Musical Memories!
Films filled with music have been known to bring smiles and distant recall to patients with alzheimers. Music may also be enjoyed again and again by anyone. Comedy, dramatic or adventure films may become overly familiar if seen too often, but music sings straight to the soul without ever boring. Music is also closely tied to the decades in which it was popular -- the crooners of the 1930s, the swing bands of the 1940s and the birth of Rock and Roll in the 1950s -- and is thus assured of wakening many memories in seniors.
This page offers special Musical Programs. Some are Movie Memories with onscreen questions and study guides, while others are Café Roxy programs to simply be watched.
The first disc of Musical Memories covers the late 1920s and 1930s. Volume two is full of musical shorts from the 1940s. Each volume contains two DVDs that run about one hour each. This is a good length for simply watching the films. However, pausing after each film to recall memories can easily stretch two hours of films into four sessions of Movie Memories.
Volume 1: Music of the 1920s & 1930s:
Al Jolson Trailers
Mary Eaton, Rudy Vallee, Helen Morgan in "Glorifying the American Girl"
"in My Merry Oldsmobile" Sing-Along Cartoon
Bessie Smith in "St. Louis Blues"
Robert Woolsey and Bojangles Robinson in "Dixiana"
Ethel Waters in "Bubbling Over"
Busby Berkeley Trailers
"Melody in May" with Ruth Etting
Duke Ellington's "Symphony in Black"
"Philips Broadcast" Puppetoon
Artie Shaw's "Class in Swing"
Bing Crosby in "Blue of the Night"
Volume 2: Music of the 1940s:
The Big Bands:
Tommy & Jimmy Dorsey, Xavier Cugat, Guy Lombardo,
Benny Goodman, Harry James, Count Basie,
Artie Shaw, Kay Kyser, Stan Kenton, Larry Clinton.
The Great Performers:
Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Dinah Shore,
Cab Calloway, Peggy Lee, Andrews Sisters,
Helen O'Connell, Fred Astaire, Art Tatum.
The Great Songs:
Minnie the Moocher,
Green Eyes, Marie,
You Made Me Love You, Why Don't You Do Right?
Deep Purple, Sentimental Journey, It's Been a Long Long Time,
Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree, a Sing-Along and lots more!
After each film the moderator pauses and re-asks the onscreen questions or comments from this Discussion Guide to prompt reminiscing and discussion of any topic related to the film, the music or the era. Each Volume with study guide: $59.95
Bing Crosby Festival
As shown in the poster on the right.
The 1957 "Edsel Show" was a musical variety special that introduced the Edsel car to America. All Edsel commercials are included! Bing is joined by special guests Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Louis Armstrong, Bob Hope, the Four Preps and Bing's son Lindsay to perform dozens of top song hits.
The 1954 "GE Show" was Bing's first TV special. He is joined by Jack Benny and Sheree North. Bing sings five tunes, starting with the big production number "Y'all Come!" backed by The Cass County Boys.
In a bonus short, Bing sings with the Coast Guard Band "Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive" and leads a sing-along of "Don't Fence Me In" with the Bouncing Ball!
Special DVD Price: $25.
Bouncing Ball Sing-Along Cartoons!
Over three hours of Sing-Along cartons with the bouncing ball. Most of the cartoons are in color:
The Emerald Isle
Old MacDonald Had a Farm
Sing or Swim
The Mild West
Base Brawl
Shortnin’ Bread
The Golden State
Helter Swelter
Comin’ Round the Mountain
The Lone Star State
The Funshine State
Toys Will Be Toys
And Many More!
Two-DVD Set - Special Price: $25.
