The Melody Masters were a series of first-rate big band musical film shorts produced by Warner Brothers, under the supervision of Samuel Sax at their Vitaphone studio in New York between 1931 and 1939, and in Burbank, California with producer Gordon Hollingshead in charge between 1940 and 1946.
Overview
Among the most popular short subjects of their kind (making the Motion Picture Herald top money-making shorts lists in 1939 ); these were an offshoot of the Vitaphone Varieties. Each ran from 9 to 11 minutes in length and was produced in black and white.
While rival studios like Universal Pictures focused mostly on the performance itself in their own “Name Band Musicals” shorts, Warner Bros. added more storyline material and visual experimentation. Early films often used a gimmick to frame the musical performances such as the roller skates used in Eddie Duchin & His Orchestra. As the series progressed, the uses of multiple exposures (a great example being Symphony of Swing with Artie Shaw), optical effects, mirrors (i.e. Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra) and stark shadow lighting (i.e. Henry Busse and His Orchestra) made this series stand out against the competition.
Jean Negulesco was a key director on some of the best titles of the early 1940s before graduating to features. Life (magazine) photographer Gjon Mili contributed to the most frequently seen today title, Jammin' the Blues, entered into the National Film Registry in 1995.
After the series’ official end in 1946, there were two follow-up series called “Memories from Melody Lane” and “Hit Parade of the Gay Nineties” that differed somewhat in style and narration, tracing the history of popular music since the 1890s.
Current availability
A group of them were released on laser disc (through MGM/UA) and Warner DVD, starting in the 1990s. In the latter format, they were mostly “extras” with various Warner features before the Warner Archive Collection produced a set titled Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts in 2010.
List of titles
Below is a full listing by title, director and major credits, followed by release date, review date (Film Daily) or copyright date. DVD availability is also provided.
1931
| Title | Major credits | Review date (Film Daily) |
|---|---|---|
| Rhythms of a Big City | Harold Levy (director) John Hickey & Billy Gilbert | August 23 |
| The Big House Party | Earl Carpenter | September 27 |
| A Havana Cocktail | Castro Cuban Orchestra | October 4 |
| Musical Moods | Horace Heidt & His Californians | December 6 |
| Darn Tootin' | Rudy Wiedoeft with Dixie Lee & Lucille Page | December 6 |
1932
| Title | Major credits | Release, copyright or review date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up on the Farm | Roy Mack (director); Henry Santrey & Band with Dudley Clements, Barney Grant & the Three Moderns | March 27 (Film Daily review) | |
| It's a Panic | Roy Mack (director); Benny Meroff & His Orchestra | April 10 (Film Daily review) | |
| Music to My Ears | Roy Mack (director); Jack Denny & Orchestra, Dorothy Brent, George Tapps, Jean & Lynton | September 17 | |
| The Yacht Party | Roy Mack (director); Roger Wolf Kahn, Gertrude Niesen & Melissa Mason | © September 29 | Sometimes listed as a “Vitaphone Variety”. Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD |
| The Lease Breakers | Roy Mack (director); Willie Creager & Band, Aunt Jemima (Tess Gardella), Isabel Brown & the Colleano Wire Act | November 10 (Film Daily review) |
1933
| Title | Major credits | Release, copyright or review date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot Competition | Roy Mack (director); The Continentals, Ted Husing, Harry Barris, Lois Whiteman & Ray Sax | © January 9 | |
| Abe Lyman Band | Abe Lyman & His Band | January 20 | |
