"Sweet Varsity Sue" (1937)

Moving into 1937, we come across the song "Sweet Varsity Sue" from the 1937 20th Century Fox file "Life Begins in College" starring the Ritz Brothers!

This was the brothers' first starring feature after they had appeared in a number of Fox films as comedy relief. I've always thought hat while the boys have good bits in films such as this, Fox didn't really know how to showcase them as the leads.

I've had the "Sweet Varsity Sue" sheet music for years and years before I had heard the song or seen the movie, with only having seen the movie for the first time within the past few years.

But quite some time ago, I did come across Bunny Berigan's Victor record of the song, which was awesome!

And now, here it is:

Lots of fun! I enjoy Gail Reese's vocals from back in the day!

There were a couple of other recordings of "Sweet Varsity Sue" in 1937, but I don't really care for them, so I'm going to pull a little switch!

Let's listen to "Sweet Sue - Just You" on the Varsity label! (See what I did there?)

Here's Georgie Auld and his Orchestra:

The song was already an "oldie" at the time, as evidenced by the charming 1928 sheet music at the top!

Georgie Auld was only about 21 when he cut this record, but had established himself as a potent tenor sax soloist with the bands of Bunny Berigan and Artie Shaw.

He's actually sort of leading the Shaw band, as Artie had "retired" from the band biz for a bit and went to Mexico for an extended vacation.

On the subject of the "Sweet Sue - Just You," I've always dug the version that Tommy Dorsey cut for Victor Records in 1938:

Always fun to hear another girl get the "Marie" treatment, with the band singing behind vocalist Jack Leonard!

For a contrast, let's head to the 1950s when the Dorsey Brothers reunited with Jimmy as featured soloist in Tommy's band.

At some point they recorded this version of "Sweet Sue - Just You" featuring Jimmy on alto sax for Columbia Records:

I think this was first issued on 1959 after both Tommy and Jimmy had passed away, but it's nice to hear!

Sue sure was sweet!

To swing back to 1937, I'll mention that the college movie "Varsity Show" was covered by me here and here!