beryl Davis - RIP

This morning, I learned of the passing on Friday of Beryl Davis.  The British singer kept the troops entertained during the London blitz of World War II, and then came to the U.S. where she appeared with a list of swing and radio royalty, including Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Bob Hope, etc.  The YouTube video below features Ms. Davis with Django Reinhardt on one of my favorite versions of "Undecided." 

Sunrise Serenade: I've Got A Feeling I'm Falling

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "I've Got A Feeling I'm Falling" by Ella Fitzgerald.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Cool Fall Fridays With Red Hot Lindy Hop

The Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session continues this Friday night at the Rumba Room with a lesson by Matt & Kimmie and music by Kimmie.  Free admission before 7:00 p.m., and $5 at the door afterwards. 

Dress like you are going out!

Rumba Room

303 South Main

Memphis, TN 38103

Sunrise Serenade: Shout Sister Shout

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Shout, Sister, Shout" by Lucky Millinder and His Orchestra featuring Sister Rosetta Tharpe on vocals.  Enjoy the video below from YouTube.