With the December 1941 entry of the United States into the Second World War, Soundies producers began supporting the war effort with propaganda shorts, some virulent and hateful, others merely supportive of various aspects of the war effort … and quite often “with a little sex.” (Thank you once again Preston Sturges.)
“Sweater girls” was an interesting phenomenon of the war years: actresses – later other young females – wearing tight, form-fitted garments that were designed to enhance and display female pulchritude. This fashion statement is on full display in this Soundie.
Gael (sometimes Gale) Amber was not a singer, but rather worked as a top model for the John Robert Power Agency which represented (mostly) women who aspired to work on screen in Hollywood. Amber’s performance here is fine, and a Soundie inner-office memo gets it right: “doesn’t have much of a voice, but the tight sweater allows her to pull off the subject.”
The song, “Swing Shift Swing” is by Mickey Ford (father of r&b pianist Steve F’ordor) and Al Sherman. While Joe Reichman’s orchestra is heard on soundtrack, a small group of unidentified sideline musicians is seen on screen. Fans of swing dancing will be able to sample the talent of Don Gallagher and Irene Thomas, the featured jitterbugs; others seen in supporting dance roles are Johnny Archer and Venna (Gascon) Archer (Archer is wearing a dark vest), and Johnny Collins.