Jimmy Dorsey

Jimmy Dorsey

Born: February 29, 1904
Died: June 17, 1957
in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, USA
Jimmy Dorsey (1904-1957) was an American bandleader, saxophonist, conductor, songwriter and composer.

Through the 1920s he was a saxophonist in orchestras including those of Paul Whiteman, Red Nichols, and the California Ramblers. He formed an orchestra with his brother Tommy lasting from 1933 to 1935. He led his own orchestra before rejoining Tommy's orchestra in 1953 and taking over the orchestra after Tommy's death.

Movies for Jimmy Dorsey...

This Is Elvis
Title: This Is Elvis
Character: Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Released: April 3, 1981
Type: Movie
Though several actors portray Elvis Presley at different stages of his life, this documentary is comprised mostly of actual performance footage and interviews with Elvis, his fans and those close to him. This biographical docu-drama features rare footage of Elvis and dramatically recreated scenes from Elvis' life.
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Jazz Ball
Title: Jazz Ball
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: January 1, 1956
Type: Movie
A made-for-TV musical revue, compiled from soundies and film and TV performances by jazz greats from the 1930s to the 1950s.
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Title: Stage Show
Released: July 3, 1954
Type: TV
Stage Show was a popular music variety series on American television originally hosted on alternate weeks by big band leaders and brothers Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey. Produced by Jackie Gleason, the CBS-TV show included the first national television appearances by Elvis Presley. The series began as a one-hour show on July 3, 1954 as a summer replacement for The Jackie Gleason Show. Gleason brought it back in the fall of 1955 as a half-hour show and scheduled it from 8–8:30 p.m. ET before his own program on Saturday nights. In 1956, Jack Carter, a frequent guest, became the permanent host. The June Taylor Dancers made regular appearances. Bobby Darin made his national TV debut on the program in early 1956, singing "Rock Island Line". The show's final telecast was September 18, 1956.
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Title: What's My Line?
Character: Self - Mystery Guest
Released: February 2, 1950
Type: TV
Four panelists must determine guests' occupations - and, in the case of famous guests, while blindfolded, their identity - by asking only "yes" or "no" questions.
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Make Believe Ballroom
Title: Make Believe Ballroom
Character: Self
Released: April 1, 1949
Type: Movie
Liza Lee, fast-talking press agent for Al Jarvis, persuades Jarvis to stage a Musical Mystery Contest, with a $5000 prize to the person who can first name the most musical numbers and their performers. Lots of musicians perform.
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Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra
Title: Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra
Character: Self
Released: November 23, 1948
Type: Movie
Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra with Dottie O'Brien, The Mello-Larks and Bill Lawrence.
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Music Man
Title: Music Man
Released: September 5, 1948
Type: Movie
Bickering brothers unwittingly wind up working together on the same musical production.
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The Fabulous Dorseys
Title: The Fabulous Dorseys
Character: Jimmy Dorsey
Released: February 26, 1947
Type: Movie
The story of Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey from their boyhood in Pennsylvania through their rise, their breakup, and their personal reunion.
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Hollywood Canteen
Title: Hollywood Canteen
Character: Self
Released: December 15, 1944
Type: Movie
Two soldiers on leave spend three nights at a club offering free of charge food, dancing, and entertainment for servicemen on their way overseas. Club founders Bette Davis and John Garfield give talks on the history of the place.
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Lost in a Harem
Title: Lost in a Harem
Character: Jimmy Dorsey
Released: December 1, 1944
Type: Movie
Two bumbling magicians help a Middle Eastern prince regain his rightful throne from his despotic uncle.
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Four Jills in a Jeep
Title: Four Jills in a Jeep
Character: Himself
Released: March 17, 1944
Type: Movie
Reenactments of actual USO experiences of its female stars entertaining troops overseas.
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I Dood It
Title: I Dood It
Character: Himself (as Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra)
Released: September 1, 1943
Type: Movie
Constance Shaw, a Broadway dance star, and Joseph Rivington Reynolds, a keen fan of hers, marry after she breaks up with her fiancé. Connie thinks Joseph owns a gold mine, but he actually works as a presser at a hotel valet shop. When everyone learns what he really is, Joseph is banned from the theater. When he sneaks in again, he learns of a plot to set off a bomb in the adjoining munitions warehouse.
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La Rosita
Title: La Rosita
Released: January 1, 1943
Type: Movie
Featuring Jimmy Dorsey
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Man That's Groovy
Title: Man That's Groovy
Released: January 1, 1943
Type: Movie
Performed by Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra with Helen O'Connell
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Au Reet
Title: Au Reet
Released: January 1, 1943
Type: Movie
Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra perform "Au Reet"
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The Fleet's In
Title: The Fleet's In
Character: Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra Leader
Released: January 24, 1942
Type: Movie
Shy sailor Casey Kirby suddenly becomes known as a sea wolf when his picture is taken with a famous actress. Things get complicated when bets are placed on his prowess with the ladies.
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Birth of the Blues
Title: Birth of the Blues
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: November 7, 1941
Type: Movie
Jeff grows up near Basin Street in New Orleans, playing his clarinet with the dock workers. He puts together a band, the Basin Street Hot-Shots, which includes a cornet player, Memphis. They struggle to get their jazz music accepted by the cafe society of the city. Betty Lou joins their band as a singer and gets Louie to show her how to do scat singing. Memphis and Jeff both fall in love with Betty Lou.
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Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra
Title: Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra
Character: Orchestra Leader
Released: October 22, 1938
Type: Movie
In a nightclub setting, Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra, with two of his vocalists, perform four of the group's best known songs. For the complete list of songs, check the soundtrack listing.
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You Leave Me Breathless
Title: You Leave Me Breathless
Released: May 26, 1938
Type: Movie
A "Screen Songs" short mixing live action with cartoons. The animated section deals with what will be seen on the television sets of the future, i.e., a fountain of youth operating in Turkey, a cow mowing the lawn and feeding at the same time, and other items and then the TV set brings on Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra, with Bob Eberle singing "You Leave Me Breathless."
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That Girl from Paris
Title: That Girl from Paris
Character: Hammacher's Band Member (uncredited)
Released: December 31, 1936
Type: Movie
Nikki Martin, a beautiful French opera star, stows away on an ocean liner in hopes of escaping her jealous fiancee. Once aboard, she joins an American swing band and falls in love with its leader, who, after hearing her sing, eventually comes to reciprocate her feelings.