| That's the Spirit | Roy Mack (director); Noble Sissle & The Washboard Serenaders, Cora La Redd | February 3 (Film Daily review) | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD; Copyright date on opening credit is MCMXXXII (1932) |
| The Alma Martyr | Fred Waring & His Pennsylvanians | February 23 (Film Daily review) | |
| How's Tricks | Roy Mack (director); Howard Lanin Band | © February 25 | |
| Hot from Petrograd | Joseph Henabery (director); Dave Apollon | May | |
| The Name is Familiar | Alfred J. Goulding (director); Leon Belasco & Band, Vivian Janis, Holland & Knight, Dorothy Dodge | © June 6 | |
| David Rubinoff and His Orchestra | David Rubinoff & Jean Sargent | July | |
| The Audition | Roy Mack (director); Phil Emerton & Band, Hannah Williams (actress), the Three X Sisters, Larry & Larry | July 8 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD & The Mayor of Hell DVD |
| A Castilion Garden | Joseph Henabery (director); Senor del Pozo's Marimba Band, Celso Ruttado, Tortolero de Medina, Senorita Adrina and Ismael Guzman | © August 1 | |
| Barber Shop Blues | Joseph Henabery (director); Claude Hopkins, Orlando Roberson & Four Step Brothers | © September 23 | Vitaphone Cavalcade of Musical Comedy Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD |
| Notre Dame Glee Club | Joseph Henabery (director); Charles Coleman | © November 11 | |
| Eddie Duchin & His Orchestra | Joseph Henabery (director); Eddy Duchin | © November 25 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD. Spelling of title is incorrect on screen. |
1934
| Title | Major credits | Release, copyright or review date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mills Blue Rhythm Band | Roy Mack (director); with Sally Gooding, Fredi Washington & others | © February 6 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD |
| Vincent Lopez and Orchestra | Joseph Henabery (director); Vincent Lopez & Sheila Barrett | © April 13 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD |
| Big City Fantasy | Joseph Henabery (director); Phil Spitalny | April 14 | Vitaphone Cavalcade of Musical Comedy Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD |
| Isham Jones & His Orchestra | Roy Mack (director); Isham Jones, Gypsy Nina, Eddie Vogt, Arthur & Rose Boylan | May 12 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD |
| Richard Himber and His Orchestra | Roy Mack (director); Richard Himber, Joey Nash, Brhardt & Graham, Virginia MacNaughton | July | |
| Jolly Good Fellow | Joseph Henabery (director); B. A. Rolfe & the Men About Town, Dolly Arden & John Monahan | © July 5 | |
| Little Jack Little | Joseph Henabery (director); Jack Little (songwriter) | August 22 (Film Daily review) | |
| Phil Spitalny & His Musical Queens | Joseph Henabery (director); Phil Spitalny & Mickey Braatz | August 23 (Film Daily review) | Vitaphone Cavalcade of Musical Comedy Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD |
| Mirrors | Roy Mack (director); Freddie Rich's Orchestra | © September 8 | Vitaphone Cavalcade of Musical Comedy Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD |
| Ciro Rimac's Rhumba Orchestra | Joseph Henabery (director) | October | |
| Ben Pollack & His Orchestra | Joseph Henabery (director); Ben Pollack with Doris Robbins | © October 4 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD |
| Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Crawford | Joseph Henabery (director); Mrs. & Mrs. Jesse Crawford, Margaret O'Donnell & John Creighton | October 15 (Film Daily review) | |
| Don Redman & His Orchestra | Joseph Henabery (director); Don Redman | October 29 | Dames DVD & Vitaphone Cavalcade of Musical Comedy Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD |
1935
| Title | Major credits | Release, copyright or review date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Echoes | Joseph Henabery (director); Charles Davis & His Orchestra, Cackles O’Neill | © March 5 | |
