Second Chorus

1940
Approved
1h 24m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

After perennial college students Danny O'Neill and Hank Taylor are forced to make it on their own, the competitive pair get jobs with Artie Shaw's band and reunite with ex-manager Ellen Mill... Read allAfter perennial college students Danny O'Neill and Hank Taylor are forced to make it on their own, the competitive pair get jobs with Artie Shaw's band and reunite with ex-manager Ellen Miller.After perennial college students Danny O'Neill and Hank Taylor are forced to make it on their own, the competitive pair get jobs with Artie Shaw's band and reunite with ex-manager Ellen Miller.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

5.7/10

1.8K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 2 nominations total

Photos23

+ 16

Top cast55

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Fred Astaire

Danny O'Neill

Paulette Goddard

Ellen Miller

Artie Shaw

Artie Shaw

Charles Butterworth

Lester Chisholm

Burgess Meredith

Hank Taylor

Frank Melton

Jimmy Conlin

Mr. Dunn
(as Jimmy Conlon)

Don Brodie

Clerk

Marjorie Kane

Secretary

Joan Barclay

Receptionist

Willa Pearl Curtis

Scrubwoman

Artie Shaw and His Orchestra

Artie Shaw and His Band
(as Artie Shaw and His Band)

Phil Arnold

Shaw's First Manager
(uncredited)

Bobby Barber

Room Service Waiter
(uncredited)

Bus Bassey

Tenor Sax Player
(uncredited)

William 'Billy' Benedict

Ticket Taker
(uncredited)

Vernon Brown

Trombone Player
(uncredited)

Billy Butterfield

Trumpet Player
(uncredited)

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The song and dance number "I Ain't Hep to That Step But I'll Dig It" was shot in one take after rigorous rehearsals. Fred Astaire was apprehensive about doing the number as he didn't rate Paulette Goddard as a dancer but she acquitted herself sufficiently for him to be happy with the take. This proved to be the last routine by Astaire that was shot in one take, such was the nature of his professionalism. Goddard later said that she could never go through all that again, due to was the intensity of the rehearsals.

Goofs
(at around 3 mins) Danny's chair suddenly jumps to immediately (and intimately) next to Ellen's left side at the table.

Quotes
Lester Chisholm: [in a fake Russian accent] Vas good.
Danny O'Neill: Vas good? Vas per-fect.

Crazy credits
Opening credits prologue: A UNIVERSITY IN NEW ENGLAND

Alternate versions
This film was published in Italy in an DVD anthology entitled "Royal Wedding", distributed by DNA Srl. The film has been re-edited with the contribution of the film history scholar Riccardo Cusin . This version is also available in streaming on some platforms.

Connections
Edited into Your Afternoon Movie: Second Chorus (2022)

Soundtracks
Would You Like to Be the Love of My Life
Music by Artie Shaw
Lyrics Johnny Mercer
Played by Artie Shaw and His Orchestra (uncredited)
Sung by Fred Astaire (uncredited)

User reviews44

Review

Featured review

6/10

Vas Good? ... Vas Pair-fect (but not so the film)

SECOND CHORUS 1940 Vas Good? ... Vas Pair-fect. (but not so the film.)

The Wonderful Fred Astaire and the vibrant, young, healthy and sexy Paulette Goddard struggled valiantly with this picture. Unfortunately there were no Irving Berlin or Cole Porter melodies to hang it on. If you are an Artie Shaw fan, then you will be content. As to the acting ability of Artie Shaw, I found nothing wrong with it. He was quite natural and, as a band leader, seemed quite at home . However, he was right up there, as a dramatic actor, with Xavier Cugat and Harry James. Fred was not at his best with the love song (even Paulette looked rather dubious about it) They looked good as dancing partners but it was obvious Fred taught her what little terpsichorian skills she possessed. (nice legs, though ... but then that is my weakness) I liked the little Russian number that Mister Astaire had some fun with.

Burgess Meredith and Fred Astaire actually were pretty snappy as a comedy team. Burgess had that same glitter in his eye as Paulette (they were later married in real life)

The video that I saw was a poor copy and suffered accordingly. Perhaps it would fare better with a clear one.

With all its faults and a minimal plot, I still would recommend that you get a good copy and watch some attractive young people show the present day, minimal twits what comedy should be.

Has anyone else noticed a resemblance between Burgess Meredith and Harpo Marx? Maybe it's just the attitude. Thank you for your patience with my ramblings. Comments are welcome. OLD DAD from Babbling Books (babblingbooks@shaw.ca)