Sydney Kyte's Orchestra "Ooh That Kiss" & "My Donna Rita" (British dance band) 1932

YouTube ^ | 1932 | Sidney Kyte

[Arthur McGowan]

Sydney Kyte's Orchestra "Ooh That Kiss" & "My Donna Rita" (British dance band Durium Dance Band) 1932

[Arthur McGowan]

A 'long-playing" Durium disc from England.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Anita O’Day - Sweet Georgia Brown & Tea for Two (Live @ Newport Jazz Festival 1958)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcMmVGrzpy8

[Fiji Hill]

The Durium label was the British counterpart of the Hit of the Week label in the US. Hit of the Week records were made of cardboard coated with a type of plastic called Durium. In the US, such records were sold at newsstands between 1930 and 1932. These records were quite durable, and I have several that can still be played. Shortly before the Depression kayoed Hit of the Week in 1932, the company was issuing two songs on each disc.

Right after midnight on New Years Day, 2001, I played this Durium Hit of the Week recording on my record player to celebrate the new century.

Cheer Up! Good Times are Coming!--Phil Spitalny & His Orchestra (1930)

[greene66]

There was also that oddball “Flexo” records, around 1932, which I think came from the west coast. It released some items by Jack Coakley’s Orchestra, which were collected on a cd-collection once upon a time. Seem pretty rare, as I’ve never encountered a single example, unlike the “Hit of the Week” items.

[greene66]

During a cross-country drive last week, I was listening to several cd’s of old British bands. Mostly Bert Firman groups, plus a collection of Ambrose recordings. Also, roaming around on the internet, I came across info on an English film that ‘starred’ Jack Payne and his orchestra, entitled “Say it With Music” (1932). It happened to also be the film debut of Anna Lee, who had a small role. Might be a ‘lost’ film. Not much info on it.

[MinuteGal]

Thanks for posting and for the link to the music.

I LUV all this thirties stuff!

Leni

[Fiji Hill]

I had never heard of Flexo until I read your post. The label on this one gives San Francisco as its location.

It Seems to be Spring--Jack Coakley's Orchestra (1931)

However, this Flexo disc, featuring one of the big hits from 1927, is from Mexico City.

Me and My Shadow--Jack Riley's Orchestra (1927)

[greene66]

Never heard of the Mexican version of the label. Probably not related, but who knows? My main recollection of Flexo and Jack Coakley’s band (or maybe it was Lew Reynolds, who might be the same group under different leadership) is that it recorded the familiar tune “Smile, Let the Raindrops Fall,” which was widely used in the Hal Roach comedy shorts of the day, especially the Charley Chase two-reelers.

[Fiji Hill]

A trailer for Say It With Music is available here. I hope the film isn't lost. I would like to see it.

[greene66]

Wow, thanks! At least that gives a little taste of the film. I have no idea if the film itself is actually lost, but I’ve never encountered it anywhere, and I’ve always heard early British talkies have a poorer track record of survival compared to American ones. Especially a lot of those quota-quickie items. But sometimes fine prints exist, but are just hidden away in vaults and never seen.

[Fiji Hill]

I enjoyed Charley Chase in Rough Seas, which I saw at the New York World's Fair five decades ago.

[greene66]

That’s one Chase short I’ve never seen. His Roach comedies are usually quite funny, although he’d sometimes try something a little offbeat, and come out with a complete dud. I saw a screening one time of Chase’s “His Silent Racket” (1933), and both of the leading ladies in the film, Muriel Evans and Anita Garvin, were present in the audience, and fielded questions about working with Chase afterwards. Memorable event.