movie poster

King of Jazz

1930

98 minutes

AnimationComedyMusic

Overview

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.

Top Cast

Paul Whiteman headshot

Paul Whiteman

Paul Whiteman

John Boles headshot

John Boles

Vocalist ('Song of the Dawn' / 'It Happened in Monterey')

Laura La Plante headshot

Laura La Plante

Editor ('Ladies of the Press') / Stenographer ('In Conference') / Quartet Member, 'Nellie'

Jeanette Loff headshot

Jeanette Loff

Vocalist ('It Happened in Monterey' / 'Bridal Veil' / 'A Bench in the Park')

Glenn Tryon headshot

Glenn Tryon

Executive ('In Conference') / Unmarried Husband

William Kent headshot

William Kent

General ('All Noisy on the Eastern Front') / Goldfish Owner ('Oh! Forevermore!') / Unmarried Couple's Offspring / Vocal ('Do Things For You')

Slim Summerville headshot

Slim Summerville

Automobile Owner ('Springtime') / Rear End of Horse / Charles

Kathryn Crawford headshot

Kathryn Crawford

Fourth Reporter ('Ladies of the Press')

Carla Laemmle headshot

Carla Laemmle

Chorine (as Beth Laemmle)

Stanley Smith headshot

Stanley Smith

Bridegroom ('Bridal Veil' / 'A Bench in the Park')

Charles Irwin headshot

Charles Irwin

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

George Chiles headshot

George Chiles

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

Jack White headshot

Jack White

Jack White

Frank Leslie headshot

Frank Leslie

Quartet Lead Singer ('Nellie')

Walter Brennan headshot

Walter Brennan

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

Churchill Ross headshot

Churchill Ross

Quartet Member ('Nellie')

John Arledge headshot

John Arledge

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

Al Norman headshot

Al Norman

Rubber Legs Dancer ('Happy Feet')

Jacques Cartier headshot

Jacques Cartier

Voodoo Dancer ("Rhapsody in Blue")

Nell O'Day headshot

Nell O'Day

Dancer

Marion Stattler headshot

Marion Stattler

Specialty Dancer 'Ragamuffin Romeo' / 'Melting Pot'

Don Rose headshot

Don Rose

Specialty Dancer 'Ragamuffin Romeo'

Bobbe Brox headshot

Bobbe Brox

Bobbe (as The Brox Sisters)

Patricia Brox headshot

Patricia Brox

Kathlyn (as The Brox Sisters)

Lorayne Brox headshot

Lorayne Brox

Lorraine (as The Brox Sisters)

Bing Crosby headshot

Bing Crosby

Trio Singer (as The Rhythm Boys)

Yola d'Avril headshot

Yola d'Avril

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

Marcia Mae Jones headshot

Marcia Mae Jones

Child ('Bridal Veil') (uncredited)

Bela Lugosi headshot

Bela Lugosi

Emcee - Hungarian Version

Joan Marsh headshot

Joan Marsh

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