King of Jazz

King of Jazz

98 mins | Comedy, Animation, Music | April 20, 1930

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.

King of Jazz

98 mins | Comedy, Animation, Music | April 20, 1930

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.
IMDb rating 6.7
Producers Universal Pictures
Original title King of Jazz
Directors John Murray Anderson, Robert Ross
Writers Harry Ruskin, Edward T. Lowe Jr.

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')

Charles Irwin

as Himself, Announcer / Soldier ('All Noisy on the Eastern Front')

George Chiles

as Dancer ('It Happened in Monterey' / Vocalist 'A Bench in the Park' / 'Ragamuffin Romeo')

Jack White

as Jack White

Frank Leslie

as Quartet Lead Singer ('Nellie')

Walter Brennan

as Desk Sergeant ('Springtime') / Soldier ('All Noisy on the Eastern Front') / Waiter ('Oh! Forevermore!') / Front End of Horse / Quartet Member ('Nellie')

Churchill Ross

as Quartet Member ('Nellie')

John Arledge

as First Pianist at Giant Piano ('Rhapsody in Blue') / Quartet Member ('Nellie') (as Johnson Arledge)

Al Norman

as Rubber Legs Dancer ('Happy Feet')

Jacques Cartier

as Voodoo Dancer ("Rhapsody in Blue")

Nell O'Day

as Dancer

Marion Stattler

as Specialty Dancer 'Ragamuffin Romeo' / 'Melting Pot'

Don Rose

as Specialty Dancer 'Ragamuffin Romeo'

Bobbe Brox

as Bobbe (as The Brox Sisters)

Patricia Brox

as Kathlyn (as The Brox Sisters)

Lorayne Brox

as Lorraine (as The Brox Sisters)

Bing Crosby

as Trio Singer (as The Rhythm Boys)

Yola d'Avril

as Automobile Owner's Wife ("Springtime") / Marie ("All Noisy on the Eastern Front") (uncredited)

Marcia Mae Jones

as Child ('Bridal Veil') (uncredited)

Bela Lugosi

as Emcee - Hungarian Version

Joan Marsh

as Blonde ("A Bench in the Park") (uncredited)