King of Jazz (1930) - full transcript

Music hath charms that nothing else has

Music hath charms,
though it's classic or jazz

A symphony grand
by Schubert or Brahms

Popular bands
or a uke 'neath the palms

A melody in minor key
can make the teardrops start

And then again, a glad refrain
can cheer a lonely heart

Sweet harmony when there's
someone in your arms

Oh baby, it's then that music
hath charms

How do you do,
ladies and gentlemen.

Permit me to introduce myself.

I'm Charles Irwin.



And this book is Paul
Whiteman's scrap book.

Its pages are crowded
with melodies and anecdotes...

...which we are going to bring to life
for you by the magic of the camera.

Here we have Paul himself.

And by the way, you may be
ineterested in knowing...

...how he came to be crowned
the King of Jazz.

Once upon a time, Paul,
tiring of life in the great city...

...had a grand idea.

He would go big-game hunting.

No sooner said than done.

Shooting the action
to the camera...

...we find him a few weeks later...

...in darkest Africa.

My Lord delivered Daniel,
my Lord delivered Daniel...



My Lord delivered Daniel...
Why can't he deliver me?!

Ouch!

Mammy!

And that's how Paul Whiteman
was crowned...

The King of Jazz.

Why, here comes Paul himself.

- Hello, Charlie.
- Hello, Paul, where's the band?

Are you standing
in front of them?

- Oh, the band?
- Yes.

I have them right in here.

What, 40 boys
in that little bag?

In the bag!

I'm really very proud
of the boys.

Some of them have been in the band
a great many years.

Mike, how long have you
been in the band?

11 years, Mr Whiteman.

Goldie, how long have you
been in the band?

6 years, Pop.

- 6 years pop?
- Pop.

He's been in the band so long
he's commenced to look like me.

However, as I said before, I'm really
very proud of the boys collectively...

And I'd like to have you
meet them individually.

Now that you know the boys...

I want you to meet our girls!

Here's my faded orange blossom,
white as driven snow...

Fashioned with such loving care
long centuries ago...

Worn in every generation
by some happy bride...

Hiding modest blushes
from the lover at her side...

Dear treasure of the past...
I've come for you at last...

What are the secrets you hold...

Within each delicate fold...

What tender memories
you could reveal...

What dreams you seem to unfold
of days romantic...

While phantom lovers of old
around me steal...

How many hearts you have thrilled...

What hopes you've quickened
and filled...

If you were only to tell the tale...

And how I wish that I knew
what joy or sorrow...

I'll soon be finding in you,
my bridal veil.

Oh happy bride

one wish through your
happy moments

We pray that happiness
may/make ???? ever thine

Happy couple(?)

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Do you remember
the path where we met...

Long, long ago...
Long, long ago.

Ah, yes, you told me
you ne'er would forget

Long, long ago...

Long ago

Listen to the mellow chiming
of the wedding bells

What a world of happiness
their melody foretells

With the dawning of tomorrow
comes our wedding day...

Do, I wonder, dreams come true.
we'll soon be on our way

There endless bliss will be

Awaiting you and me

And how I wish that I knew
what joy or sorrow...

I'll soon be finding in you,
my bridal veil.

Here's my assignment, boss.

Say, where have you
been all day...

Your story's half an hour old.

- What's the matter?
- Matter?!

If we women are gonna run this paper,
I want speed.

And as long as I'm City editor,
I've got to have news hot off the griddle!

Here you are, 40 storey building
burnt to the ground.

- When did it happen?
- 10 minutes ago. - That's better.

"Big bank robbery...
Three policemen shot."

- When did it happen?
- 5 minutes ago.

That's more like it.

"Woman shoots husband."

- When did it happen?
- Wait a minute!

- Listen...
- That's great!

What a dance do they do!
Lordy, how I'm tellin' you...

They don't need no band...

They keep time by clappin' their hand...

Just as happy as a cow chewin' on a cud,

When the darkies beat their feet
on the Mississippi Mud.