| Will Osborne and His Orchestra | Roy Mack (director); with Helen Ward (singer), Evelyn & James Vernon | © April 1 | |
| Barney Rapp and His New Englanders | Joseph Henabery (director); Barney Rapp, Jack & June Blair, Ruby Wright | © April 1 | |
| Freddie Martin and His Orchestra | Joseph Henabery (director); Freddie Martin, Paul & Eva Reyes | May 11 | |
| The Wishing Stone | Roy Mack (director); Dave Apollon, Paul Perry & Zeni Vatori | © June 3 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD |
| Borrah Minnevitch and His Harmonica Rascals (#2) | Roy Mack (director); Borrah Minnevitch | July 6 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD |
| Phil Spitalny's All Girl Orchestra | Joseph Henabery (director); Phil Spitalny, Maurine & Nova | August 7 | |
| Rubinoff and His Orchestra | Joseph Henabery (director) David Rubinoff, Loupoukin & Kounavsky, Martnoff, Adla Kuznetzoff | August 10 | |
| Johnny Green & His Orchestra | Joseph Henabery (director); Johnny Green | September 6 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD & Captain Blood (1935 film) DVD |
| By Request | Roy Mack (director) & Orlando Robeson; Claude Hopkins, Tip, Tap & Toe | October 18 | |
| Borrah Minnevitch and His Harmonica Rascals | Roy Mack (director); Borrah Minnevitch | © October 28 | filmed June 1933 |
| Jack Denny's Orchestra | Jack Denny | November 29 (Film Daily review) | |
| Red Nichols & His World Famous Pennies | Joseph Henabery (director); Red Nichols, Bob Carter & the Wallace Sisters | December 30 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD |
1936
| Title | Major credits | Release, copyright or review date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jolly Coburn and His Orchestra | Joseph Henabery (director); with Kathleen Wells, Harold Richards & Lewis | February 22 | ||
| Off the Record | Joseph Henabery (director) B. A. Rolfe & Orchestra, the Music Hall Boys, and Sincair Twins | © March 9 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD | |
| Little Jack Little & Orchestra | Joseph Henabery (director); Jack Little (songwriter) | with Dot, Donna & Teddy | March 28 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD |
| Ramon Ramos and His Rainbow Room Orchestra | Joseph Henabery (director); with Manya & Drigo | April 18 | ||
| Meet the Kernel | Joseph Henabery (director) Dave Apollon & His Band | May 13 (Film Daily review) | ||
| Vincent Lopez and His Orchestra | Joseph Henabery (director); Vincent Lopez, June Hart, Jack Holland, Maxine Tappan, Fred Lowry, and Johnnie Morris | May 13 (Film Daily review) | ||
| Clyde Lucas and His Orchestra | Joseph Henabery (director); Clyde Lucas, Dave & Dorothy Fitzgibbons, Lyn Lucas, the Three Symphonettes | June 12 (Film Daily review) | ||
| Carl Hoff and His Orchestra | Joseph Henabery (director); with Grace MacDonald, Sonny Schuyler & the Collegians | July 11 | ||
| Poets of the Organ | Joseph Henabery (director); Mr. & Mrs. Jesse Crawford, Robert Simmons | August 15 | ||
| Clyde McCoy and His Sugar Blues Orchestra | Joseph Henabery (director); Clyde McCoy | August 15 | ||
| Nick Lucas and His Troubadors | Joseph Henabery (director); Nick Lucas, Kay Kernan, Marion Witkins & Jack Walters | August 15 | ||
| Harry Reser & His Eskimoes | Roy Mack (director); Harry Reser | September 26 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD | |
| Leon Navara and His Orchestra | Lloyd French (director); with Honey & Weldon | November 7 | ||
| Emil Coleman and His Orchestra with The Nightingales | Roy Mack (director); with Harlan & Hart | © December 7 | ||
| Jimmie Lunceford and His Dance Orchestra | Joseph Henabery (director); Jimmie Lunceford | December 19 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive), Blues in the Night (film) & Follow the Fleet DVD |
