Second Chorus

Second Chorus


Paramount, 1940, B/W, 84 minutes, ***

Premiere release December, 1940

General release January, 1941



Trumpet-playing college students Fred Astaire and Burgess Meredith vie for a place in Artie Shaw's band and the attentions of Paulette Goddard in this breezy musical that features such tunes as "Would You Like to Be the Love of My Life?," "Poor Mr. Chisholm" and "I'm Yours."


produced by: Boris Morros

Associate Producer: Robert Stillman

Production Manager: Joe Nadel

Directed by: H. C. Potter

Assistant Director: Edward Montagne

Associate Director: Frank Cavett

Screen Play by: Elaine Ryan and Ian McLellan Hunter

Contribution to Screen Play by: Johnny Mercer

Original Story by: Frank Cavett

Music by: Artie Shaw

Lyrics: Johnny Mercer

Associate Musical Director: Eddie Paul

Songs: "Would You Like to Be the Love of My Life" (by) Artie Shaw; "Poor Mr. Chisholm" (by) Bernard Hanighen; "Dig It" (by) Hal Borne

Dance Director: Hermes Pan

Art Director: Boris Levin

Set Dresser: Howard Bristol

Wardrobe: Helen Taylor

Sound Recorder: William Wilmarth

Director of Photography: Theodor Sparkuhl

Film Editor: Jack Dennis

Assistant: Fred Feitshans



Awards: Academy Award nominations for Best Score (Artie Shaw) and Best Song ("Love of My Life", Johnny Mercer and Artie Shaw)



Cast: Fred Astaire [Danny O'Neill], Paulette Goddard [Ellen Miller], Artie Shaw [Artie Shaw], Charles Butterworth [Mr. Chisholm], Burgess Meredith [Hank Taylor], Frank Melton [Stu], Jimmy Conlin [Mr. Dunn], Don Brodie [Clerk], Marjorie Kane [Secretary], Joan Barclay [Receptionist], Willa Pearl Curtis [Scrubwoman], Additional Cast: Adia Kuznetzoff [Boris], Michael Visaroff [Sergai], Joseph Marievsky [Ivan], Billy Benedict [Ticket Taker], Ben Hall [Western Union Boy], Artie Shaw and His Band [Themselves]



Muscial Program: [0:00] unidentified instrumental number (played by Artie Shaw and His Orchestra behind titles); [0:01] Sugar (instrumental by Danny O'Neill's Perennials, Fred Astaire and Burgess Meredith on Trumpet [onscreen]); [0:11] Everything's Jumping (instrumental played by Artie Shaw and His Orchestra); [0:14] Dig It (sung by Fred Astaire, danced by Fred Astaire and Paulette Goddard); [0:22] Sweet Sue (instrumental played by Danny O'Neill's Perennials, Fred Astaire and Burgess Meredith on Trumpet [onscreen]); [0:33] Love of My Life (sung by Fred Astaire accompanied by Artie Shaw and His Orchestra offscreen); [0:39] I'm Yours (instrumental played by Artie Shaw and His Orchestra, Fred Astaire [onscreen] playing bad notes scribbled in by Burgess Meredith); [0:41] Double Mellow (instrumental by Artie Shaw and His Orchestra, Burgess Meredith on trumpet [onscreen]); [0:45] The New Moon Is Shining (played by Russian band with Fred Astaire [onscreen], danced by Fred Astaire); [0:47] Love of My Life (played by Russian band, sung by Fred Astaire partially with non-sensical lyrics); [0:50] Beautiful Dreamer (sung by Charles Butterworth, Paulette Goddard on piano [onscreen], Charles Butterworth on mandolin [onscreen]); [0:57] Poor Mr. Chisholm (sung by Fred Astaire and Burgess Meredith, Fred Astaire at the piano [onscreen]); [1:02] Hoe Down the Bayou (played by Fred Astaire on piano [onscreen], with commentary by Fred Astaire and Burgess Meredith); [1:06] Poor Mr. Chisholm (reprised by Fred Astaire); [1:09] Concerto for Clarinet (instrumental played by Artie Shaw and His Orchestra); [1:18] Hoe Down the Bayou (played by Artie Shaw and His Orchestra conducted by Fred Astaire, danced by Fred Astaire); [1:23] Love of My Life (reprised by Fred Astaire, instrumental reprise under end-credits)