Hey, Bing, this isn't the type of number
for this kind of a production.

What kind of a production is this?

A super-super special-special
production.

Well, I guess you're right...
We should get out of the mud...

...and reach for the higher,
and the finer things of life.

The silver lining and the bluebird...
and life and love!

Look at my doorstep, and
look at my doorstep...

and look at the bluebird,
and look at the blackbird

and at the bad bug.
look at the good luck and the bad luck there

I never saw bluebirds
mingle with blackbirds

I never saw bluebirds doing things backwards...

Never knew good luck
ever could perch with care

Now, I overheard...

those birdies talking...

...today, and I know just why
they're acting this way.

Maybe I'd better pick up
the thread of the story.

- Well you needn't.
- OK.

First, the bluebird said...

"We've got to have sunny weather."

So the bluebirds and the blackbirds...

...got together.

Then the blackbird said...

"All we birds have a different feather."

So the bluebirds and the blackbirds...
got together.

Trouble, trouble, round my door...

Blackbirds, blackbirds, by the score.
- Pull it up now!

Bluebirds, bluebirds came one day...

And said to the blackbirds,
"Hear our say"

Say, who the dickens are these revellers?

Oh, some quartet on the air...
It really doesn't matter.

Why, first the bluebird said...
"We got to have sunny weather."

So the bluebirds and the blackbirds
got together.

Then the blackbirds said
"We're birds of a different feather."

So the bluebirds and the blackbirds
got together.

And when they talked it over,
they let the blackbirds bring the rain.

All the bluebirds then agreed
to bring that sunshine again...

For we can't have rain
or sunshine that lasts...

...forever.

You can take those bluebirds,
take those blackbirds...

Mix them together
you get fair weather...

And that's the reason the bluebirds
and the blackbirds got together.

In my imagination
I'm finding consolation

Somewhere along the Rio Grande.

Sadly I'm reminiscing,
madly again I'm kissing

Someone along the Rio Grande.

It happened in Monterey
a long time ago.

I met her in Monterey in old Mexico.

Stars and steel guitars
and luscious lips as red as wine

Broke somebody's heart
and I'm afraid that it was mine.

It happened in Monterey
without thinking twice.

I left her and threw away
the key to paradise.

My indiscreet heart
longs for the sweetheart

That I left in old Monterey.

Stars and steel guitars
and luscious lips as red as wine

Broke somebody's heart
and I'm afraid that it was mine.

My indiscreet heart
longs for the sweetheart

Yo soy la paloma errante

Que vengo aqu?,

Buscando un hermoso nido,

Donde nac?.

Si a tu ventana llega
Una paloma...

Tr?tala con carino
Que es mi persona.

!Ay! chinita que si!

!Ay! que dame tu amor!

!Ay! que vente conmigo,

Chinita, a donde vivo yo!

!Ay! chinita que si!

!Ay! que dame tu amor!

!Ay! que vente conmigo,

Chinita, a donde vivo yo!

It happened in Monterey
a long time ago.

I met her in Monterey in old Mexico.

Stars and steel guitars
and luscious lips as red as wine

Broke somebody's heart
and I'm afraid that it was mine.

It happened in Monterey
without thinking twice.

I left her and threw away
the key to paradise.

My indiscreet heart
longs for the sweetheart

That I left in old Monterey.

Now I've caught you!

So this is the way you act
when I'm not around!

No use you trying to explain...
I saw you with my own eyes.

- Well ... well won't you let me...?
- I'm through!

You'll never see me again
as long as you live.

You brute! Goodbye!

Well, wifey, there goes the best
stenographer I ever had!

One day, while Paul was away...

And the boys in the band prevailed
upon the probably man to do his stuff.

Jack White, a fellow
of infinite jest, but...

Just a little bit nutty.

Come on there, Old Black Joe!

Yeah, Joe, come on and coo one,
you'll be terific.

Old Black Joe...

