MadKarateMan Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 Hi, first post. I'm wondering if someone might know this movie? It may be a Fred Astaire movie from the early 50s but I can't be sure. What I am sure of is there is a scene in a restaurant with a big orchestra and the conductor belts out this amazing harmonica solo. I think another actor that might be in the picture is a chain smoking pianist with a dry sense of humour. I'm pretty sure he played the same type of character as side kick to Fred in many movies. Any help? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlk44 Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 Oscar Levant I would guess is the pianist. Could the movie be "The Barkleys of Broadway" ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kay Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 Hi. I can only take a stab at this. You could check some titles on Larry Adler's filmography, an amazing harmonica player who made a few film appearances; always in musical bits, of course. He had a memorable segment in the film Music for Millions (1944) where he played Clair de Lune in a restaurant. This is what I thought of when I read your post. What you say about the pianist doesn't ring a bell, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fedya Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 Well, in Music For Millions Jimmy Durante plays "Toscanini, Iturbi, and Me" on the piano which is certainly humorous, if not dry. I'd tend to agree with looking at Oscar Levant as dry humor and a pianist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlk44 Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 I believe that Astaire and Levant also were in "The Band Wagon " in 1953. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadKarateMan Posted May 2, 2016 Author Share Posted May 2, 2016 Many thanks everyone. Jogged my memory: it was Larry Adler, who was harmonica a virtuoso and Oscar Levant the pianist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lavenderblue19 Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 I don't think Larry Adler and Oscar Levant were ever in a film together but not sure. Your description definitely sounds like it's the 2 of them but I think the film you're thinking about is still unsolved. Please let us know if you do find the title of the film or remember some more clues to the film Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlk44 Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Yes, please keep us informed. This one really interests me.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swithin Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 This won't answer the question, but here's a connection between Larry Adler and Oscar Levant. They both played the George Gershwin piece "Rhapsody in Blue." Levant was a friend of Gershwin's and appeared in the biopic about Gershwin (Rhapsody in Blue). Both Adler and Levant recorded the piece and played it in concert. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjhrNeqSDOo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlk44 Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Great Post! Thanks for putting it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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