IMDb RATING
6.7/10
1.7K
YOUR RATING
A rotund bandleader leads a series of theatrical sketches, dance numbers, special effects, and animated segments.A rotund bandleader leads a series of theatrical sketches, dance numbers, special effects, and animated segments.A rotund bandleader leads a series of theatrical sketches, dance numbers, special effects, and animated segments.
- Won 1 Oscar
- 2 wins total
Harry Barris
- One of the Rhythm Boys
- (as The Rhythm Boys)
Bing Crosby
- One of the Rhythm Boys
- (as The Rhythm Boys)
Al Rinker
- One of the Rhythm Boys
- (as The Rhythm Boys)
Carla Laemmle
- Chorine
- (as Beth Laemmle)
- Directors
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe animation sequence, created by Walter Lantz, was the first Technicolor animation ever produced.
- GoofsWhiteman's six violinists are introduced playing in two rows of 3's. Then without missing a beat, they are suddenly seen in an overhead shot playing in a circle.
- Quotes
Announcer: You don't mean to tell me that you are well-versed in the intricacies of the art of Terpsichore?
Paul Whiteman: No, but I can dance.
- Alternate versionsRestored in 2016 with a running time of 99 minutes. This version replicates the scene continuity of the 1930 release version, including about a minute of exit music. A small amount of footage was not found and is covered by still photographs. This is the version that played at the Museum of Modern Art and Film Forum in 2016, and was released by the Criterion Collection on Blu-ray and DVD in 2018.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The All Talking, All Singing, All Dancing Show (1973)
- SoundtracksRhapsody in Blue
(uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Played briefly during the opening credits
Played by Paul Whiteman and Orchestra (as "The Paul Whiteman Orchestra") during the production number
Performed by Roy Bargy (piano)
Danced by Jacques Cartier with clarinet, along with the Russell Markert Girls and The Sisters G
Featured review
"King Of Jazz" is a museum piece. Let's face it, anyone under 50 probably never heard of Paul Whiteman, and anyone under 40 only knows Bing Crosby from his Christmas album. That leaves the rest of us.
For The Rest Of Us, it doesn't get any better than "King Of Jazz". That, of course, was Paul Whiteman, rotund band leader of a bygone era who is the nominal star of this film. He was not an actor, and so the film is given over to actors and other entertainers. The accent here is on 'entertainer', as this movie is festooned with lots and lots of them.
Ever see Bing Crosby with his real hair? Ever see the Radio City Rockettes, thunder-thighed in the late 20's? Ever see George Gershwin in a movie? How about vaudevillian Al Norman with his rubber-legged dancing? It's all here, in a non-stop revue of old and almost-forgotten songs and dance numbers (there are 18 in all), interspersed with blackouts and comedy skits. Plus, it's in color (sort of) - actually, it's primitive 2 strip color.
I could go on and on but if you are a hard-core movie fan or a film historian, "King Of Jazz" is for you. The jokes are stale, the singers still trilled their 'R's, and the gowns in the bridal number are so out of style they are probably coming back. The overall effect was both sheer delight and visually overwhelming and I wished it would never end. It is available only on VHS and hasn't been seen on TV in years. It is a must for The Rest Of Us.
P.S. Ever see Paul Whiteman tap dance?
For The Rest Of Us, it doesn't get any better than "King Of Jazz". That, of course, was Paul Whiteman, rotund band leader of a bygone era who is the nominal star of this film. He was not an actor, and so the film is given over to actors and other entertainers. The accent here is on 'entertainer', as this movie is festooned with lots and lots of them.
Ever see Bing Crosby with his real hair? Ever see the Radio City Rockettes, thunder-thighed in the late 20's? Ever see George Gershwin in a movie? How about vaudevillian Al Norman with his rubber-legged dancing? It's all here, in a non-stop revue of old and almost-forgotten songs and dance numbers (there are 18 in all), interspersed with blackouts and comedy skits. Plus, it's in color (sort of) - actually, it's primitive 2 strip color.
I could go on and on but if you are a hard-core movie fan or a film historian, "King Of Jazz" is for you. The jokes are stale, the singers still trilled their 'R's, and the gowns in the bridal number are so out of style they are probably coming back. The overall effect was both sheer delight and visually overwhelming and I wished it would never end. It is available only on VHS and hasn't been seen on TV in years. It is a must for The Rest Of Us.
P.S. Ever see Paul Whiteman tap dance?
- How long is King of Jazz?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- The King of Jazz Revue
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $2,000,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 39 minutes
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