RCM Productions

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

An early "soundie" in which Dorothy Dandridge & Paul White sing "A Zoot Suit with a Reet Pleat" while getting dressed up for a big date.

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.

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

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

1942 Soundies musical short

Comedic musical short featuring the Hoosier Hotshots.

Ancestors of music videos, YANKEE DOODLER, ROSIE THE RIVETER, and DEAR ARABELLA were made during World War II for coin-operated jukebox devices found in restaurants, bars and train stations. On built-in glass screens, they projected 16mm films of artists performing popular tunes. These examples, although not in perfect condition, are time capsules of their era.

A little music from Lynn Albritton, Lou Ellen and The Harlem Cuties.

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

"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.

Louis Armstrong performs with Nicodemus on this Soundie from 1942.

Princess Aloha & Andy Iona's Orchestra in Hilo Hattie.

A college girl (Bonnie Kildare) dreams of her boyfriend (Johnny Downs) as he sings her a love song. The song begins at graduation ceremony and eventually moves to a soda fountain. A mixed double quartet contributes a lovely chorus.

Smoke' Wells sings "I Got Her in the Mail."

Moonlight Becomes You, Eddy Howard.

Charles Dorn with the novelty number My Little Grass Shack.

Soundie with Gael Amber singing and few couples dancing.

Merle Travis dreaming of a Texas Home.

The combination of The Four Tones & Lucius Brooks with Mildred Boyd to deliver "Baby, Are You Kiddin'?"