Alexander's Ragtime Band 1938

     The setting of this film is prior to WWI in 1917.  The family of Roger Grant and also his classical violin teacher are all disappointed that Roger is organizing a jazz band.  When the band is successful, they are surprised but they don’t relent on their pressure.  Stella Kirby is the female vocalist and she often clashes with Roger.  She doesn’t know that Charlie Dwyer, a singer and composer is in love with her.  Roger and Stella decide to get married but they get into one of their arguments.  Then, all the men of eligible age are called up for the war.  Stella thinks its over with Roger and she marries Charlie.

     It’s possible that 90 minutes of this film is music.  Don Ameche and Tyrone Power were already friends before signing for this film.  Alice Faye and Ameche and Faye and Power made other films together.  I liked the cars, clothing, hairstyles and time period of this film.  Both Faye and Merman wear beautiful gowns and shoes.  3 ½* (I liked this movie)

106 min, Drama directed by Henry King, music by Irving Berlin starring Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, Don Ameche, Ethel Merman, Jack Haley, Jean Hersholt, Helen Westley, John Carradine, Paul Hurst, Wally Vernon, Ruth Terry, Douglas Fowley, Chick Chandler.

Note:  Imdb 7 out of 10, 80% critic 48% critic on Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon 4.6* out of 5* with 82 reviews,

Special Note:  Filmed in Century City, Los Angeles, California.  This is a young Ethel Merman and she looks different in her later years.  Irving Berlin told Ethel he was so impressed with her talent that he would work with her again.  He wrote Annie Get Your Gun of 1946 and Call Me Madam of 1950 for Ethel.  Berlin singled out Alice Faye to play the female lead in this film.  Most of the film is fiction but one incident was taken from Berlin’s life.  He was drafted into the Army and he produced a Broadway show called Yip Yip Yaphank starring US Army servicemen.  He sang the song Oh, How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning.  Thirty-three Irving Berlin compositions were used in filming and only 3 didn’t make the final cut.  This film earned the second highest number of Academy Award nominations in 1938 with six.  Oscars were received for Best Original Musical, Best Picture, Best Production Design, Best Film Editing and Best Story.