1937
| Title | Major credits | Release or copyright date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| George Hall and His Orchestra | Roy Mack (director) | January 9 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) & Bullets or Ballots DVD |
| Swanee Cruise | Joseph Henabery (director); Louisiana Kings, Willis Ducre & the Robinson Twins | January 23 | |
| Hi De Ho | Roy Mack (director); Cab Calloway | February 20 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) & Black Legion (film) DVD |
| Peter Van Steeden and His Orchestra | Joseph Henabery (director); Peter van Steeden, Harold Richards & Hazel Geary | March 6 | |
| Jacques Fray & His Orchestra | Roy Mack (director); with Andrea Marsh, Louise & Andrew Carr | March 27 | |
| The Jam Session | Joseph Henabery (director); Clyde McCoy & His Sugar Blues Orchestra | April 17 | |
| A Musical Journey to South America | Joseph Henabery (director); Ciro Rimac Orchestra | May 8 | |
| Eliseo Grenet & His Orchestra | Roy Mack (director); Eliseo Grenet, Conchita, Jose Negrette, R. Armangod & the Rhumba Sextette | June 15 | |
| Lennie Hayton and His Orchestra | Joseph Henabery (director); Lennie Hayton, the Rhythm Kings, Billy Gilbert & Paul Barry | July 10 | |
| The New Professor | Joseph Henabery (director); Jack Denny & His Orchestra, Chester Fredericks, LaNelle Avery, Judy Lane & George Pembroke | © July 21 | |
| David Mendoza and Orchestra | Lloyd French (director); with Minor & Rot, Lucille Manners, Bob Simmons & the Revelers | July 31 | |
| Russ Morgan and His Orchestra | Roy Mack (director); Russ Morgan, Bernice Parks, Tom MacDonald & Christine Ross | September 11 | |
| Mal Hallett and His Orchestra | Lloyd French (director); Mal Hallett, Teddy Grace, Jerry Perkins, Buddy & Claire Green, and Wallace Bros. | September 11 | |
| Milt Britton and His World Famous Orchestra | Lloyd French (director); with Walter Powell, Tito, Milt Britton & the Three Leslies | October 2 | |
| Jan Rubini and Orchestra | Joe Henabery) with Lillian Dawson, Rosalean & Seville, Francis Pierlot | December 4 | |
| Henry King and His Orchestra | Joseph Henabery (director) with Betty Allen | December 20 | |
| Benny Meroff and His Orchestra | Roy Mack (director); with Jackie Marshall & Florence Gast | © December 20 |
1938
| Title | Major credits | Release or copyright date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sin-Copation | Lloyd French (director); Leon Navara & His Band, Detmar Poppen | January 8 | ||
| Enric Madriguera and Orchestra | Lloyd French (director); Enric Madriguera & Patricia Gilmore | January 26 | ||
| Carl Hoff and His Orchestra (#2) | Joseph Henabery (director); with the Kidoodlers, Minor & Root, Patricia Norman & Jimmy Blair | February 12 | ||
| David Rubinoff and His Violin | Joseph Henabery (director); David Rubinoff, Colette & Barry | April 16 | ||
| Carl Deacon Moore and Orchestra | Lloyd French (director) | May 7 | ||
| Mike Reilly and Band | Lloyd French (director); with Marion Mikler | May 14 | ||
| Freddie Rich and His Orchestra | Lloyd French (director); Freddie Rich, Nan Wynn, and Joe Sodja | May 28 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) & The Adventures of Robin Hood (film) DVD | |
| Clyde Lucas and Orchestra | Joseph Henabery (director); Clyde Lucas | June 18 | ||
| Don Bestor and Orchestra | Joseph Henabery (director); with Mildred Law, Ducky Yountz & Joan Merrill | July 9 | ||
| The Saturday Night Swing Club | Lloyd French (director); Leith Stevens, Bobby Hackett | July 30 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD | |
| Swing Cat's Jamboree | Roy Mack (director); Louis Prima, Shirley Lloyd, Ted Gary, and Mitzi Dahl | August 6 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD | |
| His Busy Day | Joseph Henabery (director); Clyde McCoy, Wilbur Gregg, and the Three Bennett Sisters | August 20 | ||
