BRIAN 11.4.2 -- Windows

Film Recordings

by Jordan Taylor & G.E. Hewitt

Page generated on 5/20/24


Nat King Cole
Introduction

This section contains all of Cole's known recordings for feature-length motion pictures, musical shorts, Soundies, and Snader telescriptions, all between 1943 and 1964. Although Snaders were intended for television broadcast, they are reported on this page since they stand apart of any television series or special.

Note: the Soundies and Snader telescriptions have been issued many times, often unofficially in Europe. A complete cataloguing of these issues, many of which date from the VHS era, is not provided. Instead, only a select few releases have been included. Additionally, home video releases of feature-length films are not reported as issues within this discography. (Photo: recording "The Song of Raintree County" with Johnny Green, June 20, 1957.)


Date: July 10, 1943 [13:00-17:00]
Location: Universal Studios, Universal City
Label: Universal
Top Man Soundtrack

Bobby Brooks Quartet (v), Nat Cole (p), Oscar Moore (g), Johnny Miller (b), Max Rapp (mgr)

a. Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams(Ted Koehler, Billy Moll, Harry Barris) - 2:09

Personnel

This is Cole's first confirmed appearance either in a film or performing on its soundtrack. Though not seen on camera (Count Basie ghosts for Nat), the distinctive sound of the trio is evident.

The Bobby Brooks Quartet, a vocal group, is listed in the union contract as the Ben Carter group.


Date: Late July, 1943
Location: Republic Studios, Los Angeles
Here Comes Elmer Soundtrack

Nat Cole (v, p), Johnny Miller (v, b), Oscar Moore (v, g)

a. film Straighten Up And Fly Right(Irving Mills, Nat Cole)

Date: Late Summer 1943 (ca)
Location: Republic Studios, Los Angeles
Pistol Packin' Mama Soundtrack

Nat Cole (v, p), Johnny Miller (v, b), Oscar Moore (v, g)

a. film I'm An Errand Boy For Rhythm(Nat Cole)

Date: December 20, 1943
Location: Radio Recorders, 7000 Santa Monica Boulevard, Hollywood
Soundies

Nat Cole (v, p), Ida James (v), Johnny Miller (v, b), Oscar Moore (v, g)

a. 643-1-8film Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby(Billy Austin, Louis Jordan) - 2:45
b. 643-1-12film Who's Been Eatin' My Porridge?(Bobby Worth, Stanley Cowan) - 2:42
Both titles on:
Music Video Distribution DVDIDVD1017NT — Nat 'King' Cole: Soundies And Telescriptions   (2004)

Johnny Miller (v) on b; Oscar Moore (v) on b.

Dates

Teubig says the date for these recordings is either December 20th or 21st. Film historian Mark Cantor says they are almost certainly from December 20th. Cantor's date is observed here. Per Cantor, sideline filming occurred at an unknown location on December 22, 1943.


Date: Late February / Early March 1944
Location: Columbia Studios, Hollywood
Label: Columbia
Stars On Parade Soundtrack

Nat Cole (v, p), Johnny Miller (v, b), Oscar Moore (v, g)

a. film Hit That Jive, Jack!(Cambell 'Skeets' Tolbert, John Alston) - 2:49

Date: Late April 1944
Location: Columbia Studios, Hollywood
Label: Columbia
Swing In The Saddle Soundtrack

Nat Cole (v, p), Johnny Miller (v, b), Oscar Moore (v, g)

a. film By The River Ste. Marie(Harry Warren, Edgar Leslie) - 2:28

Dates

Teubig places this recording in the Summer of 1944, but that was when the film was released (reviewed in Variety in late July). Earlier references to the film, which was initially billed as Under Western Skies, indicated that the trio would begin working on the film after their engagement at The Orpheum ended sometime around 17 April. An article in The Chicago Defender from 29 April refers to the group as 'currently appearing in a Columbia Studio film production titled Under Western Skies'.


Date: Early June 1944
Location: Universal Studios, Universal City
Label: Universal
See My Lawyer Soundtrack

Nat Cole (v, p), Johnny Miller (v, b), Oscar Moore (v, g)

a. film The Man On The Little White Keys(Joe Greene, Nat Cole)
b. film Fuzzy Wuzzy(Milton Drake, Al Hoffman, Jerry Livingston) - 1:20

Johnny Miller (v) on b; Oscar Moore (v) on b.


Date: November 19, 1945 (ca)
Location: New York
Soundies

Nat Cole (v, p), Johnny Miller (v, b), Oscar Moore (v, g)

a. film The Frim Fram Sauce(Joe Richardel, Redd Evans) - 2:50
Passport Audio DVD1598 — Stardust Memories   (2005)
b. film Come To Baby, Do(Inez James, Sidney Miller) - 2:53
c. film Got A Penny(Robert Scherman, Henry May) - 2:48
d. film I'm An Errand Boy For Rhythm(Nat Cole) - 2:46
e. film I'm A Shy Guy(Nat Cole) - 2:48
Passport Audio DVD1598 — Stardust Memories   (2005)
All titles on:
Music Video Distribution DVDIDVD1017NT — Nat 'King' Cole: Soundies And Telescriptions   (2004)

Johnny Miller (v) on c; Oscar Moore (v) on c.

