"College Rhythm" (1934)

Still in Movieland, we move into 1934 with the title song from "College Rhythm," another collegiate picture from Paramount!

Fascinatingly (I think), star Jack Oakie recorded the song on the budget Melotone family of labels!

Let's give it a listen:

Jack Oakie wasn't really a singer, but he could carry the occasional tune in the many musicals in which he appeared, often as a college football player!

I think this record, which paired "College Rhythm" with "Pick a Number from One to Ten" from the same film, was Jack's only commercial recording.

Equally fascinating (I also think) is that one of Jack's costars from the movie, the lovely and talented, Lyda Roberti, cut the same two songs for Columbia Records for her only commercial recording!

Let's give Lyda's recording of "College Rhythm" a listen:

Lyda shows off her trademark fractured English to comic effect!

Lyda Roberti was a very charming presence in a number of 1930s films before passing away from a heart ailment in 1938.

Lyda was backed by Jimmie Grier on her record and Jimmie also recorded the song with his band on Brunswick Records:

For another version, let's listen to singer/trumpeter Johnnie "Scat" Davis and his band on Decca Records:

That song suits "Scat" very well!

Now let's flip these records over to hear these all of these artists tackle "Pick a Number from One to Ten" from "College Rhythm" as well!

We'll snake it, so Johnnie Davis is up first:

Now Jimmie Grier with Betty Roth and the Three Cheers (Disclaimer: Not the actual flipside!):

Next is Lyda Roberti:

And back to Jack Oakie:

And just for fun, here's a clip of Jack and Lyda performing the title song:

Good fun all around!