The Benny Goodman Story
6.8 /10 1 Votes
Director Valentine Davies Initial DVD release March 4, 2003 Writer Valentine Davies Language English | 6.8/10 IMDb Genre Biography, Drama, Music Duration Country United States | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Release date February 2, 1956 Songs Lets Dance Cast Steve Allen (Benny Goodman), Donna Reed (Alice Hammond), Berta Gersten (Mama Goodman), Barry Truex (Benny Goodman à 16 ans), Herbert Anderson (John Hammond Jr.), Robert F. Simon (Papa Dave Goodman)Similar movies The Wolf of Wall Street , Amy , Collateral , Dallas Buyers Club , Foxcatcher , Goodfellas | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Benny Goodman Story is a biographical film starring Steve Allen and Donna Reed, directed by Valentine Davies and released by Universal-International in 1956. The film is based on the life of famed clarinetist Benny Goodman, who recorded most of the clarinet solos used in the film.
Contents
The film captures several major moments in Goodman's life but it has been described as less than accurate in details. Goodman's Jewish background is mentioned only implicitly, despite it playing a part in his artistic and personal endeavors for decades. In one scene, where his mother tries to talk him out of a romance with Alice Hammond (played by Donna Reed), whom Goodman eventually married, she says, "Bagels and caviar don't mix."
Plot
The young Benny Goodman is taught clarinet by a Chicago music professor. He is advised by bandleader Kid Ory to play whichever kind of music he likes best, but to make a living, Benny begins by joining the Ben Pollack traveling band.
Later in New York, where his new band band gets a lukewarm reception, Benny meets jazz lover John Hammond and his sister Alice. He is invited to the stately Hammond home to perform a Mozart clarinet concerto. Alice fears he will be embarrassed, but his playing is impeccable and Benny appreciates her concern.
Benny's performances on a popular Saturday night radio program result in Fletcher Henderson volunteering to do some arrangements for him. On the west coast, the radio show's early start has made Benny's music a sensation with a younger generation. He puts together a quartet featuring Gene Krupa on drums, Teddy Wilson on piano and Lionel Hampton on vibes.
The romance with society girl Alice is disconcerting to Benny's mother, but by the time her son plays Carnegie Hall, all is well and Mrs. Goodman has personally invited her future daughter-in-law to sit by her side.
Other appearances
Lionel Hampton, Martha Tilton, Kid Ory, George Givot, Gene Krupa, Teddy Wilson, Harry James and many other musicians made appearances in this film. However, while Ziggy Elman appeared on screen recreating his trumpet solo on "And the Angels Sing", he was unable to record his portion for the soundtrack; Manny Klein actually performed it, off-camera. Similarly, Red Mack's performance in the film is actually played by Alvin Alcorn.
Fletcher Henderson is portrayed by Sammy Davis, Sr., father of Sammy Davis, Jr.
References
The Benny Goodman Story WikipediaThe Benny Goodman Story IMDb The Benny Goodman Story themoviedb.org