Beat the Band
Brief Synopsis
A country girl tries to conquer the world of opera.
Cast & Crew
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John H. Auer
Director
Frances Langford
Ann [Rogers]
Ralph Edwards
Eddie [Martin]
Phillip Terry
Damon [Dillingham, also known as Enrico Blanchetti, Jr.]
June Clayworth
Willow [Martin]
Mabel Paige
Mrs. Peters
Film Details
Genre
Musical
Adaptation
Comedy
Release Date
Feb
19,
1947
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
RKO Radio Pictures, Inc.
Distribution Company
RKO Radio Pictures, Inc.
Country
United States
Screenplay Information
Based on the musical Beat the Band , book by George Abbott, music by John W. Green, lyrics by George Marion, Jr., as produced by George Abbott (New York, 14 Oct 1942).
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 7m
Sound
Mono
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
6,063ft
Synopsis
When fast-talking manager Eddie Martin learns that P. Aloysius Duff, the manager of the Savoy Perkins Hotel in New York, will hire bandleader Damon Dillingham to play at the hotel's nightclub, he is ecstatic. Duff stipulates, however, that Damon, who has just finished three years of military service, must be accompanied by a female vocalist and his own band and must wait until after the band's first performance to be paid. Broke, Eddie convinces Damon's father, who calls himself Professor Enrico Blanchetti, to bet his entire savings on a horse race in order to raise enough money to pay Damon's musicians. After his horse loses, the professor tells Eddie about a check that a former student has sent as pre-payment for opera lessons for her daughter, who is on her way to New York from Brackenville. Although the professor, who feels he is an incompetent instructor, wants to return the money, Eddie is determined to use it and sends the professor off to Florida. Meanwhile, at the Brackenville train depot, the professor's student, Ann Rogers, says goodbye to Harold, her stodgy hometown sweetheart, and is observed by Damon, who is traveling on the same train. During the trip, Damon flirts with Ann, unaware of her connection to his father, and is slapped when he tries to kiss her. Damon then receives a telegram from Eddie ordering him to fly to New York once he arrives in Chicago. Once in New York, Damon learns from Eddie that he has to teach his father's pupil, even though he knows nothing about opera. Damon reluctantly agrees to the plan, but is shocked to discover at the train station that his "young" pupil is Ann. Eddie introduces Damon as Enrico Blanchetti, Jr., then, to dispel Ann's fears about staying with a bachelor, introduces his own wife Willow as Mrs. Blanchetti, Jr. At Damon's country home, Ann, who is an accomplished jazz singer, eagerly awaits her first opera lesson and is dismayed when Damon insists that she perfect her posture before singing a note. That evening, Eddie is forced to sneak through a second-story window in order to sleep with Willow and is nearly caught in the act by a confused Ann. The next day, Damon continues to stall Ann's opera lessons and kisses her. Disturbed, Ann confides to Mrs. Peters, Damon's housekeeper, her growing interest in Damon, and a sympathetic Mrs. Peters reveals the truth about his identity. Ann then overhears Damon discussing the auditions for his female vocalist and, to get even with him, goes to the city and wins the job under a false name. In addition, she flirts with Damon and pretends to be cavalier about his marital status. After a distressed Damon confesses his love, Ann admits to knowing about his impersonation, but insists that he audition her for his band. Still unaware of Ann's talents, Damon balks at the request until Ann proves herself with a song. The newly happy couple is soon upset, however, when Eddie reveals his scheme concerning her mother's check. Disgusted, Ann notifies her parents about the situation, and they rush to New York with Harold. After her father attaches the musicians' salaries, the band walks out on Damon before opening night, and Ann suddenly realizes she has gone too far. Jazz drummer Gene Krupa, a friend of Damon's, offers his band for a night, but Duff has already booked another group and refuses to let them play in the club. When a determined Damon reminds Duff that his contract guarantees him access to the hotel, Duff sends him to perform in the boiler room. The club's audience can hear Damon, Ann and Gene playing, however, and flock to the boiler room, leaving a rejected Harold behind. Now a hit, Damon and Ann happily reunite.
Director
John H. Auer
Director
Cast
Frances Langford
Ann [Rogers]
Ralph Edwards
Eddie [Martin]
Phillip Terry
Damon [Dillingham, also known as Enrico Blanchetti, Jr.]
June Clayworth
Willow [Martin]
Mabel Paige
Mrs. Peters
Andrew Tombes
Professor [Enrico Blanchetti]
Donald Macbride
[P. Aloysius] Duff
Mira Mckinney
Mrs. Rogers
Harry Harvey
Mr. Rogers
Grady Sutton
Harold
Gene Krupa
Themselves
Rickey Jordan
Messenger boy
Tom Noonan
Toby
Eddie Borden
Janitor
Warren Jackson
Janitor
John Trebach
Janitor
Bob O'connor
Maitre d'hotel
Norman Mayes
Porter
Eddie Arden
Bellboy
Bonnie Blair
Singer
Al Murphy
Train announcer
Al Choals
Guard
Frank Darien
Mr. Davis
Johnny Duncan
Jitterbug team
Ann Duncan
Jitterbug team
Patty Thomas
Girl
Diane Irgens
Girl
Roy Darmour
Band member
Red Rodney
Band member
Ellen Corby
Mother
Crew
Harold Adamson
Composer
C. Bakaleinikoff
Music Director
Samuel E. Beetley
Film Editor
Lucius O. Croxton
Art Director
Russell A. Cully
Special Effects
Albert S. D'agostino
Art Director
Harry D'arcy
Assistant Director
Mort Greene
Composer
Leigh Harline
Music
Leigh Harline
Composer
Lawrence Kimble
Adaptation
Lawrence Kimble
Screenwriter
Michel Kraike
Producer
Gene Krupa
Composer
Jimmy Mchugh
Composer
Earl B. Mounce
Sound
Frank Redman
Director of Photography
Renié
Gowns
Sid Rogell
Executive Producer
Arthur Ross
Adaptation
Darrell Silvera
Set Decoration
Jean L. Speak
Sound
Shelby Willis
Set Decoration
Film Details
Genre
Musical
Adaptation
Comedy
Release Date
Feb
19,
1947
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
RKO Radio Pictures, Inc.
Distribution Company
RKO Radio Pictures, Inc.
Country
United States
Screenplay Information
Based on the musical Beat the Band , book by George Abbott, music by John W. Green, lyrics by George Marion, Jr., as produced by George Abbott (New York, 14 Oct 1942).
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 7m
Sound
Mono
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
6,063ft
Articles
Beat the Band
A country girl tries to conquer the world of opera.
Beat the Band
A country girl tries to conquer the world of opera.
Quotes
And I still say this music will NEVER be popular.- Harold
Trivia
Notes
Hollywood Reporter news items reported that Leslie Goodwins was to direct this picture and Una O'Connor was to play a role. O'Connor did not appear in the film, however. Hollywood Reporter also announced after the start of production that a part was being written for young trumpeter Red Rodney, but he appears in the final film only as a musician in Gene Krupa's band.
