The Black Network (1936) | The Nicholas Brothers + Nina Mae McKinney

Here's a great Vitaphone short subject, with Nina Mae McKinney and The Nicholas Brothers starring in "The Black Network."

Babe Wallace, the Washboard Serenaders, Amanda Rudolph, and Bill "Basement" Brown also appear on this 1936  two-reel short.

With story by A. Dorian Otvos and a special song by Cliff Hess, this film was edited by Bert Frank, photographed by Bert Frank (A.S.C.) and directed by Roy Mack.

Released theatrically by Warner Brothers.

Johnny Green & His Orchestra (1935)

Time for another Vitaphone musical short subject, released by Warner Brothers.

This time, we have Johnny Green, his piano and Orchestra, in a 1935 entry.

Photographed by E.B. DuPar and directed by Joseph Henabery.

Jimmie Lunceford And His Dance Orchestra (1936) (Short Film)

Time for a 1936 Vitaphone short with Jimmie Lunceford and His Dance Orchestra plus The Three Brown Jacks and Myra Johnson.

Originally released theatrically by Warner Brothers, this short subject was photographed by Ray Foster, A.S.C. and directed by Joseph Henabery.

1928 Jan Garber - Sonny Boy (Mull Downey, vocal)

From the Warner Brothers picture The Singing Fool, which starred Al Jolson, here's music by Jan Garbers and His Orchestra with "Sonny Boy."

Mull Downey handles the vocal here.

Recorded in New York City on August 28, 1928 and released on Columbia #1550-D.

Soundie: Minnie the Moocher (Cab Calloway)

Here's a 1942 Soundie with Cab Calloway and His Orchestra as they play, and Cab sings, his theme song "Minnie The Moocher."

The Vagabond Lover (1929) RUDY VALLEE

From RKO Radio Pictures in 1929, we present Rudy Vallee starring in "The Vagabond Lover."


In this one, amateur musician Rudy, in search of work, impersonates an orchestra leader.


This film showcases Rudy at the height of his career as the nation's first singing idol.


Also stars Sally Blane and Marie Dressler.


Story and screenplay by James Ashmore Creelman.


Produced by William LeBaron and directed by Marshall Neilan.

1936 HITS ARCHIVE: Did I Remember - Shep Fields (Charles Chester, vocal)

From the MGM picture Suzy, here are Shep Fields and His Rippling Rhythm Orchestra with "Did I Remember."

Charles Chester handles the vocal here.

Recorded in New York City on July 3, 1936 and released on Bluebird #B-6476.

Pig Foot Pete 1940's Big Band Soundie

Here's a 1945 Soundie with The Dinning Sisters performing "Pig Foot Pete."

This film, a FilmCraft production, was produced and directed by William Forest Crouch.

78rpm: Rug Cutter's Swing - Glenn Miller and his Orchestra, 1940 - Blueb...

From 1940, here's music by Glenn Miller, "Rug Cutter's Swing."

Released on Bluebird #B-10754.

1937 HITS ARCHIVE: Moonlight And Shadows - Shep Fields (Bob Goday, vocal)

From the Paramount film The Jungle Princess, we present Shep Fields and His Rippling Rhythm Orchestra with "Moonlight and Shadows."

Bobby Goday handles the version here.

Recorded on February 1, 1937 in New York City and released on Bluebird #B-6803.

"Snader" - Daddy (Bobby Troup Trio with Virginia Maxey)

Here's a Snader Teletranscription filmed for local TV syndication from around 1952 as the Bobby Troup Trio perform Bobby's own composition "Daddy," with Virginia Maxey.

MADHOUSE-Benny Goodman and His Orchestra (Victor-1936)

Time for music by the King of Swing as Benny Goodman and His Orchestra play "Madhouse."


Recorded on September 27, 1935 and released in March of 1936 on Victor #25268.

California Ramblers (as Golden Gate Orch) - Charleston (HOT!)

Here are The California Ramblers (under the alias of "The Golden Gate Orchestra") with "Charleston."

Here's a look at the personnel:

Red Nichols and Frank Cush - trumpets / Tommy Dorsey - trombone / Jimmy Dorsey or Bobby Davis - alto sax, clarinet / Arnold Brilhart - alto sax / Freddy Cusick - tenor sax / Adrian Rollini - bass sax, second piano / Irving Brodsky - piano / Tommy Felline - banjo / Stan King - drums.

Recorded in New York City on April 2nd, 1925 and released on Edison #51542.

1st RECORDING OF: Dream A Little Dream Of Me - Ozzie Nelson (1931)

Time now for music by Ozzie Nelson and His Orchestra as the boys play, and Ozzie sings, "Dream A Little Dream Of Me."

Recorded in New York City on February 16, 1931 and released on Brunswick #6060.

1937 HITS ARCHIVE: One O’Clock Jump - Count Basie (original Basie version)

Here's Count Basie's classic original recording of the self-penned theme song "One O'Clock Jump."

Recorded in New York City on July 7, 1937 and released on Decca #1363.

