A history of jazz alternatively titled 'Jam Session', the section of the film was being written by Elliot Paul in 1941 under contract to Welles. New Orleans has its origins in an abandoned component of an unfinished RKO Pictures feature film by Orson Welles - 'The Story of Jazz' segment of It's All True. Shelley Winters as Miss Holmbright (Nick's New York secretary uncredited).Plot Ī Storyville casino owner and a high society opera singer fall in love during the birth of the blues in New Orleans. New Orleans is Holiday's only feature film appearance. Also performing in the film is cornetist Mutt Carey and bandleader Woody Herman.

Though it features a rather conventional plot, the film is noteworthy both for casting jazz legends Billie Holiday as a singing maid romantically involved with bandleader Louis Armstrong, and extensive playing of New Orleans-style Dixieland jazz: over twenty songs (or versions of songs) are featured in whole or part.Īrmstrong's band contains a virtual Who's Who of classic jazz greats, including trombonist Kid Ory, drummer Zutty Singleton, clarinetist Barney Bigard, guitar player Bud Scott, bassist George 'Red' Callender, pianist Charlie Beal, and pianist Meade Lux Lewis. New Orleans is a 1947 American musical romance film starring Arturo de Córdova and Dorothy Patrick, and directed by Arthur Lubin.

New orleans casino cinema