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Second Chorus (1940)

5.8
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Ratings: 5.8/10 from 662 users  
Reviews: 26 user | 6 critic

When perennial college students Danny O'Neill and Hank Taylor are forced to make it on their own, the competitive pair get jobs with Artie Shaw's band and reunite with ex-manager Ellen Miller.

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Writers:

(original story), (screenplay), 3 more credits »
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Title: Second Chorus (1940)

Second Chorus (1940) on IMDb 5.8/10

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Nominated for 2 Oscars. See more awards »

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
...
Danny O'Neill
...
Ellen Miller
Artie Shaw ...
Artie Shaw
Charles Butterworth ...
Mr. Chisholm
...
Hank Taylor
Frank Melton ...
Stu
Jimmy Conlin ...
Mr. Dunn (as Jimmy Conlon)
Don Brodie ...
Clerk
Marjorie Kane ...
Secretary
Joan Barclay ...
Receptionist
Willa Pearl Curtis ...
Scrubwoman
Artie Shaw and His Orchestra ...
Themselves (as Artie Shaw and His Band)
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Storyline

Danny and Hank are surprised when Artie Shaw hires competent manager Ellen away from their college band. The two trumpet players scheme to get into Shaw's outfit themselves, each trying to trump the other's plays. Written by Diana Hamilton <hamilton@gl.umbc.edu>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis


Certificate:

Approved | See all certifications »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

3 January 1941 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Amor de mi vida  »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The trumpet part for Fred Astaire was dubbed by Bobby Hackett. See more »

Quotes

Danny O'Neill: [hiding himself] What'ya think you're doing under this bed?
Hank Taylor: Looking for a collar button.
See more »

Connections

Featured in Let's Dance (2009) See more »

Soundtracks

"Poor Mr. Chisholm"
Bernard Hanighen
Played by Artie Shaw's band (uncredited)
Fred Astaire conducting and dancing (uncredited)
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
OK, not great
17 November 2006 | by (Chicago, USA) – See all my reviews

This is an OK Fred Astaire movie. A couple of good dance sequences - one with Paulette Goddard, who is not impressive on the floor, and one where he's tap-dancing while conducting Artie Shaw's orchestra. The plot is dismal, Burgess Meredith as comic relief is faintly amusing at best, though in his defense the script gave him very little to work with.

Fans of swing will want to see "Second Chorus", though, for the musical sequences. In particular, a five-minute fantasia that Shaw and the band (plus a string section) play. This piece has been scored and has been recorded several times under the title of Artie Shaw's Clarinet Concerto; but no other clarinetist, popular or classical, has brought the same excitement to the piece that Shaw did. It's worth renting for that sequence alone.

It's a real shame that the director couldn't work out a sequence in which Astaire dances to Shaw's clarinet - playing, say, "Begin the Beguine", or "Frenesi", or "Traffic Jam", or any other his many other hits. A real shame indeed.


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