1942 Guy Lombardo - Idaho (Rose Marie Lombardo & trio, vocal)

Time for music by Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians, "Idaho."

Rose Marie Lombardo and The Lombardo Trio provide the vocal here.

Recorded in New York City on June 2, 1942 and released on Decca #18399.

Roses by Sammy Kaye on 1950 RCA Victor 78.

It's time to Swing and Sway with Sammy Kaye as the boys play "Roses."

The Kaydets provide the vocal here.

This 1950 hit was released on RCA Victor #20-3754.

1934 Abe Lyman - Pop Goes Your Heart (Phil Neely, vocal)

From the Warner Brothers picture Happiness Ahead, which starred Dick Powell, here's Abe Lyman and His California Orchestra with "Pop! Goes Your Heart," with vocal by Phil Neely.

Recorded on August 24, 1934 and released on Brunswick #6968.

Ted Lewis and his Band "Bees´ Knees" 1922

Here's more music by Ted Lewis and His Band as the boys play "Bees' Knees."

Recorded on September 9, 1922.

1933 HITS ARCHIVE: The Gold Diggers’ Song (We’re In The Money) - Ted Lew...

From the Warner Brothers motion picture Gold Diggers of 1933, we present Ted Lewis and His Band with "The Gold Diggers' Song (We're In The Money)."

Ted does the incidental singing here.

Recorded in New York City on April 19, 1933 and was released on Columbia #2775-D.

Soundie: Duke Ellington And His Orchestra - Flamingo (1942)

Time for a 1942 Soundie as Duke Ellington and His Orchestra play-----and Herb Jeffries sings "Flamingo."

The sultry Janet Collins and Talley Beattey do the dancing.

Directed by Josef Berne.

Here's a rundown of the personnel:

Duke Ellington and his Orchestra:
Wallace Jones, Ray Nance, trumpet
Rex Stewart, cornet
Lawrence Brown, Sam Nanton, Juan Tizol, trombone
Johnny Hodges, Otto Hardwick, Ben Webster, Barney Bigard, Harry Carney, reeds
Duke Ellington, piano
Fred Guy, guitar
Junior Raglin, acoustic double bass
Sonny Greer, drums
Herb Jeffries, vocal
The Katherine Dunham Dancers
(Personnel on Camera)

1939 HITS ARCHIVE: Moonlight Serenade - Glenn Miller

Here's Glenn Miller and His Orchestra with Glenn's self-penned theme song "Moonlight Serenade."

This 1939 recording was released on Bluebird #10214.

1929 Ben Selvin - Sunny Side Up (Smith Ballew, vocal)

Here's the title song from the Fox film Sunny Side Up with Ben Selvin and His Orchestra.

Smith Ballew handles the vocal here.

Recorded in New York City on September 25, 1929 and released on Columbia #1994-D.

1927 Paul Whiteman - Muddy Water (Bing Crosby, vocal)

Time for music by Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra as "Pops" and the boys play---and an uncredited Bing Crosby sings----"Muddy Water."

Recorded in New York City on March 7, 1927 and released on Victor #20508.

This recording marks Bing's first solo vocal.

78 Rpm: Always In My Heart - Glenn Miller & His Orchestra - Bluebird B-...

With vocal by Ray Eberle, here's Glenn Miller and His Orchestra with the title song from the Warner Brothers picture Always In My Heart.

Recorded on January 8, 1942 and released on Bluebird #11438.

WOULD JA? - California Ramblers

"Would-Ja?" is the question put forward by The California Ramblers under the nom de plume of The Golden Gate Orchestra.

Recorded on August 31, 1926 in New York City and released on Edison #51824.

Fats Waller and his Rhythm "Winter Weather" 1941

Time for music by Fats Waller and His Rhythm, "Winter Weather."

Fats plays the piano and handles the vocal here.

Recorded on December 26, 1941 and released on Bluebird #B-11469.

1932 version: Cab Calloway - The Skat Song (Cab Calloway, vocal)

Time for music by Cab Calloway and His Orchestra as the boys play "The Skat Song."

Cab does the vocal as nobody else could here.

Recorded on February 29, 1932 in Chicago and released on Brunswick #6272.

1939 HITS ARCHIVE: The Umbrella Man - Kay Kyser (Harry Babbitt & Ginny S...

Time for "The Umbrella Man" with Kay Kyser and His Orchestra.

Ginny Simms and Harry Babbitt handle the vocals here.

Recorded in 1938 and released on Brunswick #8225.

1936 HITS ARCHIVE: A Star Fell Out Of Heaven - Hal Kemp (Bob Allen, vocal)

"A Star Fell Out Of Heaven" is the selection by Hal Kemp and His Orchestra.

Bob Allen supplies the vocal here.

Recorded in New York City on July 14, 1936 and released on Brunswick A#7707.

1935 HITS ARCHIVE: I Get A Kick Out Of You - Paul Whiteman (Ramona Davie...

From the Cole Porter musical comedy Anything Goes, here's Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra with "I Get A Kick Out Of You."

Ramona handles the vocal here.

Recorded in late 1934 and released on Victory #24769.