MGM

64 records in the collection· mostly Hank Williams, Judy Garland, Gene Kelly

MGM Records was established by the American Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film studio in the 1940s, initially providing a record outlet for its film music before developing a broad popular catalogue. Its 78s range from Hollywood performers and popular singers to country music, most notably Hank Williams, making MGM an important post-war American label beyond its obvious cinema connection.

This introduction was written by AI from what is known of the label. Ask us if you want to know more about a particular record.

Records on MGM

Anita Ellis
1. A(+F Astaire)Where did you get that Girl
2. BThinking of you
Anita Ellis recorded 'Where did you get that Girl' (with Fred Astaire) and 'Thinking of you' for MGM Records, catalogue 334. Ellis was a Hollywood singer of the 1940s–50s; a vocal duet with Astaire is a significant draw.AI summary

MGM 334 Voice
Gene Kelly
1. A(+Guetary)Swonderful
2. B(Guetary)I'll build a stairway to paradise
Gene Kelly, the American film star and dancer, performing two songs from Gershwin's "An American in Paris" with pianist André Guetary, on MGM. This is a soundtrack or film-related recording from one of the most celebrated musicals of the early 1950s.AI summary

MGM 423 Personalities (Prs)
Fred Astaire
1. A(+Powell)How could you believe me
2. B(Powell)Too late now
MGM 370
Joseph McNally
1. AA cottage in old Donegal
2. BGalway Bay
Joseph McNally was an Irish singer active in the mid-20th century. This MGM recording of two Irish ballads is a modest vocal release from the early 1950s.AI summary

MGM 146 Voice
Helen Forrest
1. AAin't doin bad doin nothin
2. BI don't see me in your eyes any more
Helen Forrest performing 'Ain't doin bad doin nothin' and 'I don't see me in your eyes any more' on MGM 190. Forrest was a popular American vocalist and big-band singer of the 1930s–40s.AI summary

MGM 190 Voice
Helen Forrest / Harold Mooney
1. AAll of Me
2. BI Wihs I didn't Love you so
Helen Forrest was an American big-band singer best known for her work with Harry James; this MGM recording pairs her with pianist Harold Mooney on the standards 'All of Me' and 'I Wish I didn't Love You So'.AI summary

MGM 110 Voice
Betty Hutton/Howard Keel
1. AAnything you can do
2. BThere's no business like show business
Betty Hutton and Howard Keel recorded 'Anything you can do' and 'There's no business like show business' for MGM Records. These are songs from the 1946 Broadway musical *Annie Get Your Gun*.AI summary

MGM 304 Personalities (Prs)
George Shearing Quartet
1. ABAsso Profundo
2. BCool Mambo
George Shearing Quartet, a hugely successful modern jazz pianist and his group, on MGM 795 with 'Basso Profundo' and 'Cool Mambo' from the 1950s.AI summary

MGM 795 Jazz
Anne Blythe and Vic Damone
1. ABaubles bangles and beads - Kismet
2. BStranger in Paradise
Anne Blyth and Vic Damone recorded 'Baubles, Bangles and Beads' and 'Stranger in Paradise' from the musical Kismet for MGM 950 in the early 1950s; these are duets from a popular Broadway show, performed by two successful popular vocalists of the post-war era.AI summary

MGM 950 Voice
Judy Garland
1. ABetter Luck next Time
2. B(F Astaire)It only happens when I dance with you
Judy Garland, the legendary MGM star, recorded these two song standards for her home label. 'Better Luck Next Time' is a lesser-known piece; '(It Only) Happens When I Dance With You', composed by Irving Berlin, is one of Astaire's best-known numbers, performed here by Garland.AI summary

MGM 174 Personalities (Prs)
Judy Garland
1. ABetter luck next time
2. B(Astaire)It only happens when I dance with you
Judy Garland performs 'Better Luck Next Time' and the Astaire standard 'It Only Happens When I Dance with You' on MGM, a Hollywood studio label. Garland was one of the most celebrated singers of the era.AI summary

MGM 174 Voice
Judy Garland
1. ABetter Luck next Time
2. B(F Astaire)It only happens when I dance with you
MGM 174 Personalities (Prs)
Ava Gardner
1. ABill
2. BCan't help lovin' dat Man
Ava Gardner singing 'Bill' and 'Can't help lovin' dat Man' on MGM 408 from the 1950s, likely from a film or light vocal session.AI summary

