Jam Session (1944)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Charles Barton

Writers:

Patterson McNutt (story)
Manuel Seff (screenplay)

Release Date:

13 April 1944 (USA)

Genre:

Musical

Tagline:

It's a super celebration with the swing stars of the nation!

Plot:

Kansas girl Terry Baxter has won a trip to Hollywood, tries to get a job as a dancer and ends up as secretary of screenwriter Haven...

Plot Keywords:

Swing | Big Band

Cast

Ann Miller	...	Terry Baxter
Jess Barker	...	George Carter Haven
Charlie Barnet	...	Himself
Charlie Barnet and His Orchestra	...	Themselves
Louis Armstrong	...	Himself
Louis Armstrong's Orchestra	...	Themselves
Alvino Rey	...	Himself
Alvino Rey's Orchestra	...	Themselves
Jan Garber	...	Himself
Jan Garber's Orchestra	...	Themselves
Glen Gray	...	Himself
Glen Gray's Orchestra	...	Themselves
Teddy Powell	...	Himself
Teddy Powell's Orchestra	...	Themselves
Nan Wynn	...	Herself

Runtime:

77 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Movie Connections:

Featured in Head (1968)

Soundtrack:

St. Louis Blues

Not so hot Swing band review

It took me decades to finally view this film and I am glad I kept busy all those years for JAM SESSION is a bit of a miss-fire.

The fact that there is no story of consequence is moot point. The reason to see the film is the bands, singers and Ann Miller.

I must say that I have never seen Ann Miller look lovelier and more appealing. Sadly, she only gets one number at the end and it isn't a stunner.

The bands and the vocalists - a first rate line up of largely disappointing appearances with the emphasis on novelty tunes.

Armstrong - excellent.

Garber - much better then expected for Garber.

Rey - weird novelty number.

Powell - dreary comedy performance of a clever tune. What a waste of a good, forgotten band.

Barnet - the great Charlie Barnet band plays their immortal hit CHEROKEE. Well played, but no visual excitement.

Glen Gray/Casa Loma - same as above with NO NAME JIVE.

Nan Gray - OK

Jo Stafford and the Pied Pipers perform their old Tommy Dorsey hit, IT STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN. Excellent! Jo Stafford never looked better! She was 25 years old and looks right off the farm with a fresh face and big eyes to match her high hair do. An exceptional performance by Jo and the Pied Pipers in an unexceptional film. I think she hit 91 years old this year, so God bless her!

Clean. crisp photography.

That sums it up.