Dates

According to Mark Cantor, recording occurred during the week of November 19, while filming (most likely at Filmcraft Studios in the Bronx) commenced the following week.


Date: Late January / Early February 1946
Location: Hollywood
Breakfast In Hollywood

Nat Cole (v, p), Johnny Miller (v, b), Oscar Moore (v, g)

a. film Solid Potato Salad(Don Raye, Gene DePaul, Hughie Prince)
b. film It Is Better To Be By Yourself(Nat Cole, Howard Leeds, Robert Wells [as Bob Levinson])
Both titles on:
Music Video Distribution DVDIDVD1017NT — Nat 'King' Cole: Soundies And Telescriptions   (2004)

Date: Late December 1947
Location: RKO Pathé Studios, 105 E. 106th St., New York
Killer Diller Soundtrack

Nat Cole (v, p), Irving Ashby (g), Johnny Miller (b)

a. film Ooh, Kickeroonie(Nat Cole, Billy May, Harold Dickinson) - 2:08
b. film Now He Tells Me(Donald Wolf, Alan Brandt) - 2:40
c. film Breezy And The Bass(Nat Cole) - 1:35
All titles on:
Music Video Distribution DVDIDVD1017NT — Nat 'King' Cole: Soundies And Telescriptions   (2004)

Nat Cole (v) on a-b.


Date: September 17, 1948
Location: Columbia Studios, Hollywood
Make Believe Ballroom Soundtrack

Nat Cole (v, p), Irving Ashby (g), Joe Comfort (b)

a. film (It's Easy To See) The Trouble With Me Is You(Roy Alfred, Marvin Fisher) - 2:10

Date: January 4, 1950 [14:00-18:40]
Location: Universal Studios, Universal City
Label: Universal-International
King Cole And His Trio With Benny Carter And His Orchestra

Nat Cole (v, p), Benny Carter (as, con), Marshal Royal, Willie Smith (as), Wardell Gray, Bumps Myers (ts), Bob Dawes (bar), Buddy Childers, Karl George, Shorty Rogers, Ernie Royal (t), Herbie Harper, Dick Kenny, George Washington, Britt Woodman (tb), Gerald Wiggins (p), Irving Ashby, Ulysses Livingston (g), Joe Comfort, Charlie Drayton (b), Jackie Mills (d), Jack Costanzo (cga), Max Rapp (mgr)

a. film Ooh, Kickeroonie(Nat Cole, Billy May, Harold Dickinson) - 2:12
b. film (Get Your Kicks On) Route 66(Bobby Troup) - 2:15
c. film All Aboard(Nat Cole) - 1:42
All titles on:
Limited Edition Videos VHSLEV-KC6 — The Complete Shorts: 1950-1953   (1991)

Nat Cole (v) on a-b; Benny Carter (as) on c, (con) on c; Marshal Royal (as) on c; Willie Smith (as) on c; Wardell Gray (ts) on c; Bumps Myers (ts) on c; Bob Dawes (bar) on c; Buddy Childers (t) on c; Karl George (t) on c; Shorty Rogers (t) on c; Ernie Royal (t) on c; Herbie Harper (tb) on c; Dick Kenny (tb) on c; George Washington (tb) on c; Britt Woodman (tb) on c; Gerald Wiggins (p) on c; Ulysses Livingston (g) on c; Charlie Drayton (b) on c; Jackie Mills (d) on c.

Dates

Sideline photography was done on January 18, 1950.

Personnel

The union contract for this session lists only the Black musicians. The remaining names (Shorty Rogers, Childers, etc.) have been supplied by David Meeker.

Songs

The final number is typically credited as "Congaroo" with slight variations in spelling. Cole's group plays roughly 30 seconds of the "All Aboard" theme and then is joined by the entire Carter ensemble.


Date: August 5, 1950 [13:00-15:40]
Location: General Service Studios, 1040 N. Las Palmas Ave., Hollywood
Snader Telescriptions

Nat Cole (v, p), Irving Ashby (g), Joe Comfort (b), Jack Costanzo (cga), Phil Moore (mgr)

a. 0601film Calypso Blues(Nat Cole, Don George, Carmen Clifford) - 2:55
b. 0602film (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons(Deek Watson, William Best) - 3:22
c. 0603film You Call It Madness (But I Call It Love)(Gladys Dubois, Russ Columbo, Paul Gregory, Con Conrad) - 3:28
d. 0604film (It's Easy To See) The Trouble With Me Is You(Roy Alfred, Marvin Fisher) - 3:06
e. 0605film (Get Your Kicks On) Route 66(Bobby Troup) - 3:07
All titles on:
Storyville Films DVD16010 — The Snader Telescriptions   (2003)
Music Video Distribution DVDIDVD1017NT — Nat 'King' Cole: Soundies And Telescriptions   (2004)

Nat Cole (p) on b-e; Irving Ashby (g) on b-e; Joe Comfort (b) on b-e; Jack Costanzo (cga) on a, d-e.

