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IMDbPro

Let's Make Music

  • 19401940
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 24m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
115
YOUR RATING
Bob Crosby and Jean Rogers in Let's Make Music (1940)
  • Drama
  • Music
  • Romance
With the size of her classes dwindling each year, Newton High music teacher Malvina Adams is asked to retire. Trying to prove she's still got it, she composes a school fight song which finds... Read allWith the size of her classes dwindling each year, Newton High music teacher Malvina Adams is asked to retire. Trying to prove she's still got it, she composes a school fight song which finds its way into the hands of bandleader Bob Crosby who turns it into an overnight hit. Over ... Read allWith the size of her classes dwindling each year, Newton High music teacher Malvina Adams is asked to retire. Trying to prove she's still got it, she composes a school fight song which finds its way into the hands of bandleader Bob Crosby who turns it into an overnight hit. Over the protestations of her stuffy niece Abby, Malvina travels to New York and performs her s... Read all
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
115
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Leslie Goodwins
  • Writers
    • Nathanael West(screenplay)
    • Helen Phillips(special dialogue: Bob Crosby)
    • Bernard Dougall(special dialogue: Bob Crosby)
  • Stars
    • Bob Crosby
    • Jean Rogers
    • Elisabeth Risdon
Top credits
  • Director
    • Leslie Goodwins
  • Writers
    • Nathanael West(screenplay)
    • Helen Phillips(special dialogue: Bob Crosby)
    • Bernard Dougall(special dialogue: Bob Crosby)
  • Stars
    • Bob Crosby
    • Jean Rogers
    • Elisabeth Risdon
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 6User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    Bob Crosby and Jean Rogers in Let's Make Music (1940)
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    Top cast

    Edit
    Bob Crosby
    Bob Crosby
    • Bob Crosbyas Bob Crosby
    Jean Rogers
    Jean Rogers
    • Abby Adamsas Abby Adams
    Elisabeth Risdon
    Elisabeth Risdon
    • Malvina Adamsas Malvina Adams
    Joseph Buloff
    Joseph Buloff
    • Joe Bellahas Joe Bellah
    Joyce Compton
    Joyce Compton
    • Bettyas Betty
    Benny Bartlett
    Benny Bartlett
    • Tommyas Tommy
    • (as Bennie Bartlett)
    Louis Jean Heydt
    Louis Jean Heydt
    • Mr. Stevensas Mr. Stevens
    Bill Goodwin
    Bill Goodwin
    • Announceras Announcer
    Frank Orth
    Frank Orth
    • Mr. Bottsas Mr. Botts
    Grant Withers
    Grant Withers
    • Headwaiteras Headwaiter
    Walter Tetley
    • Eddieas Eddie
    Benny Rubin
    Benny Rubin
    • Music Publisheras Music Publisher
    Gale Sherwood
    Gale Sherwood
    • High School Singeras High School Singer
    • (as Jacqueline Nash)
    Donna Jean Dolfer
    • Pianistas Pianist
    Bob Crosby Orchestra
    • The Bobcatsas The Bobcats
    • (as Bob Crosby's Orchestra)
    Richard West
    Effie Anderson
    • Teacheras Teacher
    • (uncredited)
    Ray Bauduc
    Ray Bauduc
    • Crosby's Drummeras Crosby's Drummer
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Leslie Goodwins
    • Writers
      • Nathanael West(screenplay)
      • Helen Phillips(special dialogue: Bob Crosby)
      • Bernard Dougall(special dialogue: Bob Crosby)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      This film's earliest documented telecast took place in San Francisco Monday 18 June 1956 where it launched the RKO Radio film library on KPIX (Channel 5); it first aired in Altoona Wednesday 11 June 1956 on WFBG (Channel 10), in Salt Lake City Sunday 8 July 1956 on KUTV (Channel 2), in Philadelphia Monday 23 July 1956 on WFIL (Channel 6), in New Haven Wednesday 24 October 1956 on WNHC (Channel 8) and in Dallas Tuesday 6 November 1956 on WBAP (Channel 5).
    • Connections
      Referenced in Kim Newman on 'The Day of the Locust' (2020)
    • Soundtracks
      Fight on for Newton High
      Written by Roy Webb, Dave Dreyer and Herman Ruby

      Played on piano and sung by Elisabeth Risdon

      Reprised on piano by Donna Jean Dolfer with Elisabeth Risdon singing

      Reprised by Bob Crosby Orchestra and sung by Elisabeth Risdon, Bob Crosby and the Bobcats

    User reviews6

    Review
    Top review
    5/10
    Hackneyed plot but with some good music.
    The plot was a bit tedious and unbelievable, but there was one musical number that made watching this movie worthwhile. The song "The Big Noise from Winnetka" was a big hit at the time it was recorded by Bob Crosby and to see it performed by him and orchestra was a big treat. Ray Bauduc was the drummer and Bob Haggart was on bass (both were co-composers of the song along with Crosby) and it winds up as sort of a duet with Bauduc and Haggart. The multi-talented Haggart whistles the tune between his teeth and fingers the bass violin while Bauduc uses his drumstick on the bass violin to make the music. A very enjoyable piece to listen to and watch, and it will surely be appreciated by lovers of the big band era, swing or jazz.

    I was a bit confused at the credits calling Crosby's quartet of singers "The Bobcats" while Crosby himself always refers to them as "The Bobalinks." I wonder what that was all about.
    helpful•4
    0
    • Art-22
    • Oct 2, 1999

    Details

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    • Release date
      • January 17, 1941 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Hagamos música
    • Filming locations
      • Fairfax High School, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • RKO Radio Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 24 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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