MGM 408 Voice
Ambrose
1. ABluebell Polka
2. BMarching through Georgia
MGM 874 Dance
Arthur Smith
1. ABoomerang
2. BCracker Boogie
MGM 220 Music Hall
Bill Farrell
1. ACircus
2. BThrough a Long and Sleepless Night
MGM 247
Hank Williams
1. ACold cold heart
2. BI'm a long gone daddy
Hank Williams recorded 'Cold cold heart' and 'I'm a long gone daddy' for MGM Records. 'Cold Cold Heart' is one of Williams' most famous compositions and was widely covered. This is an early MGM pressing of the original recording.AI summary

MGM 459 Country
Hank Williams
1. ADear John
2. BFly trouble
Hank Williams on MGM 405, with 'Dear John' and 'Fly Trouble'. Williams was the defining country music figure of the early 1950s; this is a US pressing on a major American label.AI summary

MGM 405 Country
Betty Hutton
1. ADoin what comes natur'lly
2. BI've got the sun in the morning
Betty Hutton, the American film and stage star, on MGM 8879, performing two numbers from the 1946 film *Annie Get Your Gun*: "Doin what comes natur'lly" and "I've got the sun in the morning".AI summary

MGM 8879 Personalities (Prs)
Betty Hutton
1. ADoin' what comes naturally
2. BThe girl that I marry (Howard Keel)
Betty Hutton was an American musical-theatre star and entertainer of the 1940s-1950s, known for her energetic comedic performances; this MGM record of 'Doin' What Comes Naturally' and a duet with Howard Keel on 'The Girl That I Marry' captures Irving Berlin's 'Annie Get Your Gun'.AI summary

MGM 301 Personalities (Prs)
Fred Astaire
1. AEv'ry night at seven
2. B(Orch)Sunday jumps
Fred Astaire on MGM 373, the dancer and vocalist, with 'Ev'ry night at seven' and 'Sunday jumps' (with orchestra).AI summary

MGM 373 Personalities (Prs)
Four Spices
1. AFire Engine Boogie
2. BArmen's Theme
The Four Spices performing 'Fire Engine Boogie' and 'Armen's Theme' on MGM 944, likely from the early 1950s.AI summary

MGM 944 Dance
Ambrose
1. AGet happy
2. BSlide rule
Ambrose, a British bandleader, recorded 'Get Happy' and 'Slide Rule' for MGM, catalogue 930, in the early 1950s.AI summary

MGM 930 Dance
Gene Kelly
1. AGood Morning
2. BAll I do is Dream of you
MGM 493
Sy Oliver
1. AHey Daddy-O
2. BSlow Burn
MGM 10004
Tommy Mara
1. AHoney bunch
2. BPledging my love
Tommy Mara singing 'Honey Bunch' and 'Pledging My Love' for MGM Records, catalogue 821; an unconfirmed artist on MGM's British 78rpm label.AI summary

MGM 821 Voice
Hank Williams
1. AHonky Tonk Blues
2. BI'm sorry for you, my friend
Hank Williams, the legendary country-music innovator and tragic figure, in two early recordings for MGM—"Honky Tonk Blues" and "I'm Sorry for You, My Friend"—capturing the raw emotion and sincerity that made him one of the most influential American musicians of the 20th century.AI summary

MGM 505 Country
F Astaire/J Powell
1. AHow could you believe me
2. B(J Powell)Too late now
Fred Astaire and Joan Powell, the famous dancer and his co-star from the MGM film, recorded duets 'How Could You Believe Me' and 'Too Late Now' on MGM 370. This is a film soundtrack pressing.AI summary

MGM 370 Personalities (Prs)
Hank Williams
1. AI ain't got nothin but time
2. BI'm satisfied with you
Hank Williams, the legendary American country singer and songwriter, recorded for MGM Records; this 1947 side shows the early country-and-blues style that would make him one of the greatest figures in American music.AI summary

