The Fabulous Dorseys

The Fabulous Dorseys is a 1947 fictionalized biographical film which tells the story of Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, from their boyhood in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania through their rise, their breakup, and their personal reunion.[2] The film is a musical, but has many comic overtones.

The Fabulous Dorseys
Directed byAlfred E. Green
Produced byCharles R. Rogers
Screenplay byArt Arthur
Curtis Kenyon
Based onThe Battling Brothers Dorsey
1946 The Saturday Evening Post
by Richard English
StarringTommy Dorsey
Jimmy Dorsey
Janet Blair
Music byLouis Forbes
Leo Shuken
CinematographyJames Van Trees
Edited byGeorge M. Arthur
Production
company
Charles R. Rogers Productions
Distributed byUnited Artists.[1]
Release date
  • February 21, 1947 (1947-02-21) (US)
Running time
88 min.
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The Dorsey Brothers starred as themselves. Other actors include Janet Blair, William Lundigan, Sara Allgood and Arthur Shields. Janet Blair demonstrates that she is a highly competent singer.

The "side plot" focuses upon a romance between Jane and Bob. Bob strives to improve himself, and rather than playing support music in the cinema, strives to write a concerto.

There are also cameo appearances by other musicians of the period: Paul Whiteman, Charlie Barnet, Henry Busse, Bob Eberly, Helen O'Connell and Art Tatum.[3] Pianist Tatum "is shown playing in a night club with the piano surrounded by the Dorsey brothers and other well-known musicians, who finally join him in an ensemble blues."[4]

The Jimmy Dorsey composition and theme song "Contrasts" is played in the movie. "Green Eyes", "Tangerine", "I'll Never Smile Again", "Marie", and "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You" are also featured in the movie, along with "To Me" and "Dorsey Concerto". Paul Whiteman and the Orchestra perform "At Sundown".

The film was written by Art Arthur,[5] Richard English and Curtis Kenyon. It was directed by Alfred E. Green.[5]

Cast

References
  1. The Fabulous Dorseys at Allmovie
  2. Goldsmith, Melissa U. D.; Willson, Paige A.; Fonseca, Anthony J. (2016-10-07). The Encyclopedia of Musicians and Bands on Film. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 108. ISBN 978-1-4422-6987-3.
  3. Walker, Leo (1964). The Wonderful Era of the Great Dance Bands. Garden City, New York: Doubleday. p. 224.
  4. Lester, James (1994). Too Marvelous for Words: The Life and Genius of Art Tatum. Oxford University Press. p. 176. ISBN 0-19-509640-1.
  5. "THE FABULOUS DORSEYS". Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. Retrieved 2020-02-29.


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