Melody Master


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 ; 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, optical effects, mirrors and stark shadow lighting 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 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 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 or copyright date. DVD availability is also provided.

1931

TitleMajor creditsReview date
Rhythms of a Big CityHarold Levy John Hickey & Billy GilbertAugust 23
The Big House PartyEarl CarpenterSeptember 27
A Havana CocktailCastro Cuban OrchestraOctober 4
Musical MoodsHorace Heidt & His CaliforniansDecember 6
Darn Tootin'Rudy Wiedoeft with Dixie Lee & Lucille PageDecember 6

1932

TitleMajor creditsRelease, copyright or review dateNotes
Up on the FarmRoy Mack ; Henry Santrey & Band with Dudley Clements, Barney Grant & the Three ModernsMarch 27 -
It's a PanicRoy Mack ; Benny Meroff & His OrchestraApril 10 -
Music to My EarsRoy Mack ; Jack Denny & Orchestra, Dorothy Brent, George Tapps, Jean & LyntonSeptember 17-
The Yacht PartyRoy Mack ; Roger Wolf Kahn, Gertrude Niesen & Melissa Mason© September 29Sometimes listed as a “Vitaphone Variety”. Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD
The Lease BreakersRoy Mack ; Willie Creager & Band, Aunt Jemima, Isabel Brown & the Colleano Wire ActNovember 10 -

1933

TitleMajor creditsRelease, copyright or review dateNotes
Hot CompetitionRoy Mack ; The Continentals, Ted Husing, Harry Barris, Lois Whiteman & Ray Sax© January 9-
Abe Lyman BandAbe Lyman & His BandJanuary 20-
That's the SpiritRoy Mack ; Noble Sissle & The Washboard Serenaders, Cora La ReddFebruary 3 Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD; Copyright date on opening credit is MCMXXXII
The Alma MartyrFred Waring & His PennsylvaniansFebruary 23 -
How's TricksRoy Mack ; Howard Lanin Band© February 25-
Hot from PetrogradJoseph Henabery ; Dave ApollonMay-
The Name is FamiliarAlfred J. Goulding ; Leon Belasco & Band, Vivian Janis, Holland & Knight, Dorothy Dodge© June 6-
David Rubinoff and His OrchestraDavid Rubinoff & Jean SargentJuly-
The AuditionRoy Mack ; Phil Emerton & Band, Hannah Williams, the Three X Sisters, Larry & LarryJuly 8Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD & The Mayor of Hell DVD
A Castilion GardenJoseph Henabery ; Senor del Pozo's Marimba Band, Celso Ruttado, Tortolero de Medina, Senorita Adrina and Ismael Guzman© August 1-
Barber Shop BluesJoseph Henabery ; Claude Hopkins, Orlando Roberson & Four Step Brothers© September 23Vitaphone Cavalcade of Musical Comedy Shorts DVD
Notre Dame Glee ClubJoseph Henabery ; Charles Coleman© November 11-
Eddie Duchin & His OrchestraJoseph Henabery ; Eddy Duchin© November 25Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD. Spelling of title is incorrect on screen.

1934

TitleMajor creditsRelease, copyright or review dateNotes
Mills Blue Rhythm BandRoy Mack ; with Sally Gooding, Fredi Washington & others© February 6Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD
Vincent Lopez and OrchestraJoseph Henabery ; Vincent Lopez & Sheila Barrett© April 13Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD
Big City FantasyJoseph Henabery ; Phil SpitalnyApril 14Vitaphone Cavalcade of Musical Comedy Shorts DVD
Isham Jones & His OrchestraRoy Mack ; Isham Jones, Gypsy Nina, Eddie Vogt, Arthur & Rose BoylanMay 12Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD
Richard Himber and His OrchestraRoy Mack ; Richard Himber, Joey Nash, Brhardt & Graham, Virginia MacNaughtonJuly-
Jolly Good FellowJoseph Henabery ; B. A. Rolfe & the Men About Town, Dolly Arden & John Monahan© July 5-
Little Jack LittleJoseph Henabery ; Jack Little with Dot, Donna & TeddyAugust 22 -
Phil Spitalny & His Musical QueensJoseph Henabery ; Phil Spitalny & Mickey BraatzAugust 23 Vitaphone Cavalcade of Musical Comedy Shorts DVD
MirrorsRoy Mack ; Freddie Rich's Orchestra© September 8Vitaphone Cavalcade of Musical Comedy Shorts DVD
Ciro Rimac's Rhumba OrchestraJoseph Henabery October-
Ben Pollack & His OrchestraJoseph Henabery ; Ben Pollack with Doris Robbins© October 4Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD
Mr. and Mrs. Jesse CrawfordJoseph Henabery ; Mrs. & Mrs. Jesse Crawford, Margaret O'Donnell & John CreightonOctober 15 -
Don Redman & His OrchestraJoseph Henabery ; Don RedmanOctober 29Dames DVD & Vitaphone Cavalcade of Musical Comedy Shorts DVD

