SYNCOPATION (1942)

 

Directed by: William Dieterle

Starring: Adolphe Menjou, Jackie Cooper, Bonita Granville, Todd Duncan, George Bancroft, Robert Benchley, Walter Catlett, Ted North, Connie Boswell, Frank Jenks, Jessie Grayson, Mona Barrie, Lindy Wade, Peggy McIntyre, Charlie Barnet, Benny Goodman, Harry James, Jack Jenney, Gene Krupa, Alvino Rey, Joe Venuti, Emory Parnell, Jack Thompson

88 minutes

(NR - adult themes)

PLOT:

Covering a quarter-century of American 'syncopated" music (Ragtime, Jazz, Swing, Blues, Boogie Woogie) from prior to WWI through prohibition, the stock market crash, the depression and the outbreak of WWII. A romance between singer Kit Latimer from New Orleans, and Johnny Schumacher, in which they share and argue over musical ideas ensues. 

Prior to the making of the film, RKO held a contest for the readers of 'The Saturday Evening Post" to vote on the musicians to make up the All-American Dance Band featured in the film; the magazine's readers chose, in the above-the-title listing: Charlie Barnet, Benny Goodman, Harry James, Jack Jenney. Gene Krupa, Alvino Rey, Joe Venuti, and singer Connee Boswell.

TRAILER: