Murder in Swingtime (1937) – Les Hite Orchestra & June Richmond | A Jazz-Infused Musical Mystery

Step into the vibrant world of 1930s swing with this delightful musical short that blends courtroom drama with big-band brilliance. "Murder in Swingtime" showcases the incredible talents of Les Hite's orchestra and the groundbreaking performance of June Richmond in a whimsical whodunit where music becomes the key witness.

---

📖 FILM SYNOPSIS
When a musician is mysteriously knocked unconscious, his dream transforms into a surreal courtroom trial where a "murder" is investigated through swinging musical numbers. Witnesses respond with instrumental testimony, creating a unique fusion of comedy, fantasy, and infectious swing rhythms that celebrates the era's musical innovation.

---

⭐ WHY THIS FILIM MATTERS

· June Richmond's Star Power: Features one of the first African-American "big mama" singers to perform with white bands
· Swing Era Time Capsule: Perfectly captures the energy and style of late 1930s jazz culture
· Narrative Innovation: Creative blending of musical performance with comedic fantasy storytelling
· Les Hite's Legacy: Showcases the orchestra that once featured young Lionel Hampton
· Short Film Excellence: Demonstrates how much artistic expression could be packed into 10 minutes

---

🎬 PRODUCTION DETAILS

· Genre: Musical Short, Jazz, Swing Comedy
· Director: Arthur Dreifuss
· Runtime: 10 minutes
· Country: USA
· Featured: Les Hite Orchestra, June Richmond

---

🎵 MUSICAL HIGHLIGHTS

· June Richmond's powerful vocal performance
· Les Hite's tight swing arrangements
· Instrumental "testimony" sequences
· Creative integration of music and narrative
· Period-perfect 1930s musical aesthetics

---

💬 JOIN THE SWING DISCUSSION!
How does this creative approach to musical storytelling hold up today? What did you think of June Richmond's pioneering performance? Which musical moment swung the hardest?

---

🔔 Subscribe to Retro Cinema Wood for more rare musical treasures!
👉 Like and commentto help preserve film history!

---

#MurderInSwingtime #LesHite #JuneRichmond #SwingEra #JazzFilm #1930sMusic #MusicalShort #ArthurDreifuss #VintageJazz #ClassicHollywood #BigBandEra