1935

TitleMajor creditsRelease, copyright or review dateNotes
EchoesJoseph Henabery ; Charles Davis & His Orchestra, Cackles O’Neill© March 5-
Will Osborne and His OrchestraRoy Mack ; with Helen Ward, Evelyn & James Vernon© April 1-
Barney Rapp and His New EnglandersJoseph Henabery ; Barney Rapp, Jack & June Blair, Ruby Wright© April 1-
Freddie Martin and His OrchestraJoseph Henabery ; Freddie Martin, Paul & Eva ReyesMay 11-
The Wishing StoneRoy Mack ; Dave Apollon, Paul Perry & Zeni Vatori© June 3Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD
Borrah Minnevitch and His Harmonica Rascals Roy Mack ; Borrah MinnevitchJuly 6Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD
Phil Spitalny's All Girl OrchestraJoseph Henabery ; Phil Spitalny, Maurine & NovaAugust 7-
Rubinoff and His OrchestraJoseph Henabery David Rubinoff, Loupoukin & Kounavsky, Martnoff, Adla KuznetzoffAugust 10-
Johnny Green & His OrchestraJoseph Henabery ; Johnny GreenSeptember 6Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD & Captain Blood DVD
By RequestRoy Mack & Orlando Robeson; Claude Hopkins, Tip, Tap & ToeOctober 18-
Borrah Minnevitch and His Harmonica RascalsRoy Mack ; Borrah Minnevitch© October 28filmed June 1933
Jack Denny's OrchestraJack DennyNovember 29 -
Red Nichols & His World Famous PenniesJoseph Henabery ; Red Nichols, Bob Carter & the Wallace SistersDecember 30Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD

1936

TitleMajor creditsRelease, copyright or review dateNotes
Jolly Coburn and His OrchestraJoseph Henabery ; with Kathleen Wells, Harold Richards & LewisFebruary 22-
Off the RecordJoseph Henabery B. A. Rolfe & Orchestra, the Music Hall Boys & Sincair Twins© March 9Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD
Little Jack Little & OrchestraJoseph Henabery ; Jack Little March 28Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD
Ramon Ramos and His Rainbow Room OrchestraJoseph Henabery ; with Manya & DrigoApril 18-
Meet the KernelJoseph Henabery Dave Apollon & His BandMay 13 -
Vincent Lopez and His OrchestraJoseph Henabery ; Vincent Lopez, June Hart, Jack Holland, Maxine Tappan, Fred Lowery & Johnny MorrisMay 13 -
Clyde Lucas and His OrchestraJoseph Henabery ; Clyde Lucas, Dave & Dorothy Fitzgibbons, Lyn Lucas, the Three SymphonettesJune 12 -
Carl Hoff and His OrchestraJoseph Henabery ; with Grace MacDonald, Sonny Schuyler & the CollegiansJuly 11-
Poets of the OrganJoseph Henabery ; Mr. & Mrs. Jesse Crawford, Robert SimmonsAugust 15-
Clyde McCoy and His Sugar Blues OrchestraJoseph Henabery ; Clyde McCoyAugust 15-
Nick Lucas and His TroubadorsJoseph Henabery ; Nick Lucas, Kay Kernan, Marion Witkins & Jack WaltersAugust 15-
Harry Reser & His EskimoesRoy Mack ; Harry ReserSeptember 26Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD
Leon Navara and His OrchestraLloyd French ; with Honey & WeldonNovember 7-
Emil Coleman and His Orchestra with The NightingalesRoy Mack ; with Harlan & Hart© December 7-
Jimmie Lunceford and His Dance OrchestraJoseph Henabery ; Jimmie LuncefordDecember 19Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts, Blues in the Night & Follow the Fleet DVD

