Why Did I Fall for Abner?

Big Band leader and 1930s Broadway starlet Gracie Barrie sings a lovely little ditty about a wife’s revenge on her cheating husband. (Oddball Films)

Count Basie does a little rhyming rapping before going into this Benny Goodman instrumental composition. While he's playing, plenty of couples are jitterbugging constantly until, one by one, they get tired and start to fall down on the floor.

Whitey's Lindy Hoppers at their best along with Duke Ellington and his Orchestra performing for this "Hot Chocolate" musical short.

Alan Ladd was discovered by Sue Carol for his incredible voice in radio. And then she married him. In I Look At You, he is sweet and graceful. And at the very beginning of his career in film. He sings and leads Rita Rio's all-girl band while she dances around him.

Stan Kenton and his Orchestra perform "This Love of Mine" with Cyd Charisse and other dancers

Les Brown and His Orchestra perform "My Lost Horizon" with Doris Day

Helen Huntley and Stan Kenton and His Orchestra perform "Jammin' in the Panoram."

Lew Hearn and Phyllis Kenny perform "Deep in the Heart of Texas"

The Charioteers perform "Swing for Sale"

1942 Soundies musical short starring The King's Men

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

Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra perform "Au Reet"

1943 Soundies musical short starring Larry Clinton

Doris Day sings "Is It Love or Is It Conscription?" with Les Brown and His Orchestra

The Pretty Priorities perform "Take It Off".

"When Hitler Kicks the Bucket" is sung by Toni Lane. The lyrics recount all the delightful things that will happen on the day of Hitler's funeral.

Anita O'Day with Gene Krupa and His Orchestra perform "Let Me Off Uptown".

Mel Tormé and the Mel-Tones sing the title song in this 1945 Soundie (a short film produced to be played on jukebox-like Panoram machines).

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.

Anna Case sings a song while the Cansino family dances in the background.