Dates

Recording and principal photography occurred August 5, 1950. Two hours of additional sideline photography also took place from 13-15:00 the previous day, August 4, 1950. (Information courtesy of Mark Cantor.)


Date: January 12, 1951 [15:00-17:00]
Location: General Service Studios, 1040 N. Las Palmas Ave., Hollywood
Snader Telescriptions

Nat Cole (v, p), Irving Ashby (g), Joe Comfort (b), Jack Costanzo (cga), Harry Zimmerman (mgr)

a. 5206film Sweet Lorraine(Mitchell Parish, Cliff Burwell) - 2:54
Storyville Films DVD16010 — The Snader Telescriptions   (2003)
Music Video Distribution DVDIDVD1017NT — Nat 'King' Cole: Soundies And Telescriptions   (2004)
b. 5207film Home (When Shadows Fall)(Harry Clarkson, Jeff Clarkson, Peter Van Steeden) - 3:25
Storyville Films DVD16010 — The Snader Telescriptions   (2003)
Music Video Distribution DVDIDVD1017NT — Nat 'King' Cole: Soundies And Telescriptions   (2004)
c. 5208film Little Girl(Madeline Hyde, Francis Henry) - 2:38
Storyville Films DVD16010 — The Snader Telescriptions   (2003)
Music Video Distribution DVDIDVD1017NT — Nat 'King' Cole: Soundies And Telescriptions   (2004)
d. 5209film Mona Lisa(Jay Livingston, Ray Evans) - 3:08
Swingtime Video VHS121 — Unforgettable Performances, Vol.1: 1950-1952   (1985)
e. 5210film Nature Boy(Eden Ahbez) - 2:44
Storyville Films DVD16010 — The Snader Telescriptions   (2003)
Music Video Distribution DVDIDVD1017NT — Nat 'King' Cole: Soundies And Telescriptions   (2004)

Jack Costanzo (cga) on a-d.

Recording and principal photography took place from 15:00-17:00. However, additional sideline photography occurred prior to recording, from 13:00-15:00.


Date: July 13, 1951 [13:30-17:20]
Location: General Service Studios, 1040 N. Las Palmas Ave., Hollywood
Snader Telescriptions

Nat Cole (v, p), Irving Ashby (g), Joe Comfort (b), Alvin Stoller (d), Jack Costanzo (cga), Seymour Kramer, Harold Lieberman, Nick Pisani, Isadore Roman, Ted Rosen, Darrel Terwilliger (vn), Al Harshman, Robert King (vl), Charles Gates (clo), Harry Zimmerman (con), Hank Stern (mgr)

a. 8411film Too Young(Sylvia Dee, Sid Lippman) / arr: Harry Zimmerman - 3:20
Storyville Films DVD16010 — The Snader Telescriptions   (2003)
Music Video Distribution DVDIDVD1017NT — Nat 'King' Cole: Soundies And Telescriptions   (2004)
b. 8412film Because Of Rain(Nat Cole, William O. Harrington, Ruth Poll) / arr: Harry Zimmerman - 2:27
Storyville Films DVD16010 — The Snader Telescriptions   (2003)
Music Video Distribution DVDIDVD1017NT — Nat 'King' Cole: Soundies And Telescriptions   (2004)
c. 8413film Always You(Will Jason, Sydney Robin, Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky) / arr: Harry Zimmerman - 2:38
Storyville Films DVD16010 — The Snader Telescriptions   (2003)
Music Video Distribution DVDIDVD1017NT — Nat 'King' Cole: Soundies And Telescriptions   (2004)
d. 5207Bfilm Home (When Shadows Fall)(Harry Clarkson, Jeff Clarkson, Peter Van Steeden) / arr: Harry Zimmerman - 2:54
Storyville Films DVD16010 — The Snader Telescriptions   (2003)
e. 5210Bfilm Nature Boy(Eden Ahbez) / arr: Harry Zimmerman - 2:53
Storyville Films DVD16010 — The Snader Telescriptions   (2003)
f. 0609/5209film Mona Lisa(Jay Livingston, Ray Evans) / arr: Harry Zimmerman - 2:47
Storyville Films DVD16010 — The Snader Telescriptions   (2003)
Music Video Distribution DVDIDVD1017NT — Nat 'King' Cole: Soundies And Telescriptions   (2004)
g. 8414film That's My Girl(Ray Ellington, Barbara Tobias) - 1:36
Storyville Films DVD16010 — The Snader Telescriptions   (2003)
Music Video Distribution DVDIDVD1017NT — Nat 'King' Cole: Soundies And Telescriptions   (2004)
h. 8415film This Is My Night To Dream(James Monaco, Johnny Burke) - 1:50
Storyville Films DVD16010 — The Snader Telescriptions   (2003)
Music Video Distribution DVDIDVD1017NT — Nat 'King' Cole: Soundies And Telescriptions   (2004)
i. film Little Girl(Madeline Hyde, Francis Henry)
j. 5206Bfilm Sweet Lorraine(Mitchell Parish, Cliff Burwell) - 2:42
Storyville Films DVD16010 — The Snader Telescriptions   (2003)

