Story of movie Alexander%27s Ragtime Band Film : Alexander's Ragtime Band is a 1938 musical film released by 20th Century Fox that takes its name from the 1911 Irving Berlin song "Alexander's Ragtime Band" to tell a story of a society boy who scandalizes his family by pursuing a career in ragtime instead of in "serious" music. The film generally traces the history of jazz music from the popularization of Ragtime in the early years of the 20th century to the acceptance of swing as an art form in the late 1930s using music composed by Berlin. The story spans more than two decades from the 1911 release of its name-sake song to some point in time after the 1933 release of "Heat Wave", presumably 1938. It stars Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, Don Ameche, Ethel Merman, Jack Haley and Jean Hersholt. Several actual events in the history of jazz are fictionalized and adapted to the story including the tour of Europe by Original Dixieland Jass Band, the global spread of jazz by U.S. soldiers during World War I, and the 1938 Carnegie Hall performance by The Benny Goodman Orchestra. There are no mentions of the primary importance of blacks in creating and playing jazz anywhere in the film.
| Alexander's Ragtime Band | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Henry King |
| Produced by | Darryl F. Zanuck |
| Written by | Irving Berlin Richard Sherman |
| Screenplay by | Kathryn Scola Lamar Trotti |
| Starring | Tyrone Power Alice Faye Don Ameche Jack Haley Ethel Merman |
| Music by | Irving Berlin Alfred Newman |
| Cinematography | J. Peverell Marley |
| Edited by | Barbara McLean |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
Release date | August 5, 1938 |
Running time | 106 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1,200,000–$2,275,000 |
| Box office | $3.6 million (gross rental) |
The story was written by Berlin himself, with Kathryn Scola (1891–1982), Richard Sherman (1905–1962) and Lamar Trotti (1900–1952). It was directed by Henry King (1886–1982).
It is believed by some that both the song and the movie were inspired by a real bandleader, Alexander Constantin Jr. of New Orleans (also known as "King" Watzke, and his band, Alexander's Ragtime Band, which was popular c. 1904-11.
Screenplay
- Tyrone Power as Alexander
- Alice Faye as Stella Kirby
- Don Ameche as Charlie Dwyer
- Ethel Merman as Jerry Allen
- Jack Haley as Davey Lane
- Jean Hersholt as Professor Heinrich
- Helen Westley as Aunt Sophie
- John Carradine as Taxi Driver
- Paul Hurst as Bill
- Douglas Fowley as Snapper
- Chick Chandler as Louie
- Eddie Collins as Corporal Collins
- Joseph Crehan as Stage Manager
- Wally Vernon as Himself
- Ruth Terry as Ruby
- Robert Gleckler as Eddie
- Charles Coleman as Head Waiter
- Stanley Andrews as Colonel
- Selmer Jackson as Radio Station Manager
- Charles Williams as Agent
- Carol Adams as Hat Check Girl
- Tyler Brooke as Assistant Stage Manager
- Lon Chaney Jr. as Photographer on Stage
- Ken Darby as Army Quartet Member
- Ralph Dunn as Army Captain
- James Flavin as Army Captain
- Harold Goodwin as Military Policeman at Army Show
- Rondo Hatton as Barfly
- Edward Keane as Army Major
- King's Men as Singing Army Quartet - Y.M.C.A.
- Robert Lowery as Reporter
- James C. Morton as Bartender at Scarbie's
- Frank O'Connor as Officer in Army Show Audience
- Edwin Stanley as Critic in Army Show Audience
- Charles Tannen as Dillingham's secretary
Alexander's Ragtime Band features several hit songs by Irving Berlin including "Heat Wave", "Some Sunny Day", "Blue Skies", "Easter Parade", "A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody" and "Alexander's Ragtime Band". Previously released songs were re-arranged and used in conjunction with new songs written by Berlin for the film.
The film had its New York premiere at the Roxy Theatre on August 5, 1938, with Cuban bandleader Desi Arnaz heading the stage show.
Contemporary reviews from critics were positive. Frank S. Nugent of The New York Times wrote, "With those twenty-six Berlin tunes at its disposal and with such assured song-pluggers as Alice Faye and Ethel Merman to put them over, the picture simply runs roughshod over minor critical objection and demands recognition as the best musical show of the year." Variety wrote, "Superlative in conception, execution and showmanship, it provides a rare theatrical and emotional experience." Film Daily declared it "solid entertainment that should play to big returns." Harrison's Reports called it "Excellent entertainment, capably directed and acted." Russell Maloney of The New Yorker called the music "reason enough to see the film," though he criticized the "small, persistent, mosquitolike irritation of the plot" and instances of anachronistic dialogue.
Alfred Newman won an Academy Award for Best Music, Scoring. The film was also nominated for:
- Best Picture
- Story - Irving Berlin
- Song - Irving Berlin for "Now It Can Be Told"
- Art Direction - Bernard Herzbrun and Boris Leven
- Film Editing - Barbara McLean
Alexander's Ragtime Band was presented on Lux Radio Theatre June 3, 1940. The adaptation starred Faye and Robert Preston.
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