Second Chorus (1940)

Second Chorus: Directed by H.C. Potter. With Fred Astaire, Paulette Goddard, Artie Shaw, Charles Butterworth. When perennial college students Danny O’Neill and Hank Taylor are forced to make it on their own, the competitive pair get jobs with Artie Shaw’s band and reunite with ex-manager Ellen Miller.

“Second Chorus has two good scenes; the one where Fred and Paulette take the floor for some good old fashioned dancing at the end of the Iu0026#39;ll Dig It number; and the one where Fred conducts the band and taps at the same time.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003ePlotwise it is wafer-thin. Astaire and Burgess Meredith play rather over-aged students (Fred Astaire a u0026#39;young manu0026#39;??) who play in a band called the Perennials, a college band who start to take all the bookings from more established outfits like Artie Shawu0026#39;s, thanks to their enterprising manager Goddard. Naturally both are competitive and want both to be in Shawu0026#39;s band and get off with Goddard.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eYawn. Artie Shaw and his band appear and play great music, although he was no actor – youu0026#39;d think all those dumb movie star brides would have taught him some tricks of the trade … Goddard doesnu0026#39;t look the part and her role doesnu0026#39;t seem right for her. Charles Butterworth also appears as a lousy mandolin player who finances a big concert for the band.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eFairly enjoyable despite the shortcomings but no great shakes when up against Fredu0026#39;s best work with Ginger.”