King of Jazz
Made during the early years of the movie musical, this exuberant revue was one of the most extravagant, eclectic, and technically ambitious Hollywood productions of its day. Starring the bandleader Paul Whiteman, then widely celebrated as the King of Jazz, the film drew from Broadway variety shows to present a spectacular array of sketches, performances by such acts as the Rhythm Boys (featuring a young Bing Crosby), and orchestral numbers—all lavishly staged by veteran theater director John Murray Anderson.
Cast
Paul Whiteman
as Paul Whiteman
John Boles
as Vocalist ('Song of the Dawn' / 'It Happened in Monterey')
Laura La Plante
as Editor ('Ladies of the Press') / Stenographer ('In Conference') / Quartet Member, 'Nellie'
Jeanette Loff
as Vocalist ('It Happened in Monterey' / 'Bridal Veil' / 'A Bench in the Park')
Glenn Tryon
as Executive ('In Conference') / Unmarried Husband
William Kent
as General ('All Noisy on the Eastern Front') / Goldfish Owner ('Oh! Forevermore!') / Unmarried Couple's Offspring / Vocal ('Do Things For You')
Slim Summerville
as Automobile Owner ('Springtime') / Rear End of Horse / Charles
Kathryn Crawford
as Fourth Reporter ('Ladies of the Press')
Carla Laemmle
as Chorine (as Beth Laemmle)
Stanley Smith
as Bridegroom ('Bridal Veil' / 'A Bench in the Park')
Reviews
CinemaSerf
The title of this film is a touch misleading. I was expecting much more of a jazz-based musical revue but instead got pretty much a whole gamut of colourful and precisely staged repertoire. Paul Whiteman and his accomplished orchestra provide the conduit, as it were, as a variety of performers sing,...
