The New Movie Magazine (Jan-Sep 1935)

"The Folies Bergere" brings not only tunes but the spirit of gay Paris itself. The current crop of new pictures brings us a lot of grand new tunes. Orchestra and dance fans will want these recordings A GLANCE at the musical n productions released this D y month reveals Bing Crosby in the starring role of Paramount's "Mississippi." To launch Bing into this picture, which promises to be one of the year's best, Paramount selected the famed song writing team of Rodgers and Hart to write the musical score. In "Mississippi"' you will hear Bing sing, among others, "Soon," "Down by the River," and "Easy to Remember." The first two named, which show promise of being the biggest hits, are reviewed in this issue. Then, too, M-G-M presents "Reckless," a production which brings together for the first time the beauteous Jean Harlow and William Powell. This film provides two songs entitled "Everything's Been Done Before" and "I'm Going Down to Dance at Clancy's," which is a sort of Continental rhumba. We include these songs in our review. "Love in Bloom," another Paramount picture which received its name from last year's biggest song hit, also provides an outstanding musical score by Gordon and Revel who gave us such hits as "Did You Ever See a Dream Walking?" and more recently "Stay As Sweet As You Are." The new songs in "Love in Bloom" are "Got Me Doin' Things," "Looky, Looky, Looky, Here Comes Cooky" and "My Heart Is an Open Book." "Let's Live Tonight" is Columbia's contribution to this month's new musicals, and features the voice of Tullio Carminati, one of the screens foremost singers, recently with Grace Moore in "One Night of Love." The production features two major songs — "Love Passes By," a dreamy waltz which plays a prominent part, and "After All." In the selection of records for review you will note the numbers, for the most part, are of the melodic fox-trot type. However, there is one selection in waltz time which bids for favor. The outstanding record of the month JOHN EDGAR WE is, in our opinion, Ray Noble's recording of "Soon" from the Crosby picture "Mississippi." This number is given first place because of the inherent beauty of its melody and Ray Noble's excellent rendition. "Soon" from "Mississippi" — played by Ray Noble and his orchestra. This very melodic fox trot is ideally suited to the smooth, suave style of Noble's band. The saxophone section, which comprises four instruments, lends distinctive charm and brings out the beauty of this melody. Four brasses and three fiddles also combine to produce an unusual arrangement. The other side presents "Down by the River," from "Mississippi," and is HITS OF THE MONTH Best "SOON." Played by Ray Noble and his orchestra. (Victor) Also Recommended "WHEN I GROW TOO OLD TO DREAM." Played by Freddy Martin and his orchestra. (Brunswick) "I'M GOING SHOPPING WITH YOU." Played by Eddie Duchin and his orchestra. (Victor) "ME WITHOUT YOU." Played by Jimmy Grier and his orchestra. (Brunswick) "LOVE PASSES BY." Played by Eddie Duchin and his orchestra. (Victor) "MY HEART IS AN OPEN BOOK." Played by Ted Fiorito and his orchestra. (Brunswick) "LULLABY OF BROADWAY." Played by Dorsey Brothers and their orchestra. (Decca) Ralso played by Ray Noble's orchestra. This one is a typical Mississippi tune reminiscent of "River, Stay 'Way from My Door" and Noble treats it accordingly. The rhythm of the orchestra is decidedly different and a classy trumpet section adds lustre to a pleasing recording. (Victor.) "Love Passes By," from "Let's Live Tonight," is played by Eddie Duchin and his society orchestra. The selection is a waltz of the better type, such as "One Night of Love," and Duchin's treatment produces that dreamy, gliding effect that calls for the spotlights on the dance floor. Of course Eddie's famed velvet fingers enhance this recording with a timely piano interlude. Lee Sherwood sings an alluring vocal chorus. In contrast, the reverse side offers the melody ballad, "After All," from the same picture, also played by the Duchin band. This is a lilting, unpretentious little tune treated most interestingly by the piano-playing maestro, who again provides some scintillating piano bits. Lee Sherwood returns with an