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IMDbPro

King of Jazz

  • 19301930
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 39m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
John Boles and Jeanie Lang in King of Jazz (1930)
AnimationComedyMusical
American Pre-Code color film starring Paul Whiteman and his Jazz orchestra.American Pre-Code color film starring Paul Whiteman and his Jazz orchestra.American Pre-Code color film starring Paul Whiteman and his Jazz orchestra.
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
    • John Murray Anderson
    • Walter Lantz(animation sequences)
    • Harry Ruskin(comedy sketches)
    • Edward T. Lowe Jr.(scenario)
    • Charles MacArthur(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Paul Whiteman
    • John Boles
    • Laura La Plante
    • John Murray Anderson
    • Walter Lantz(animation sequences)
    • Harry Ruskin(comedy sketches)
    • Edward T. Lowe Jr.(scenario)
    • Charles MacArthur(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Paul Whiteman
    • John Boles
    • Laura La Plante
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 46User reviews
    • 33Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar

    Photos66

    Lia Torá and Olympio Guilherme in King of Jazz (1930)
    John Boles and Jeanie Lang in King of Jazz (1930)
    Bing Crosby and Paul Whiteman in King of Jazz (1930)
    King of Jazz (1930)
    John Boles and Jeanette Loff in King of Jazz (1930)
    Jacques Cartier in King of Jazz (1930)
    Eleanor Gutöhrlein and Karla Gutöhrlein in King of Jazz (1930)
    Joan Barclay, Margaret Carthew, Carla Laemmle, Cecilia Parker, Renee Torres, and Karla Gutöhrlein in King of Jazz (1930)
    King of Jazz (1930)
    John Boles in King of Jazz (1930)
    Al Norman in King of Jazz (1930)
    Joan Barclay, Margaret Carthew, Carla Laemmle, Cecilia Parker, and Renee Torres in King of Jazz (1930)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Paul Whiteman
    Paul Whiteman
    • Self
    John Boles
    John Boles
    • Vocalist ('Song of the Dawn'…
    Laura La Plante
    Laura La Plante
    • Editor ('Ladies of the Press')…
    Jeanette Loff
    Jeanette Loff
    • Vocalist ('It Happened in Monterey'…
    Glenn Tryon
    Glenn Tryon
    • Executive ('In Conference')…
    William Kent
    • General ('All Noisy on the Eastern Front')…
    Slim Summerville
    Slim Summerville
    • Automobile Owner ('Springtime')…
    The Rhythm Boys
    The Rhythm Boys
    • Vocal Group
    Harry Barris
    Harry Barris
    • One of the Rhythm Boys
    • (as The Rhythm Boys)
    Bing Crosby
    Bing Crosby
    • One of the Rhythm Boys
    • (as The Rhythm Boys)
    Al Rinker
    • One of the Rhythm Boys
    • (as The Rhythm Boys)
    Kathryn Crawford
    Kathryn Crawford
    • Fourth Reporter ('Ladies of the Press')…
    Carla Laemmle
    Carla Laemmle
    • Chorine
    • (as Beth Laemmle)
    Stanley Smith
    Stanley Smith
    • Bridegroom ('Bridal Veil'…
    George Chiles
    • Dancer ('It Happened in Monterey'…
    Jack White
    • Self - Monologue
    Frank Leslie
    • Quartet Lead Singer ('Nellie')
    Walter Brennan
    Walter Brennan
    • Desk Sergeant ('Springtime')…
      • John Murray Anderson
      • Walter Lantz(animation sequences) (uncredited)
      • Harry Ruskin(comedy sketches)
      • Edward T. Lowe Jr.(scenario)
      • Charles MacArthur(uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The animation sequence, created by Walter Lantz, was the first Technicolor animation ever produced.
    • Goofs
      In the introduction to ''Ladies of the Press" Grace Hayes is listed as 'Third Reporter' and Kathryn Crawford is listed as 'Fourth Reporter'. This is the reverse of the actual case. Grace Hayes is easily recognizable as the 'Rough Wife' in "Do Things for You". She is the fourth and final reporter in the skit.
    • Quotes

      Announcer: You don't mean to tell me that you are well-versed in the intricacies of the art of Terpsichore?

      Paul Whiteman: No, but I can dance.

    • Alternate versions
      Restored in 2016 with a running time of 99 minutes. This version replicates the scene continuity of the 1930 release version, including about a minute of exit music. A small amount of footage was not found and is covered by still photographs. This is the version that played at the Museum of Modern Art and Film Forum in 2016, and was released by the Criterion Collection on Blu-ray and DVD in 2018.
    • Connections
      Featured in The All Talking, All Singing, All Dancing Show (1973)
    • Soundtracks
      Rhapsody in Blue
      (uncredited)

      Music by George Gershwin

      Played briefly during the opening credits

      Played by Paul Whiteman and Orchestra (as "The Paul Whiteman Orchestra") during the production number

      Performed by Roy Bargy (piano)

      Danced by Jacques Cartier with clarinet, along with the Russell Markert Girls and The Sisters G

    User reviews46

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    A terrific early technicolor musical!
    When I first saw this film, I was amazed at some parts and extremely disappointed at others. To be sure, the comedy acts are absolutely abysmal. (Audiences in 1930 didn't find them any funnier than audiences today, so don't feel too bad about hating them.) Also, a lot of the vocalists are grating and painful to listen to. Of course, the parts where the film really shines are the parts that feature the magnificent Paul Whiteman orchestra. This band has been unfairly maligned because although Paul Whiteman was titled "The King of Jazz", his orchestra was not a jazz band per se. But man, were they ever good musicians! Just get a load of the "Meet the Boys" segment towards the beginning...Harry Goldfield doing his best Henry Busse impersonation, Joe Venuti and Eddie Lang playing "Wildcat" in one of their few film appearances, the entire violin section playing a lovely rendition of Caprice Viennois, Chester Hazlett and Roy Bargy doing a pretty rendition of Nola, followed by Wilbur Hall's trombone virtuosity display on the same number. (And let's not forget little Mike Pingitore on "Linger Awhile"!)

    Oh yes, and did I mention it has Bing Crosby's first appearance in a feature film? He's with the Rhythm Boys, and man, those guys are HOT! Just get a load of them on "Happy Feet". And check out eccentric dancer Al Norman if you want to see something really crazy.

    Last but not least, I would like to mention Wilbur Hall's wonderful trick violin act, and, might I add, the most unique rendition of a Sousa march you'll ever hear in your lifetime. (You haven't heard "The Stars and Stripes Forever" until you've heard it on a bicycle pump!)

    Go get yourself a copy and have fun!
    helpful•21
    3
    • tramette89
    • Sep 21, 2004

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 20, 1930 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
      • Spanish
      • German
      • Russian
      • French
      • Italian
    • Also known as
      • Stage 12, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Universal Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 39 minutes

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