Birth of the Blues

"Strike Up The Band ! * Here comes happiness . . . in a merry medley of romance . . . and rhythm !"

Nov 7 1941 Passed 1h 27m
Music

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.

Plot

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.

Written by

Harry Tugend, Walter DeLeon, Erwin Gelsey

Directed by

Victor Schertzinger

Cast

Bing Crosby, Mary Martin, Brian Donlevy

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

Paramount

Languages

English

Awards

Nominated for 1 Oscar. 1 win & 1 nomination total

Scores
# of Votes
470
Average Rating
6.3 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA