Second Chorus (1940): Cast & Plot
Second Chorus is a 1940 music comedy directed by H. C. Potter, starring Burgess Meredith as Hank Taylor, Paulette Goddard and Fred Astaire. It runs 1 hour 24 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 24m (84 min)
- Director
- H. C. Potter
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Paramount Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Second Chorus About?
The premise of Second Chorus without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Danny O’Neill and Hank Taylor are rival trumpeters in the Perennials, a college band whose members have been failing exams for seven years. During a performance Danny spots Ellen Miller, who soon becomes the band’s manager. The two vie for Ellen’s affection while plotting to get the other fired.
Second Chorus Themes & Keywords
· 29 tags- ballroom dancing
- playing trumpet
- band leader
- playing clarinet
- tapping foot to the beat
- falling off a podium
- male singer
- pas de deux
- pipe smoking
- cossack dance
- disguise
- applause
+17 more Show fewer
- concert
- college
- band
- musical comedy
- classic musical
- college student
- romantic rivalry
- swing music
- financial backer
- college graduation
- tap dancing
- collection agency
- college campus
- clarinet player
- trumpet player
- jazz band
- bandleader
Second Chorus Cast & Characters
Burgess Meredith leads the cast as Hank Taylor, with Paulette Goddard as Ellen Miller and Fred Astaire as Danny O'Neill. Directed by H. C. Potter; 51 actors are credited in all.
- Director H. C. Potter
-
Burgess Meredith as Hank Taylor -
Paulette Goddard as Ellen Miller -
Fred Astaire as Danny O'Neill - Artie Shaw as themselves
Also Starring in Second Chorus
· 47 more- Charles Butterworth J. Lester Chisholm
- George Wendt Trumpet Player (uncredited)
- Jack Gordon Stagehand (uncredited)
- Heinie Conklin Reporter (uncredited)
- William Benedict Ticket Taker (uncredited)
- Don Brodie Clerk
- Jimmy Conlin Mr. Dunn
- Bobby Barber Room Service Waiter (uncredited)
- Ben Hall Western Union Boy (uncredited)
- Michael Visaroff Sergei (uncredited)
- Spec O'Donnell Disappointed Fan at Stage Door (uncredited)
- Charles R. Moore Sam - Elevator Operator (uncredited)
- Fred Rapport Headwaiter (uncredited)
- Charles Smith College Boy with Zinc Oxide on His Nose (uncredited)
- Joan Barclay Receptionist
- Poppy Wilde Night Club Patron (uncredited)
Show all 51 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Phil Arnold Shaw's First Manager (uncredited)
- Frank Melton Stu
- Gordon De Main Elevator Passenger (uncredited)
- Albert Pollet Waiter (uncredited)
- Allen Wood Messenger (uncredited)
- Marjorie Kane Secretary
- Romaine Callender Waiter (uncredited)
- Adia Kuznetzoff Boris (uncredited)
- Lillian Lawrence Spinster (uncredited)
- Edward Thomas Waiter (uncredited)
- Mary Stewart Dancer / Singer (uncredited)
- Jerry Jerome Tenor Sax Player (uncredited)
- Willa Pearl Curtis Scrubwoman
- Hermes Pan College Clarinetist (uncredited)
- Ben Lessy Shaw's Second Manager (uncredited)
- June Preston Little Blonde Girl Dancing (uncredited)
- Leonard Sues Trumpet Player (uncredited)
- Alexander Leftwich Elevator Passenger (uncredited)
- Joseph Marievsky Ivan (uncredited)
- Buddy Morrow Musician (uncredited)
- Alton Hendrickson Guitar Player (uncredited)
- Jud De Naut Bass Player (uncredited)
- Nick Fatool Drummer (uncredited)
- Les Robinson Alto Sax Player (uncredited)
- Bus Bassey Tenor Sax Player (uncredited)
- Vernon Brown Trombone Player (uncredited)
- Billy Butterfield Trumpet Player (uncredited)
- Jack Cathcart Trumpet Player (uncredited)
- Johnny Guarnieri Piano Player (uncredited)
- Jack Jenney Trombone Player (uncredited)
- Neely Plumb Alto Sax Player (uncredited)
More from H. C. Potter
More films directed by H. C. Potter: Top Secret Affair, Three for the Show, The Miniver Story and You Gotta Stay Happy.
Second Chorus Plot Summary
What happens in Second Chorus from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Danny O’Neill Fred Astaire and Hank Taylor Burgess Meredith are close friends and friendly rivals in a college band called O’Neill’s Perennials, a tongue-in-cheek nod to musicians who manage to drag their college careers on for years. The duo has somehow stretched their student status to seven years by consistently failing to graduate, turning every rehearsal and gig into a rolling joke about time lost and endless practice. Their musical sparring and swagger onstage create a lively dynamic that the crowd loves, even as the institution tugs at their sleeves to move on.
Full summary
The whole story of Second Chorus, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Second Chorus?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the college band that Danny O'Neill and Hank Taylor perform in?
Cars in Second Chorus
1 car on screen: the unknown.
-
unknown Minor role
Second Chorus Also Known As
9 alternative titles, including “Dans efter noter” and “Al fin solos”.
- Also known as
-
- Dans efter noter
- Al fin solos
- Follie di jazz
- Swing Romance
- Amor da Minha Vida
- Táncoljunk együtt! (Második lehetőség)
- Второй хор
- 세컨드 코러스
- 第二合唱队
Seen Second Chorus?
Movies Like Second Chorus
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Two Tickets to Broadway, A Song Is Born and Sweet Music.
Second Chorus FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Second Chorus, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Second Chorus?
Second Chorus runs 1 hour 24 minutes (84 minutes).
When was Second Chorus released?
Second Chorus was released on December 3, 1940.
Who directed Second Chorus?
Second Chorus was directed by H. C. Potter.
More films by H. C. Potter Who is in the cast of Second Chorus?
Second Chorus stars Burgess Meredith as Hank Taylor, Paulette Goddard as Ellen Miller and Fred Astaire as Danny O'Neill, among 51 credited actors.
Does Second Chorus have a post-credit scene?
No. Second Chorus has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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