Alvin Stoller (d) on a-f; Seymour Kramer (vn) on a-f; Harold Lieberman (vn) on a-f; Nick Pisani (vn) on a-f; Isadore Roman (vn) on a-f; Ted Rosen (vn) on a-f; Darrel Terwilliger (vn) on a-f; Al Harshman (vl) on a-f; Robert King (vl) on a-f; Charles Gates (clo) on a-f; Harry Zimmerman (con) on a-f.


Date: September 5, 1951 [12:30-16:00]
Location: Universal Studios, Universal City
Label: Universal-International
Nat "King" Cole And Joe Adams' Orchestra

Nat Cole (v, p), Buddy Collette, Frank Morgan (as), Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis, Vernon Slater (ts), Maurice Simon (bar), Art Farmer, Joseph Kelley, Robert Ross, Gerald Wilson (t), Jimmy Cheatham, John Ewing, James Robinson (tb), Ernie Freeman (p), David Bryant (b), Leroy McCray, Jr. (d), Joe Adams (con), Max Rapp (mgr)

a. film Destination Moon(Marvin Fisher, Roy Alfred) / arr: Neal Hefti - 2:34
b. film Too Young(Sylvia Dee, Sid Lippman) - 2:44
c. film That's My Girl(Ray Ellington, Barbara Tobias) / arr: Pete Rugolo - 1:36
All titles on:
Limited Edition Videos VHSLEV-KC6 — The Complete Shorts: 1950-1953   (1991)

Buddy Collette (as) on a, c; Frank Morgan (as) on a, c; Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis (ts) on a, c; Vernon Slater (ts) on a, c; Maurice Simon (bar) on a, c; Art Farmer (t) on a, c; Joseph Kelley (t) on a, c; Robert Ross (t) on a, c; Gerald Wilson (t) on a, c; Jimmy Cheatham (tb) on a, c; John Ewing (tb) on a, c; James Robinson (tb) on a, c; Ernie Freeman (p) on a, c.

Dates

Sideline photography was done on September 7, 1951.

Personnel

The Joe Adams Orchestra is actually the band of trumpeter Gerald Wilson.


Date: July 1, 1952 [14:00-17:05]
Location: MGM Studios, 10202 W. Washington Boulevard, Culver City
Label: MGM
Small Town Girl Soundtrack

Nat Cole (v), Aaron Gershunoff (f), Philip Memoli (ob), Gus Bivona, Morton Friedman, Alex Gershunoff, Andrew Young (cl), Joe Triscari (t), John Cave, Vincent DeRubertis, Herman Lebow (frh), Si Zentner (tb), Milt Raskin (p), unknown (g), Artie Shapiro (b), Frank Carlson (d), Jack Costanzo (cga), Sam Albert, Dave Crocov, Sam Fiedler, Werner Gebauer, Mort Herbert, Arthur Maebe, Sr., Lisa Minghetti, Emanuel Moss, Lou Raderman, Al Vertchamp, Eunice Wennermark (vn), Virginia Majewski, Reuben Marcus, Germain Prevost (vl), Alex Compinsky, Fernand Lhoest, Irving Lipshultz, Ed Lustgarten (clo), Mary Jane Barton (hrp), André Previn (con), James Whelan (mgr)

a. My Flaming Heart(Leo Robin, Nicholas Brodszky) - 2:40
Rhino Movie Music CDR2 79805 — Hollywood Swing & Jazz: Hot Numbers From Classic M-G-M, Warner Bros. & RKO Films   (2000)
b. I Just Love You(Joseph Pasternak, Nicholas Brodszky) - 2:26

Aaron Gershunoff (f) on a; Philip Memoli (ob) on a; Gus Bivona (cl) on a; Morton Friedman (cl) on a; Alex Gershunoff (cl) on a; Andrew Young (cl) on a; Joe Triscari (t) on a; John Cave (frh) on a; Vincent DeRubertis (frh) on a; Herman Lebow (frh) on a; Si Zentner (tb) on a; unknown (g) on a; Artie Shapiro (b) on a; Frank Carlson (d) on a; Jack Costanzo (cga) on a; Sam Albert (vn) on a; Dave Crocov (vn) on a; Sam Fiedler (vn) on a; Werner Gebauer (vn) on a; Mort Herbert (vn) on a; Arthur Maebe, Sr. (vn) on a; Lisa Minghetti (vn) on a; Emanuel Moss (vn) on a; Lou Raderman (vn) on a; Al Vertchamp (vn) on a; Eunice Wennermark (vn) on a; Virginia Majewski (vl) on a; Reuben Marcus (vl) on a; Germain Prevost (vl) on a; Alex Compinsky (clo) on a; Fernand Lhoest (clo) on a; Irving Lipshultz (clo) on a; Ed Lustgarten (clo) on a; Mary Jane Barton (hrp) on a.

