Symphony of Swing (1939)

Director:

Joseph Henabery

Genre:

Short | Music

Plot:

Artie Shaw and his orchestra perform popular songs with guest stars. |

Plot Keywords:

Orchestra | Singer

Cast

Artie Shaw	...	Themselves
Helen Forrest	...	Herself (singer)
Tony Pastor	...	Himself (singer / saxophonist)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Artie Shaw and His Orchestra

Also Known As:

Artie Shaw and His Orchestra in Symphony of Swing (USA) (alternative title)

Runtime:

10 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #02550)

Company:

Vitaphone Corporation, The

Soundtrack:

Lady Be Good

See a real swing band in action...

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Here is one of the Warner Bros. "Vitaphone" series of musical short films intended to be viewed at the movie theater in conjunction with newsreels. Artie Shaw was the subject of three of these shorts, 1938 and 1939. This was when Artie Shaw's band was it's swinging best, with Tony Pastor blowing the sax and singing, and Helen Forrest the girl singer. In this film, Buddy Rich is on drums. Artie junked this band later in 1939, and ran off to Mexico for a break, but his "Begin The Beguine" band of 1938 and 1939 is generally considered one of the best in all of swingdom. It is this reviewer's opinion that Artie Shaw really was the best. He concentrated on the solid and left the corny and ricky-tick stuff alone. Get this little 10 minute video, and see a real swing band in action!