Hockshop Blues

This music video is similar to the Vitaphone musical shorts that were popular throughout the 30s and into the early 40s. In many ways, they are like the precursors to the stuff popularized on MTV during the 1980s (does this channel even show music videos any more?). In this case, Brad Reynolds and His Whispering Rhythm Orchestra are the stars of the short as well as a tap dancing team and a pleasant singer. The story is that supposedly Reynolds and his band have been forced to hock their instruments at a local pawn shop and the only way they can convince a guy to back their show is if he goes with them to the shop--where the owner will let them play these instruments. It's all pleasant and enjoyable and the ending is cute, but none of the acts are so wonderful that you'll remember this later. Worth seeing but certainly not a must-see.

Brad Reynolds and his Whispering Rhythm Orchestra perform for a potential backer in a pawn shop -- their instruments are in hock. There's also a tap-dancing pair, and a singer. They''re a sweet jazz band with a nice, high-speed version of "Tiger Rag" to please my ears. The setting offers the basis of a couple of gags besides the silly situation.

This sort of short subject had been popular since the early days of Vitaphone sound shorts, spotlighting bands. With the passage of time, they grew in elaboration, if not length, with the venues for consideration meant to pep up the proceedings. Sometimes they worked, and sometimes, they just showed off the acts.