Side by Side

Nick Lucas sings this standard from the Great American Songbook in this charming soundie. He had cut a hit record of it in 1927, not long after Cliff Edwards had introduced Harry Woods' song. Its lyrics of amiability and companionship still resonate with people like me.

Soundies like this are one of the reasons they are such an important resource. Lucas must have sung this song hundreds of times, both in live performances and over the radio, but this three-minute movie may be the only record extant showing him doing it. Yes, I know. He;s not Taylor Swift, or whatever singer is popular when you chance to read this. But it has an innocent charm that speaks of a different way of thinking and feeling.