Jimmy Stewart and June Allison make a wonderful couple in this story of the life and death of band leader, Glenn Miller. To my mind it is one of the best biopics ever made. It is not hurt by the inclusion of some real musicians like Gene Krupa and Louis Armstrong, who Miller played with on his wedding night. I am not always a fan of big bands but his was one of the best. The main thing is to play the music, which they do in this film.
This movie was made in 1954, ten years after his death, and directed by Anthony Mann. It is faulted for some incorrect information but it has plenty of charm for me.
There aren't too many accurate biopics, no...particularly not of pop stars, as Miller was...his was the dominant non-jazz, non-sweet, straight-ahead dance band of the era, though they could lean jazzy or sweet in any given song. Hell of an ending history gave them. Glenn with 2 Ns, btw...
ReplyDeleteAs long as you don't take it for accurate historically, it is indeed entertaining. Stewart and Allyson had starred as husband & wife in THE STRATTON STORY in 1949 and were together again in STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND in 1955.
ReplyDeleteJeff M.
Sorry. I had to repost it because it insisted on showing the IN THE MOOD clip a second time rather than this one.
ReplyDeleteYes, they made a good couple.
I've probably seen this one more than any other Anthony Mann movie - it would be great to have on Blu-ray. It's hard not to get frustrated by historical innacuracies but at least its not on the scale of the Cole Porter whitewash NIGHT & DAY or the Gershwin farrago RHAPSODY IN CLUE, both of which I enjoy as fiction accompanied by great music.
ReplyDeleteHa! Maybe it was close enough to his dramatic death that they felt people would remember his life too well to change too much.
ReplyDeletePatti - Omigosh, I haven't thought of this movie in forever!!!! Thanks for the reminder of what an entertaining movie it is.
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen this this in probably 15 years, but I remember liking it very much. I recently bought a James Stewart box set that includes it, I might have to put that on soon to revisit: http://www.amazon.com/James-Stewart-Collection-Shenandoah-Thunder/dp/B000NNUWYS/ref=sr_1_2?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1354638082&sr=1-2&keywords=glenn+miller+story
ReplyDeleteProbably saw this one when it was new in 1955. I grew up with those songs playing on the radio; feels like part of my DNA.
ReplyDeleteThis is the movie that convinced me my mom was onto something with her love of Big Band music.
ReplyDeleteMiller was exceptional. And Jimmy Stewart never gave a bad performance.
ReplyDeleteGood stuff. Love big bands.
ReplyDeleteEver see Danny Kaye in Red Nicholls and the Five Pennies? Not bad. A little campy at times. Danny Kaye gets a little overly dramatic when he's down and out. Reminds me of Phil Hartman as the 1940s movie star Johnny O'Connor. http://www.metacafe.com/watch/hl-4958403/saturday_night_live_one_more_mission_season_12/
ReplyDeleteNo, I never did. He was a talented guy though.
ReplyDeleteOh I remember seeing this on the big screen, at least I think I did. Anyway, saw it and liked it - especially the music. Also loved the Benny Goodman story with Steve Allen (of all people).
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