Alexander's Ragtime Band (1938)
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80% of critics liked it
(5 reviews) -
45% of users liked it
(1,372 ratings)
His Aunt Sophie (Helen Westley) and his teacher Professor Heinrich (Jean Hersholt) are sure that Roger Grant (Tyrone Power) will be a famous classical violinist, but Roger's more interested in popular music. He and his friend, pianist Charlie (Don Ameche), audition at a saloon in San… More His Aunt Sophie (Helen Westley) and his teacher Professor Heinrich (Jean Hersholt) are sure that Roger Grant (Tyrone Power) will be a famous classical violinist, but Roger's more interested in popular music. He and his friend, pianist Charlie (Don Ameche), audition at a saloon in San Francisco's Barbary Coast, using sheet music left by singer Stella Kirby (Alice Faye), which had been sent to her by a friend in New York, Irving Berlin. The number, "Alexander's Ragtime Band," proves to be a sensation, and Stella goes along with Charlie's plea to sing with the band, which soon becomes famous for its ragtime numbers. Charlie has fallen in love with Stella by the time they open at the Cliff House, but he soon realizes that she and Roger are in love. Stella is invited to New York by a famous producer, but Roger's against this, and angrily fires her, so Charlie quits, too. When Roger returns from World War I, he meets Stella, only to learn she and Charlie have been married for a year. Another year passes, and Charlie and Davey have formed a new band with Jerry Allen (Ethel Merman) as their lead singer. Charlie knows Stella still loves Roger, so he divorces her, but Roger sails for Europe with the new band. Back in New York, Roger is set for a major concert in swing at Carnegie Hall. Charlie tells Roger about the divorce, and that Stella still loves him. Unable to get a ticket, Stella listens to the concert in a cab. Explaining that he is playing it for one particular person, Roger and his band perform "Alexander's Ragtime Band" as their encore, bringing Stella into the theater, where she's reconciled with Roger. He brings her onstage to perform the number with his band. ~ Bill Warren, Rovi
- Directed By
- Henry King
- Written By
- Lamar Trotti
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Aug 16, 1938 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Variety Staff, Variety
Irving Berlin's Alexander's Ragtime Band is a grand filmusical which stirs and thrills, a medley of more than 30 pieces, selected from some 600 which Berlin has composed.
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, TV Guide's Movie Guide
28 of Irving Berlin's greatest songs make this energetic, handsomely mounted production a must-see for musical fans.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Despite Tyrone Powers' stiff turn in the lead, Henry King's Depression-era musical is well-crafted, boasting 28 of Irving Berlin's greatest hits, some nicely performed by Alice Faye at her prime.
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J. Alan Speer, Apollo Guide
The relentless parade of facts in the DVD commentary makes a second DVD viewing as fresh as the first, pointing out all the work that went into the film's sets and costumes.
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J. Alan Speer, Apollo Guide
Easily a tune every few minutes, all reliably executed, but the film's insistence on musical comprehensiveness leaves room only for the barest of character development.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
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Cast
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Tyrone Power
as Roger Grant
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Alice Faye
as Stella Kirby
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Don Ameche
as Charlie Dwyer
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Ethel Merman
as Jerry Allen
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Jack Haley
as Davey Lane
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Jean Hersholt
as Prof. Heinrich
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Helen Westley
as Aunt Sophie
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John Carradine
as Cabdriver
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Paul Hurst
as Bill
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Wally Vernon
as Himself
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Ruth Terry
as Ruby
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Douglas Fowley
as Snapper
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Chick Chandler
as Louie
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Eddie Collins
as Corporal Collins
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Joseph Crehan
as Stage Manager
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Robert Gleckler
as Dirty Eddie
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Dixie Dunbar
as Dancer
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Joe King
as Charles Dillingman
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Charles Coleman
as Head Waiter
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Stanley Andrews
as Colonel
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Charles Williams
as Agent
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Jane Jones
as Singin trio
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Otto H. Fries
as Singing trio
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Grady Sutton
as Babe
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Selmar Jackson
as Radio Station Manager
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Tyler Brooke
as Assistant Stage Manager
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Donald Douglas
as Singer
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Sam Ash
as Critic
- A.S. Byron
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Lon Chaney Jr
as Photographer
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Ralph Dunn
as Captain
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James Flavin
as Captain
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Edward Keane
as Major
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The King's Men
as Quartet
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Robert Lowery
as Reporter
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Paul McVey
as Stage Manager
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Arthur Rankin
as Stage Manager
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Cully Richards
as Musician
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Edwin Stanley
as Critic
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Charles Tannen
as Secretary
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Eleanor Wesselhoeft
as Martha
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Cecil Weston
as Woman
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Jack Pennick
as Sergeant
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Kay Griffith
as Autograph Seeker
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Harold Goodwin
as M.P.
