Dorothy Dandridge & Paul White - Zoot Suit (1942)

From Leo AI: "A Zoot Suit with a Reet Pleat" is a 1942 three-minute musical short film, known as a "Soundie," directed by Josef Berne and produced by RCM Productions. The film features Dorothy Dandridge and Paul White performing the song "A Zoot Suit (For My Sunday Gal)," which was written by Ray Gilbert and Bob O'Brien.
Soundies were short music films displayed on coin-operated jukeboxes in the 1940s. This specific Soundie was one of ten Dandridge appeared in during 1941–1942, serving as a showcase for her singing and dancing talents during her early career.
The narrative is light-hearted, depicting Dandridge and White getting dressed up for a "Sunday" date. They sing about the fashionable clothes they are wearing to impress their partners, utilizing the slang of the era (e.g., "reet pleat," "drape shape," "stuff cuff").
The performance is backed by Ted Fio Rito and his Orchestra (also referred to as Ted Fiorito Orchestra in some sources).
The song itself was a major hit in 1942, recorded by numerous artists including Kay Kyser & His Orchestra, The Andrews Sisters, Paul Whiteman, and Bob Crosby. The lyrics describe the zoot suit and its female counterpart as symbols of style and identity during the Big Band era.
While Paul White’s portrayal has been noted by some critics as conforming to stereotypes of the time, the Soundie is widely regarded as a significant early exposure for Dorothy Dandridge in Hollywood, highlighting her "stunning" presence and talent.