Personnel

It is not known who played guitar on this session. The original AFM contract has Jack Marshall's name crossed out, but no other guitarist is listed in replacement.


Date: December 22, 1952 (ca)
Location: Warner Bros. Studios, Burbank
Blue Gardenia Soundtrack

Nat Cole (v), others unknown (acc), Nelson Trimble (con)

a. Blue Gardenia(Lester Lee, Bob Russell) / arr: Nelson Riddle - 2:48

Dates

Cole reportedly filmed his scene on December 22nd, so it's likely this recording falls right around then.

Personnel

A 1953 issue of Ebony magazine featured several photos from this recording session. Only conductor Nelson Trimble was identified by name, but a 16-piece orchestra, including 10 violins and a harp, were said to be backing Cole.


Date: January 26, 1953
Location: Universal Studios, Universal City
Label: Universal-International
Nat 'King' Cole And Russ Morgan's Orchestra

Nat Cole (v, p), others unknown (acc)

a. film Pretend(Cliff Parman, Lew Douglas, Dan Belloc, Frank Lavere) / arr: Nelson Riddle - 2:42
b. film It's Crazy (But I'm In Love)(Al Fields, Timmie Rogers) / arr: Pete Rugolo - 2:22
Both titles on:
Limited Edition Videos VHSLEV-KC6 — The Complete Shorts: 1950-1953   (1991)

Date: August 30 - September 1, 1954
Location: 20th Century Fox Studios, Hollywood
Hajji Baba Soundtrack

Nat Cole (v), Art Hoberman, Luella Howard, Sterling Smith (f), William Kosinski, Gordon Pope (ob), Don Christlieb, Art Fleming (bsn), Russ Cheever, Morris Crawford, Chuck Gentry, Abe Most, Bill Ulyate (cl), Frank Beach, Morris Boltuch, John Clyman, Jack Coleman (t), Joseph Eger, Fred Fox, Alan Robinson, Harry Schmidt (frh), Pete Carpenter, Marlo Imes, Ray Klein, Randall Miller, John Tranchitella (tb), Clarence Karella (tu), Emanuel Bay, Urban Thielmann (p), Vito Mumolo (g), Magdaleno Rivera, Mike Rubin (b), Richard Cornell, Paul DeDroit, Preston Lodwick, Hal Rees (d), Sol Babitz, George Berres, Henry Camusi, Joachim Chassman, Adolph Di Tullio, Peter Ellis, Marvin Limonick, Paul Lowenkron, Irma Neumann, David Selmont, Paul Shure, Felix Slatkin (vn), Myer Bello, Alvin Dinkin, Alex Neiman, Sven Reher (vl), Joseph Coppin, Joseph Di Tullio, Leonard Krupnick, Kurt Reher (clo), Ann Mason Stockton (hrp), Dimitri Tiomkin (con), Si Waronker (mgr)

a. Hajji Baba (Persian Lament)(Dimitri Tiomkin, Ned Washington) / arr: Nelson Riddle

Dates & Personnel

Scoring of the film took place from August 30 - September 1, 1954. It is not known precisely when Cole recorded his part(s), so personnel (which varies little across the three days of recording) is listed collectively.

The dates and times of the individual sessions are as follows:

August 30, 1954 #1 [10:00-12:30]
August 30, 1954 #2 [13:30-18:15]
August 31, 1954 #1 [09:30-12:30]
August 31, 1954 #2 [13:30-18:00]
September 1, 1954 #1 [11:00-12:00]
September 1, 1954 #2 [13:00-19:00]


Date: December 1954
Location: Hollywood
Kiss Me Deadly Soundtrack

Nat Cole (v), others unknown (acc), Frank De Vol (con)

a. The Blues From Kiss Me Deadly (I'd Rather Have The Blues)(Frank De Vol)
United Artists 45SP 397 — Nat (King) Cole Sings "Blues From Kiss Me Deadly"   (1955)

Personnel

The opening credits of the film list Albert Harris as responsible for orchestrations. It is not known if he arranged this performance by Cole, or if the orchestration is the work of Nelson Riddle or Frank De Vol.


