Arena (1975)

Jazz Juke Box I (1983x5)

Air date: Feb 15, 1983

George Melly presents films of the greatest names of swing jazz - but with a difference. Some were made for visual juke boxes which flourished in the early 40s, others are promotional shorts from the major Hollywood companies. The forerunners of today's rock promos, these gems are by turns witty, moving, surreal and always irresistibly entertaining. The line-up includes Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Billy Holliday, Fats Waller, Bessie Smith, and the three kings of boogie-woogie: Meade Lux Lewis, Albert Ammons, and Pete Johnson.