Hot Chocolate

An in-depth portrait of British composer, pianist and singer Elton John, pop star and myth of modern culture.

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.

Louis Jordan's Orchestra perform Jordan Jive. Setting is a canteen, with the orchestra and audience in US military uniform. The Swing Maniacs go through some extremely strenuous acrobatic dancing.

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.

Chet Baker silently wanders through an Antonioniesque landscape in a Felliniesque state of wonderment as his improvised trumpet solos alternate between earnestly offering the obvious and mocking the artiness of the whole affair.

The lives of two struggling musicians, who happen to be brothers, inevitably change when they team up with a beautiful, up-and-coming singer.

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"

1945 Soundies musical short starring Merle Travis

It’s the second semester of junior year for Pierce “Sparni” Sparnroft, a gifted jazz vibraphonist studying at Montclair State University in New Jersey. Sparni’s prospects on the vibes were rejuvenated by their new professor, the world-renowned Steve Nelson, and are to be showcased during a student-driven recital in May 2023. But all the while, Sparni must face a crisis within.

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.

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.