Nice Work If You Can Get It / Avalon

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A 16mm film strip of the Benny Goodman Trio performing two songs: "Nice Work If You Can Get It" and "Avalon." It consists of a single reel of positive, black-and-white, 16mm acetate film with bilateral variable-area optical sound. The footage opens with Teddy Wilson playing the piano. The camera then slowly pans sideways to reveal Benny Goodman playing the clarinet and eventually Gene Krupa on the drums. A voiceover narration identifies the band members as they play. The first song the trio plays is "Nice Work If You Can Get It." At the end of the performance, Goodman says, "Okay, Teddy, take it" and the trio plays a second tune, "Avalon."

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