King of Jazz: Paul Whiteman’s Technicolor Revue tells the story of the making, release, and restoration of Universal’s 1930 Technicolor musical extravaganza King of Jazz. Authors James Layton and David Pierce have uncovered original artwork, studio production files, behind-the-scenes photographs, personal papers, unpublished interviews, and a host of other previously unseen documentation. The book offers a richly illustrated narrative of the film’s production, with broader context on its diverse musical and theatrical influences. The story concludes with an in-depth look at the challenges Universal overcame in restoring the film in 2016. Additionally, the book’s appendix provides a comprehensive guide to all of the film’s performers, music, alternate versions, and deleted scenes.
James Layton, David Pierce, King of Jazz: Paul Whiteman’s Technicolor Revue (Severn, MD: Media History Press) 2016.