King of Jazz (1930)

An early sound and color film, this revue ostensibly serves as a celebration of the work of Paul Whiteman, the titular King of Jazz. Beginning with a Walter Lantz cartoon, the array of musical and comedy bits, some featuring a young Bing Crosby as a member of the Rhythm Boys, are mostly entertaining in their own right, many similar to later Busby Berkeley numbers, but it’s the visuals that are truly stunning and just took my breath away. Made with an early two-color Technicolor process which contains no blue, the film is entirely done in shades of coral, aqua, silver, and black, which all shine beautifully in the restoration on the Criterion release. The set and costume designers had a perfect eye to how these colors interacted and presented on film and it is gorgeous. Some amazing camera wizardry, such as the orchestra walking out of a suitcase carried by Whiteman, and extremely lavish set pieces just enhance the beauty. 

Side Note: The DVD also included some comedy sketches that didn’t make the film. Including references to bastards and premarital sex, it’s always fun to see the Pre-Code era at work.

Oscar Win: Best Art Direction