The New Movie Magazine (Jan-Sep 1935)

In his recording for you this month Vallee, in "Sweet Music," has learned a few tricks from the English. Below: Rudy with Philip Reed and Helen Morgan. MUSIC IN THE MOVIES By JOHN EDGAR WEIR PICTURE producers continue to turn to radio for a large portion of their musical talent. The latest acquisitions to moviedom's singing stars are James Melton and Everett Marshall. These two vocal artists have won tremendous popularity via the air waves, and movie moguls believe they will emulate their radio success on the screen. Warner Brothers' "Sweet Music," starring Rudy Vallee, looms as the most important musical production of the month. The Vagabond Lover features several hit songs in this picture, among them "Sweet Music'' and the title song, "Fare Thee Well, Annabelle," "Every Day," and "I See Two Lovers." However, because of unavoidable recording delays we are able to include only the last mentioned tune in our record review this month. By the time this review appears in print, recordings of the other featured songs will be available. The parade of movie versions of successful stage musicals continues with Warner Brothers' elaborate production, "Sweet Adeline," a Broadway hit of 1929, starring Irene Dunne. The celluloid version retains "Why Was I Born?" "Don't Ever Leave Me," and "Here Am I," song-hits from the original stage production, and incorporates a new tune, "Lonely Feet." The score was written by Jerome Kern who gave us, along with dozens of other hits, "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes." Recordings of these songs are reviewed in this issue. "Music in the Air," produced by Fox, featuring Gloria Swanson and John Boles in stellar roles, is a musical romance of the Gay Nineties. This production also first saw the light of day as a Broadway operetta. Its two major songs are the very beautiful and tuneful "I Told Every Little Star," and "The Song Is You." These are retained from the original stage show and were also written by Jerome Kern, and are probably familiar to you. And speaking of the trend toward HITS OF THE MONTH Biggest Hits "I SEE TWO LOVERS," by Eddie Duchin and his orchestra. (Victor) Also Recommended "OVER MY SHOULDER," by Ray Noble and his orchestra. (Victor) "WHY WAS I BORN?" by Leo Reisman and his orchestra. (Victor) "I TOLD EVERY LITTLE STAR," by Jack Denny and his orchestra. (Victor) "ME WITHOUT YOU," by Enric Madriguera and his orchestra. (Victor) the filming of Broadway musicals, it is believed that Cole Porter's new musical comedy "Anything Goes" will eventually be made into a movie, so, in this month's review, we include the two hit songs from this show for you. They are "You're the Tops," and "All Through the Night," and are recorded by that grand master, Paul Whiteman. "[ SEE TWO LOVERS" from Warner -* Brothers' "Sweet Music," is by Eddie Duchin and his society orchestra. This is a typical Vallee tune with a sweet melody and the type of love lyric that one instinctively associates with the famous crooner. Duchin treats it interestingly, and incorporates some of his inimitable, brilliant piano work. Lee Sherwood interprets the vocal in a pleasing manner. (Victor.) RAY NOBLE, England's premier dance orchestra leader, is in the list again. It's seldom that a record comes through with his name on it that isn't a top-notcher. "Over My Shoulder" is the title of the song recorded and it's from the Gaumont-British film "Evergreen." A real, fast-moving tune, handled in the outstanding Noble manner, with great work from both the brass and reed sections. A vocal refrain is included. "When You've Got a Little Springtime in Your Heart" is the tune on the reverse side and it is also played by Ray Noble and his orchestra. This is an altogether different type of number and is played to medium slow tempo. The sax work is done along the Wayne King style. Another hit to Noble's credit. (Victor.) "A^HY WAS I BORN?" from the * * picture "Sweet Adeline," is played by Leo Reisman and his orchestra. Many of you will remember this. It is a characteristic musical-comedy love song, and enjoyed great popularity during the run of the Broadway stage show. Reisman treats it strictly as a show number, sacrificing rhythm to some extent in order to bring out the rich melody. The vocalist, whose name unfortunately does not appear on the record, handles the assignment exceptionally well. The reverse side carries "Lonely Feet," a fresh treatment of the "wall flower" theme. Ray Noble, England's famous maestro, does a grand job. (Victor.) "P) ON'T EVER LEAVE ME," from *-^ "Sweet Adeline," played by Nat Shilkret and his orchestra is an exceptionally fine arrangement with a unique introduction in which the guitar-player does some tricks. Very rhythmic and danceable with plenty of blaring brass work. Harold Lambert delivers the vocal chorus in a captivating manner. On the other side, Leo Reisman plays "Here Am I," also from "Sweet Adeline." This tune like the Reisman one previously mentioned is played in typical "show style," rather than in dance tempo. The vocalist, again unmentioned, sings it splendidly. (Victor.) "T TOLD EVERY LITTLE STAR," *■ from "Music in the Air," is played by Jack Denny and his orchestra. This is the hit song from the original show, and, if by chance you've forgotten it, you'll remember it when you hear its first lilting strain. The familiar Jack Denny smoothness predominates, and some unusual fiddle work stands out. Paul Small does the vocal chorus in alluring fashion. The reverse side offers "The Song Is You" from the same picture. Jack Denny features the voice of Paul Small throughout the greater part of the number. An admirable recording for those who like music of the higher type. (Victor.) ME WITHOUT YOU," from the Paramount picture, "One Hour Late," starring Joe Morrison, is played by Enric Madriguera and his band. This is a charming love song, and Sefior Madriguera, who is credited with popularizing the tango in our fair land, shows his versatility in his interpretation of this number. The fiddle section, which includes Enric himself, lends charm throughout. The lovely voice of Tony Sacco, of radio fame, is heard in the vocal refrain. The other side carries "A Little Angel Told Me So," from the same picture, and is also played by Enric Madriguera and his tunicians. A sweet tune in the same groove as the preceding one, also cleverly handled by the Spanish maestro and his boys. Again, Tony Sacco sings the vocal in his captivating style. (Victor.) T?ROM Cole Porter's new Broadway " musical "Anything Goes," Paul Whiteman records "You're the Tops." This one, being very rhythmic, is an elegant dance tune. Bits of clean, chopping brass work prevail in one of those ultra-modern arrangements, for which Paul Whiteman is so well known. The lyrics, which are refreshingly different, are sung by Peggy Healy and Johnny Hauser. The other side brings us "All Through the Night" from the same show, which is a more melodic song in a slower tempo. The orchestra, under the baton of Paul Whiteman, is superb in its rendition of this number, and the vocal serves as a surprise. (Victor.) SOME more songs from "Transatlantic Merry-Go-Round." This time it's "Rock and Roll" as played by Johnny Johnson and his orchestra. A nice swingy tune done in a medium fast tempo by Maestro Johnson and giving us a vocal chorus by Lee Johnson. "Oh Leo" is the title of the tune on the other side, also played by Johnny Johnson and his orchestra. SINCE Franz Lehar's immortal "Merry Widow" has been done for the talkies all of the recording companies are digging through their files and resurrecting some of the old releases. Here is one that Paul Whiteman made a few years back. "Villa" is the title, and it's just as beautiful today as it was when Lehar wrote it. "The Merry Widow Waltz" is on the other side, also played by Whiteman. These are two swell numbers that everyone should have. (Victor.) ANOTHER waltz. Angelo Ferdinando and his Great Northern Hotel orchestra play "One Night of Love" from the Columbia film of the same name. If you like three-four time we're sure you'll like this offering. "If You Love Me, Say So," also played by Angelo Ferdinando and his orchestra. (Bluebird). 74 The Neiv Movie Magazine, February, 1935