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      Birth of the Blues

      Released Nov 7, 1941 1h 20m Musical List
      Reviews 54% 50+ Ratings Audience Score Jeff Lambert (Bing Crosby), who has grown up in New Orleans surrounded by black music, determines to start a band featuring white coronet player Memphis (Brian Donlevy). However, the Basin Street Hotshots are rejected from several venues for playing "black" jazz, until singer Betty Lou Cobb (Mary Martin) insists they be hired as her backup band. The band finds success until Jeff and Memphis fall out over Betty Lou, then get entangled with gangster Blackie (J. Carrol Naish). Read More Read Less

      Critics Reviews

      View All (3) Critics Reviews
      Steve Crum Video-Reviewmaster.com Dated, full of politically incorrect racial edges, but fun musically with Crosby starring. Rated: 4/5 Nov 3, 2008 Full Review Carol Cling Las Vegas Review-Journal Rated: 3/5 Oct 17, 2003 Full Review John Beifuss Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) A remarkable Bing Crosby vehicle that pays heartfelt homage to the creators and innovators of jazz... It seems almost like the first rock 'n roll movie... Aug 11, 2003 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

      View All (7) audience reviews
      Steve D Aged about as well as 80 year old milk. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 06/26/23 Full Review Audience Member Another band-trying-to-make-good plotline comes alive when Crosby and Martin sing; highlights are "Wait 'Til the Sun Shines, Nellie" and "The Waiter and the Porter and the Upstairs Maid." Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member Being a jazz and blues fan, I found the music to be great. Movie is not a history of the blues but a simple story with a simple yet nice tribute at the end. Based on movies made during this time period. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Audience Member Inane story but great music and one of the few chances to see Mary Martin in a lead film role. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member pretty enjoyable film and an unfortunately forgotten treasure in the Bing Crosby library. well-written in typical 30s and 40s musical comedy style. entertaining characters, fun story, and some great early jazz/blues music. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/26/23 Full Review Audience Member pretty enjoyable film and an unfortunately forgotten treasure in the Bing Crosby library. well-written in typical 30s and 40s musical comedy style. entertaining characters, fun story, and some great early jazz/blues music. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/23/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Birth of the Blues

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      Movie Info

      Synopsis Jeff Lambert (Bing Crosby), who has grown up in New Orleans surrounded by black music, determines to start a band featuring white coronet player Memphis (Brian Donlevy). However, the Basin Street Hotshots are rejected from several venues for playing "black" jazz, until singer Betty Lou Cobb (Mary Martin) insists they be hired as her backup band. The band finds success until Jeff and Memphis fall out over Betty Lou, then get entangled with gangster Blackie (J. Carrol Naish).
      Director
      Victor Schertzinger
      Distributor
      Paramount Pictures
      Genre
      Musical
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Nov 7, 1941, Original
      Runtime
      1h 20m