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IMDbPro

Syncopation

  • 1942
  • Approved
  • 1h 28m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
261
YOUR RATING
Charlie Barnet, Connee Boswell, Jackie Cooper, Benny Goodman, Bonita Granville, Harry James, Jack Jenney, Gene Krupa, Adolphe Menjou, Alvino Rey, and Joe Venuti in Syncopation (1942)
Official Trailer
Play trailer1:32
1 Video
4 Photos
ComedyHistoryMusic

Covering a quarter-century of American 'syncopated" music (Ragtime, Jazz, Swing, Blues, Boogie Woogie) from prior to WWI through prohibition, the stock market crash, the depression and the o... Read allCovering a quarter-century of American 'syncopated" music (Ragtime, Jazz, Swing, Blues, Boogie Woogie) from prior to WWI through prohibition, the stock market crash, the depression and the outbreak of WWII. A romance between singer Kit Latimer from New Orleans, and Johnny Schumac... Read allCovering a quarter-century of American 'syncopated" music (Ragtime, Jazz, Swing, Blues, Boogie Woogie) from prior to WWI through prohibition, the stock market crash, the depression and the outbreak of WWII. A romance between singer Kit Latimer from New Orleans, and Johnny Schumacher, in which they share and argue over musical ideas ensues. Prior to the making of the f... Read all

  • Director
    • William Dieterle
  • Writers
    • Valentine Davies
    • Philip Yordan
    • Frank Cavett
  • Stars
    • Adolphe Menjou
    • Jackie Cooper
    • Bonita Granville
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.2/10
    261
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • William Dieterle
    • Writers
      • Valentine Davies
      • Philip Yordan
      • Frank Cavett
    • Stars
      • Adolphe Menjou
      • Jackie Cooper
      • Bonita Granville
    • 14User reviews
    • 8Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Syncopation
    Trailer 1:32
    Watch Syncopation

    Photos

    Charlie Barnet, Benny Goodman, Harry James, Gene Krupa, and Alvino Rey in Syncopation (1942)
    George Bancroft, Mona Barrie, Bonita Granville, Adolphe Menjou, and Ted North in Syncopation (1942)
    Charlie Barnet, Jackie Cooper, Benny Goodman, Bonita Granville, Harry James, Jack Jenney, Gene Krupa, Alvino Rey, and Joe Venuti in Syncopation (1942)
    Add photo

    Top cast

    Edit
    Adolphe Menjou
    Adolphe Menjou
    • George Latimer
    Jackie Cooper
    Jackie Cooper
    • Johnny Schumacher
    Bonita Granville
    Bonita Granville
    • Kit Latimer
    George Bancroft
    George Bancroft
    • Steve Porter
    Robert Benchley
    Robert Benchley
    • Doakes
    Walter Catlett
    Walter Catlett
    • Spelvin
    Ted North
    • Paul Porter
    Todd Duncan
    Todd Duncan
    • Rex Tearbone
    Connee Boswell
    Connee Boswell
    • Connee Boswell
    Frank Jenks
    Frank Jenks
    • Smiley Jackson
    Jessica Grayson
    • Ella Tearbone
    • (as Jessie Grayson)
    Mona Barrie
    Mona Barrie
    • Lillian
    Lindy Wade
    Lindy Wade
    • Paul Porter - as a Child
    Peggy McIntyre
    • Kit Latimer - as a Child
    Charlie Barnet
    Charlie Barnet
    • Charlie Barnet
    Benny Goodman
    Benny Goodman
    • Benny Goodman
    Harry James
    Harry James
    • Harry James
    Jack Jenney
    • Jack Jenney
    • (as Jack Jenny)
    • Director
      • William Dieterle
    • Writers
      • Valentine Davies
      • Philip Yordan
      • Frank Cavett
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      No credits for Afro Amerucan players and songwriters after all the film was about their music: jazz and blues.
    • Quotes

      Johnny Schumacher: It's you and me. Oh I see flashing that this America is only you and me. Freedom, language, poems, employment, are you and me. Past, present, future are you and me.

      Kit Latimer: Walt Whitman, isn't it?

    • Crazy credits
      At the start of the film, you see the names of the actors scroll up as "In front of the camera" and the crew as well as "Behind the camera" before the name of the movie finally appears.
    • Soundtracks
      Under a Falling Star
      Music by Leith Stevens

      Lyrics by Rich Hall

      Sung by Connee Boswell

    User reviews14

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    Le jazz hot!
    I came away with a different slant on this film than the other reviews I've seen here, so let me just say that for 1942 this terrific little love note to jazz is remarkably progressive for its day. While it's true that the plot ultimately leads to the white jazz stars of the early '40s, it is true to the roots of jazz and even includes a scene where an adult black musician calls an adult white musician "boy" and it's clear who's teaching who. This movie is as passionate about hot jazz music as were the people who created it, and it shows.

    Also, the plot is not as thin as many such films. It has the production values of an "A" picture, and its three stars were not exactly "B" list talent. It sometimes stretches credulity, but no more so than any other musical, and in fact even less so, considering that the music is an inherent part of the story.

    Here's hoping TCM shows this again soon; I'd love to record and keep it, as I doubt an official DVD release is in the offing.
    helpful•9
    1
    • abchulett
    • Jul 15, 2009

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 22, 1942 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Cazband Kralları
    • Filming locations
      • RKO Studios - 780 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA(Studio)
    • Production company
      • RKO Radio Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 28 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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    Charlie Barnet, Connee Boswell, Jackie Cooper, Benny Goodman, Bonita Granville, Harry James, Jack Jenney, Gene Krupa, Adolphe Menjou, Alvino Rey, and Joe Venuti in Syncopation (1942)
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