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November 10, 2026
$31.95
Second Chorus (1940) &
The Fabulous Dorseys (1947)
Two musical classics celebrating the golden age of big band cinema!
BD: $31.95
Celebrate the golden age of swing with two musical classics showcasing some of the biggest names in jazz and Hollywood. In Second Chorus (1940), Fred Astaire and Burgess Meredith star as rival trumpet players competing for a place in Artie Shaw's orchestra, with Paulette Goddard and Charles Butterworth co-starring. Directed by H.C. Potter, the film features Shaw and his orchestra and earned Academy Award® nominations for Best Original Score and Best Original Song.
In The Fabulous Dorseys (1947), legendary bandleaders and brothers Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey play themselves in a spirited account of their rise from small-town musicians to leaders of one of America's most celebrated big bands. Included in this Special Edition release are full length commentaries, new essays in a full color booklet, and a documentary from Ballyhoo Motion pictures.
The Specs
The Film Elements
Second Chorus 1.33:1
Scanned in 2K from original 35mm archival elements.
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The Fabulous Dorseys 1.37:1
Scanned in 2K from original 35mm archival elements.
The Disc Specs
Second Chorus
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Run Time: 83:52 minutes
The Fabulous Dorseys
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Run Time: 87:57
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These Discs are Region Free and include English SDH.
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Audio is DTS-HD / Dolby AC3s.
The Contributors
Second Chorus
​​​Full length commentary by film historian Karie Bible, dance historian/tap dance preservationist Rusty E. Frank, and musician/music historian Nick Rossi.
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The Fabulous Dorseys
Full length commentary by author Jennifer Churchill.
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Special Features
New expanded documentary, The Fabulous Forties: Big Bands on Screen, by Ballyhoo Motion Pictures.​
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Full color 24-page booklet with new essays by Rusty E. Frank, Nick Rossi and Karen Burroughs Hannsberry.
Second Chorus
Fred Astaire and Burgess Meredith are rival trumpet players competing for a place in Artie Shaw's orchestra as well as for Paulette Goddard's heart!
Director: H C Potter
Starring: Fred Astaire, Burgess Meredith, Paulette Goddard, Artie Shaw
1940 | HD | 83 minutes
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Fred Astaire (Funny Face, Swing Time) and Burgess Meredith (Of Mice and Men, Rocky) star as a couple of trumpet players trying to make their way into Artie Shaw’s band. Shaw received two Oscar nominations for his work on the film, one for Best Music Score, and one for the song, ‘Love of my Life’, which he co-wrote with Johnny Mercer. The rest of the cast includes Paulette Goddard (Modern Times, The Great Dictator) as the band manager, and Charles Butterworth (Love Me Tonight), with direction by H.C. Potter (Mr. Blandings Builds his Dream House).
The Fabulous Dorseys
The life of two giants of swing-era jazz.
Director: Alfred E Green
Starring: Jimmy Dorsey, Tommy Dorsey, Janet Blair, Paul Whiteman
1947 | HD | 87 minutes
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Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey play themselves in this high-spirited film biography. The film follows the brothers from their early days all the way to their greatest successes. Director Alfred E. Green (The Jolson Story) uses the film as a showcase for some great music, including ‘I'm Getting Sentimental Over You’ and ‘Marie’. Jazz buffs will notice cameos by such greats as bandleader Paul Whiteman and pianist Art Tatum. In fact, look for a special jam session featuring the Dorseys and Tatum. It’s a perfect snapshot of the days when musicians could really swing!
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Still Gallery