1937

TitleMajor creditsRelease or copyright dateNotes
George Hall and His OrchestraRoy Mack January 9Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts & Bullets or Ballots DVD
Swanee CruiseJoseph Henabery ; Louisiana Kings, Willis Ducre & the Robinson TwinsJanuary 23-
Hi De HoRoy Mack ; Cab CallowayFebruary 20Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts & Black Legion DVD
Peter Van Steeden and His OrchestraJoseph Henabery ; Peter van Steeden, Harold Richards & Hazel GearyMarch 6-
Jacques Fray & His OrchestraRoy Mack ; with Andrea Marsh, Louise & Andrew CarrMarch 27-
The Jam SessionJoseph Henabery ; Clyde McCoy & His Sugar Blues OrchestraApril 17-
A Musical Journey to South AmericaJoseph Henabery ; Ciro Rimac OrchestraMay 8-
Eliseo Grenet & His OrchestraRoy Mack ; Eliseo Grenet, Conchita, Jose Negrette, R. Armangod & the Rhumba SextetteJune 15-
Lennie Hayton and His OrchestraJoseph Henabery ; Lennie Hayton, the Rhythm Kings, Billy Gilbert & Paul BarryJuly 10-
The New ProfessorJoseph Henabery ; Jack Denny & His Orchestra, Chester Fredericks, LaNelle Avery, Judy Lane & George Pembroke© July 21-
David Mendoza and OrchestraLloyd French ; with Minor & Rot, Lucille Manners, Bob Simmons & the RevelersJuly 31-
Russ Morgan and His OrchestraRoy Mack ; Russ Morgan, Bernice Parks, Tom MacDonald & Christine RossSeptember 11-
Mal Hallett and His OrchestraLloyd French ; Mal Hallett, Teddy Grace, Jerry Perkins, Buddy, Claire & Wallace GreenSeptember 11-
Milt Britton and His World Famous OrchestraLloyd French with Lillian Dawson, Rosalean & Seville, Francis PierlotDecember 4-
Henry King and His OrchestraJoseph Henabery with Betty AllenDecember 20-
Benny Meroff and His OrchestraRoy Mack ; with Jackie Marshall & Florence Gast© December 20-

1938

TitleMajor creditsRelease or copyright dateNotes
Sin-CopationLloyd French ; Leon Navara & His Band, Detmar PoppenJanuary 8-
Enric Madriguera and OrchestraLloyd French ; Enric Madriguera & Patricia GilmoreJanuary 26-
Carl Hoff and His Orchestra Joseph Henabery ; with the Kidoodlers, Minor & Root, Patricia Norman & Jimmy BlairFebruary 12-
David Rubinoff and His ViolinJoseph Henabery ; David Rubinoff, Colette & BarryApril 16-
Carl Deacon Moore and OrchestraLloyd French May 7-
Mike Reilly and BandLloyd French ; with Marion MiklerMay 14-
Freddie Rich and His OrchestraLloyd French ; Freddie Rich & Joe SodjaMay 28Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts & The Adventures of Robin Hood DVD
Clyde Lucas and OrchestraJoseph Henabery ; Clyde LucasJune 18-
Don Bestor and OrchestraJoseph Henabery ; with Mildred Law, Ducky Yountz & Joan MerrillJuly 9-
The Saturday Night Swing ClubLloyd French ; Leith Stevens, Bobby Hackett & othersJuly 30Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD
Swing Cat's JamboreeRoy Mack ; Louis Prima, Shirley Lloyd, Ted Gary & Mitzi DahAugust 6Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD
His Busy DayJoseph Henabery ; Clyde McCoy, Wilbur Greg & the Three Bennett SistersAugust 20-
Blue Baron and His OrchestraJoseph Henabery with Harris, Claire & Shannon, Russ CarlyleAugust 27-
Larry Clinton and His Orchestra with Carol BruceLloyd French & Joseph Henabery ; Larry Clinton, Carol Bruce, Martin & RobinsonSeptember 3Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD
Arnold Johnson and His OrchestraJoseph Henabery ; with Siroy & Weaver, Three Sirens & Three OrchidsSeptember 11-
Ray Kinney and His Royal Hawaiian OrchestraRoy Mack ; Ray KinneyOctober 1Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD
Jimmy Dorsey and His OrchestraLloyd French ; Jimmy Dorsey, Bob Eberle & Evelyn OakesOctober 22Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts & Jezebel DVD
Merle Kendrick and His OrchestraJoseph Henabery ; with Miriam Grahame, Marion Wilkins & Jack WaltersNovember 12-
Music with a Smile in the Happy Felton StyleLloyd French ; Three Reasons, Bob Robinson & Virginia MartinDecember 3-
Dave Apollon and His OrchestraRoy Mack ; Dave Apollon with Buddy & Claire Green, Aunt Jemima & Bobby Graham© December 24-

