King of Jazz
Seen it?1930 | 100 min | Music
Weeknight Watchearly ratingWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
With mixed reviews and soft box office, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for most people.
- The mood
- Easygoing.
- The pace
- Moves along nicely, at 1 hr 40 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1930: an older pace and style.
A large-scale revue musical built around Paul Whiteman and his orchestra, presenting a series of musical performances, sketches, and staged tableaux in early two-color Technicolor, emblematic of Hollywood’s early sound-era “all-star” musical productions.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsBelow par
Mixed reviews
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsSolid
Won 1 Oscar: Best Production Design.
- Reach & staying powerBelow par
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 35K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by John Murray Anderson
- Paul WhitemanPaul Whiteman
- John BolesVocalist ('Song of the Dawn' / 'It Happened in Monterey')
- Jeanie LangVocalist ('I'd Like To Do Things For You' / 'Ragamuffin Romeo')
- Laura La PlanteEditor ('Ladies of the Press') / Stenographer ('In Conference') / Quartet Member, 'Nellie'
- Jeanette LoffVocalist ('It Happened in Monterey' / 'Bridal Veil' / 'A Bench in the Park')
- Glenn TryonExecutive ('In Conference') / Unmarried Husband
- William KentGeneral ('All Noisy on the Eastern Front') / Goldfish Owner ('Oh! Forevermore!') / Unmarried Couple's Offspring / Vocal ('Do Things For You')
- Slim SummervilleAutomobile Owner ('Springtime') / Rear End of Horse / Charles
- Kathryn CrawfordFourth Reporter ('Ladies of the Press')
- Carla LaemmleChorine (as Beth Laemmle)