Second Chorus

Second Chorus (1940) is a lively musical comedy starring the incomparable Fred Astaire alongside the charming Paulette Goddard and Burgess Meredith, with musical contributions from the legendary Artie Shaw and his orchestra. This delightful picture is a fine example of Classic cinema from Hollywood's golden age, blending romance, rivalry, and plenty of impressive dance numbers. For those looking to explore Classic films featuring Astaire's signature grace and comedic timing, Second Chorus offers an entertaining, if somewhat overlooked, gem.

The story centers on two perpetually late college trumpet players, Danny O'Neill (Astaire) and Hank Taylor (Meredith), who are also romantic rivals for the affections of their beautiful band manager, Ellen Miller (Goddard). Danny, more interested in fun than his career, manages to get both himself and Hank fired from Artie Shaw's prestigious orchestra, scheming to keep them in college and near Ellen. However, Ellen has ambitions of her own. The plot follows Danny's elaborate and often hilarious attempts to win Ellen back and secure a permanent spot in Shaw's band, all while sparring with Hank. Because the film is widely considered to be in the public domain, it's often found in collections of Public domain movies.

This status as one of the Copyright-Free movies of its era means Second Chorus is readily accessible to modern audiences. It holds its own among the Best old movies for fans of musical comedies and Fred Astaire completists. Its public domain availability means it can often be discovered on platforms like Internet Archive, a key resource for Archive org public domain movies. Those looking to experience this lighthearted romp can usually Watch full movie versions online, enjoying Astaire's dancing and the film's energetic musical sequences.