Birth of the Blues poster
FilmRomanceMusic

Birth of the Blues (1941)

NR · 1941-11-07 · 1h 27m · EN
53%
User score
7 votes
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Strike Up The Band ! * Here comes happiness . . . in a merry medley of romance . . . and rhythm !

Jeff grows up near Basin Street in New Orleans, playing his clarinet with the dock workers. He puts together a band, the Basin Street Hot-Shots, which includes a cornet player, Memphis. They struggle to get their jazz music accepted by the cafe society of the city. Betty Lou joins their band as a singer and gets Louie to show her how to do scat singing. Memphis and Jeff both fall in love with Betty Lou.

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Victor SchertzingerDirectorWalter DeLeonWriter

Media

Top billed cast

Full cast & crew →
Bing CrosbyBing CrosbyJeff LambertMary MartinMary MartinBetty Lou CobbBrian DonlevyBrian DonlevyMemphisCarolyn LeeCarolyn LeeAunt Phoebe CobbEddie 'Rochester' AndersonEddie 'Rochester' AndersonLoueyJ. Carrol NaishJ. Carrol NaishBlackieWarren HymerWarren HymerLimpyHorace McMahonHorace McMahonWolfRuby ElzyRuby ElzyRubyJack TeagardenJack TeagardenPepperDanny BeckDanny BeckDeekHarry BarrisHarry BarrisSuds

Keywords

JazzNew orleans, louisianaScat singing

Movie DNA

Genre affinityRomance · MusicTheme affinityJazz · New Orleans Louisiana · Scat SingingMood preferenceRomancePacingShortEmotional intensityRomanceDirector preference335487

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Frequently asked questions about Birth of the Blues

What is Birth of the Blues about?

Jeff grows up near Basin Street in New Orleans, playing his clarinet with the dock workers. He puts together a band, the Basin Street Hot-Shots, which includes a cornet player, Memphis. They struggle to get their jazz music accepted by the cafe society of the city. Betty Lou joins their band as a singer and gets Louie to show her how to do scat singing. Memphis and Jeff both fall in love with Betty Lou.

How long is Birth of the Blues?

Birth of the Blues has a runtime of 87 minutes.