Date: Early March 1955
Location: Universal Studios, Universal City
Label: Universal-International
Nat "King Cole" Musical Story Soundtrack

Nat Cole (v, p), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (con)

a. film Sweet Lorraine(Mitchell Parish, Cliff Burwell)
b. film (Get Your Kicks On) Route 66(Bobby Troup) - 1:23
c. film Straighten Up And Fly Right(Irving Mills, Nat Cole) - 2:04
d. film That's My Girl(Ray Ellington, Barbara Tobias) / arr: Pete Rugolo - 0:44
e. Walkin' My Baby Back Home(Roy Turk, Fred E. Ahlert) / arr: Billy May - 3:13
f. film Pretend(Cliff Parman, Lew Douglas, Dan Belloc, Frank Lavere) / arr: Nelson Riddle - 1:44
g. film Darling, Je Vous Aime Beaucoup(Anna Sosenko) / arr: Nelson Riddle - 2:30

Nat Cole (p) on a-c; others unknown (acc) on d-g; Nelson Riddle (con) on d-g.

Dates

Shooting for the film reportedly started on March 1st.

Songs

According to Roy Holmes, "Walkin' My Baby Back Home" was recorded for but not included in the final film.


Date: Summer 1955
Location: Paramount Studios, Hollywood
Label: Paramount
Scarlet Hour Soundtrack

Nat Cole (v, p), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (con)

a. Never Let Me Go(Jay Livingston, Ray Evans) / arr: Nelson Riddle - 2:20
b. PV-3 Never Let Me Go(Jay Livingston, Ray Evans) - 2:45

Nat Cole (p) on b; others unknown (acc) on a; Nelson Riddle (con) on a.


Date: January or February 1956
Location: Columbia Studios, Hollywood
Autumn Leaves Soundtrack

Nat Cole (v), others unknown (acc), Morris Stoloff (con)

a. Autumn Leaves(Joseph Kosma, Jacques Prevert, Johnny Mercer) / arr: Nelson Riddle

Date: Mid-March 1956
Location: Universal Studios, Universal City
Label: Universal-International
Istanbul Soundtrack

Nat Cole (v, p), others unknown (acc), Rudolph Friml, Jr. (con, mgr)

a. When I Fall In Love(Victor Young, Edward Heyman) - 2:05
Universal-International Transcription DiscDCLA 1129 — Nat "King" Cole Singing From The Picture "Istanbul"   (1956)
b. 1821 MVF20 I Was A Little Too Lonely (And You Were A Little Too Late)(Jay Livingston, Ray Evans) - 2:11
Universal-International Transcription DiscDCLA 1129 — Nat "King" Cole Singing From The Picture "Istanbul"   (1956)
c. I Waited So Long(Jay Livingston, Ray Evans) - 2:39
Universal-International Transcription DiscDCLA 1129 — Nat "King" Cole Singing From The Picture "Istanbul"   (1956)
d. 1821 MV9overdub I Waited So Long(Jay Livingston, Ray Evans) - 2:43

Nat Cole (p) on a-b, d; others unknown (acc) on a, c-d; Rudolph Friml, Jr. (con) on a, c-d.

Dates & Personnel

At least two contracts are known to exist for this film. One, for sideline photography. is dated March 22, 1956. Although the second contract may be for recording, its date and purpose are illegible and cannot be determined at this time. However, it is likely that Cole's film recordings fall on or near March 20, 1956.

Personnel listed for the March 22 sideline photography session is as follows:

Rudolph Friml (leader, orchestra manager), Harold Brown (piano), Ralph Hamilton (bass), Preston Prince (drums), Benny Booker (listed as cello, but he was a bassist), Bert Brooks (listed as viola, but he was a drummer), Leroy Lovett (unlisted, pianist), Jewell Grant (unlisted, saxophonist), and Cole himself on piano.

Personnel for the undated contract is as follows:

Cole (leader; an indication that this may be for recording purposes), Harold Brown (piano), Ralph Hamilton (bass), Preston Prince (drums), and Tiny Mitchell (guitar).

Overdubs

Cole overdubbed his piano part on the second reported take of "I Waited So Long".


Date: January 8, 1957 [19:00-22:00]
Location: Studio C, Capitol Tower, 1750 N. Vine Street, Hollywood
China Gate Soundtrack

Nat Cole (v), Irving Lipshultz (cvn), Marcia Johnstone (hrp), Max Steiner (con), Henry Scharf (mgr)

a. China Gate(Victor Young, Harold Adamson) - 2:00

Date: June 20, 1957 [13:15-17:50]
Location: MGM Studios, 10202 W. Washington Boulevard, Culver City
Label: MGM
Raintree County Soundtrack

Nat Cole (v), unknown (bkv), Arthur Gleghorn (f), Arnold Koblentz (ob), George Fields (h), Georgie Auld, Gus Bivona, Alex Gershunoff, Don Lodice, Hugo Raimondi, Andrew Young (cl), Uan Rasey, Joe Triscari, Jimmy Zito (t), John Cave, Vincent DeRubertis, Herman Lebow (frh), Pete Carpenter, Nick Di Maio, Herb Taylor, Si Zentner (tb), Max Rabinowitsh, Milt Raskin (p), Vincent Terri (g), George Boujie, Louis Previati, Artie Shapiro (b), Frank Carlson, Mel Pedesky, D.V. Seber (d), Sam Fiedler, Sam Freed, Werner Gebauer, Mort Herbert, Arnold Jurasky, Bernard Kundell, Joy Lyle, Arthur Maebe, Lisa Minghetti, Irving Prager, Lou Raderman, Albert Saparoff, Dorothy Wade (vn), Cecil Figelski, Al Harshman, Virginia Majewski, Reuben Marcus (vl), Alex Borisoff, Julian Kahn, Ray Kramer, Michael Penha (clo), Stanley Chaloupka, Catherine Johnk (hrp), Johnny Green (con), James Whelan (mgr)

a. The Song Of Raintree County(Johnny Green, Paul Francis Webster) - 2:35
b. alt The Song Of Raintree County(Johnny Green, Paul Francis Webster) - 2:42
Bear Family CD BoxBCD 16717 KL — L-O-V-E: The Complete Capitol Recordings of Nat King Cole 1960-1964   (2006)
Film Score Monthly CDVol. 9, No. 19 — Raintree County   (2007)
c. The Song Of Raintree County (End Title)(Johnny Green, Paul Francis Webster) - 4:09
Film Score Monthly CDVol. 9, No. 19 — Raintree County   (2007)

Songs

The first performance of "Raintree County" reported here is the version heard over the opening credits of the film. The take used for subsequent CD releases is an alternate.

Master Numbers

At the end of the main title "Raintree County", a producer or engineer can be heard saying '2601', which may be the master number assigned to it by MGM.

Timing

The end title performance of "Raintree County" appears on CD as "Susanna's Death/Jeemie's Raintree/The Song of Raintree County (End Title)". The 4:09 timing represents the entire suite and not merely Cole's vocal.


Date: October 3 & 4, 1957
Location: Paramount Studios, Hollywood
Label: Paramount
St. Louis Blues Soundtrack

Nat Cole (v, p), Eartha Kitt (v), Burnett Atkinson, Harold Lewis (f), Charles Strickfaden (ob), Jules Seder (bsn), Mahlon Clark, Justin Gordon, Jerome Kasper, Joe Krechter, Ryland Weston (cl), Don Fagerquist, Sidney Lazar, Frank Zinzer (t), Willard Culley, Charles Peel, Gale Robinson (frh), George Arus, Joe Colvin, Vern Friley (tb), Harry Sukman (p), John Collins (g), Aaron Guterson, Ray Siegel, Anton Torello (b), Lee Young (d), Roland Hallberg, Bernie Mattinson (per), Harold Ayres, Israel Baker, Arnold Belnick, Jimmy Getzoff, Isadore Karon, Caesar Kersten, Alexander Koltun, Robert Konrad, William Kurasch, Leonard Malarsky, Ralph Schaeffer, Sidney Sharp (vn), LeRoy Collins, Albert Falkove, Leon Fleitman, Spinoza Paeff (vl), Dave Filerman, George Neikrug, Emmet Sargeant, Olga Zundel (clo), Aida Dagort (hrp), Nelson Riddle (con), Phil Kahgan (mgr)

a. St. Louis Blues(W. C. Handy) / arr: Nelson Riddle - 2:40
b. Careless Love(Spencer Williams, W. C. Handy, Martha Koenig) - 0:44
c. Careless Love(Spencer Williams, W. C. Handy, Martha Koenig) - 1:23
d. Morning Star(Mack David, W. C. Handy) - 2:56
Capitol CD3-59324-2 — The Very Best of Nat King Cole   (2006)

Eartha Kitt (v) on c; Burnett Atkinson (f) on a; Harold Lewis (f) on a; Charles Strickfaden (ob) on a; Jules Seder (bsn) on a; Mahlon Clark (cl) on a; Justin Gordon (cl) on a; Jerome Kasper (cl) on a; Joe Krechter (cl) on a; Ryland Weston (cl) on a; Don Fagerquist (t) on a; Sidney Lazar (t) on a; Frank Zinzer (t) on a; Willard Culley (frh) on a; Charles Peel (frh) on a; Gale Robinson (frh) on a; George Arus (tb) on a; Joe Colvin (tb) on a; Vern Friley (tb) on a; Nat Cole (p) on b-d; Harry Sukman (p) on a; John Collins (g) on a; Aaron Guterson (b) on a; Ray Siegel (b) on a; Anton Torello (b) on a; Lee Young (d) on a; Roland Hallberg (per) on a; Bernie Mattinson (per) on a; Harold Ayres (vn) on a; Israel Baker (vn) on a; Arnold Belnick (vn) on a; Jimmy Getzoff (vn) on a; Isadore Karon (vn) on a; Caesar Kersten (vn) on a; Alexander Koltun (vn) on a; Robert Konrad (vn) on a; William Kurasch (vn) on a; Leonard Malarsky (vn) on a; Ralph Schaeffer (vn) on a; Sidney Sharp (vn) on a; LeRoy Collins (vl) on a; Albert Falkove (vl) on a; Leon Fleitman (vl) on a; Spinoza Paeff (vl) on a; Dave Filerman (clo) on a; George Neikrug (clo) on a; Emmet Sargeant (clo) on a; Olga Zundel (clo) on a; Aida Dagort (hrp) on a; Nelson Riddle (con) on a.

