The Big Band Era

Song Number ONE: In one of the great moments of Forties film, detective Dana Andrews falls in love with gorgeous Gene Tierney while gazing at her picture on the wall. In the background, the haunting soundtrack theme music of David Raksin adds to the mood in the classic film mystery of the same name. The Johnny Mercer penned lyrics capture perfectly the mood of that scene. The song topped the Hit Parade in June 1945. This most popular version is by Woody Herman with Woody on vocal, describing "Laura."

Song Number TWO: Now considered the greatest romantic movie of its time, Casablanca was not so considered when first released. Despite a stellar cast headed by Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, making the film was a disaster with multiple writers and directors and its ending in doubt until the final shoot. Even the tremendous response to Dooley Wilson's playing of the film's romantic song revival was lost to big band recording because of the then current recording ban. Thus it was, that this song by Herman Hupfeld from the 1931 revue Everybody's Welcome relied on a Rudy Vallee recording from that same year to top the big band charts in June 1943. "As Time Goes By."

Song Number THREE: The big bands not only took material and inspiration from film, they also appeared in films. Indeed, their very popularity made them suitable film subjects as in the 1940 Paramount film short: Jimmy Dorsey And His Orchestra. Made as a band showcase, it features the voice of Bob Eberly and the alto sax of the band's leader. In his time, Bob Eberly was such a renowned vocalist that Glenn Miller hired his brother, Ray, to sing with the band without an audition. Bob's baritone voice and direct delivery was much admired. However, following service in World War II, he was unable to generate a solo career and died in obscurity. Judge for yourself his right to be regarded as one of the greats of the period as he sings this 1925 song by Brian Hooker(w) and Rudolf Friml(m) from the 1925 operetta The Vagabond "Only A Rose."

Song Number FOUR: The Kay Kyser band appeared in a number of feature films. In the 1940 film, You'll Find Out, Kay and his group appeared with film monsters, Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi and Peter Lorre in a horror film spoof which contained more music than mystery. Kay, Harry and Iskabibble played themselves as did girl band singer Ginny Simms who was featured on this song with words by Johnny Mercer and music by Jimmy McHugh. "I'd Know You Anywhere."

Song Number FIVE: Kay Kyser films featured the antics of "the old perfessor." It took Glenn Miller to make a movie in which the orchestra itself played a leading role. Such a film was Sun Valley Serenade in 1941. Probably the most successful big band feature film ever made, it was followed by Orchestra Wives in 1942. Here is the soundtrack version of the film's hit song. In addition to Tex Beneke, Paula Kelly and the Modernaires as heard on the classic, Number One Charted, Million-Selling Record; we hear Dorothy Dandridge and the Nicholas Brothers after which the Miller Band reverts to it's Paradise Restaurant days as a back-up band for the brothers as they perform one of the most acrobatic dance routines ever put on film, to this mega-hit by Mack Gordon (w) and Harry Warren (m) "The Chattanooga Choo Choo."

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