Swing Fever (1943)

Lowell Blackford (Kay Kyser) is blessed with a gift of music,but also cursed with a hereditary "evil eye" which hypnotizes people,and he is virtually a recluse. He goes in search of a ... See full summary »

Director:

Tim Whelan

Writers:

Matt Brooks (story), Joseph Hoffman (story),

Stars:

Kay Kyser, Marilyn Maxwell, William Gargan

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kay Kyser	...	Lowell Blackford
Marilyn Maxwell	...	Ginger Gray
William Gargan	...	'Waltzy' Malone
Nat Pendleton	...	'Killer' Kennedy
Lena Horne	...	Herself
Curt Bois	...	Nick Sirocco
Morris Ankrum	...	Dan Conlon
Andrew Tombes	...	Dr. Clyde L. Star
Max 'Slapsie Maxie' Rosenbloom	...	Rags (as Maxie Rosenbloom)
Clyde Fillmore	...	Mr. Nagen
Pamela Blake	...	Lois, Nagen's Secretary
Lou Nova	...	Kid Mandell
Jack Roper	...	Sledgehammer Carson
Harry Babbitt	...	Himself, Vocalist with Kay Kyser's Orchestra
Sully Mason	...	Himself

Storyline

Lowell Blackford (Kay Kyser) is blessed with a gift of music,but also cursed with a hereditary "evil eye" which hypnotizes people,and he is virtually a recluse. He goes in search of a Broadway publisher for a symphonietta he has written, and ends up crashing an audition at the Swing Publishing Company, where he meets torch singer Ginger Gray (Marilyn Maxwell) and her fiance and promoter, Waltzy Malone (William Gargan). Ginger accidently walks off with his music and he follows her to a gym where Waltzy's fighter, "Killer" Kennedy (Nat Pendleton), has just been kayoed by his sparring partner. Waltzy learns of Lowell's hypnotic power and believes that Kennedy can win the championship if Lowell uses his power against the champ. He arranges for Lowell to lead the band at the club where Ginger sings. The latter objects to the role she is to play in getting Lowell to use his "evil eye" but Waltzy persuades her to go along by telling Lowell that Kennedy is her brother and it means everything ...

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Plot Keywords:

singer | doctor | training | stooge | big band | 

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Taglines:

Dance! Sing! It's So JOYOUS!

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 November 1943 (USA)

Also Known As:

Right About Face

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

79 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"Mississippi Dreamboat"
Music by Sammy Fain
Lyrics by Lew Brown and Ralph Freed
Sung by Marilyn Maxwell
Played by Kay Kyser and His Band

User Reviews

but even if you don't care for Kay Kyser ...

From the contrarian viewpoint, this is the only Kay Kyser film I've seen yet that I've found watchable. Kyser plays a character other than his usual "Kay Kyser, goofy band leader" -- not a complete change, but just different enough to make him tolerable. And, while it's Kyser's band, someone else has apparently arranged the music so it actually swings and has some oomph for a change.

The script is as thin as usual for this sort of musical, but passable. Marilyn Maxwell's part doesn't require much acting, but she's a treat when she's on screen. And her singing, which is excellent, is a hoot for the vintage musicals connoisseur to watch - one song she does Mae West, later she puts on a bit of Ginger Rogers.

Lena Horne's "You're So Indifferent" is a pleasure - in a minimalist bluesy mode, unlike so much of what she did at MGM.