| Blue Baron and His Orchestra | Joseph Henabery (director) with Harris, Claire & Shannon, Russ Carlyle | August 27 | ||
| Larry Clinton and His Orchestra with Carol Bruce | Lloyd French & Joseph Henabery (directors); Larry Clinton, Carol Bruce, Martin & Robinson | September 3 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD | |
| Arnold Johnson and His Orchestra | Joseph Henabery (director); with Siroy & Weaver, Three Sirens & Three Orchids | September 11 | ||
| Ray Kinney and His Royal Hawaiian Orchestra | Roy Mack (director); Ray Kinney | with The Aloha Maids | October 1 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD |
| Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra | Lloyd French (director); Jimmy Dorsey, Bob Eberle & Evelyn Oak | October 22 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) & Jezebel (film) DVD | |
| Merle Kendrick and His Orchestra | Joseph Henabery (director); with Miriam Grahame, Marion Wilkins, and Jack Walters | November 12 | ||
| Music with a Smile in the Happy Felton Style | Lloyd French (director); Three Reasons, Bob Robinson, and Virginia Martin | December 3 | ||
| Dave Apollon and His Orchestra | Roy Mack (director); Dave Apollon with Buddy & Claire Green, Aunt Jemima (Tess Gardella) & Bobby Graham | © December 24 |
1939
| Title | Major credits | Release or copyright date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jerry Livingston and His Talk of the Town Music | Lloyd French (director); Jerry Livingston, Jack & Jane Boyle, Adrian Rollini Trio. Barbara Richards | © January 4 | |
| Clyde Lucas and His Orchestra | Lloyd French (director); Clyde Lucas, Rosalean & Seville, Lyn Lucas | January 7 | |
| Russ Morgan and His Orchestra | Joseph Henabery (director); Russ Morgan, Gloria Whitney, Carolyn Clare & the Paradise Girls | February 25 | |
| It's the McCoy | Joseph Henabery (director); Clyde McCoy & His Sugar Blues Orchestra, Wayne Gregg, the Three Bennett Sisters, and Tim Lorman | March 18 | |
| Dave Apollon and His Club Casanova Orchestra | Lloyd French (director); Dave Apollon, Melissa Mason, May McKim, Ted Adair & Ruth Long | April 8 | |
| Artie Shaw and His Orchestra | Roy Mack (director); Artie Shaw, Helen Forrest, and Tony Pastor (bandleader) | April 29 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD |
| Larry Clinton & His Orchestra with Bea Wain | Joseph Henabery (director); Larry Clinton, Bea Wain, Ford Leary | May 20 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD |
| On The Air (Saturday Night Swing Club) | Lloyd French (director); Leith Stevens and His Saturday Night Swing Orchestra, Mel Allen, Bobby Hackett’s Orchestra, Nan Wynn | June 10 | |
| Rita Rio and Her Orchestra with Emily Adrien And Bill Furrow | Roy Mack (director); Rita Rio | July 1 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD |
| Will Osborne and His Orchestra with Dick Rogers and Lynn Davis | Roy Mack (director) | July 22 | |
| Symphony of Swing | Joseph Henabery; Artie Shaw & Orchestra | July | 'arner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD |
| Eddie DeLange and His Orchestra with Elisse Cooper | Lloyd French (director); Eddie DeLange | August 12 | |
| The Dipsy Doodler | Lloyd French (director); Larry Clinton & Orchestra | August | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD |
| Swing Styles | Lloyd French (director); Adrian Rollini Trio, Milt Herth's Orchestra, Ruh & Jane Frazee, Tito and his Swingettes | September 2 | |
| Vincent Lopez and His Orchestra with Betty Hutton | Joseph Henabery (director); Vincent Lopez, Betty Hutton, Johnny Russell (saxophonist), Fred Lowry & the Four Horsemen | September 30 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD |
| Rubinoff and His Violin | Joseph Henabery (director); David Rubinoff, June Claire, Jack Holland & June Hart | November 11 |
