King of Jazz
1930Made 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.
Acted in
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)
