1938's "Alexander's Ragtime Band" found Darryl Zanuck combining the talents of Alice Faye, Tyrone Power, Don Ameche, and Ethel Merman in a star studded celebration of early 20th century music by Irving Berlin, three composed expressly for this film. Power as Alexander chooses to forego a career as a classical violinist to become a popular bandleader with Faye his star attraction, their budding romance terminated when she leaves and eventually weds Ameche. A radio career beckons to reunite the two years later, aided by a little luck and a helpful taxi driver (John Carradine). It was a real oddity to see Carradine in such a sympathetic light, with a scar on his face and suspicious demeanor, here paired for a second time with frequent costar Lon Chaney, in for an unbilled bit as a photographer with one line at the 54 minute mark. The picture was a huge success, and remained a favorite of Alice Faye, who ended her Fox career opposite Carradine again, in Otto Preminger's 1945 "Fallen Angel."
Review of Alexander's Ragtime Band