equally fine vocal. (Victor.) "Got Me Doin' Things," from the picture "Love in Bloom," is played by Ted Fiorito and his band. This is a very rhythmic, danceable tune and the large Fiorito orchestra gets plenty of color into a smart dance arrangement. A muted brass interlude and Ted's piano tricks stand out. Howard Phillips sings a splendid vocal refrain which you'll like. The reverse side brings "Looky, Looky, Looky, Here Comes Cooky," another very swingy dance tune from the same picture. The Fiorito tunicians get everything out of a most modern dance arrangement. A muffled trumpet is heard with complete satisfaction as is a sizzling clarinet bit. The band trio turns in a grand vocal with a cute lyric. (Brunswick.) "Everything's Been Done Before," from "Reckless," is played by Richard Himber and his orchestra. A beautiful melody tune, beautifully played, by the Himber band. A unique harp introduction launches the boys into a brilliant arrangement. A sub-tone is featured against a string ensemble and the result is very effective. Joey Nash of radio fame sings the vocal in a captivating manner. The opposite side offers "I'm Going Down to Dance at Clancy's" also played by Richard Himber. This is a kind of Continental rhumba and the orchestra shows its versatility in its complete mastery of this type of rhythm. The string section of four violins, is heard throughout the record and Joey Nash turns in another of his famous vocals. (Victor.) "Lullaby of Broadway" from "The Gold Diggers" is played by the Dorsey Brothers' orchestra; a grand song whose melody and lyric musically describes The Great White Way. Jimmy Dorsey's clarinet and sax work, for which he is widely known, stands out in this record. Unusual harmonic effects from three trombones also pleases. Bob Crosby, accompanied by a male quartette, sings the vocal chorus. On the other side the Dorseys play "The Words Are in My Heart" from the same picture. A seductive little tune in waltz time. The muted harmonies from the brass section plus Tommy Dorsey's mellow trombone interlude are the highlights of the recording. Kay Webber's lovely voice is heard in the vocal refrain. (Decca.) "My Heart is an Open Book" also from the picture, "Love in Bloom." Ted Fiorito returns with another smart arrangement of a fox trot in the slow tempo. Again this large orchestra produces a generous amount of tonal color by skilfully maneuvering the instrumentation. A baritone sax interlude falls easy on the ears as does Howard Phillip's vocal chorus. (Brunswick.) Hal Kemp's famous orchestra, which musicians contend is the smartest and most modern in the business, is heard in a very desirable recording of "I'm Going Shopping With You" from the "Gold Diggers" score. The tune is rhythmic and made to measure for the Kemp style. The peculiar tonal effects of the clarinet are accomplished by the use of a megaphone contraption around the instrument. A right smart record, in which Skinny Ennis does the vocal. (Brunswick.) One of the best waltzes of the season is "When I Grow Too Old to Dream" from "The Night Is Young." Freddy Martin and his orchestra give us * this recording, and whether you are a waltz enthusiast or not, you are bound to admit that Freddy's presentation is away above par. Beautifully handled throughout, with some fine vocal work. On the other side Freddy Martin plays the title number, "The Night Is Young." This time a fox trot, and quite entertaining too. (Brunswick.) And speaking of well-sung vocals, here is one that is exceedingly well sung. "Me Without You" is the title, the song being from the production "One Hour Late." Joe Morrison is our recording artist, and is one who needs no introduction at this late hour. Joe seems to be doing very well for himself out Hollywood way, and we think this success is well earned. It's hard to find a more pleasing vocal artist than young Joe Morrison. On the reverse side, Joe sings another song from the same show. This time it's the selection, "A Little Angel Told Me So." Again we have no fault to find but we almost forgot to tell you that in both these selections Joe is given very substantial assistance by Jimmy Grier and his orchestra, California's pride and joy. (Brunswick.) The New Movie Magazine, May, 1935