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IMDbPro

King of Jazz

  • 19301930
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 39m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
34,936
1,313
Paul Whiteman 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
POPULARITY
34,936
1,313
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Directors
      • John Murray Anderson
      • Walter Lantz(animation sequences)
    • Writers
      • Harry Ruskin(comedy sketches)
      • Edward T. Lowe Jr.(scenario)
      • Charles MacArthur(uncredited)
    • Stars
      • Paul Whiteman
      • John Boles
      • Laura La Plante
    Top credits
    • Directors
      • John Murray Anderson
      • Walter Lantz(animation sequences)
    • Writers
      • 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
    • 45User reviews
    • 32Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 2 wins total

    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')…
    • Directors
      • John Murray Anderson
      • Walter Lantz(animation sequences) (uncredited)
    • Writers
      • 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 reviews45

    Review
    Top review
    Fantastic early example of 2-strip Technicolor
    "The King Of Jazz" 1930, is a wonderful example of just what the movies could do in the late 20's early 30's if they put their mind to it. The technical achievement is extremely high, for a film of this period, and one wonders at how cinema audiences of 1930 must have been amazed by this picture. It is photographed in a system called "Two Strip Technicolor". (Full 3-strip Technicolor would not be invented until 1932). The 2-strip Technicolor system managed to capture Red and Green, but not blue. To get around this they would use dyes that were a kind of orange/red and aqua-marine/green to trick audiences into thinking there was blue on screen.

    In this movie the "Rhapsody in Blue" number is very convincing.

    There is no plot to "The King Of Jazz", it is just one mammoth musical number after another, and that adds to its unique charm. My three favourite numbers are "Ragamuffin Romeo", "It Happened In Monterey", and "My Bridal Veil".

    The "Bridal Veil" number utilizes one of the biggest indoor sets I have ever seen. A lot of money was spent on this picture, and it shows. The Bridal Veil itself looks to be about 100 feet long and the bride needs about 40 bridesmaids to help hold it up.

    The print that is currently in circulation of "The King Of Jazz" is sadly not in 100% excellent condition. It seems to be made up of pristine sections of print, and battered and scratched dupes. Its a real patchwork version that is probably in need of some restoration work. The title sequence, (with vocals over the titles by Bing Crosby singing "Music Hath Charms") is very clear and in good shape, but then halfway through cuts to an extremely battered dupe copy? The same occurrence happens during the "It Happened In Monterey" number, and also "Bench In The Park", we are given a beautiful print with rich colours and rock steady picture stability, only to cut variously to scratched beaten dupes. I cannot understand why certain sections of the film were preserved but others were not.

    I am eagerly awaiting the DVD release of this unique and wonderful film and hope it wont be too long before it gets its well deserved release. There don't seem to be any plans as yet and the only way to see this movie is on television or VHS. This is a true lost opportunity to DVD producers because the film has many wonderful Bing Crosby numbers in it and would be very popular with Bing's fans.
    helpful•13
    1
    • emjmb
    • Aug 21, 2004

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 20, 1930 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
      • German
      • Russian
      • French
      • Italian
    • Also known as
      • The King of Jazz Revue
    • Filming locations
      • 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
    • Budget
      • $2,000,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 39 minutes

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