Harry Barris

Biography

Harry Barris was an American singer and songwriter who was among the first to use scat singing on record, most notably as a member of Paul Whiteman's Rhythm Boys alongside Bing Crosby and Al Rinker. Born in New York City and educated in Denver, he was a professional pianist by 14 and led a band on a Far East tour at 17, and he wrote Mississippi Mud in 1927. Between 1931 and 1950 he appeared in 57 films, usually as a band member, pianist or singer, and in The Lost Weekend (1945) he played the nightclub pianist. He also took a comedy role as a sailor in The Fleet's In, and during World War II he entertained troops overseas with Joe E. Brown. He died in 1962.

57years old at death

Born November 24, 1905New York City
Died December 13, 1962Burbank
Star sign: SagittariusThe sign runs November 22 to December 21
Also credited as Happy Harry Barris

Movie Career

Films: 6
Career span: 9 years1937 to 1946

Genres

Comedy50%, 3 films
Drama50%, 3 films
Film-Noir33%, 2 films
Romance33%, 2 films
Crime17%, 1 film

First and latest

Did you know?!

A first
Barris was among the first singers to use scat singing in recordings. With Paul Whiteman's Rhythm Boys, alongside Bing Crosby and Al Rinker, he scatted on songs such as "Mississippi Mud," which he wrote in 1927.
A change of course
Barris turned professional as a pianist when he was 14. At 17 he was leading a band on a tour of the Far East.
Big break
The Rhythm Boys formed in April 1927 after Al Rinker and Bing Crosby were dropped from a Paramount bill because they could not be heard without microphones, and a band member suggested adding Barris to make a trio.

Harry Barris movies on Netflix

The Blue Dahlia1946IMDb rating 7.1as Bellhop
The Lost Weekend1945IMDb rating 7.8as Pianist at Harry & Joe's
Holiday Inn1942IMDb rating 7.3as Midnight Club Orchestra Leader
Rhythm on the River1940IMDb rating 6.8as Bass Sax player
The Shining Hour1938IMDb rating 6.4as Bertie
Something to Sing About1937IMDb rating 6.2as Band Member

Best known for

The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.

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Holiday Inn1942 Comedy, Drama, Musicas Midnight Club Orchestra Leader
IMDb rating 7.320K votes
The Blue Dahlia1946 Crime, Film-Noir, Mysteryas Bellhop
IMDb rating 7.111K votes
The Shining Hour1938as Bertie
IMDb rating 6.41.5K votes
The Lost Weekend1945as Pianist at Harry & Joe's
IMDb rating 7.844K votes
Something to Sing About1937as Band Member
IMDb rating 6.21.1K votes
Rhythm on the River1940as Bass Sax player
IMDb rating 6.8457 votes

Most often with

Victor Schertzinger directed two of these films. Six actors appear in two of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

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Bing Crosby

Frank Faylen

William Frawley

Howard Da Silva

Doris Dowling

Marek WindheimVictor SchertzingerDirector, 2 films

Films together

Bing Crosby2 films together, 1940 to 1942
Bing Crosby's page
- Holiday Inn1942IMDb rating 7.3Barris as Midnight Club Orchestra LeaderCrosby as Jim Hardy
- Rhythm on the River1940IMDb rating 6.8Barris as Bass Sax playerCrosby as Bob Sommers
Frank Faylen2 films together, 1945 to 1946
Frank Faylen's page
- The Blue Dahlia1946IMDb rating 7.1Barris as BellhopFaylen as Man Recommending a Motel
- The Lost Weekend1945IMDb rating 7.8Barris as Pianist at Harry & Joe'sFaylen as 'Bim' Nolan
William Frawley2 films together, 1937 to 1940
William Frawley's page
- Rhythm on the River1940IMDb rating 6.8Barris as Bass Sax playerFrawley as Mr. Westlake
- Something to Sing About1937IMDb rating 6.2Barris as Band MemberFrawley as Hank Mayers
Howard Da Silva2 films together, 1945 to 1946
Howard Da Silva's page
- The Blue Dahlia1946IMDb rating 7.1Barris as BellhopSilva as Eddie Harwood
- The Lost Weekend1945IMDb rating 7.8Barris as Pianist at Harry & Joe'sSilva as Nat
Doris Dowling2 films together, 1945 to 1946
Doris Dowling's page
- The Blue Dahlia1946IMDb rating 7.1Barris as BellhopDowling as Helen Morrison
- The Lost Weekend1945IMDb rating 7.8Barris as Pianist at Harry & Joe'sDowling as Gloria
Marek Windheim2 films together, 1937 to 1942
Marek Windheim's page
- Holiday Inn1942IMDb rating 7.3Barris as Midnight Club Orchestra LeaderWindheim as François
- Something to Sing About1937IMDb rating 6.2Barris as Band MemberWindheim as Farney
Victor SchertzingerDirector, 2 films, 1937 to 1940
All films by Victor Schertzinger
- Rhythm on the River1940IMDb rating 6.8Barris as Bass Sax player
- Something to Sing About1937IMDb rating 6.2Barris as Band Member

Online

Official profiles and reference pages.

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