Cow-Cow Boogie

Here's an early soundie starring Dorothy Dandridge in a cowboy hat and a very short skirt singing the title song, with some dancers backing her up.

It's one of more than two thousand "soundies" produced between 1939 and 1947, meant to be played on a device called a Panoram. For seven years they could be found in bars, night clubs, and other places where people would gather. Think of them as music videos, available for viewing at a dime a song.

Miss Dandridge looks about 14 years old here, and plays it very sexually. She sings well, too, even though she is obviously lip-syncing to the playback.