Alexander's Ragtime Band

"Alexander's Ragtime Band" is the name of a song by Irving Berlin. It was his first major hit, in 1911.

Related Topics:
Irving Berlin - 1911

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Alexander's Ragtime Band is not itself an example of the ragtime musical idiom; apart from some mild syncopation, it has almost none of ragtime's characteristic features.

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Alexander's Ragtime Band is also the name of a 1938 film that takes off from the Berlin song to tell a story of a society boy who scandalizes his family by pursuing a career in ragtime instead of in "serious" music. It stars Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, Don Ameche, Ethel Merman, Jack Haley and Jean Hersholt.

Related Topics:
1938 - Tyrone Power - Alice Faye - Don Ameche - Ethel Merman - Jack Haley - Jean Hersholt

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The story was written by Irving Berlin himself, with Kathryn Scola, Richard Sherman and Lamar Trotti. It was directed by Henry King.

Related Topics:
Irving Berlin - Kathryn Scola - Richard Sherman - Lamar Trotti - Henry King

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The movie was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.

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The story, nominated for an Academy Award, strings together about 30 fabulous Irving Berlin songs, performed by wonderful entertainers. It was written in 1938, but related to World War I (1914-1918). As a result, there were some anomolies. For example, the song, "Heat Wave" sung by Ethel Merman in the movie, was not written until 1933. Same for "Easter Parade."

Related Topics:
1914 - 1918

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