IMDb > Syncopation (1942)

Syncopation (1942) More at IMDbPro »

Overview

User Rating:
6.2/10   70 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 29% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
William Dieterle
Writers:
Valentine Davies (story)
Philip Yordan (screenplay) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for Syncopation on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
22 May 1942 (USA) more
Genre:
Comedy | History | Music | Romance more
Tagline:
Presenting THE ALL-AMERICAN DANCE BAND...Selected from among Readers in the SATURDAY EVENING POST POLL (original poster)
Plot:
Covering a quarter-century of American 'syncopated" music (Ragtime, Jazz, Swing, Blues, Boogie Woogie)from prior to WWI through prohibition... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
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User Comments:
Le jazz hot! more (6 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Adolphe Menjou ... George Latimer
Jackie Cooper ... Johnny Schumacher
Bonita Granville ... Kit Latimer
George Bancroft ... Steve Porter
Robert Benchley ... Doakes (scenes deleted)
Walter Catlett ... Spelvin (scenes deleted)
Ted North ... Paul Porter
Todd Duncan ... Rex Tearbone
Connee Boswell ... Herself, Connee Boswell
Frank Jenks ... Smiley Jackson
Jessica Grayson ... Ella Tearbone (as Jessie Grayson)
Mona Barrie ... Lillian
Lindy Wade ... Paul Porter - as a Child
Peggy McIntyre ... Kit Latimer - as a Child
Charlie Barnet ... Himself, Charlie Barnet
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Additional Details

Parents Guide:
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Runtime:
USA:88 min | USA:76 min (re-release)
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Black and White
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound System)
Certification:
USA:Approved | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | Finland:S | Sweden:15
Company:
RKO Radio Pictures more

Fun Stuff

Soundtrack:
Under a Falling Star more

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User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful.
Le jazz hot!, 15 July 2009
10/10
Author: abchulett from United States

I came away with a different slant on this film than the other reviews I've seen here, so let me just say that for 1942 this terrific little love note to jazz is remarkably progressive for its day. While it's true that the plot ultimately leads to the white jazz stars of the early '40s, it is true to the roots of jazz and even includes a scene where an adult black musician calls an adult white musician "boy" and it's clear who's teaching who. This movie is as passionate about hot jazz music as were the people who created it, and it shows.

Also, the plot is not as thin as many such films. It has the production values of an "A" picture, and its three stars were not exactly "B" list talent. It sometimes stretches credulity, but no more so than any other musical, and in fact even less so, considering that the music is an inherent part of the story.

Here's hoping TCM shows this again soon; I'd love to record and keep it, as I doubt an official DVD release is in the offing.

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