The movie showcased the ascent of New Orleans ragtime music versus the uptown music. Miralee Smith (Dorothy Patrick) was the young opera singer who, together with her conductor, was attracted to ragtime music, against the wish of her mother and many. Mrs. Smith, to keep her daughter away from ragtime music and its staunch supporter, Mr. Duquesne (Arturo de Cordova), made sure New Orleans had no place for either of them. And in Chicago Mr. Duquesne popularized the music as jazz.
The real draw, of course, lies in the jazz music as epitomized by Louis Armstrong and his Band, Woody Herman and his Orchestra, and the beautiful voice of Billie Holiday, plus the professional musicians playing the cornet, trombone, clarinet, double bass … . Billie Holiday exuberates a cool confidence with her unique rich voice and her swaying along the melody. Her rendition of Ms New Orleans was impressive, but the most outstanding moment was when she sang farewell to Storyville and later joined by the chorus of the black folks who were forced to leave New Orleans. Not to mention the solo played by Louis Armstrong and Woody Herman.
Cast
- Arturo de Córdova … Nick Duquesne (as Arturo De Cordova)
- Dorothy Patrick … Miralee Smith
- Marjorie Lord … Grace Voiselle
- Irene Rich … Mrs. Rutledge Smith
- John Alexander … Col. McArdle
- Richard Hageman … Henry Ferber
- Jack Lambert … Biff Lewis
- Bert Conway … Tommy Lake
- Joan Blair … Constance Vigil (columnist)
- Louis Armstrong and His Band … Original New Orleans Ragtime Band
- Billie Holiday … Endie (Miralee’s maid)
- Woody Herman and His Orchestra … Themselves
- Shelley Winters … Miss Holmbright (Nick’s Chicago secretary; uncredited)