This starts off as a very surreal and entertaining film. We have a storybook that opens up and shows us a cartoon of how Paul Whiteman became the king of jazz. It's set in the jungle and is amusingly animated. We are then introduced to the members of the orchestra who file onto a miniature set and then provide us with solo routines. Then the show starts with a song called "The Bridal Veil". It's actually quite good and contains some haunting moments. Except it contains ghastly, smiling children which ruins it in a matter of seconds. And this is where the film suffers. It's an array of good and bad acts. One minute, you are enjoying Bing Crosby and the Rhythm Boys while the next minute you are praying for some "comedy" singer to shut up and go away. Then you get another good song or Al Norman and his crazy dancing and you think "oh good!" but once again, the film removes your enjoyment in a second by shoving an unfunny drunken man routine in your face. And that's the film in a nutshell - some good parts and some not-so-good parts. However, the sets are excellent and this lifts it just above par despite the film being a little too long. Paul Whiteman looks like Oliver Hardy.
Review of King of Jazz
