The Benny Goodman Story

The Benny Goodman Story

Director: Valentine Davies Cast: Steve Allen
Steve Allen
, Sammy Davis Sr.
Sammy Davis Sr.
, Herbert Anderson
Herbert Anderson
, Donna Reed
Donna Reed
Valentine Davies
The Benny Goodman Story

The Benny Goodman Story

Director: Valentine Davies Cast: Steve Allen
Steve Allen
, Sammy Davis Sr.
Sammy Davis Sr.
, Herbert Anderson
Herbert Anderson
, Donna Reed
Donna Reed
Valentine Davies

DVD

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Overview

"Steve Allen makes his dramatic film debut in The Benny Goodman Story. Obviously made to cash in on the success of The Glenn Miller Story (1953), this slow-moving biopic isn't quite in the same league. Outside of Goodman's conflicts with his parents over his career choice, and his early frustration over not being able to play his kind of music, the film tends to be more a series of musical highlights than a biography. Something could have been made of Goodman's tireless efforts to racially integrate the Big Band scene of the 1930s and 1940s, but Universal chose to sidestep this. As for Steve Allen, his dour, low-key performance does little to enliven the proceedings; Allen is at his best when miming the prerecorded clarinet licks of the real Benny Goodman. Despite its faults, The Benny Goodman Story remains a treat for music fans, with guest appearances by Gene Krupa, Lionel Hampton, Teddy Wilson, Harry James, Martha Tilton, Ziggy Elman, and Sammy Davis Sr. (as Fletcher Henderson)."

Product Details

Release Date: 03/04/2003
UPC: 0025192263620
Original Release: 1955
Rating: NR
Source: STUDIO DISTRIBUTION SERVS LLC
Region Code: 1
Sound: [Dolby Digital Mono]
Language: English
Time: 1:57:00
Sales rank: 16,179

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Steve Allen Benny Goodman
Sammy Davis Sr. Fletcher Henderson
Herbert Anderson John Hammond Jr.
Donna Reed Alice Hammond
Berta Gersten Mom Goodman
Robert F. Simon Pop Goodman
Dick Winslow Gil Rodin
Barry Truex Benny Goodman at l6
David Kasday Benny Goodman at 10
Hy Averback William Alexander
Wilton Graff Mr. Hammond
Shepard Menken Harry Goodman
Harry James Himself - Trumpeter at Carnegie Hall
Gene Krupa Himself - Drums
Martha Tilton Herself - Vocalist (song "And the Angels Sing")
Lionel Hampton Himself - Vibraphone
Ziggy Elman Himself -Trumpeter (song "And the Angels Sing")
Ben Pollack Himself - 1st band leader
Teddy Wilson Himself - Pianist
Edward 'Kid' Ory Himself (as Edward 'Kid' Ory),Actor
Jack Kruschen 'Murph' Podolsky - riverboat band Mgr.
Fred Essler Prof Schoepp
John Erman Harry Goodman (at 16)
George Givot Jake Primo - mob boss
Robert Simon Pop (Dave) Goodman
Stan Getz Actor
Urbie Green Actor
Buck Clayton Performer
Henry Mancini Composer
Sol Yaged Composer
Alan Harding Composer
Harry Brown Composer
Joseph Gershenson Composer

Technical Credits
Valentine Davies Director,Screenwriter
Aaron Rosenberg Producer
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