Synopsis for the Feature Length Animated Film The King Of Jazz

How was Paul Whiteman crowned the King of Jazz? According to a pioneering five-minute color cartoon at the beginning of this film, he was game hunting "in darkest Africa." Whiteman gets chased by a lion who removes his own (false) teeth and sharpens them to prepare for his next meal. Whiteman whips out a violin and plays "Music Hath Charms," whereupon the lion becomes tame and dances. A monkey hits Whiteman in the head with a coconut, creating a circle of bumps which become a "crown," thus rendering him "King of Jazz."

In this variety show combining songs, sketches and vaudeville blackouts, Whiteman hosts a series of musical numbers with Milton Ager, Roy Bargy, James Dietrich, Irving Friedman, George Gershwin, Eddie Lang, the Rhythm Boys (Harry Barris, Bing Crosby and Al Rinker in Crosby's film debut), Billy Rose, Frankie Trumbauer, Joe Venuti and Mabel Wayne.

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