The Glenn Miller Orchestra appeared in only two movies, the first of which was “Sun Valley Serenade” in 1941. Chatanooga Choo-Choo (top) and a colorized version of In The Mood (lower) are both from that film. “Chattanooga Choo-Choo” features a lot more than just the band, with performances by the Nicholas Brothers, The Modernaires, Dorothy Dandridge, and skating star Sonja Henie. The song, which was nominated for a best song Oscar, was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1996, and was awarded the first Gold Record for sales of 1.2 million.
“In The Mood” was one of the best known tunes of the 1940s and was the biggest hit of Glenn Miller’s career … helping to make him the top bandleader in the world! By the way, the other movie that featured the Miller Band was called “Orchestra Wives” the following year, in 1942.
