Rubinoff and His Orchestra

About This Movie

So, Rubinoff and His Orchestra is a fascinating little gem from 1933. It’s one of those Vitaphone shorts that brings together the lush sound of Rubinoff's violin with the energetic vibe of his orchestra, featuring the smooth vocals of Jean Sargent. The pacing is brisk, keeping you engaged throughout its runtime. What’s especially interesting is catching a young Benny Goodman in the reed section, looking dapper even without his glasses. The whole atmosphere is filled with the charm of the era, a blend of live performance and early sound technology that really captures the spirit of the time. It's a rare piece that showcases not just music but a slice of jazz history as well.

This film is part of the early Vitaphone series, which makes it somewhat of a rarity right off the bat. The scarcity of these shorts, particularly those featuring notable musicians, draws interest from collectors. Many prints have been lost or damaged over the years, adding to its allure. Fans of jazz and early film will find this short a captivating glimpse into the crossover of performance and early sound technology.