Second Chorus (Region A Blu-ray)
Description
Students who were in the college band together go searching for a job and end up in Artie Shaw's band. In only his second film after ending his legendary partnership with Ginger Rogers in 1939, Fred Astaire returned to the screen in the frothy big band musical Second Chorus. Excited about the opportunity to work with legendary big band leader Artie Shaw, Fred signed on for this romp co-starring Burgess Meredith and a winning Paulette Goddard. Shenanigans abound: Fred and Burgess play friendly rivals, musicians who purposely flunk their college courses in order to maintain lucrative jobs as college band leaders, but the real attraction, of course, lies in Fred's musical numbers. With lyrics by the legendary Johnny Mercer ("Dream", "Moon River") and music by both Hal Borne (Astaire's rehearsal pianist) and Artie Shaw, Second Chorus received Academy Award nominations for Best Song ("Would You Like to Be the Love of My Life?") and Best Score. But it's the film's terrific final number, "Poor Mr. Chisholm", that's the real award winner, with Fred whirling through an all-stops-out sensational tap while simultaneously conducting Artie Shaw's top of the line big band-proof yet again of Astaire's unquestioned status as the greatest dancer in Hollywood history.
Product Details
- Barcode
- 851169003155
- Department
- Movies & TV
- Released
- 14 May 2013
- Type
- Movies
- Format
- Blu-ray
- Genre
- Comedy
- Sub-genre
- Musicals
- Region
- Region A
- Studio
- Film Chest Company
- Runtime
- 234 min
- Age Restriction
- NR
- Supply Source
- USA
Movie
- Title
- Second Chorus
- Release Year
- 1940
- Language
- English
- Color
- B&W
- Categories
- Musical & Performing Arts / Musicals / Campus Life / Love Triangle / Romance
- Synopsis
- Director H.C. Potter keeps the pacing snappy in this musical comedy about two trumpet-playing buddies competing for gigs and for the heart of their lovely manager, Ellen Miller (Paulette Goddard). When Ellen gets hired and moves away, the two decide to leave their college campus and follow her to New York. Once there, they have numerous misadventures while auditioning for a spot in conductor Artie Shaw's band. Artie Shaw confidently plays himself, and Fred Astaire and Charles Butterworth are both sweet and funny as Danny and Hank, the feuding friends. Some of the film's notable songs include "Would You Like to Be the Love of My Life," "Poor Mr. Chisholm," and "Swing Concerto." Paulette Goddard and Fred Astaire have one breezy accomplished dance number in the film, which was shot in one take under protest from Goddard, who swore after hours of tutoring from the master that she just couldn't dance. The rest of the numbers are danced solo by Mr. Astaire who is a joy to watch.
- Notes
- Filmed on location at a college in Los Angeles, California.
Theatrical Release : January 3, 1941
LOVE OF MY LIFE was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Song.
- Release Notes
DVD Features:
- Keep Case
- Full Frame - 1.33
Audio:
- (unspecified) - English
- Cast & Crew
- Director
- Ben Hecht / H.C. Potter
- Star
- Fred Astaire / Charles Butterworth / Jimmy Conlin / Paulette Goddard / Adia Kuznetzoff / Frank Melton / Burgess Meredith / Artie Shaw
- Screenwriter
- Ian McLellan Hunter
- Producer
- Boris Morros / Robert Stillman
- Music
- Artie Shaw
- Writer
- Frank Cavett / Johnny Mercer / Elaine Ryan