Syncopation (1942)

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 ... See full summary »

Director:

William Dieterle

Writers:

Valentine Davies (story), Philip Yordan (screenplay)

Stars:

Adolphe Menjou, Jackie Cooper, Bonita Granville

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Adolphe Menjou	...	George Latimer
Jackie Cooper	...	Johnny Schumacher
Bonita Granville	...	Kit Latimer
George Bancroft	...	Steve Porter
Robert Benchley	...	Doakes
Walter Catlett	...	Spelvin
Ted North	...	Paul Porter
Todd Duncan	...	Rex Tearbone
Connee Boswell	...	Connee Boswell
Frank Jenks	...	Smiley Jackson
Jessica Grayson	...	Ella Tearbone (as Jessie Grayson)
Mona Barrie	...	Lillian
Lindy Wade	...	Paul Porter - as a Child
Peggy McIntyre	...	Kit Latimer - as a Child
Charlie Barnet	...	Charlie Barnet

Storyline

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 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 film RKO held a contest for the readers of 'The Saturday Evening Post" to vote on the musicians to make up the All-American Dance Band featured in the film; the magazine's readers chose, in the above-the-title listing: Charlie Barnet, Benny Goodman, Harry James, Jack Jenney. Gene Krupa, Alvino Rey, Joe Venuti, and singer Connee Boswell.

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Plot Keywords:

singer | stock market crash | ragtime | prohibition | jazz | 

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Taglines:

Presenting THE ALL-AMERICAN DANCE BAND...Selected from among Readers in the SATURDAY EVENING POST POLL (original poster)

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Genres:

Comedy | History | Music | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 May 1942 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Cavalgada do Ritmo

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

76 min (re-release)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

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.

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Soundtracks

Under a Falling Star
Music by Leith Stevens
Lyrics by Rich Hall
Sung by Connee Boswell

User Reviews

Looking for an actor

I am very interested in finding the name of young Reggie/later Rex. There is no mention of him in the credits.

Does anyone have that information? I have been researching and I come up with a name of Jack Thompson, not at all sure that is correct.

I have been on line with some of the "Black or Negro Acting History Books" There was a blurb about Jack Thompson tucked in a lot of information. I have seen this young man before and wondered what ever became of him and what else had he done in the 1940's.

I came upon this movie quite by accident and did not view the beginning I would like to secure a schedule of some sort. I enjoyed (what I saw of it)Syncopation and want to start at the beginning. I am a Jazz lover