Second Chorus (1940) Director: H.C. Potter Studio: Paramount Pictures Starring: Fred Astaire (Danny O'Neill), Paulette Goddard (Ellen Miller), Artie Shaw (himself), Burgess Meredith (Hank Taylor), Charles Butterworth Release Date: December 3, 1940 Runtime: 93 minutes Format: Black & White | Mono | Sound | Live Action Country: United States Language: English Genres: Musical | Comedy | Romance | Big Band | Dance Film | Screwball --- Summary: Second Chorus is a high-spirited musical romp following two smooth-talking college "students"—Danny and Hank—who prolong their academic careers to stay in the university band and avoid the real world. Their carefree grifting is interrupted when they both fall for savvy booking agent Ellen Miller, who’s got her sights set on bigger things—including getting the boys a gig with Artie Shaw’s orchestra. With clever banter, sharp tuxedos, and plenty of toe-tapping swing, Second Chorus is equal parts romantic comedy and big band showcase. Fred Astaire glides through dazzling dance numbers, while real-life bandleader Artie Shaw brings jazzy authenticity to the musical interludes. --- Background: Though not one of Fred Astaire’s most famous films, Second Chorus stands out for pairing him with Paulette Goddard in a rare musical turn and featuring legendary clarinetist Artie Shaw in his only major screen appearance. The film was produced during the height of the big band era, capitalizing on America’s obsession with swing music and college hijinks. Shaw performed several of his own arrangements, including the hit “Concerto for Clarinet,” giving the movie serious jazz credentials. Fred Astaire choreographed his own routines, including the humorous “Dig It,” blending classic tap with contemporary swing. Despite production tensions and a lukewarm reception at the box office, the film earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song ("Would You Like to Be the Love of My Life?") and gained cult status among dance and jazz aficionados. --- Trivia: Astaire and Goddard reportedly had creative differences on set, adding a slightly combative charm to their onscreen chemistry. The film’s college setting is mostly a farce—Astaire and Meredith’s characters have been failing deliberately for seven years just to stay in the band. Artie Shaw refused most Hollywood offers, making this film one of the few preserved examples of his screen presence. Shaw’s “Concerto for Clarinet” became one of his signature pieces after debuting in the film. Burgess Meredith, better known later as the Penguin on Batman, plays a comically fast-talking con man opposite Astaire. The film is now in the public domain and widely available in digital archives and classic film collections. --- Hashtags: #SecondChorus #FredAstaire #PauletteGoddard #ArtieShaw #BigBandEra #SwingMusic #GoldenAgeMusicals #1940sCinema #ClassicDanceFilm #HollywoodMusical #JazzFilm #VintageRomCom #TapDanceLegend #ScrewballComedy #PublicDomainFilm #CollegeComedy #OldHollywood #HCPotter #OscarNominatedSong #BurgessMeredith