The Jazz Singer 1952 N/R, 106 min. Genre: Musical / Drama
Director: Michael Curtiz Cast: Danny Thomas, Peggy Lee, Mildred Dunnock, Eduard Franz, Tom Tully, Allyn Joslyn, Alex Gerry, Harold Gordon, Hal Ross, Justin Smith, Anitra Stevens, Gayne Whitman, Anthony Jochim
Danny Thomas takes over the Al Jolson role in this remake of the 1927 film about the cantor's (Eduard Franz) jazz-singing son Jerry Golding (Thomas) who strives for a musical career. Jerry returns from the Korean War to his home in Philadelphia where his father wants him to be the cantor in their synagogue. But Jerry, who wants to sing on Broadway, breaks his father's heart when he favors show business over being a cantor. He does find romance with musical comedy star Judy (Peggy Lee) and rises to stardom. By story's end, his father has given Jerry his blessing. Songs include "Lover," "Birth of the Blues," and "Just One of Those Things."
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Lady and the Tramp 1955 N/R, 75 min. Genre: Animation / Family / Comedy / Drama / Musical
Director: Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske Cast: Peggy Lee, Barbara Luddy, Stan Freberg, Verna Felton, Alan Reed, George Givot, Larry Roberts, Bill Thompson, Bill Bauchom, Dal McKennon, Lee Millar
This delightful Disney animated feature film tells the story of a pedigreed cocker spaniel, Lady (voice of Barbara Luddy), who becomes enamored with a streewise mongrel, Tramp (voice of Larry Roberts).
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Mr. Music 1950 N/R, 110 min. Genre: Musical
Director: Richard Haydn Cast: Bing Crosby, Nancy Olson, Charles Coburn, Ruth Hussey, Robert Stack, Tom Ewell, Marge & Gower Champion, Groucho Marx, Peggy Lee, Donald Woods
Although he prefers golf to song writing, Paul Merrick (Bing Crosby), is coerced by Katherine Holbrook (Nancy Olson) into composing a musical score.
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Pete Kelly's Blues 1955 N/R, 95 min. Genre: Drama / Musical
Director: Jack Webb Cast: Jack Webb, Janet Leigh, Edmond O'Brien, Peggy Lee, Andy Devine, Lee Marvin, Jayne Mansfield, Ella Fitzgerald, Martin Milner, John Dennis, Than Wyenn, Herbert Ellis, Mort Marshall, "Snub" Pollard
Set in Kansas City during Prohibition, this film recreates the jazz age and all the elements that made up the Roaring 20s. World War I veteran Pete Kelly (Jack Webb) plays his trumpet and performs with his jazz band while romancing socialite Ivy Conrad (Janet Leigh). But, life is not easy in the days of Prohibition, and Pete endures frequent confrontations with mob boss Fran McCarg (Edmond O'Brien)–culminating in a shootout at the nightclub. The music makes this film well worth watching, and the many songs include Ella Fitzgerald performing "Hard-Hearted Hannah" and Peggy Lee singing "He Needs Me." Lee received an Academy Award nomination as Best Supporting Actress for her role of mob mistress Rose Hopkins.
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| 1. The Jazz Singer (1952)
2. Lady and the Tramp (1955)
3. Mr. Music (1950)
4. Pete Kelly's Blues (1955)
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