Compilation reel with Benny Goodman performances

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A compilation reel with scenes from The Big Broadcast of 1937 and a Benny Goodman performance. It consists of a single reel of positive, black-and-white, 16mm acetate film with bilateral variable-area optical sound. The first film opens with a scene from the feature film The Big Broadcast of 1937, in which the Benny Goodman Orchestra can be seen performing onstage. Afterwards, an illuminated sign that reads [BROADCASTING / THEATRE / PLATT / GOLF BALL / PROGRAM] appears on the screen and a crowd of people can be seen underneath the sign. A voice can be heard saying “Sorry, folks, the theatre is full.” another voice can be heard saying, “this is the Platt Hour, bringing to you Benny Goodman and his famous swing band.” The band is seen performing again. In another scene, a man and woman enter a room where Benny Goodman's band is rehearsing.

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