1940
| Title | Major credits | Release or copyright date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frances Carroll and the Coquettes | Roy Mack (director); with Viola Smith & Eunice Healy | February 10 | filmed March 1939; Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD |
| Romance in Rhythm | Lloyd French (director); Carl Hoff & His Orchestra, Barry McKinley, the Kidoodlers & Randall Sisters | March 23 | filmed June 1939 |
| Matty Malneck and His Orchestra | Matty Malneck, George Amy | April 5 (preview) | |
| Ozzie Nelson & His Orchestra | Roy Mack (director); Ozzie Nelson | June 29 | filmed July 1939; Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) & Torrid Zone DVD |
| Woody Herman and His Orchestra | Roy Mack (director); Woody Herman, Lee Wiley, Hal & Honey Abbott, Marie Hartman & Reed Brown Jr. | July 27 | filmed February 1939; Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD |
| Jan Garber and His Orchestra | Jean Negulesco (director); Jan Garber | August 31 | |
| Joe Reichman and His Orchestra | Jean Negulesco (director) | October 26 | |
| Henry Busse and His Orchestra | Jean Negulesco (director); Henry Busse | November 30 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) & Brother Orchid DVD |
1941
| Title | Major credits | Release or copyright date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skinnay Ennis and His Orchestra | Jean Negulesco (director); Skinnay Ennis | January 4 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD |
| Cliff Edwards and His Buckaroos | Jean Negulesco (director); Cliff Edwards | March 8 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD |
| Freddie Martin and His Orchestra | Jean Negulesco (director); Freddie Martin | April 12 | |
| Marie Green and Her Merry Men | Jean Negulesco (director) | April 26 | |
| Hal Kemp and His Orchestra | Jean Negulesco (director); Hal Kemp, Bob Allen & Maxine Grey | June 14 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD |
| Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra | Jean Negulesco (director); Glen Gray | August 12 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD |
| Carl Roff and His Orchestra (Carl Hoff and Band) | Jean Negulesco (director) | August 16 | |
| Those Good Old Days | Jean Negulesco (director) | August 16 | |
| University of Southern California Band and Glee Club | Jean Negulesco (director) | September 13 | |
| Carioca Serenaders (The Serenaders) | Jean Negulesco (director);; music: Howard Jackson; Humberto Herrere & Band | October 25 | |
| Forty Boys and a Song | Irving Allen (director); Robert Mitchell's Boy Choir | December 6 | Nominee for Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film. Available on The Bride Came C.O.D. DVD |
| Leo Reisman and His Orchestra | Jean Negulesco (director); Leo Reisman | © December 24 | |
| The Playgirls | Jean Negulesco (director); Cathy Lewis, Navy Blues Sextette & The Ryan sisters | © December 26 |
1942
| Title | Major credits | Release date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Himber and Orchestra | Jean Negulesco (director); Richard Himber | April 11 | |
| Don Cossack Chorus | Jean Negulesco (director); Serge Jaroff conducts | Apr 25 | |
| Emil Coleman and His Orchestra | Jean Negulesco (director) | May 9 | filmed June '41 |
| The United States Army Air Force Band | Jean Negulesco (director); Alf Heiber | September 19 | Desperate Journey DVD |
| Six Hits and a Miss | Jean Negulesco (director); Six Hits and a Miss | October 24 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) & The Man Who Came to Dinner DVD |
| United States Marine Band | Jean Negulesco (director); William Santelmann | November 14 | Nominee for Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film; available on Kings Row DVD |
