Jimmy Dorsey

Jimmy Dorsey (1904-1957) was an American bandleader, saxophonist, conductor, songwriter and composer. Through the 1920s he was a saxophonist in orchestras including those of Paul Whiteman, Red Nichols, and the California Ramblers. He formed an orchestra with his brother Tommy lasting from 1933 to 1935. He led his own orchestra before rejoining Tommy's orchestra in 1953 and taking over the orchestra after Tommy's death.

The Fabulous Dorseys (1947)

The story of Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey from their boyhood in Pennsylvania through their rise, their breakup, and their personal reunion.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Alfred E. Green
CAST:  Tommy Dorsey  •  Jimmy Dorsey  •  Janet Blair  •  Paul Whiteman

The story of Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey from their boyhood in Pennsylvania through their rise, their breakup, and their personal reunion.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Alfred E. Green
CAST:  Tommy Dorsey  •  Jimmy Dorsey  •  Janet Blair  •  Paul Whiteman

I Dood It (1943)

Constance Shaw, a Broadway dance star, and Joseph Rivington Reynolds, a keen fan of hers, marry after she breaks up with her fiancé. Connie thinks Joseph owns a gold mine, but he actually works as a presser at a hotel valet shop. When everyone learns what he really ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Vincente Minnelli
CAST:  Red Skelton  •  Eleanor Powell  •  Richard Ainley  •  Patricia Dane

Constance Shaw, a Broadway dance star, and Joseph Rivington Reynolds, a keen fan of hers, marry after she breaks up with her fiancé. Connie thinks Joseph owns a gold mine, but he actually works as a presser at a hotel valet shop. When everyone learns what he really ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Vincente Minnelli
CAST:  Red Skelton  •  Eleanor Powell  •  Richard Ainley  •  Patricia Dane

Hollywood Canteen (1944)

Two soldiers on leave spend three nights at a club offering free of charge food, dancing, and entertainment for servicemen on their way overseas. Club founders Bette Davis and John Garfield give talks on the history of the place.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Delmer Daves
CAST:  Jack Benny  •  Joe E. Brown  •  Eddie Cantor  •  Kitty Carlisle

Two soldiers on leave spend three nights at a club offering free of charge food, dancing, and entertainment for servicemen on their way overseas. Club founders Bette Davis and John Garfield give talks on the history of the place.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Delmer Daves
CAST:  Jack Benny  •  Joe E. Brown  •  Eddie Cantor  •  Kitty Carlisle

That Girl From Paris (1936)

Nikki Martin (Lily Pons), a beautiful French opera star, stows away on an ocean liner in hopes of escaping her jealous fiancee. Once aboard, she joins an American swing band and falls in love with its leader, who, after hearing her sing, eventually comes to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Leigh Jason
CAST:  Lily Pons  •  Jack Oakie  •  Gene Raymond  •  Herman Bing

Nikki Martin (Lily Pons), a beautiful French opera star, stows away on an ocean liner in hopes of escaping her jealous fiancee. Once aboard, she joins an American swing band and falls in love with its leader, who, after hearing her sing, eventually comes to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Leigh Jason
CAST:  Lily Pons  •  Jack Oakie  •  Gene Raymond  •  Herman Bing

Four Jills in a Jeep (1944)

Reenactments of actual USO experiences of its female stars entertaining troops overseas.  (more)

DIRECTION:  William A. Seiter
CAST:  Kay Francis  •  Carole Landis  •  Martha Raye  •  Mitzi Mayfair

Reenactments of actual USO experiences of its female stars entertaining troops overseas.  (more)

DIRECTION:  William A. Seiter
CAST:  Kay Francis  •  Carole Landis  •  Martha Raye  •  Mitzi Mayfair

Birth of the Blues (1941)

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. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Victor Schertzinger
CAST:  Bing Crosby  •  Mary Martin  •  Brian Donlevy  •  Carolyn Lee

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. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Victor Schertzinger
CAST:  Bing Crosby  •  Mary Martin  •  Brian Donlevy  •  Carolyn Lee

The Fleet's In (1942)

Shy sailor Casey Kirby suddenly becomes known as a sea wolf when his picture is taken with a famous actress. Things get complicated when bets are placed on his prowess with the ladies.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Victor Schertzinger
CAST:  Dorothy Lamour  •  William Holden  •  Eddie Bracken  •  Betty Hutton

Shy sailor Casey Kirby suddenly becomes known as a sea wolf when his picture is taken with a famous actress. Things get complicated when bets are placed on his prowess with the ladies.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Victor Schertzinger
CAST:  Dorothy Lamour  •  William Holden  •  Eddie Bracken  •  Betty Hutton

This Is Elvis (1981)