When I was a little boy,
my mother said to me...

What did your mother say to you?

When I grow up to be a big man,
what do I wish to be?

What do you wish to be?

- 7 of spades?
- Right!

I always wanted to be a cop
or a fireman or such.

But since those days of wishin'...

I've got a new ambition.

What is your ambition?

- Ace of clubs?
- Right.

Oh, how I'd like to
own a fish store

That's all I wish for...
A lovely fish store.

Why, to all the Paddys...
I'd sell the fin and haddy.

To the Cohens and the Misches
I would sell gefilte fishes.

I'd put a flounder
in my window each day...

I'd put it on a scale
and say I'm giving it away.

Oh, how I'd like
to own a fish store

I'm a fisherman...
Aren't we all?

I had a dream last night...

...I dreamt I saw two fishes fight.

The champion was a tuna fish...

His opponent was a bass...

Before the title-fight began,
they introduced a few...

They introduced Kid Sharky...

...Battling White fish...

And Piccolo Pete.

- Ace of clubs?
- Right!

The house was packed with pole-fish,
who paid 20 fish to get in.

And how the men were yelling
for the main fight to begin.

Everyone's excited, and from the
gallery, some fresh trout...

C'mon you Tuna fish
knock that sea bass out!

The champion leads his left fin.

He leads it to the jaw...

He lands.

The bass...
he flounders...

Catch on?

Signals off.

The bass went down, he can't get up.
The champ was in his glory.

And then I hoped
to find my dream...

...was only a bedtime story.

My fresh halibut fish...

My fresh halibut fish...

...come down, at my fish
take a peep.

Only last night they were to
sleep in the deep.

Want any fish, baby?

No, sir!

- D'yer sister want any?
- No, sir.

Well, you know that fish
gives you brains?

What do you eat, sir?
Sardines?

And then the war broke out.

Millions of men and boys...

...leaving their homes
and wives and sweethearts.

Men... men... men... men!

Going up and down again... men!

Men... going up and down...

And where were you?!

Where were you?
And where were you?

Where were you?

Never mind me!

They got me, buddy.

Did they really get you?

Yes, they really got me.

Well, they should've got you sooner.

Tell me your name.

So I can tell
your poor old mother.

Why, you darned fool,
my mother knows my name.

Romeo and Juliet I'm quite sure
didn't have to pet...

...upon a hardwood bench
in the park like this is

They had moonlight up above

and and all the scene
of Eden's love

Things like that so helpful
to hugs, and kisses...

But you and I, my dear...

Need no such atmosphere...

A bench in the park...

Unromantic and plain...

That bench in the park
can be our lovers' lane

The glimmering light
of a lamp for a moon

A cold dreary night,
but in our hearts there is June

A lone little bird
in the branches above

Is plaintively heard
serenading his love

And what more do we need,
you and I in the dark

On a bench in the park.

A bench in the park,
unromantic and plain

That bench in the park
can be our lovers' lane

The glimmering light
of a lamp for a moon

A cold dreary night,
but in our hearts there is June

A lone little bird
in the branches above

Is plaintively heard
serenading his love

And what more do we need,
you and I in the dark

A bench in the park.

A lone little bird
in the branches above

Is plaintively heard
serenading his love

And what more do we need...

you and I in the dark...

On a bench in the park

I beg your pardon, Sir...

Is this the place where you report
a stolen automobile?

The Universal picture
"All Quiet on the Western Front"...

...inspired us to produce
our own little war drama...

..."All Noisy on the Eastern Front".

In it, we hope to prove
for all time...

...that Sherman was right.

Come in!

Marie...

My big American baby!

Have you been true to me?

Hide! Quickly!

Come in!

Marie!

Mon Capitain, you look so handsome!

Soap!

Smells good!

Have you been true to me?

Hide! Quickly!

Come in!

Marie darlin'!

Mon petit Colonel!

You are my jazz-baby, no?

- Look what I got for you.
- Chocolat! Yum yum!

