Birth of the Blues Poster
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Birth of the Blues (1941)

APPROVED 87 min  -  Music  -   7 November 1941 (USA)
6.4
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Ratings: 6.4/10 from 161 users  
Reviews: 7 user | 2 critic

Jeff grows up near Basin Street in New Orleans, playing his clarinet with the dock workers. He puts together a band... See full summary »

Director:

Victor Schertzinger

Writers:

Harry Tugend (story), Harry Tugend , and 3 more credits »

Stars:

Bing Crosby, Mary Martin and Brian Donlevy
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bing Crosby ...
Jeff Lambert
Mary Martin ...
Betty Lou Cobb
Brian Donlevy ...
Memphis
Carolyn Lee Carolyn Lee ...
Aunt Phoebe Cobb
Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson ...
Louey (as Rochester)
J. Carrol Naish J. Carrol Naish ...
Blackie
Warren Hymer Warren Hymer ...
Limpy
Horace McMahon Horace McMahon ...
Wolf (as Horace MacMahon)
Ruby Elzy Ruby Elzy ...
Ruby
Jack Teagarden Jack Teagarden ...
Pepper
Danny Beck Danny Beck ...
Deek
Harry Barris Harry Barris ...
Suds
Perry Botkin Sr. Perry Botkin Sr. ...
Leo (as Perry Botkin)
Minor Watson Minor Watson ...
Henri Lambert
Harry Rosenthal Harry Rosenthal ...
Piano Player
Full cast and crew »
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Storyline

Jeff grows up near Basin Street in New Orleans, playing his clarinet with the dock workers. He puts together a band, the Basin Street Hot-Shots, which includes a cornet player, Memphis. They struggle to get their jazz music accepted by the cafe society of the city. Betty Lou joins their band as a singer and gets Louie to show her how to do scat singing. Memphis and Jeff both fall in love with Betty Lou. Written by Lisa Grable <grable@unity.ncsu.edu>  

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Scat Singing | Jazz | New Orleans Louisiana | Musician | Murder  | See more »

Taglines:

Strike Up The Band ! * Here comes happiness . . . in a merry medley of romance . . . and rhythm !

Genres:

Music

Parents Guide:

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Kiihoittavaa rytmiä See more »

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$857,283 (estimated)
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Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures See more »
Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

"The Screen Guild Theater" broadcast a 30 minute radio adaptation of the movie on September 13, 1943 with Bing Crosby reprising his film role. See more »

Connections

Referenced in "Night Court: The Blues of the Birth (#7.24)" (1990) See more »

Soundtracks

"Memphis Blues"
(uncredited)
Music by W.C. Handy
Lyrics by George A. Norton
Performed by Bing Crosby and band See more »