RCM Productions

In this Soundie, the Mills Brothers sing the title song to a cut-out image of Dorothy Dandridge, which then comes to life and dances for them.

Johnny Taylor sings "Good Nite All" at a house party.

Tex Williams and Spade Cooley's Western Dance Gang sing "Take Me Back to Tulsa".

Kay Starr singing "Stop That Dancing Up There".

Dorothy Dandridge and band perform "Cow-Cow Boogie".

Yvonne De Carlo sings herself to sleep, in her dreams she dances with a Latin dancer. She awakes to sing again.

The Terry Twins with Jerry Browne & His Orchestra perform "Chiquita Banana."

Duke Ellington and His Orchestra perform "Bli-Blip" with Marie Bryant and Paul White

Louis Armstrong performs with Nicodemus on this Soundie from 1942.

Musical short starring Spade Cooley.

Original Schnickelfritz Band perform "Turkey in the Straw."

Ancestors of music videos, YANKEE DOODLER, ROSIE THE RIVETER, and DEAR ARABELLA were made during World War II for coin-operated jukebox devices found in restaurants, bars and train stations. On built-in glass screens, they projected 16mm films of artists performing popular tunes. These examples, although not in perfect condition, are time capsules of their era.

Spike Jones and His City Slickers perform "Pass the Biscuits, Mirandy".

The Bronco Busters perform "Silver Spurs."

Chris Cross and crew sing "I Wanna Be a Fireman".

The Bronco Busters perform "Old Chisholm Trail."

An early "soundie" in which Dorothy Dandridge & Paul White sing "A Zoot Suit with a Reet Pleat" while getting dressed up for a big date.

Comedic musical short featuring the Hoosier Hotshots.

R.C.M. Soundie

Nat 'King' Cole & Ida James wonders "Who's Been Eating My Porridge?"