"Rhapsody in Blue"

Near the end of Irving Rapper's "Rhapsody in Blue" (Warner Bros., 1945) George Gershwin goes to Hollywood to perform in a concert of his works with the L.A. Philharmonic.

The filming was done at the Philharmonic Auditorium, 5th and Olive, the location of the original event. The scene re-creates the second of two benefit concerts held February 10 and 11, 1937. His "Concerto in F" was one piece on the program. These were to be the last two events he played. At the time of the concerts, Gershwin was actually living in Los Angeles, having come west a few months earlier to do some film work.

The film stars Robert Alda as George, Herbert Rudley as Ira, Joan Leslie as the singing star George should have married, and Alexis Smith as another girlfriend. Also featured are Charles Coburn, Hazel Scott, Oscar Levant, Al Jolson, Paul Whiteman and George White. The cinematography was by Sol Polito. 

 

 

 

Ira (Herbert Rudley) sitting in the house left box with friends and family. 

 

George Gershwin (Robert Alda) at the piano. 

 

A look to the rear of the main floor. The Phil's conductor is played by Hugo Kirchhoffer. 

See the page about the Philharmonic Auditorium on the Los Angeles Theatres site for a history of the building and many photos. The 2,670 seat theatre opened in 1906 and was demolished in 1985.

On IMDb: "Rhapsody in Blue"