| Borrah Minnevitch and His Harmonica School | Jean Negulesco (director); Borrah Minnevitch | December 26 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) & Desperate Journey DVD |
1943
| Title | Major credits | Release date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| The United States Navy Band | Jean Negulesco (director); Charles Brendler | January 25 | Thank Your Lucky Stars (film) DVD |
| Ozzie Nelson and His Orchestra | Jean Negulesco (director); Ozzie Nelson | March 27 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD |
| The United States Army Band | Jean Negulesco (director); Thomas Darcy Jr. | April 17 | This Is the Army DVD |
| The All-American Bands | Jean Negulesco (director); | May 22 | recycles footage of Freddie Martin, Skinnay Ennis, Joe Reichman & Matty Malneck |
| Childhood Days | Jean Negulesco & Jack Scholl (directors); Diana Hale, The Alvarez Sisters & California Junior Symphony | June 5 | |
| The United States Service Bands | Jean Negulesco (director) | July 24 | Edge of Darkness (1943 film) DVD |
| Hit Parade of the Gay Nineties | Jean Negulesco (director); Jack Crosby | September 18 | |
| Sweetheart Serenade | Jean Negulesco (director); Warren Douglas, Joyce Reynolds & others | October 23 | |
| Cavalcade of the Dance with Veloz and Yolanda | Jean Negulesco (director); Veloz and Yolanda; narrator: Art Gilmore | November 20 | Nominee for Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film, on Action in the North Atlantic (Classic Legends Humphrey Bogart) DVD |
| Freddie Fisher and His Band | Jean Negulesco (director); Freddie Fisher (musician) | December 18 |
1944
| Title | Major credits | Release date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States Merchant Marine Cadet Corps Band (Ted Weams & Merchant Marine) | Jean Negulesco (director); Ted Weems | January 29 | |
| South American Sway | Jean Negulesco (director); recycled footage of Emil Coleman, Joe Reichman & Carl Roff's Serenaders | March 18 | |
| The United States Coast Guard Band | Bobby Connolly (director); Rudy Vallee | April 15 | Uncertain Glory DVD |
| Songs of the Range | Dick Foran (director); narrator: Knox Manning | June 24 | |
| Junior Jive Bombers | LeRoy Prinz (director); music: William Lava | July 1 | |
| All Star Melody Master | Jean Negulesco (director); recycled footage of Hal Kemp, Emil Coleman, Skinnay Ennis & David Rubinoff | July 29 | Northern Pursuit DVD |
| Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys | LeRoy Prinz; Bob Wills | September 2 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD |
| Listen to the Bands | LeRoy Prinz & Jean Negulesco (directors); recycled Glen Gray, Skinnay Ennis, Joe Reichman & Milt Britton Orchestras | October 7 | |
| Harry Owens and His Royal Hawaiian Orchestra | Dave Gould (director); Harry Owens | November 4 | |
| Sonny Dunham and His Orchestra | Arnold Albert & Jack Scholl (directors); Sonny Dunham, the Pied Pipers & Angela Greene | November 25 | |
| Jammin' the Blues | Gjon Mili & Bob Burks (directors); Lester Young, Illinois Jacquet, Marie Bryant & Archie Savage | December 18 | Nominee for Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film, available on Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive), Blues in the Night (film) & Passage to Marseilles (Classic Legends Humphrey Bogart) DVD |
1945
| Title | Major credits | Release date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhythm of the Rhumba | LeRoy Prinz (director); Chuy Reyes, Antonio Triana, Lola Montez & Chinita Marin | January 27 | |
| Musical Mexico | Jack Scholl (director); music: Howard Jackson; Pedro Vargas | March 24 | |
| Circus Band | Jack Scholl (director) | May 5 | |
| Bands Across the Sea (G.I. Jive) | narrator: Truman Bradley | June 2 | |
| Yankee Doodle Daughters | Dave Gould (director); Rudy Vallee | July 21 | |
