King of Jazz [Criterion Collection] (Blu-ray) 03/27/18

Intended as Universal Pictures' entry in the "all-star musical" cycle of the early talkie era, King of Jazz is certainly the most elaborate of the bunch, though far from the most successful financially. Staged by Broadway impresario John Murray Anderson, the film is held together by the charismatic personality of rotund bandleader Paul Whiteman. The show begins with a Walter Lantz cartoon wherein it is recalled how Whiteman earned the title of the King of Jazz (Lantz's animated star Oswald Rabbit makes a brief appearance). Then Whiteman appears in the flesh (and plenty of it), coaxing his miniaturized orchestra out of a small box. The film then assumes the traditional revue format, with brief comedy sketches featuring such Universal contractees as Laura LaPlante and Slim Summerville interspersed with some of the most spectacular production numbers ever captured on film. The musical talent includes John Boles, the Rhythm Boys (with Bing Crosby), and "swing" violinist Joe Venuti. Highlights include a full-length "picturization" of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" (with Gershwin look-alike Roy Bargy at the piano), the surrealistic "Happy Feet," the splendiferous "Bridal Veil," and the gargantuan "Melting Pot" finale. The current Technicolor negative of King of Jazz, lovingly assembled from pristine original prints and battered dupes, runs 93 minutes -- some 12 minutes short of the film's original length.

CONDITION: NEW

Actors: Bing Crosby, Paul Whiteman
Directors: John Murray Anderson
Format: Full Screen, NTSC, Subtitled
Language: English
Subtitles: English
Region: Region A/1
Number of discs: 1
Rated:
NR
Not Rated
Studio: Criterion Collection
DVD Release Date: March 27, 2018
Run Time: 98 minutes

Cast & Crew

Paul Whiteman Himself
John Boles Guest
Laura La Plante Herself
Jeanette Loff Actor
Kathryn Crawford Actor
George "Slim" Summerville Actor
Frank Leslie Actor
Charles Irwin Actor
Paul Howard Actor
Harry Barris Actor
Al Rinker Actor
Walter Brennan Himself
Bing Crosby Himself (member of The Rhythm Boys)
John Arledge Actor
William Kent Actor
Churchill Ross Actor
Glenn Tryon Actor
Jack White Actor
Richard Cromwell Bit Part
Joan Marsh Bit

Technical Credits

John Murray Anderson Director
Milton Ager Score Composer
Jerome Ash Cinematographer
Robert Carlisle Editor
George Gershwin Score Composer
Carl Laemmle Producer
Walter Lantz Animator
Charles MacArthur Screenwriter
Hal Mohr Cinematographer
Bill Nolan Animator
Ray Rennahan Cinematographer
Billy Rose Score Composer
Herman Rosse Costumes/Costume Designer,Production Designer
Harry Ruskin Screenwriter
Mabel Wayne Score Composer