MGM 768 Country
Hank Williams
1. AI Can't Help It
2. BBaby, We're Really in Love
MGM 471
Gene Kelly
1. AI got rhythm
2. BLove is here to stay
Gene Kelly, the Hollywood dancer and actor, recorded these two George Gershwin songs for MGM Records, the studio label, likely in the late 1940s or early 1950s.AI summary

MGM 424 Voice
Connie Francis
1. AI never had a sweetheart
2. BLittle blue wren
Connie Francis for MGM, performing 'I Never Had a Sweetheart' and 'Little Blue Wren'. Francis was an American pop singer of the 1950s–60s, though this particular MGM recording and its pairing with a folk song are unusual for her later chart style and warrant checking.AI summary

MGM 945 Voice
Betty Hutton
1. AI've got the sun in the morning
2. BThey say it's wonderful
Betty Hutton, the vivacious American film and recording star of the 1940s–1950s, performs Irving Berlin songs—'I've Got the Sun in the Morning' and 'They Say It's Wonderful'—on MGM Records.AI summary

MGM 301 Voice
Judy Garland
1. AIf you feel like singing, sing
2. BHappy Harvest
MGM 345 Personalities (Prs)
Unattributed
1. AIs it any wonder
2. BAlmost always
A record on MGM Records with unknown artist, performing 'Is It Any Wonder' and 'Almost Always'. Without artist identification, the recording cannot be placed.AI summary

MGM 642
Hank Williams
1. AJambalaya
2. BSettin the woods on fire
Hank Williams, the father of modern country music, recorded 'Jambalaya' and 'Settin' the Woods on Fire' on MGM; these are among his most famous and influential recordings, released during his peak years.AI summary

MGM 566 Country
Hank Williams
1. AKaw-Liga
2. BTake these chains from my heart
Hank Williams, the legendary American country music pioneer, recorded 'Kaw-Liga' and 'Take These Chains from My Heart' for MGM Records—two of his most celebrated songs, central to his legacy and widely covered since.AI summary

MGM 609 Country
Ann Miller
1. ALady from the Bayou
2. BHallelujah
Ann Miller, an American dancer and actress famous for her film roles in MGM musicals, recorded "Lady from the Bayou" and "Hallelujah" (MGM 839). This appears to be a minor recording from her entertainment career in the 1950s.AI summary

MGM 839 Voice
David Rose and His Orchestra
1. ALaura
2. BHoliday for Strings
MGM 103
Gene Kelly
1. ALove is Here to Stay
2. BI Got Rhythm
MGM 424
Debbie Reynolds
1. ALove is the tender trap
2. BCanoodlin rag
Debbie Reynolds, the American film and recording star, performing "Love Is the Tender Trap" and "Canoodlin' Rag" on MGM Records, from her peak popularity in the 1950s.AI summary

MGM 881 Voice
Mickey Rooney
1. AManhattan
2. BThou Swell (June Allyson)
Mickey Rooney, the American child and later adult film star, recorded 'Manhattan' and 'Thou Swell' (with June Allyson) for MGM, catalogue 199.AI summary

MGM 199 Personalities (Prs)
Bud Hobbs Trail Herders
1. AMatrimony mama
2. BRight on down the line
Bud Hobbs Trail Herders on MGM 245, singing 'Matrimony Mama' and 'Right on Down the Line', likely 1950s.AI summary

MGM 245 Country
Tony Mottola
1. AMelancholy moon
2. BParaguay
Tony Mottola is untraced. This MGM pressing from the early 1950s carries two novelty or light orchestral titles; without more information on the artist, the record cannot be placed.AI summary

MGM 806
Billy Eckstine
1. AMood Indigo
Billy Eckstine (1914–1993), an American baritone and bandleader, recorded *Mood Indigo* for MGM; Eckstine was one of the most successful African American singers of the swing and ballad eras.AI summary

MGM m4 Voice
Buddy de Franco
1. AOver the Rainbow
Buddy de Franco, 'Over the Rainbow', on MGM 612; de Franco was a virtuoso clarinetist and a leader of the bebop and cool-jazz movements of the 1950s.AI summary

MGM 612 Jazz
Judy Garland
1. APlay that barber shop chord
2. BI don't care
Judy Garland performing 'Play That Barber Shop Chord' and 'I Don't Care' on MGM 243. Garland was one of Hollywood's greatest entertainers; this MGM Records release is from her recording career outside of her film work.AI summary

