St. Louis Blues (retitled as Best of the Blues)[1] is a 1939 American musical film directed by Raoul Walsh and set on a Mississippi River showboat. Though the song "St. Louis Blues" is performed, the film's plot is not based on the song. Artists appearing in the film include jazz singer Maxine Sullivan and composer/singer/actor Hoagy Carmichael. The film stars Dorothy Lamour, Lloyd Nolan, Tito Guízar, Jerome Cowan and Mary Parker.
| St. Louis Blues | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Raoul Walsh |
| Produced by | Jeff Lazarus |
| Starring | Dorothy Lamour Lloyd Nolan |
| Cinematography | Theodor Sparkuhl |
| Edited by | William Shea |
| Music by | Charles Bradshaw |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 92 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Lamour sings "I Go for That"[2] by Matt Malneck, Jr. and Frank Loesser[3] in the film, and it became a hit recording.
Plot
editA Broadway performer befriends a showboat skipper and they stage a musical revue. Competition from a carnival owner soon becomes a threat to their dreams.
Cast
edit- Dorothy Lamour as Norma Malone
- Lloyd Nolan as Dave Geurney
- Tito Guízar as Rafael San Ramos
- Jerome Cowan as Ivan DeBrett
- Jessie Ralph as Aunt Tibbie
- William Frawley as Maj. Martingale
- Mary Parker as Punkins
- Maxine Sullivan as Ida
- Cliff Nazarro as Shorty
- Victor Kilian as Sheriff Burdick
- Walter Soderling as Mr. Hovey
- The King's Men as Themselves
- Virginia Howell as Mrs. Hovey
- Matty Malneck as Himself (Orchestra Leader)
- Emory Parnell as Policeman White
George Raft was offered the lead role, but he refused and was replaced by Nolan.[4]
References
edit- ^ Brooks, Tim (2004). Lost Sounds: Blacks and the Birth of the Recording Industry, 1890-1919. University of Illinois Press. p. 430. ISBN 9780252028502.
- ^ St. Louis Blues (1939) - Soundtracks
- ^ University of New Hampshire Library - Milne Special Collections and Archives - Alvah Sulloway Sheet Music Collection (MC 127) [Popular Sheet Music, I-K]
- ^ Vagg, Stephen (February 9, 2020). "Why Stars Stop Being Stars: George Raft". Filmink.
External links
edit
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