Marie, have you been true to me?

Hide! Quickly!

Come in!

General!

Marie...

Have you been true to me?

Need you ask me that, baby?

The enemy is shelling the town.

We must leave immediately.

Come... my car is waiting.

Have you got any room for me?

How about me?

How about me?

How about us?

No record of American
music would be complete...

...without George Gershwin's
"Rhapsody in Blue"...

...which was written for
the Whiteman orchestra...

...and first played
in the Aeolean Hall in 1924.

The most primitive and most modern musical
elements are combined in this rhapsody...

For jazz was born
in the African jungle...

The beating of the voodoo drum.

- Good evening, Mr. Kent.
- Hello, Ike.

- What are you gonna have?
- Oh, I don't know.

Most anything.

What is that?

Just what you ordered,
most anything.

Well, here's it all.

Do you know what's the matter
with this country?

It's the tariff!

That's who.

Partly tariff
and partly income tax.

Now you take my wife...

All right...
Who you gonna take?

Here's a go...

Wait a minute...
Don't kick that dog!

That's not a dog.

It's a cat.

Then, don't kick the cat.

Don't you like animals?

- No.
- Do you like goldfish?

Goldfish?

I hate 'em!

Not so, quite... not so quiet

My boy, don't ever let anybody
hear you talk that way.

A goldfish is one of the most
faithful animals we have.

To mankind.

To the goldfish.

Would you mind
if I told you a story...?

...about 2 little goldfish
that I once had.

No.

I bought 'em at a s'pawnshop.

Two little wallahs
for a wonderful heir.

Goldfish.

I called them Ella and Emma.

I brought them home...

...and I put them in a
glass bowl full of water.

And I used to sit
and watch them grow.

Grow into womanh... to manh..

Big fish.

Then, prohibition came.

And they jumped out of the bowl
onto the floor.

They used to follow me around
wherever I went.

How I used to love them!

I used to come home each night...

And I'd stand at the bottom
of the steps and I'd cry out...

Halloo Ella!

Halloo Emma!

And they would answer me back...

One day I...

I'd been working pretty hard.

I worked so hard
I broke my shovel.

I came home...

And I stood at
the bottom of the steps...

And I cried out...

Halloo Ella!

Halloo Emma!

But there was no...

No...?

Excuse me!

Ella! Emma!

Emma!

A little tale we'll tell to you...

About the love of someone who...

We called the Ragamuffin Romeo

He'd sigh and wail as lovers do

When thinking of his sweetie too

Poor little Ragamuffin Romeo

In dreams only they had ever met

And at dawn he'd awake

Oh so lonely for his Juliet

And then he would take

His little sack and hit the road

A-picking rags at each abode

Poor little Ragamuffin Romeo.

Happiness he found in sortin' patches

Listen now for this is
where the catch is

His Lady Love
he'd start making of rag

Then he never used to be dejected...

Doing what the fairy tale directed

On the wall he'd tack 'em all
and for a while he'd smile the blues away.

There'll come a day, I really feel...

we're gonna love in manner real

My little Ragamuffin Romeo

I'm always gay and never blue...

I know that love will lead me too

My little Ragamuffin Romeo.

Until then, so happy we can be...

and complainin' ain't right.

Until then, I promise faithfully...

To see you each night.

And just as true as skies above

His eyes are clear, by lit of love

My little Ragamuffin Romeo.

My Ragamuffin Romeo.

This movin' picture business
is a bunk...

And this skin certainly
gets my nanny!

I feel like a horse's neck!

Horse's neck?
How do you suppose I feel?

Good heavens, dear,
this is terrible... look!

The minister who married us
wasn't a minister at all...

A crook, an imposter!

They've sent him
to the penitentiary.

Why this is awful... it means
that we're not married.

That's right, it makes me a bachelor.

It makes me a spinster!

What are you two
squawking for...?

Look what it makes me!