1939

TitleMajor creditsRelease or copyright dateNotes
Jerry Livingston and His Talk of the Town MusicLloyd French ; Jerry Livingston, Jack & Jane Boyle, Adrian Rollini Trio. Barbara Richards© January 4-
Clyde Lucas and His OrchestraLloyd French ; Clyde Lucas, Rosalean & Seville, Lyn LucasJanuary 7-
Russ Morgan and His OrchestraJoseph Henabery ; Russ Morgan, Gloria Whitney, Carolyn Clare & the Paradise GirlsFebruary 25-
It's the McCoyJoseph Henabery ; Clyde McCoy & His Sugar Blues Orchestra, Wayne Gregg, the Three Bennett Sisters & Tin LormanMarch 18-
Dave Apollon and His Club Casanova OrchestraLloyd French ; Dave Apollon, Melissa Mason, May McKim, Ted Adair & Ruth LongApril 8-
Artie Shaw and His OrchestraRoy Mack ; Artie Shaw, Helen Forrest & Tony Pastor April 29Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD
Larry Clinton & His Orchestra with Bea WainJoseph Henabery ; Larry Clinton, Bea Wain, Ford LearyMay 20Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD
On The Air Lloyd French ; Leith Stevens and His Saturday Night Swing Orchestra, Mel Allen, Bobby Hackett’s Orchestra, Nan WynnJune 10-
Rita Rio and Her Orchestra with Emily Adrien And Bill FurrowRoy Mack ; Rita RioJuly 1Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD
Will Osborne and His Orchestra with Dick Rogers and Lynn DavisRoy Mack July 22-
Symphony of SwingJoseph Henabery; Artie Shaw & OrchestraJulyarner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD
Eddie DeLange and His Orchestra with Elisse CooperLloyd French ; Eddie DeLangeAugust 12-
The Dipsy DoodlerLloyd French ; Larry Clinton & OrchestraAugustWarner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD
Swing StylesLloyd French ; Adrian Rollini Trio, Milt Herth's Orchestra, Ruh & Jane Frazee, Tito and his SwingettesSeptember 2-
Vincent Lopez and His Orchestra with Betty HuttonJoseph Henabery ; Vincent Lopez, Betty Hutton, Johnny Russell, Fred Lowry & the Four HorsemenSeptember 30Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD
Rubinoff and His Violin'Joseph Henabery ; David Rubinoff, June Claire, Jack Holland & June HartNovember 11-

