Often during WWII (or 1940-1945) and the height of the big band era, the hit songs that emerged from films wasn’t performed by the stars or other cast members, but instead introduced by the special guest band that were often included in the musicals of the time. Looking back, it’s actually quite amazing how many songs were brought to the screen by a big band singer rather than an actor. Of course some big musical film names like Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra began as big band singers, but these songs were sung by those mainly known for their work in bands.
You’ll Find Out (1940): Kay Kyser and His Band (actually the stars of the film), ‘You’ve Got Me This Way’, introduced by Harry Babbitt
Las Vegas Nights (1940): Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra, ‘Dolores’, introduced by the band with non-member Bert Wheeler (of Wheeler and Woolsey)
Sun Valley Serenade (1941): Glenn Miller and His Orchestra, ‘Chattanooga Choo-Choo’, introduced by Tex Beneke, Paula Kelly, and The Modernaires, also performed by non-members The Nicholas Brothers and Dorothy Dandridge
Springtime in the Rockies (1942): Harry James and His Orchestra, ‘I Had the Craziest Dream’, introduced by Helen Forrest
The Fleet’s In (1942): Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra, ‘Arthur Murray Taught Me Dancing in a Hurry’, introduced by non-member Betty Hutton, ‘I Remember You’, introduced by Bob Eberly and Helen O’Connell and non-member Dorothy Lamour, ‘Tangerine’, introduced by Bob Eberly and Helen O’Connell, and ‘If You Build a Better Mousetrap’, introduced by Bob Eberly and Helen O’Connell and non-member Betty Hutton
Orchestra Wives (1942): Glenn Miller and His Orchestra, ‘At Last’, introduced by Ray Eberly and non-member Lynn Bari (dubbed by Pat Friday), ‘Serenade in Blue’, introduced by Bari (dubbed by Friday), and ‘I’ve Got a Gal in Kalamazoo’, introduced by Tex Beneke, Marion Hutton, and The Modernaires, and non-members The Nicholas Brothers
You Were Never Lovelier (1942): Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra, ‘Dearly Beloved’ introduced by non-members Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth (dubbed by Nan Wynn)
I Dood It (1943): Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra, ‘Star Eyes’, introduced by Bob Eberly and Helen O’Connell
Two Girls and a Sailor (1944): Harry James and His Orchestra, ‘The Young Man with a Horn’, introduced by non-member June Allyson
Four Jills in a Jeep (1944): Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra, ‘How Blue the Night’, introduced by non-member (and movie newcomer from the big band world) Dick Haymes
~Bianca
The Tinseltown Twins 