A Medley- From 1929

[MrTeddEbare]

The cute blonde in the opening seaquence is Marjorie White an early Three Stooges leading lady "Woman Haters" (1934) her last screen appearance.

[ClarasBeau]

People don't remember any more, but "Whispering Jack Smith" was very popular in the 1920's, so to ask him to to headline this number (back then) would have been totally appropriate at the time... So glad that this footage still exists, as it gives us a gander at what what was apparently the "rave" back in the day... I love it!! - - Thanks - -

[rb1866]

WJS was also in another early part colour musical called Cheer Up and Smile - there seems to be some confusion as to whether this is a lost film or UCLA holds some sort of print

[rb1866]

anyone know if WJS has an internet radio station like Annette Hanshaw's?

[tubeindividual]

yes he always "said" a song, and somehow it was ok. He was very famous when I was young.

[schellack78]

i guess this "happy days"-version is not available on record...

[1276epr]

@schellack78 it's a great song but I've never seen it on a 78 anywhere.

[PepulzGuys]

Is there a 78 copy of this song anywhere? anyone know where I can get a copy of this film?

[PepulzGuys]

Whispering Jack Smith is awesome, and also kinda creepy in a way, but I love that about him!

[34039thstreet]

Really great entertainment! Thanks for posting!

[davidsloan2380]

Super! Thanks! Never saw Jack Smith on screen before!

[HarborGuy]

I didn't know Jack had made any films - just great to see as well as to hear him......

[1276epr]

this guy is kind of intriguing to listen to, isn' t he.

Is this on Vitaphone, because the singing seems slightly out of sync with the singers' mouths...

[Tap2323]

The last frame says "William Fox Production"...so it would be Movietone. I don't know why its out of sync...pity though :D

[daughterrevolution]

I've adored Whispering Jack Smith for 10 years. People should restore his recordings and get the hiss and pops and crackles off them, without suppressing the audio quality.

[Mannock]

My dad's name was Jack Smith and he was pretty cool. I guess there is something in the name...

[theladyerrant]

BTW, I really find this song moving.

[theladyerrant]

I agree, "Whispering" Jack Smith had a wonderful intimacy with his listening audience. I'd be so bold to say that he had more of a personal connection with listeners than Bing Crosby. Unfortunately, his type of music had residues of the 1910s but he had such a great clarity (in the music and in his singing)that is extremely modern. And I know that Mr. Smith was relatively popular in the U.S. but his successes were more in the UK.

[blackpoolbarmpot]

Wasn't Jack Smith wonderful.... That lovely soft, whispering Baritone voice that he had, which I believe was the result of damage to his vocal chords caused by WW1 poison gas. He certainly put those vocal chords to good use. His brilliant interpretation of the lyrics to "Gimme a little kiss will ya huh?" sounds like he is really talking to his girl - and not just singing a song !!!!

[cushtichavi]

I love the fashions . Who is walking by in the great dress and hat?

[kingfish196]

The movie this sequence comes from (Happy Days) was released in 1930, not 1929.

[perfectjazz78]

Filmed entirely in 1929, released February, 1930

[disco79]

I love J. Harold Murray's singing. Such a shame that two of his three musicals are lost and the third only survives in a single copy kept in a vault at UCLA. He had a great voice.

[perfectjazz78]

I have read that a bit of "Married In Hollywood" also survives.

[albanybeardguy]

Just the last technicolor reel- he doesn't sing in it.

[bjnevin]

I love this clip so much! Is the video with Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell singing all of their song posted up aswell?

[blakemooney]

Is Dixie Lee the future Mrs. Bing Crosby? Wonder what Bing thought of Whispering Jack Smith's bass voice? A few moments there I thought I heard Crosby's voice creep in. Be great if there was a recording that the Crosby estate had that did show them together.

[smurfswacker]

I don't see much crossover between Bing and Smith--Smith's soft, silky style with talking mixed in seems to have influenced other performers, though. The two that come to mind are "Singin' Sam the Barbasol Man," whoever the heck he was, and Little Jack Little. The terrific Gene Austin seems to me to have a similar feel, though he sang in a higher key and didn't talk. Anyhow, I love 'em all.

[juanieboy12]

I can't believe that this was the first film shown in widescreen but the format was dropped until 23 years later. :( Now there is no known footage found in widescreen.

[scotpens]

The 1930 Western "The Big Trail," starring John Wayne in his first leading role, was another early widescreen movie, shot in 70mm. The film is preserved today in its original wide format, thanks to a CinemaScope-converted print that was found in 1972.

[juanieboy12]

Which is Whispering Jack Smith?

[horarwgt]

The first guy to sing. He had 13 hits bwetween 1926 and 1928, including two chart-toppers: "Gimme A Little Kiss, Will Ya, Huh?" (1926) and "Me and My Shadow" (1927). Great voice!

[bearcub410]

thanks great clip

[furlight]

Whispering Jack Smith is one of my all time favorite singers!!

This is the first chance I have had to SEE HIM SING!!!!

ADORABLE!

Have you any MORE FOOTAGE of him??

I think he was in 3 movies!!

I'd LOVE to see them ALL ; )

THANKS FOR SHARING THIS!!

~confetta

[perfectjazz78]

Unfortunately, I do not. One other appearance of him exists and one is "lost", so I am told.

[mic33george]

Its such a thrill to see clips of films i thought id never get to see!Love the snippets of other tunes at the end-many thanks.

[perfectjazz78]

Glad you liked it. ! Thanks !

[kspm01]

Thank you so much for this rare footage!