Gus Arnheim and his band play the title song, sung by June Robbins (with Bouncing Ball). Animated sequence:...
Gus Arnheim - Coconut Grove Bandleader (uncredited)
A glamorous film star rebels against the studio, her pushy press agent and a family of hangers-on.
Music Director
Tony Camonte (Paul Muni), un pistolero de origen italiano, ignorante y sin escrúpulos, es el lugarteniente de Johnny Lovo (Osgood Perkins), el hampón más poderoso del South End de Chicago. Ambicioso y cruel, Camonte, que por una cicatriz que le cruza el rostro recibe el apelativo de Cara cortada, elimina poco a poco a los rivales de su jefe hasta que, con la ayuda de su amigo Gino Rinaldo (George Raft), le arrebata el poder también a él y se convierte en el amo de la ciudad. Tras un mes de vacaciones en Florida, descubre que su hermana Cesca (Ann Dvorak), por la que siente un amor confuso y arrebatado, es la amante de Gino.
Orchestra Leader (uncredited)
Tony Camonte (Paul Muni), un pistolero de origen italiano, ignorante y sin escrúpulos, es el lugarteniente de Johnny Lovo (Osgood Perkins), el hampón más poderoso del South End de Chicago. Ambicioso y cruel, Camonte, que por una cicatriz que le cruza el rostro recibe el apelativo de Cara cortada, elimina poco a poco a los rivales de su jefe hasta que, con la ayuda de su amigo Gino Rinaldo (George Raft), le arrebata el poder también a él y se convierte en el amo de la ciudad. Tras un mes de vacaciones en Florida, descubre que su hermana Cesca (Ann Dvorak), por la que siente un amor confuso y arrebatado, es la amante de Gino.
Himself - the Orchestra Leader
An inventor and his lanky girlfriend set an altitude record in his winged contraption.
Himself
A homeless and destitute violinist joins a combo to bring it success, but has problems with her love life.
Band Member
Shy Charley tries to win his girl.
Himself
"Gus Arnhein and His Coconut Grove Orchestra" is an agreeable short--and one of the earlier Vitaphone released. While the band is just about totally forgotten today, they had a nice sound and are a nice representative of the era. And, like most Vitaphone films of the day, the camera is mostly stationary and there are no fancy effects--just a straight recording of the act--which included several nice songs.
Sitting at the piano, Gus Arnheim leads his Ambassador Hotel Orchestra - totaling twelve band members - in two musical numbers. The music is up-tempo typical of the roaring twenties. The music is generally instrumental, however the second of the two numbers includes a singing trio, those members who take a break from the instrument playing. They finish their two number set in a standing position.
