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Bing Crosby welcomes in the era of a new kind of music in Birth of the Blues. As a child, Jeff Lambert (Crosby) hangs out in New Orleans' Basin Street, playing hot swing on his clarinet instead of the classics his father prefers. He's inspired by an African-American group there and, some years later, sets out to form a jazz band of his own. With cornetist Memphis (Brian Donlevy), singer Betty Lou Cobb (Mary Martin) and trombonist Jack Teagarden (of the Original Dixieland Jazz Group, after which the story is patterned), he's on his way. A veritable history of jazz follows as a half a century of popular hits is given spectacular treatment showcasing songs such as "By the Light of the Silvery Moon", "St. Louis Blues" and "Wait Till the Sun Shines, Nellie".
Original Release
11/07/1941
US Release
11/07/1941
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Bing Crosby | Jeff Lambert |
Mary Martin | Betty Lou Cobb |
Brian Donlevy | Memphis |
Carolyn Lee | Aunt Phoebe Cobb |
Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson | Louey |
J. Carrol Naish | Blackie |
Warren Hymer | Limpy |
Horace McMahon | Wolf |
Ruby Elzy | Ruby |
Jack Teagarden | Pepper |
Directors
Writers
Harry Tugend, Walter DeLeon, Erwin Gelsey, Wilkie C. Mahoney
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Bing Crosby | Jeff Lambert |
Mary Martin | Betty Lou Cobb |
Brian Donlevy | Memphis |
Carolyn Lee | Aunt Phoebe Cobb |
Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson | Louey |
J. Carrol Naish | Blackie |
Warren Hymer | Limpy |
Horace McMahon | Wolf |
Ruby Elzy | Ruby |
Jack Teagarden | Pepper |
Danny Beck | Deek |
Harry Barris | Suds |
Perry Botkin Sr. | Leo |
Minor Watson | Henri Lambert |
Harry Rosenthal | Piano Player |
Donald Kerr | Skeeter, Barbershop Musician |
Barbara Pepper | Maizie |
Cecil Kellaway | Granet |
Ronnie Cosby | Jeff as a Boy |
Ted Lewis | Ted Lewis / Self (archive footage) |
Producers
Name | Role |
---|
Monta Bell | Producer |
Buddy G. DeSylva | Producer |
Editors
Year | Type | Category | Won |
---|
1942 | Oscar | Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture | Nominated |