Jazz and Big Band Performances on "Soundies"

I was asked recently about where someone could purchase "Soundies," the short-subject films produced by Hollywood studios featuring big musical acts of the 30's and 40's. A couple of good sources that I have found are The Jazz Store and Movies Unlimited

Sometimes a musical number would have to be cut from the final print of a film and would, instead, be released as a "short-subject." These would be played, along with Movietone News and cartoons before the main feature, or between the films of a double-feature. Often, the "soundie" would be released a few months prior to the main picture and used to promote the upcoming release.

In 2007 PBS produced an excellent documentary called Soundies: A Musical History. Here is a promotional video for that show:

Stephen Dixon
Powder Springs, Georgia
Web Site: The Jazzmonger
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