Jive Junction (1943)

A young, classical-trained musician, Peter Crane, transfers from the Conservatory to Clinton High School, where he finds his music in conflict to that of the high school's world of jive and... See full summary »

Director:

Edgar G. Ulmer

Writers:

Malvin Wald (story), Walter Doniger (story)

Stars:

Dickie Moore, Tina Thayer, Gerra Young

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Dickie Moore	...	Peter Crane
Tina Thayer	...	Claire Emerson
Gerra Young	...	Gerra Young
John Michaels	...	Jimmy Emerson (as Johnny Michaels)
Jack Wagner	...	Grant Saunders
Jan Wiley	...	Miss Forbes
Beverly Boyd	...	Cubby
William Halligan	...	Mr. Maglodian (as Bill Halligan)
Johnny Duncan	...	Frank
Johnny Clark	...	Chick
Friedrich Feher	...	Frederick Feher (as Frederick Feher)
Caral Ashley	...	Mary
Odessa Lauren	...	Girl (as Odessa Laurin)
Robert McKenzie	...	Sheriff (as Bob McKenzie)

Storyline

A young, classical-trained musician, Peter Crane, transfers from the Conservatory to Clinton High School, where he finds his music in conflict to that of the high school's world of jive and Hep Cats. Claire falls for Peter, who is warned to stay away from her by Grant Saunders. Later, for fear of hurting his hands, Peter backs down from a fight with Saunders and is deemed a coward by Claire and his classmates. He also goes home that day to find that his father has been killed in action overseas. He turns to jive and is soon leading the school band, which is entered in a national contest. On the night of the finals competition, the band, through an accident, find they have no instruments. Peter rushes to his old professor at the Conservatory, who lends him the instruments from a Symphony Orchestra he conducts.

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Plot Keywords:

competition | father son relationship | world war two | swing band | romantic rivalry | 

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Taglines:

Over Here We Have THe Gal Who Swoons & Twinkles Like A Star---She Is A Star (original poster)

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 December 1943 (USA)

Also Known As:

Swing High

Company Credits

Production Co:

Producers Releasing Corporation (PRC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

62 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

Prelude No.20 in A minor 'Funeral March', Op.28
(1836-9) (uncredited)
Written by Frédéric Chopin
Played on a radio

User Reviews

Okay, So It's not Singin' in the Rain

PRC quickie for wartime audiences who understandably didn't care as long as they got a few minutes of escape. It's a no-name cast with forgettable musical numbers and the familiar "Let's put on a show" plot. So why watch it now after so many years. Okay, there's no compelling reason, but it does provide a pleasant hour's diversion along with a good look at youth styles and attitudes during those stressed-out war years. This is also a must-see for fans of cult director Edgar G. Ulmer, proving once again that his camera never faltered regardless of the material. Here his stamp can be clearly seen in the brief but effective montage of highschool band competition. But I'm still wondering why that cheap PRC outfit couldn't at least pop the money to cap Gerra Young's teeth for her many singing close-ups. Too bad, because this looks like her one-and-only shot at Deanna Durbin's teen-age operatic crown. Then there's Dickie Moore's eyes, the biggest, blackest, and most liquid of any on Hollywood record of that day or any day. Probably that was what got him started in the movies in the first place. Alright, so I'm no closer to a good reason for watching than I was before. But then how many times have you sat down expecting no more from the movie than pleasant entertainment. You can get that here along with a good glimpse of what youth were like before the teen sub-culture and Rock 'n Roll changed band leaders into strutting stage performers,