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IMDb > Strike Up the Band (1940)

Strike Up the Band (1940) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
6.9/10   375 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
No change in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
John Monks Jr. (screenplay) and
Fred F. Finklehoffe (screenplay)
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Contact:
View company contact information for Strike Up the Band on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
27 September 1940 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
THEIR SUNNIEST, FUNNIEST, DOWN-TO-MIRTHIEST HIT! (original ad - all caps) more
Plot:
Jimmy Connors and his girl-friend want to take part in Paul Whiteman's highschool's band contest, but they cannot afford the fare... more | add synopsis
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
Avatar: Hot Aliens Rule the Roost
 (From CultureCatch. 19 December 2009, 4:29 AM, PST)

User Reviews:
American dreaming more (8 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Mickey Rooney ... James 'Jimmy' Connors

Judy Garland ... Mary Holden
Paul Whiteman and Orchestra ... Group Performers
June Preisser ... Barbara Frances Morgan
William Tracy ... Philip 'Phil' Turner
Larry Nunn ... Willie Brewster
Paul Whiteman ... Paul Whiteman
Margaret Early ... Annie
Ann Shoemaker ... Mrs. Jessie Connors
Francis Pierlot ... Mr. Judd
Virginia Brissac ... Mrs. May Holden
George Lessey ... Mr. Morgan
Enid Bennett ... Mrs. Morgan
Howard C. Hickman ... Doctor (as Howard Hickman)
Sarah Edwards ... Miss Hodges, a Teacher
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Additional Details

Runtime:
120 min
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Sound System)
Certification:
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The 1930 Broadway production of "Strike Up the Band", with music and lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin, had no relation to the story of this film. That was a political satire that had trouble getting to Broadway, and when it did, it had only a short run of 191 performances. However, the title song became very popular and is included in this film. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: Jimmy Conners claims to have gone to Chicago for the World Series three years before. The World Series is always played at the home stadiums of the competing teams and the 1937 series was between the New York Yankees and the New York Giants. The 1938 World Series was indeed between the Chicago Cubs and the New York Yankees, but that would have been only two years before the film was released. more
Quotes:
Paul Whiteman: Take that boy on the street. Teach him to blow a horn and he'll never blow a safe. more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
Walking Down Broadway more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
8 out of 9 people found the following review useful.
American dreaming, 6 April 1999
10/10
Author: David Fiore (d_fiore@alcor.concordia.ca) from Verdun, Quebec

I can't help it, I love Mickey and Judy, and this is their best film together. It has fun songs ("Our Love Affair" and "Do the La Conga" especially), good Busby Berkeley productions (both the aforementioned, especially the fruit-as-orchestra dream sequence!), but more importantly, it perfectly evokes the ideal small middle-American town, complete with understanding mothers and principals, swell fellas and gals, and a comforting everything's going to be just fine feeling. I can't help yearning for this never-never land of rebellious but polite youths and understanding old-timers!

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