1940

TitleMajor creditsRelease or copyright dateNotes
Frances Carroll and the CoquettesRoy Mack ; with Viola Smith & Eunice HealyFebruary 10filmed March 1939; Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD
Romance in RhythmLloyd French ; Carl Hoff & His Orchestra, Barry McKinley, the Kidoodlers & Randall SistersMarch 23filmed June 1939
Matty Malneck and His OrchestraMatty Malneck, George AmyApril 5 -
Ozzie Nelson & His OrchestraRoy Mack ; Ozzie NelsonJune 29filmed July 1939; Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts & Torrid Zone DVD
Woody Herman and His OrchestraRoy Mack ; Woody Herman, Lee Wiley, Hal & Honey Abbott, Marie Hartman & Reed Brown Jr.July 27filmed February 1939; Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD
Jan Garber and His OrchestraJean Negulesco ; Jan GarberAugust 31-
Joe Reichman and His OrchestraJean Negulesco October 26-
Henry Busse and His OrchestraJean Negulesco ; Henry BusseNovember 30Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts & Brother Orchid DVD

1941

TitleMajor creditsRelease or copyright dateNotes
Skinnay Ennis and His OrchestraJean Negulesco ; Skinnay EnnisJanuary 4Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD
Cliff Edwards and His BuckaroosJean Negulesco ; Cliff EdwardsMarch 8Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD
Freddie Martin and His OrchestraJean Negulesco ; Freddie MartinApril 12-
Marie Green and Her Merry MenJean Negulesco April 26-
Hal Kemp and His OrchestraJean Negulesco ; Hal Kemp, Bob Allen & Maxine GreyJune 14Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD
Glen Gray and the Casa Loma OrchestraJean Negulesco ; Glen GrayAugust 12Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD
Carl Roff and His Orchestra Jean Negulesco August 16-
Those Good Old DaysJean Negulesco August 16-
University of Southern California Band and Glee ClubJean Negulesco September 13-
Carioca Serenaders Jean Negulesco ;; music: Howard Jackson; Humberto Herrere & BandOctober 25-
Forty Boys and a SongIrving Allen ; Robert Mitchell's Boy ChoirDecember 6Nominee for Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film. Available on The Bride Came C.O.D. DVD
Leo Reisman and His OrchestraJean Negulesco ; Leo Reisman© December 24-
The PlaygirlsJean Negulesco ; Cathy Lewis, Navy Blues Sextette & The Ryan sisters© December 26-

1942

TitleMajor creditsRelease dateNotes
Richard Himber and OrchestraJean Negulesco ; Richard HimberApril 11-
Don Cossack ChorusJean Negulesco ; Serge Jaroff conductsApr 25-
Emil Coleman and His OrchestraJean Negulesco May 9filmed June '41
The United States Army Air Force BandJean Negulesco ; Alf HeiberSeptember 19-
Six Hits and a MissJean Negulesco ; Six Hits and a MissOctober 24Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts & The Man Who Came to Dinner DVD
United States Marine BandJean Negulesco ; William SantelmannNovember 14Nominee for Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film; available on Kings Row DVD
Borrah Minnevitch and His Harmonica SchoolJean Negulesco ; Borrah MinnevitchDecember 26Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts & Desperate Journey DVD

1943

TitleMajor creditsRelease dateNotes
The United States Navy BandJean Negulesco ; Charles BrendlerJanuary 25Thank Your Lucky Stars DVD
Ozzie Nelson and His OrchestraJean Negulesco ; Ozzie NelsonMarch 27Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD
The United States Army BandJean Negulesco ; Thomas Darcy Jr.April 17This Is the Army DVD
The All-American BandsJean Negulesco ;May 22recycles footage of Freddie Martin, Skinnay Ennis, Joe Reichman & Matty Malneck
Childhood DaysJean Negulesco & Jack Scholl ; Diana Hale, The Alvarez Sisters & California Junior SymphonyJune 5-
The United States Service BandsJean Negulesco July 24Edge of Darkness DVD
Hit Parade of the Gay NinetiesJean Negulesco ; Jack CrosbySeptember 18-
Sweetheart SerenadeJean Negulesco ; Warren Douglas, Joyce Reynolds & othersOctober 23-
Cavalcade of the Dance with Veloz and YolandaJean Negulesco ; Veloz and Yolanda; narrator: Art GilmoreNovember 20Nominee for Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film, on Action in the North Atlantic DVD
Freddie Fisher and His BandJean Negulesco ; Freddie Fisher December 18-

