King of Jazz
About King of Jazz
Paul Whiteman and his orchestra play a revue with no story. A cartoon opens it: Whiteman is crowned king of jazz. The numbers include a cartoon scrapbook, specialties, and George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. The Rhythm Boys, Bing Crosby, Al Rinker, and Harry Barris, sing on camera. Crosby also sings under the credits. John Murray Anderson directed.
Cast & crew
More about King of Jazz
Carl Laemmle Jr. produced. Charles MacArthur is credited on the writing. Hal Mohr and Ray Rennahan photographed it in two-color Technicolor. Milton Ager wrote songs. Paul Fejos is also listed as a director. The listed length is 98 minutes. Herman Rosse received the Academy Award for Interior Decoration. Named to the National Film Registry in 2013. The copyright ended and the film entered the public domain on January 1, 2026. Joe Venuti and Eddie Lang are seen and heard. Bix Beiderbecke had left the band before the shoot. A copy is on the Internet Archive as KingofJazz1930.
Themes
Look
Hal Mohr and Ray Rennahan shot the revue in two-color Technicolor.
Technique
A feature revue photographed entirely in two-color Technicolor, with an animated prologue.
Music
Milton Ager wrote songs. The band plays Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue.
Preservation
A near-complete color print survives. In the public domain since January 1, 2026. Named to the National Film Registry in 2013.
Notes
- There is no plot between the numbers.
- Crosby's voice is on the credits as well as in the Rhythm Boys spots.
- The color is two-color Technicolor, not three-strip.
- A near-complete color print survives. Many 1930 musicals do not.
Awards
- Academy Award for Interior Decoration (Herman Rosse)
- National Film Registry (2013)
Scenes
- The cartoon crowns Whiteman.
- The orchestra plays Rhapsody in Blue in blue light.
Also available
- Internet Archive (KingofJazz1930)