Second Chorus (1940)

46% of users liked it
(927 ratings)

Though not the best of the Fred Astaire musicals, Second Chorus is the most easily accessible thanks to its current public-domain status. Astaire and Burgess Meredith play Danny O'Neill and Hank Taylor, friendly-enemy musicians who after spending seven years in a college band aspire to join the… More Though not the best of the Fred Astaire musicals, Second Chorus is the most easily accessible thanks to its current public-domain status. Astaire and Burgess Meredith play Danny O'Neill and Hank Taylor, friendly-enemy musicians who after spending seven years in a college band aspire to join the Artie Shaw Orchestra. Danny and Hank also spend a lot of time vying over the attentions of their pretty manager Ellen Miller (Paulette Goddard). While Paulette Goddard later became Mrs. Burgess Meredith in real life, guess who wins her hand in this picture? Charles Butterworth steals the show as Mr. Chisholm, a music-loving eccentric who finances Shaw's "swing concerto" concert at Carnegie Hall. Oh, and Fred Astaire dances, too. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 23 min.
Directed By: H.C. Potter
Written By: Ian McLellan Hunter
Genres: Romance, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1940 Wide
On DVD: Jul 25, 2006

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Second-rate Fred Astaire film.

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Strictly minor league musical despite Fred's presence. This is one of a couple low rent films he did between splitting with Ginger and landing at MGM.