Kay Kyser

Acting

Kay Kyser

Born June 18, 1905 · Rocky Mount, North Carolina, USA

Died July 23, 1985 · aged 80

James Kern Kyser (June 18, 1905 – July 23, 1985), known as Kay Kyser, was a popular radio personality and bandleader in the 1930's and 40's. Kyser's most popular show was Kay Kyser's Kollege of Musical Knowledge, which combined popular music with a quiz show format. It aired on Mutual Radio in 1938 and then moved to NBC Radio from 1939 to 1949. Kyser led the band as “The Ol’ Perfessor,” spouting s…

Known For

Stage Door CanteenStage Door Canteen · 1943
Stage Door Canteen
6.31943
MovieComedyRomance
A young soldier on a pass in New York City visits the famed Stage Door Canteen, where famous stars of theatre and film appear and host a recreational center for servicemen during the war. The soldier meets a pretty young hostess and they enjoy the many entertainers and a growing romance.
Swing FeverSwing Fever · 1943
Swing Fever
6.01943
MovieComedyRomance
Comedy about a bandleader with hypnotic powers.
Thousands CheerThousands Cheer · 1943
Thousands Cheer
6.41943
MovieComedyRomance
Acrobat Eddie Marsh is in the army now. His first act is to become friendly with Kathryn Jones, the colonel's pretty daughter. Their romance hits a few snags, including disapproval from her father. Eddie's also plagued by fear of having an accident during his family's trapeze act in the army variety show, which also features a gallery of MGM stars.
My Favorite SpyMy Favorite Spy · 1942
My Favorite Spy
5.71942
MovieComedy
The Army takes a bandleader (Kay Kyser) away from his bride (Ellen Drew) and sends him on a spy mission with a woman (Jane Wyman).
Showbiz Goes to WarShowbiz Goes to War · 1982
Showbiz Goes to War
10.01982
MovieDocumentaryTV Movie
While a few Hollywood celebrities such as James Stewart and Clark Gable saw combat during World War II, the majority used their talents to rally the American public through bond sales, morale-boosting USO tours, patriotic war dramas and escapist film fare. Comedian David Steinberg plays host for this star-studded, 90-minute documentary, which looks at the way Tinseltown helped the United States' war effort.
Africa SqueaksAfrica Squeaks · 1940
Africa Squeaks
5.81940
MovieAnimationComedy
Porky Pig goes on a safari in Africa, and runs into an assortment of crazy animals, wacky natives and Kay Kyser giving dance lessons in the middle of the jungle.
Invisible OpponentInvisible Opponent · 1933
Invisible Opponent
6.51933
MovieDramaCrime
On a steamer bound for Europe two competing European investors try to get hold of a contract for exploiting oil wells in Brazil. Several agents cleverly play off one investor against the other to up the ante of a bogus scheme.
Around the WorldAround the World · 1943
Around the World
6.31943
MovieComedyMusic
Bandleader Kay Kyser takes his troupe of nutty musicians, goofball comics and pretty girl singers on a tour around the world to entertain the troops during World War II.

Filmography

Sort
That's Right – You're WrongThat's Right – You're Wrong · 1939
That's Right – You're Wrong
6.31939
MovieMusicComedy
J. D. Forbes, head of the almost-bankrupt Four Star Studios in Hollywood contacts band leader Kay Kyser, who puts on a radio and-live theatre program called "The Kollege of Musical Knowledge," to appear in films. When manager Chuck Deems gets the studio offer, he and band members Ginny Simms, Sully Mason, Ish Kabiddle, Harry Babbitt and the others are all fired up at the prospect of going to Hollywood and working in the movies, but band-leader Kay is all against it and says his old grandmother has told him to stay in his own back yard, but he relents. Once there, Stacey Delmore, a Four Star associate producer left in charge of the studio while Forbes is out of town, discovers that the screenplay writers have prepared a script that has Kay Kyser playing a glamorous lover in an exotic European setting.

Kay Kyser