1944

TitleMajor creditsRelease dateNotes
United States Merchant Marine Cadet Corps Band Jean Negulesco ; Ted WeemsJanuary 29-
South American SwayJean Negulesco ; recycled footage of Emil Coleman, Joe Reichman & Carl Roff's SerenadersMarch 18-
The United States Coast Guard BandBobby Connolly ; Rudy ValleeApril 15Uncertain Glory DVD
Songs of the RangeDick Foran ; narrator: Knox ManningJune 24-
Junior Jive BombersLeRoy Prinz ; music: William LavaJuly 1-
All Star Melody MasterJean Negulesco ; recycled footage of Hal Kemp, Emil Coleman, Skinny Ennis & David RubinoffJuly 29Northern Pursuit DVD
Bob Wills and His Texas PlayboysLeRoy Prinz; Bob WillsSeptember 2Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD
Listen to the BandsLeRoy Prinz & Jean Negulesco ; recycled Glen Gray, Skinnay Ennis, Joe Reichman & Milt Britton OrchestrasOctober 7-
Harry Owens and His Royal Hawaiian OrchestraDave Gould ; Harry OwensNovember 4-
Sonny Dunham and His OrchestraArnold Albert & Jack Scholl ; Sonny Dunham, the Pied Pipers & Angela GreeneNovember 25-
Jammin' the BluesGjon Mili & Bob Burks ; Lester Young, Illinois Jacquet, Marie Bryant & Archie SavageDecember 18Nominee for Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film, available on Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts, Blues in the Night & Passage to Marseilles DVD

1945

TitleMajor creditsRelease dateNotes
Rhythm of the RhumbaLeRoy Prinz ; Chuy Reyes, Antonio Triana, Lola Montez & Chinita MarinJanuary 27-
Musical MexicoJack Scholl ; music: Howard Jackson; Pedro VargasMarch 24-
Circus BandJack Scholl May 5-
Bands Across the Sea narrator: Truman BradleyJune 2-
Yankee Doodle DaughtersDave Gould ; Rudy ValleeJuly 21-
Spade Cooley: King of Western SwingJack Scholl ; Spade CooleySeptember 1Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD
Here Come the Navy BandsDave Gould September 29-
Musical NoveltiesJack Scholl October 6recycles footage from Vitaphone Gambols, Vitaphone Highlights & other 1930s shorts
Music of the AmericasJack Scholl ; Lyda Vendrell, Teddy Rodriguez & PhyllisDecember 15-

1946-1947

TitleMajor creditsRelease or copyright dateNotes
Headline BandsJack Scholl & Lloyd French January 26, 1946recycles footage of Larry Clinton, Woody Herman, Jimmy Dorsey & others
Jan Savitt and His BandJack Scholl ; Jan Savitt, Bob Arthur, Shirley Van, Helen Warren & the Lipham ChildrenMarch 16, 1946Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD
Rhythm on IceJack Scholl ; George Arnold, Corrine Church, the Brinckmann Sisters, the Cubettes & the NotablesApril 20, 1946-
Dixieland JamboreeJack Scholl ; music: Howard JacksonMay 11, 1946recycles Cab Calloway & others
Musical MemoriesJack Scholl ; Busby Berkeley numbers from the ‘30s© June 29, 1946-
Enric Madriguera and His Orchestra Lloyd French & Jack Scholl ; Enric MadrigueraAugust 10, 1946-
Desi Arnaz and His OrchestraJack Scholl ; Desi ArnazOctober 12, 1946Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts & Night and Day DVD. Last Melody Master filmed, but not last released.
Melody of YouthLeRoy Prinz ; California Junior Symphony with Peter MerenblumDecember 14, 1946-
Big Time Revuemusic: William LavaJanuary 25, 1947-
Stan Kenton and His OrchestraJack Scholl ; Stan KentonFebruary 22, 1947filmed December 1945; Warner Bros. Big Band, Jazz & Swing Shorts DVD
Vaudeville RevueSaul Elkins recycled Johnny Perkins, Radio Rubes & the BuccaneersApril 12, 1947-

Memories from Melody Lane (filmed 1947)

Directed by Jack Scholl, narrated by Art Gilmore and featuring the Merry Makers as musical support.
Directed by Jack Scholl
*
*
*