Dates & Personnel

Cole almost certainly recorded all of his performances for St. Louis Blues on October 3rd & 4th, with the possibility of some further recording activity on October 2nd as well.

The recording session of October 3rd was from 18:00-23:00 and included the recording of "St. Louis Blues", with the full orchestra departing at 22:00. A second AFM sheet from October 3rd lists Cole as recording from 21:00-23:00. During this time he may have recorded any or all of the remaining titles listed for this session.

A similar situation occurred on October 4th. Riddle led a smaller from 18:00-22:10, while a second AFM sheet from the same date has Cole recoding from 19:00-23:00.

The personnel for the Riddle-led session is: Teddy Buckner (trumpet), George Washington (trombone), Barney Bigard (clarinet), Jack Coon (mellophone), Joe Marino (piano), Lee Young (drums), Charlie Harris (bass), John Collins (guitar), Ray Siegel (tuba), Phil Kahgan (orchestra manager).

Songs

In addition to the performances listed here, all of which survive on either acetates or commercial releases, Cole also made several shorter performances depicted in the film. It is not known if the recordings are longer than what was shot for the film, all of which are quite brief. These include:

St. Louis Blues (Cole plays piano, Pearl Bailey sings)
Beale Street Blues (Cole, vocal and piano)
Honest John Baile (Cole, vocal and piano)
Careless Love (Cole vocal, with trio/quartet accompaniment)
Yellow Dog Blues (Cole sings, small band accompaniment)


Date: August or September 1958
Location: MGM Studios, 10202 W. Washington Boulevard, Culver City
Label: MGM
Night Of The Quarter Moon Soundtrack

Nat Cole (v), others unknown (acc), Albert Glasser (con)

a. The Night Of The Quarter Moon(Jimmy Van Heusen, Sammy Cahn) - 2:07
b. To Whom It May Concern(Nat Cole, Charlotte Hawkins)

Date: March 8, 1963
Location: MGM Studios, 10202 W. Washington Boulevard, Culver City
Label: MGM
In The Cool Of The Day Soundtrack

Nat Cole (v), others unknown (acc)

a. In The Cool Of The Day(Liam Sullivan, Nicolas Gatsos, Manos Hadjidakis)

Date: September 21 & 22, 1964
Location: Columbia Studios, Hollywood
Label: Columbia
Cat Ballou Soundtrack

Nat Cole, Stubby Kaye (v), Bob Bain, Allan Reuss, Tommy Tedesco (g), Rolly Bundock, Morty Cobb (b), Irv Cottler (d), Frank De Vol (con), Marion Klein (mgr)

a. The Ballad Of Cat Ballou(Mack David, Jerry Livingston)
b. They Can't Make Her Cry(Mack David, Jerry Livingston)

Stubby Kaye (v) on a.

Dates & Personnel

Cole almost certainly recorded his parts for the soundtrack on September 21 and/or September 22, 1964. The remainder of the scoring sessions were held in January by which point Cole was already in the hospital with only weeks to live.

The session of September 21st was held from 12:00-15:00. Personnel included Frank De Vol, Marion Klein, Allan Reuss, Tommy Tedesco, Rolly Bundock, and Irv Cottler.

The session of September 22nd was held from 11:00-15:15. Personnel included Frank De Vol, Marion Klein, Bob Bain, Tommy Tedesco, Morty Corb, and Irv Cottler.

Because it is not known with certainty what was recorded when, personnel for both dates are listed collectively.

Releases

Although "The Ballad of Cat Ballou" (primarily taken from the film's opening) and "They Can't Make Her Cry" are the only recordings from the film yet to be released, Cole recorded several other segments for the picture which were captured on a demonstration disc cut by United Recording. Its contents are as follows:

Side 1
Prologue
Segment #1
Segment #2
Cat Ballou Arrives in Wolf City
Kid Shelleen

Side 2
They Can't Make Her Cry
Trip to Hole in Wall
Patter - Part A, B, C, D
Tarnished Virtue
Finale


Sessions Reported: 31

Performances Reported: 80

Unique Songs Reported: 60

Unique Issues Reported: 11