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Alexander's Ragtime Band

1938 · Movie · NR · 106 min · ★ 6.8 · 75% critics

MusicDramaRomance

A classically trained musician shocks his family by leaving that world behind to lead a popular ragtime band. As the group rises to fame, romance, ambition, and wartime separation strain their bond, while a major concert years later brings long-simmering feelings back into view.

IMDb

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Details
Years
1938
Release date
1938-05-24
Language
English
Rated
NR
Runtime
106 min
Critic score
75/100
TMDB rating
6.8/10 (32 votes)
About

You’ll likely enjoy this if you like old Hollywood musicals built around beloved songs, especially in the vein of The Glenn Miller Story or Carousel; Not for you if you need a strong, believable plot over music and nostalgia.

Pros: Irving Berlin songs; lively musical numbers; charming cast | Cons: thin story; sentimental romance; uneven pacing

Themes

  • dance
  • ragtime
  • music tour

Awards & recognition

  • Academy Award — Best Score, Adaptation or Treatment · 1939
  • Academy Award — Best Production Design · 1939 · nominated
  • Academy Award — Best Story · 1939 · nominated
  • Academy Award — Best Score, Adaptation or Treatment · 1939 · nominated
  • Academy Award — Best Film Editing · 1939 · nominated
Show all 6 awards →
  • Academy Award — Best Picture · 1939 · nominated

Cast & crew

Directed by Henry King