This is so different from the musical shorts from a decade earlier. There's a narrator talking about Kenton's career. Also, the music is different from the Big Band music of the 30s - it seems to be a bluesier type of jazz, a precursor of the jazz that would become more common in the 50s.
June Christy is a good singer, but apparently, she's pretty much forgotten. Gene Howard, another singer, seemed OK, but he seems pretty wooden on stage.
The last number has Jerry (?) Gale dancing. SHE (the credits has her appearing as HIMself) doesn't really bring much to this musical short - she does some ballet-type moves and her dancing seems based on the music being played.
For the most part, this is a decent introduction to Stan Kenton and the music he and his band were making just after WWII. If you are familiar with Kenton's music or just like jazz, this is a good short.
June Christy is a good singer, but apparently, she's pretty much forgotten. Gene Howard, another singer, seemed OK, but he seems pretty wooden on stage.
The last number has Jerry (?) Gale dancing. SHE (the credits has her appearing as HIMself) doesn't really bring much to this musical short - she does some ballet-type moves and her dancing seems based on the music being played.
For the most part, this is a decent introduction to Stan Kenton and the music he and his band were making just after WWII. If you are familiar with Kenton's music or just like jazz, this is a good short.