Sweet Shoe (1937)

Year Published: 1937

Description:

Sweet Shoe (1937)
Director: Milton Schwarzwald. With: Rita Rio and Her All Girl Orchestra, The Norsemen, Anita Jakobi, The Four Specs.

Rita Rio — later known to film audiences as Dona Drake (Kansas City Confidential) — led one of the most commercially successful all-woman swing bands of the 1930s (after Ina Ray Hutton). Showcasing her vivacious stage presence, this breezy musical short accurately reflects why Rio was known as the “Mexican tornado of rhythm” (though born Eunice Westmoreland to a family of mainly African American heritage). In addition to highlighting Rio’s very efficacious stage brand with a “sweet and hot” version of “La Cucaracha,” the film showcases the entertaining acrobatic tap dancer Anita Jakobi as well as The Norsemen and The Four Specs.—Todd Wiener

Restoration funded by a grant from the GRAMMY Museum®. Restored by the UCLA Film & Television Archive from 16mm prints. Laboratory services by Roundabout Entertainment, Inc. Special thanks to the Library of Congress, Mark Cantor.

Visit our blog to learn more: ucla.in/4bybTFH

Complete Record: Sweet Shoe (1937) Director: Milton Schwarzwald. With: Rita Rio and Her All Girl Orchestra, The Norsemen, Anita Jakobi, The Four Specs. Rita Rio — later known to film audiences as Dona Drake (Kansas City Confidential) — led one of the most commercially successful all-woman swing bands of the 1930s (after Ina Ray Hutton). Showcasing her vivacious stage presence, this breezy musical short accurately reflects why Rio was known as the “Mexican tornado of rhythm” (though born Eunice Westmoreland to a family of mainly African American heritage). In addition to highlighting Rio’s very efficacious stage brand with a “sweet and hot” version of “La Cucaracha,” the film showcases the entertaining acrobatic tap dancer Anita Jakobi as well as The Norsemen and The Four Specs.—Todd Wiener Restoration funded by a grant from the GRAMMY Museum®. Restored by the UCLA Film & Television Archive from 16mm prints. Laboratory services by Roundabout Entertainment, Inc. Special thanks to the Library of Congress, Mark Cantor. Visit our blog to learn more: ucla.in/4bybTFH