| Spade Cooley: King of Western Swing | Jack Scholl (director); Spade Cooley | September 1 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD |
| Here Come the Navy Bands | Dave Gould (director) | September 29 | |
| Musical Novelties | Jack Scholl (director) | October 6 | recycles footage from Vitaphone Gambols, Vitaphone Highlights & other 1930s shorts |
| Music of the Americas | Jack Scholl (director); Lyda Vendrell, Teddy Rodriguez & Phyllis | December 15 |
1946-1947
| Title | Major credits | Release or copyright date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headline Bands | Jack Scholl & Lloyd French (director) | January 26, 1946 | recycles footage of Larry Clinton, Woody Herman, Jimmy Dorsey & others |
| Jan Savitt and His Band | Jack Scholl (director); Jan Savitt, Bob Arthur, Shirley Van, Helen Warren & the Lipham Children | March 16, 1946 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD |
| Rhythm on Ice | Jack Scholl (director); George Arnold, Corrine Church, the Brinckmann Sisters, the Cubettes & the Notables | April 20, 1946 | |
| Dixieland Jamboree | Jack Scholl (director); music: Howard Jackson | May 11, 1946 | recycles Cab Calloway & others |
| Musical Memories | Jack Scholl (director); Busby Berkeley numbers from the ‘30s | © June 29, 1946 | |
| Enric Madriguera and His Orchestra (#2) | Lloyd French & Jack Scholl (directors); Enric Madriguera | August 10, 1946 | |
| Desi Arnaz and His Orchestra | Jack Scholl (director); Desi Arnaz | October 12, 1946 | Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) & Night and Day (1946 film) DVD. Last Melody Master filmed, but not last released. |
| Melody of Youth | LeRoy Prinz (director); California Junior Symphony with Peter Merenblum | December 14, 1946 | |
| Big Time Revue | music: William Lava | January 25, 1947 | |
| Stan Kenton and His Orchestra | Jack Scholl (director); Stan Kenton | February 22, 1947 | filmed December 1945; Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts (Warner Archive) DVD |
| Vaudeville Revue | Saul Elkins (director) recycled Johnny Perkins, Radio Rubes & the Buccaneers | April 12, 1947 |
Memories from Melody Lane (filmed 1947)
Directed by Jack Scholl, narrated by Art Gilmore and featuring the Merry Makers as musical support.
- Let's Sing a Song from the Movies / July 17, 1947 (available on Romance on the High Seas Greatest Classic Legends Doris Day DVD)
- Let's Sing a Song of the West / September 27, 1947
- Let's Sing an Old Time Song / December 26, 1947
- Let's Sing a Song about the Moonlight / January 24, 1948 (available on On Moonlight Bay (film) DVD)
- Let's Sing a Stephen Foster Song / May 8, 1948
- Let's Sing Grandfather's Favorites / August 8, 1948
Hit Parade of the Gay Nineties (filmed 1950)
Directed by Jack Scholl
- When Grandpa Was a Boy / October 7, 1950
- The Old Family Album / December 16, 1950
- In Old New York / May 15, 1951
- Musical Memories / June 30, 1951
See also
Links
- Melody Masters listed on the IMDb.com
- Film Daily links
- NPR DVD review of Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts
References
- Liebman, Roy (2003). Vitaphone Films – A Catalogue of the Features and Shorts. McFarland & Company. ISBN 9780786412792.
- Maltin, Leonard (1972). The Great Movie Shorts. Bonanza Books.
- Motion Pictures 1912-1939 Catalog of Copyright Entries 1951 Library of Congress
- Motion Pictures 1940-1949 Catalog of Copyright Entries 1953 Library of Congress
- Motion Pictures 1950-1959 Catalog of Copyright Entries 1960 Library of Congress
- BoxOffice back issue scans available (release date information in multiple issue “Shorts Charts”)
Notes
- 1965 International Motion Picture Almanac. 1964. Quigley Publishing Company. pp. 86-88A
- Maltin, Leonard. The Great Movie Shorts. 1972. Bonanza Books, p. 25 & 213
- Motion Pictures 1912-1939 Catalog of Copyright Entries 1951 Library of Congress