This revue presents its numbers around the orchestra leader Paul Whiteman, besides that it shows in it's final number that the European popular music are the roots of American popular music... See full summary »
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This revue presents its numbers around the orchestra leader Paul Whiteman, besides that it shows in it's final number that the European popular music are the roots of American popular music, called Jazz. Written by
Stephan Eichenberg <eichenbe@fak-cbg.tu-muenchen.de>
New York Times, 3 May 1930, erroneously credits composer George Gershwin as the on-screen pianist playing 'Rhapsody in Blue;' actually, Roy Bargy is the pianist. See more »
One of the greatest movies ever made! This is a wonderful example of the "first generation" (pre-Busby Berekely) Hollywood musicals, which were reviews. That is, plotless - continuous musical numbers and acts (just like the Broadway plays of the era).
"The King of Jazz" is lavishly photographed in two-strip technicolor, with awe-inspiring sets, wonderful music, and great chorus-line dancing. (Keep an eye open for Al Norman, the greatest of the "Eccentric" dancers, doing his "snake hip" dance in the wonderful "Happy Feet" number.) You will see first-hand why Paul Whiteman was truly "The King of Jazz"; some absolute jazz immortals are in his 40-piece orchestra (see a few breath-taking moments of Joe Venuti-Eddie Land doing "Wildcat".) And the Rhythm Boys! And the Brox Sisters! And the original jazz version of "Rhapsody in Blue" with the entire 40-piece orchestra inside a giant blue piano! And the first color sound cartoon (by Walter Lantz) To quote from the movie" Bing Crosby "What kind of production is this?" The Rhythm Boys "A super super special special production!"
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One of the greatest movies ever made! This is a wonderful example of the "first generation" (pre-Busby Berekely) Hollywood musicals, which were reviews. That is, plotless - continuous musical numbers and acts (just like the Broadway plays of the era).
"The King of Jazz" is lavishly photographed in two-strip technicolor, with awe-inspiring sets, wonderful music, and great chorus-line dancing. (Keep an eye open for Al Norman, the greatest of the "Eccentric" dancers, doing his "snake hip" dance in the wonderful "Happy Feet" number.) You will see first-hand why Paul Whiteman was truly "The King of Jazz"; some absolute jazz immortals are in his 40-piece orchestra (see a few breath-taking moments of Joe Venuti-Eddie Land doing "Wildcat".) And the Rhythm Boys! And the Brox Sisters! And the original jazz version of "Rhapsody in Blue" with the entire 40-piece orchestra inside a giant blue piano! And the first color sound cartoon (by Walter Lantz) To quote from the movie" Bing Crosby "What kind of production is this?" The Rhythm Boys "A super super special special production!"