Second Chorus
“They're the tip-tops in toe-taps!”
Synopsis
Danny O'Neill and Hank Taylor are rival trumpeters with the Perennials, a college band, and both men are still attending college by failing their exams seven years in a row. In the midst of a performance, Danny spies Ellen Miller who ends up being made band manager. Both men compete for her affections while trying to get the other one fired.
Top Cast
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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
Phil Arnold
Shaw's First Manager (uncredited)
Bobby Barber
Room Service Waiter (uncredited)
Bus Bassey
Tenor Sax Player (uncredited)
William Benedict
Ticket Taker (uncredited)
Vernon Brown
Trombone Player (uncredited)
Billy Butterfield
Trumpet Player (uncredited)
Romaine Callender
Waiter (uncredited)
Release History & Theatrical Window
New York City, New York
Festival / Special Debut
January 3, 1941
Wide Cinema Exhibition
January 1, 2000
Physical Home Media
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- H. C. Potter
- Screenplay & Story
- Elaine Ryan, Ian McLellan Hunter
- Original Score
- Artie Shaw
- Original Title
- Second Chorus
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 24m
- Production Studios
- Paramount Pictures
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
H. C. Potter
Elaine Ryan, Ian McLellan Hunter, Frank Cavett, Johnny Mercer, Ben Hecht
Artie Shaw
Theodor Sparkuhl
Jack Dennis
Boris Morros
Department Leadership Roster
H. C. Potter
Director
Boris Morros
Producer
Theodor Sparkuhl
Director of Photography
Elaine Ryan
Screenplay
Ian McLellan Hunter
Screenplay
Jack Dennis
Editor
Ben Hecht
Writer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
NR: Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
General — Suitable for all audiences.
Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Second Chorus.
Featured In Curated Collections
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Movies in the public domain in the United States. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_films_in_the_public_domain_in_the_United_States archive.org
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Frequently Asked Questions About Second Chorus
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Second Chorus about?
Danny O'Neill and Hank Taylor are rival trumpeters with the Perennials, a college band, and both men are still attending college by failing their exams seven years in a row. In the midst of a performance, Danny spies Ellen Miller who ends up being made band manager. Both men compete for her affections while trying to get the other one fired.
Who directed Second Chorus?
Second Chorus was directed by H. C. Potter.
Who stars in Second Chorus?
The principal cast of Second Chorus includes Fred Astaire, Paulette Goddard, Artie Shaw, Charles Butterworth, Burgess Meredith.
When was Second Chorus released and how long is it?
Second Chorus was released in 1941 with a total runtime of 1h 24m.
Who composed the musical score for Second Chorus?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Second Chorus was composed by Artie Shaw.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Second Chorus?
Second Chorus holds official age classifications: AU: G (General — Suitable for all audiences.); US: NR (Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.).