When you find that your mind
Keeps you worried and blue

You can always let your feet
Keep your disposition sweet

I want to see
What makes me feel the way I do?

Will you kindly cast an eye
On two good reasons why?

Happy feet
I've got those happy feet

Give them a low down beat
And they begin dancing

I've got those ten little tapping toes
And when they hear a tune

I can't control my dancing heels
To save my soul

Weary blues...
can't get in to my shoes

Because my shoes refuse
To ever grow weary

I keep cheerful
On an earful of music, sweet

'Cause I've got those
Hap, happy feet

Happy feet,
We've got those happy feet

Give them a low down beat

And they begin dancing

I've got those
Ten little tapping toes

And when they hear a tune

I can't control my dancing heels
To save my soul

Traurigkeit qu?lt mich nicht lange Zeit

Gar nicht mehr Schmerz und Leid.

sobald wir tanzen...

I keep cheerful, on an earful...

...of music... sweet!

'coz we've got those
Hap, hap, happy feet!

Well done, girls! Bravo! Splendid!

- Thank you, Mr. Irwin.
- You're welcome.

Say, Charlie, what's the big idea?

Don't you think I'm entitled
to a little consideration?

What for, Paul?
After all that's said and done.

It's dancing that
puts a number over.

All you do is stand back there,
wave a little stick...

...and form a background.

And what a background!

How do you know
that I can't dance?

You don't mean to tell me
that you're well-versed...

...in the intricacies
of the art of terpsichore?

No... but I can dance.

Charlie, I've a secret confession...

Ever since I've been a little fellow
I've been able to dance oh quite well.

Ever since I was about, oh about so high.

Yeah, but how wide?

You really want to dance?

Alright.

Ladies and gentleman,
Mr. Paul Whiteman will now dance.

So help me, Bob!

Good evening, Charles.

Won't you sit down?

Thank you.

Something I can do for you?

Well, sir... I don't know how exactly
to start... but you see...

I love your daughter.

And I know your daughter loves me.
We want to be married.

So I've come to get your consent.

Love is a wonderful thing, Charles.

But this is a practical world.

And I feel that I have the right
to ask you a question.

Now, how about your financial status?

Are you making money enough
to support a wife?

I'm making 65 dollars a week...
That ought to be enough.

There, my boy, you've hit the keynote
of the entire situation.

65 a week is enough for 2.

But it may be rather scanty fare
for more than 2.

And you know that...

After you and my daughter
are married...

...there may be some children.

We made up our mind
not to have any.

But in spite
of your intentions...

...there may be a baby.

Well, we've been pretty lucky so far.

Though you are
a great big grown-up...

You are like a child to me...

And somehow or other you...

...make me want to mother you.

Every now and then I'll own up...

I want to take you on my knee...

The hardest thing for me to do...

is to keep my hands off you

I live to fix your tie, smooth your hair...

Put things in order, here and there...

I'd like to do things for you.

I'd like to pick the lint off your suit...

Coz I want to keep you nice and cute...

Coz I like to do things for you.

There doesn't seem to be,
need for me to mention...

That I'm the party who
can give you attention

I'd like to tuck your shirt,
straighten your hat

poke all around you,
just like that...

I'd like to do things for you.

Hardest thing for me to do...

...is to keep my hands off you!

I get an awe-full kick, simply by...

...taking a cinder from your eye...

I like to do things for you

I like to mend your things,
darn your clothes...

clean your ears, blow your nose...

I like to do things for you

I must, by hook or crook...

make you look real snappy...

If there's a chance to do,
things for you

I'm happy.

Tear buttons off, now and then...

So I can sew them on again...
-For evermore

I like to do things for you!

I like to touch your hair,
hold your hand...

Play with your fingers,
because you understand...

I like to do things for you.

I like to cuddle up close to you...

...be momma's baby kitchy-coo!

Coz I like to do things for you

If anything I do... pleases you...

don't thank me

When I'm bad place me
on your knee and spank me.

If you'd like to hold me on your lap...

You just go to it Momma...
I'm no sap!

I like to do things for you.

There doesn't seem to be
a need for me to mention,

That you're the party who
can give us attention,

I'd tear your buttons off now and then
so I can sew them on again

Coz I like to do things for you.

There doesn't seem to be

need for me to mention

that I'm the party who can
give you attention

I like to pull your shirt...
douse your hat

You're acting all pretty
...like a pussy cat

Coz I like to do things for you!

On the scene so gay

From all the merry throng he stood apart.

A kindly-faced policeman,
whistling "Broadway Melody"...

Observed the teardrops
in the laddys' eye.

"Don't bring a frown to Broadway",

in a gentle tone, said he...

"With trembling voice,"
the youth began to cry.

Has anybody seen our Nellie?

She's somewhere on the great white way...

Perhaps, dare to tell,
there's some city swell...

Who ain't doing right,
tonight, by our Nell.

She's just a child...
a little wild...

But then, she's just a kid

Some villain may lead her astray...

Ah! Heaven forbid!

And if you see our darling Nellie...

Please send her back

...to Shamokin P.A.

Has anybody seen our Nellie?

She's somewhere on the great white way...

Perhaps, dare to tell, there's some city swell...

Who ain't doing right, tonight, by our Nell.

Now all together, please!

Once again!

She's just a child, a little wild...

But then, she's just a kid.

Some villain may lead her astray

Ah! Heaven forbid!

And if you see our darling Nellie...

please send her back to Shamokin P.A.

Wake from your sleep
all you weary ones

Who are weary of the night

Look to the east
all you dreary ones...

Who are waiting for the light.

Dawn is breaking,
and a new day is born.

The world is singing
the song of the dawn.

Birds are waking,
hear them welcome the morn...

They're sweetly singing
the song of the dawn.

Yesterday the skies were grey

Look, this morning they're blue

The smiling sun tells everyone...

Come and start life anew!

Sing hallelujah,
for the dark night is gone...

The world is singing
the song of the dawn.

Dawn is breaking,
and a new day is born.

The world is singing
the song of the dawn.

Birds are waking,
hear them welcome the morn...

They're sweetly singing
the song of the dawn.

Yesterday the skies were grey

Look, this morning they're blue.

The smiling sun tells everyone

Come and start life anew!

Sing hallelujah,
for the dark night is gone.

The world is singing
the song of the dawn.

Dawn is breaking...

...and the dark night is gone.

The world is singing...

...the song of the dawn.

America is a melting pot
of music...

...wherein the melodies
of all nations...

...are fused into
one great new rhythm...

Jazz!

D'ye ken John Peel
with his coat so gay...

D'ye ken John Peel
at the break of day...

D'ye ken John Peel
when he's far far away...

With his hounds and his horn
in the morning.

D'ye ken John Peel
with his coat so gay?

D'ye ken John Peel
at the break of day?

D'ye ken John Peel
when he's far, far away...

With his hounds and his horn
in the morning.

E va gridando...

Con allegria!

Santa Lucia!

Santa Lucia!

If a body meet a body,
comin' through the rye...

If a body kiss a body,
need a body cry?

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Angels fold their wings and rest...

...in that Eden of the west.

Beauty's home, Killarney...

...ever fair Killarney.

Si alguna vez en tu pecho, ay, ay, ay,
Mi carino no lo abrigas,

Eng?nalo como un nino,
Pero nunca se lo digas,

Eng?nalo como un nino, ay, ay, ay,
Pero nunca se lo digas.

La la layla, la la layla,
la la layla, la la layla...

Vy sgubili menya

...ochi chornyye

En passant par la Lorraine,
Avec mes sabots,

En passant par la Lorraine,
Avec mes sabots,

Rencontrai trois capitaines,
Avec mes sabots,

Dondaine, oh! Oh! Oh!
Avec mes sabots.

Sing hallelujah, for the
dark night is gone...

The world is singing
the song of the dawn.