Though several actors portray Elvis Presley at different stages of his life, this documentary is comprised mostly of actual performance footage and interviews with Elvis, his fans and those close to him. This biographical docu-drama features rare footage of Elvis ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Andrew Solt  •  Malcolm Leo
CAST:  Elvis Presley  •  David Scott  •  Paul Boensch III  •  Johnny Harra

Though several actors portray Elvis Presley at different stages of his life, this documentary is comprised mostly of actual performance footage and interviews with Elvis, his fans and those close to him. This biographical docu-drama features rare footage of Elvis ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Andrew Solt  •  Malcolm Leo
CAST:  Elvis Presley  •  David Scott  •  Paul Boensch III  •  Johnny Harra

You Leave Me Breathless (1938)

A "Screen Songs" short mixing live action with cartoons. The animated section deals with what will be seen on the television sets of the future, i.e., a fountain of youth operating in Turkey, a cow mowing the lawn and feeding at the same time, and other items and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Dave Fleischer
CAST:  Jimmy Dorsey  •  Bob Eberly

A "Screen Songs" short mixing live action with cartoons. The animated section deals with what will be seen on the television sets of the future, i.e., a fountain of youth operating in Turkey, a cow mowing the lawn and feeding at the same time, and other items and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Dave Fleischer
CAST:  Jimmy Dorsey  •  Bob Eberly

Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra (1938)

In a nightclub setting, Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra, with two of his vocalists, perform four of the group's best known songs. For the complete list of songs, check the soundtrack listing.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lloyd French
CAST:  Jimmy Dorsey  •  Bob Eberly  •  Evelyn Oaks

In a nightclub setting, Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra, with two of his vocalists, perform four of the group's best known songs. For the complete list of songs, check the soundtrack listing.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lloyd French
CAST:  Jimmy Dorsey  •  Bob Eberly  •  Evelyn Oaks

Lost in a Harem (1944)

Two bumbling magicians help a Middle Eastern prince regain his rightful throne from his despotic uncle.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Charles Reisner
CAST:  Bud Abbott  •  Lou Costello  •  Marilyn Maxwell  •  John Conte

Two bumbling magicians help a Middle Eastern prince regain his rightful throne from his despotic uncle.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Charles Reisner
CAST:  Bud Abbott  •  Lou Costello  •  Marilyn Maxwell  •  John Conte

Music Man (1948)

Bickering brothers unwittingly wind up working together on the same musical production.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Will Jason
CAST:  Jimmy Dorsey  •  Freddie Stewart  •  Phil Brito  •  Alan Hale Jr.

Bickering brothers unwittingly wind up working together on the same musical production.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Will Jason
CAST:  Jimmy Dorsey  •  Freddie Stewart  •  Phil Brito  •  Alan Hale Jr.

Make Believe Ballroom (1949)

Liza Lee, fast-talking press agent for Al Jarvis, persuades Jarvis to stage a Musical Mystery Contest, with a $5000 prize to the person who can first name the most musical numbers and their performers. Lots of musicians perform.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joseph Santley
CAST:  Ruth Warrick  •  Jerome Courtland  •  Ron Randell  •  Adele Jergens

Liza Lee, fast-talking press agent for Al Jarvis, persuades Jarvis to stage a Musical Mystery Contest, with a $5000 prize to the person who can first name the most musical numbers and their performers. Lots of musicians perform.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joseph Santley
CAST:  Ruth Warrick  •  Jerome Courtland  •  Ron Randell  •  Adele Jergens

Jazz Ball (1956)

A made-for-TV musical revue, compiled from soundies and film and TV performances by jazz greats from the 1930s to the 1950s.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Leslie M. Roush
CAST:  Cab Calloway  •  Duke Ellington  •  Louis Armstrong  •  Betty Hutton

A made-for-TV musical revue, compiled from soundies and film and TV performances by jazz greats from the 1930s to the 1950s.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Leslie M. Roush
CAST:  Cab Calloway  •  Duke Ellington  •  Louis Armstrong  •  Betty Hutton

Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra (1948)

Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra with Dottie O'Brien, The Mello-Larks and Bill Lawrence.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Will Cowan
CAST:  Jimmy Dorsey  •  Bill Lawrence

Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra with Dottie O'Brien, The Mello-Larks and Bill Lawrence.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Will Cowan
CAST:  Jimmy Dorsey  •  Bill Lawrence

Au Reet (1943)

Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra perform "Au Reet"  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Jimmy Dorsey  •  Helen O'Connell

Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra perform "Au Reet"  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Jimmy Dorsey  •  Helen O'Connell

Man That's Groovy (1943)

Performed by Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra with Helen O'Connell  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Jimmy Dorsey  •  Helen O'Connell

Performed by Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra with Helen O'Connell  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Jimmy Dorsey  •  Helen O'Connell

La Rosita (1943)

Featuring Jimmy Dorsey  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Jimmy Dorsey

Featuring Jimmy Dorsey  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Jimmy Dorsey