King of Jazz (1930)

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 »

Director:

John Murray Anderson

Writer:

Harry Ruskin (comedy sketches)

Stars:

Paul Whiteman, John Boles, Laura La Plante

Won 1 Oscar.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Paul Whiteman	...	Paul Whiteman
John Boles	...	Vocalist ('Song of the Dawn' / 'It Happened in Monterey')
Laura La Plante	...	Editor ('Ladies of the Press') / Stenographer ('In Conference') / Quartet Member, 'Nellie'
Jeanette Loff	...	Vocalist ('It Happened in Monterey' / 'Bridal Veil' / 'A Bench in the Park')
Glenn Tryon	...	Executive ('In Conference') / Unmarried Husband
William Kent	...	General ('All Noisy on the Eastern Front') / Goldfish Owner ('Oh! Forevermore!') / Unmarried Couple's Offspring / Vocal ('Do Things For You')
Slim Summerville	...	Automobile Owner ('Springtime') / Rear End of Horse / Charles
The Rhythm Boys	...	Vocal Group
Kathryn Crawford	...	Fourth Reporter ('Ladies of the Press')
Carla Laemmle	...	Chorine (as Beth Laemmle)
Stanley Smith	...	Bridegroom ('Bridal Veil' / 'A Bench in the Park')
Charles Irwin	...	Himself, Announcer / Soldier ('All Noisy on the Eastern Front')
George Chiles	...	Dancer ('It Happened in Monterey' / Vocalist 'A Bench in the Park' / 'Ragamuffin Romeo')
Jack White	...	Jack White
Frank Leslie	...	Quartet Lead Singer ('Nellie')

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

revue | gun | coconut | cartoon snake | storybook | 

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Genres:

Animation | Music

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 April 1930 (USA)

Also Known As:

Der Jazzkönig

Filming Locations:

Stage 12, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.20 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

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.

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Connections

Referenced in A Sad State of Affairs (2013)

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Soundtracks

"D'ye ken John Peel"
(uncredited)
Traditional
Sung by a male quartet during the Melting Pot of Music production number

User Reviews

Great Movie!

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!"