RCM Productions

Louis Armstrong performs with Nicodemus on this Soundie from 1942.

Musical short starring Spade Cooley.

Duke Ellington and His Orchestra perform "Bli-Blip" with Marie Bryant and Paul White

Dorothy Dandridge and band perform "Cow-Cow Boogie".

R.C.M. Soundie

In this Soundie, the Mills Brothers sing the title song to a cut-out image of Dorothy Dandridge, which then comes to life and dances for them.

"Let's Scuffle" is a short subject -- a single song-and-dance number -- that appears to have been cut from a feature-length movie: to be precise, a 'race film'. (This was the term used by American cinema exhibitors in the 1940s and earlier for any movie with an all-black cast, intended primarily for distribution in black neighbourhoods at a time when many American cinemas were segregated.) The song-and-dance performer here is none other than the great Bill Robinson.

Kay Starr singing "Stop That Dancing Up There".

Spike Jones and His City Slickers perform "Pass the Biscuits, Mirandy".

The Terry Twins with Jerry Browne & His Orchestra perform "Chiquita Banana."

Tex Williams and Spade Cooley's Western Dance Gang sing "Take Me Back to Tulsa".

Harry Langdon lip syncs the title song and interacts with models.

Whitey's Lindy Hoppers at their best along with Duke Ellington and his Orchestra performing for this "Hot Chocolate" musical short.

Soundie featuring The Chanticleers singing "Babbling Bess." Also starring Francine Everett (as Babbling Bess) and Mable Lee (Dancer).

Comedic musical short featuring the Hoosier Hotshots.

Soundie featuring June Richmond (vocals) and Roy Milton performing "Hey Lawdy Mama."

Chris Cross and crew sing "I Wanna Be a Fireman".

Johnny Taylor sings "Good Nite All" at a house party.

Musical short with divers Jeanne Fairbrother, Steve Acardi and Tony Zukas with music by Jimmie Wallington.

Ozzie Nelson takes us along for a typical day for a bandleader.