"Sam, the College Leader Man" (1939)

After that brief stop in 1938, the Hoosier Hot Shots are waiting for us in 1939 with another college song! 

Here they are with "Sam, the College Leader Man" on Vocalion Records:

Always good to see the band get some love!

"College Humor" (1938)

We're now in 1938 with our college songs and next up is "College Humor" by Larry Clinton!

The very talented arranger/composer co-wrote the song and recorded it with his band and vocalist Bea Wain on Victor Records:

Kind of an odd record with jokes that were already ancient 85 years ago and all, but Bea Wain is always good and it's a rare chance to hear Larry Clinton himself.

The co-writer of the song, Pat Ballard, is best-known for writing the mega-hit "Mister Sandman" a number of years later, but I notice his name is listed as a contributor on the magazine at the top. Hmmm...

In any event, "College Humor" was also recorded by Myron Hanl(e)y and the California Ramblers on Bluebird Records:

Pretty snappy! I don't know much about Myron Hanley except that his name was misspelled on the label. And I'm not sure what connection the is version of the California Ramblers has to the "real" group from a few years before, other than the name.

For a bonus, let's flip the record over and hear "Cry, Baby, Cry" featuring vocalist Kay Ray (a pseudonym?):

Interestingly, the song "Cry, Bay Cry" was a huge hit for Larry Clinton and Bea Wain, so let's hear that too:

 Can't beat the Clinton/Wain combo!

 

"College Widow" (1937)

Still in 1937, we meet up with the Hudson-DeLange Orchestra (co-led by Will Hudson and Eddie DeLange" with the snappy instrumental "College Widow" on Brunswick Records:

Will Hudson was a very talented composer/arranger and he wrote many pieces with somewhat wacky titles, so "College Widow" just probably sounded like a fun name for a song.

As for the term "College Widow" itself, I read some strange interpretations of what it means.

I always thought it referred to a woman who lives in a college town and enjoys relationships with male students, but is "widowed" when they graduate. They're not widows in the literal sense, which wouldn't be as amusing.

The most famous example to modern audiences is Thelma Todd's character in the Marx Brothers' 1932 movie "Horse Feathers." Groucho refers to her as "the college widow" as if everyone would know what he means (and they would have in 1932), but there's no indication that she's an actual widow.

I think it's a case of modern audiences not having proper context. I know there are Marx Bothers fans who watch "Horse Feathers" but wouldn't watch any other movie from 1932 and are not familiar with the terms and phrases of the era and take things too literally.

But enough of that! We're here for music!

So, let's hear more "Sophisticated Swing" from the Hudson-DeLange Orchestra:

Sounds good! I love those underrated bands of the 1930s!

"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!

"Who's That Knocking at My Heart?" (1936)

We leave 1936 as we entered it, with another college movie from Paramount Pictures!

The movie in question is "College Holiday" starring Jack Benny and George Burns & Gracie Allen. Despite those stars as well as Martha Raye and Mary Boland (and Johnny Downs!), the movie isn't as funny as it should be.

It's also tough sledding from a modern viewpoint as it includes a minstrel number and treats the issue of eugenics as just a wacky idea.

I always try to look at movies from the past with the lens of the time, but it's not always easy!

But let's hear the song "Who's That Knocking at My Heart?" in this budget label recording by Larry Kent and his Orchestra:

A nice record, and if vocalist "Harriett Kaye" sounds familiar, it's because it's actually Helen Ward, who may or may not have still been under contact to Benny Goodman!

Next here's the love song from the movie, "(Enchanted) I Adore You," as recorded by Mall Hallet and his Orchestra on Decca:

Not sure why vocalist Jerry Perkins is uncredited on the label, He definitely was not under contract to Benny Goodman!

Jack Benny refers to the song as "Enchanted" in the movie, which is why it's in parentheses on the label, I guess, but why not just call it that?

I should mention that Paramount also released "College Swing" in 1938, which I visited here and here!

"That's What I Learned in College" (1936)

Still in 1936, the Hoosier Hot Shots are back to tell us what they learned in college!

Here's the aptly titled "That's What I Learned in College":

The Hoosier Hot Shots certainly don't give off a college vibe like Ozzie Nelson, but they'd be a blast at frat parties!

They could play songs like the flipside:

Makes me want to shake my dogs!

"Doin' the Prom" (1936)

We hang around 1936 as Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra provide the music for the prom!

Here they are with "Doin' the Prom" on Brunswick Records:

Ozzie is another bandleader with the clean-cut collegiate image. As as a graduate of Rutgers, he even used "Loyal Sons of Rutgers" as his theme song!