MGM 243 Personalities (Prs)
Sam Taylor Cat Men
1. APlease be kind
2. BThis can't be love
Sam Taylor Cat Men recorded 'Please Be Kind' and 'This Can't Be Love' for MGM 775, a British MGM pressing.AI summary

MGM 775 Dance
Sam 'The Man' Taylor
1. AS'posin
2. BTara's theme
Sam 'The Man' Taylor, an American saxophonist and r&b session musician, recorded 'S'posin' and 'Tara's theme' for MGM in the early 1950s.AI summary

MGM 793 Jazz
Art Mooney
1. ASerenade in Blue
2. BI'm a Dreamer (Aren't we all)
Art Mooney, an American accordion player and bandleader popular in the 1950s, on MGM — Mooney recorded extensively for major labels.AI summary

MGM 10822 Instrumental
Fred Astaire
1. AShine on your shoes
2. BBy myself
Fred Astaire recorded 'Shine on Your Shoes' and 'By Myself' for MGM Records, likely from the 1950s.AI summary

MGM 684 Personalities (Prs)
A Lady of Chance Reel 2 (of 3) 1929
1. AStars Norma Shearer
A Lady of Chance, reel 2 of 3, a 1929 MGM film soundtrack disc starring Norma Shearer, on MGM 206-3.AI summary

MGM 206-3
Carlos Ramirez
1. ATenia Que Besarte
2. BUn Poco Mas De Su Amor
Carlos Ramirez was a Cuban baritone and singer popular in the US in the 1940s–50s; this MGM side of Spanish-language material represents his recording work during the Latin music boom.AI summary

MGM 8234 Voice
Tex Beneke
1. ATennessee Central (number 9)
2. BBlue moon
Tex Beneke was an American tenor saxophonist and vocalist who led a popular dance orchestra in the 1940s and 1950s; this MGM side captures the swing-era style that made him a ballroom favourite.AI summary

MGM 397 Dance
Lena Horne
1. AThe Lady is a Tramp
2. BWhere or When
Lena Horne, the celebrated American jazz singer and actress, recorded 'The Lady is a Tramp' and 'Where or When' for MGM Records, likely from the 1950s.AI summary

MGM 164 Voice
Billy Eckstine
1. AThe Life of the party
2. BLove me or leave me
Billy Eckstine was an American baritone and bandleader famous for ballad singing and jazz; this MGM pressing features two standards, "The Life of the Party" and "Love Me or Leave Me".AI summary

MGM 841 Voice
Johnney Desmond / Ray Charles
1. AThe Picnic Song
2. BStars are the Windows of Heaven
MGM 309
Gene Kelly
1. AThe Time for parting
2. BBlue Danube (why are we here?)
Gene Kelly on MGM, performing 'The Time for Parting' and a version of 'Blue Danube' — the American dancer, singer and film star.AI summary

MGM 869 Personalities (Prs)
George Shearing Quintet
1. AThere's a Lull in My Life
2. BBassic English
MGM 587
Joe "Cannonball" Lewis
1. ATrust me again
2. BTrain whistle nightmare
Joe 'Cannonball' Lewis on MGM 430 with 'Trust Me Again' and 'Train Whistle Nightmare', a post-war American label pressing.AI summary

MGM 430 Voice
Connie Francis
1. AWho's sorry now?
2. BYou were only fooling
Connie Francis recorded 'Who's sorry now?' and 'You were only fooling' for MGM 975; Francis was a major American pop star of the 1950s, and 'Who's sorry now?' became one of her signature songs.AI summary

MGM 975 Voice
Lauritz Melchior
1. AWithout a Song
2. BFor You Alone
MGM 112
Fred Astaire
1. AYou're all the World to me
2. BI left my Hat in Haiti
Fred Astaire was the most celebrated American dancer and entertainer of the twentieth century; this MGM 78 from the 1950s presents two ballad numbers from his film work.AI summary

MGM 372 Personalities (Prs)
Jane Powell
1. A|Oceana Roll
2. BA heart that's free
Jane Powell, an American film and musical-theatre star of the 1940s–50s, on MGM 349 with two popular operetta-style songs.AI summary

MGM 349 Voice