The Benny Goodman Story (1956)

Bio of swing band leader 'Benny Goodman' from age 10 (1919) to his landmark Carnegie Hall band concert in 1938. Not exactly historically accurate, but great music. Also, guest appearances ... See full summary »

Director:

Valentine Davies

Writer:

Valentine Davies

Stars:

Steve Allen, Donna Reed, Berta Gersten

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Steve Allen	...	Benny Goodman
Donna Reed	...	Alice Hammond
Berta Gersten	...	Mama Goodman
Barry Truex	...	Benny Goodman (at 16)
Herbert Anderson	...	John Hammond Jr.
Robert F. Simon	...	Papa Dave Goodman
Hy Averback	...	Willard Alexander
Sammy Davis Sr.	...	Fletcher Henderson
Dick Winslow	...	Gil Rodin
Shepard Menken	...	Harry Goodman (as Shep Menken)
Jack Kruschen	...	Murph Podolsky
Wilton Graff	...	John Hammond Sr.
Fred Essler	...	Prof Schoepp
David Kasday	...	Benny Goodman (at 10)
John Erman	...	Harry Goodman (at 16) (as John M. Erman)

Storyline

Bio of swing band leader 'Benny Goodman' from age 10 (1919) to his landmark Carnegie Hall band concert in 1938. Not exactly historically accurate, but great music. Also, guest appearances by many great musicians of the time.

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Plot Keywords:

swing | bandleader | big band | clarinet | character name in title

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Music

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1956 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Die Benny Goodman Story

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Already an accomplished piano player, Steve Allen learned how to play the clarinet for this film.

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Goofs

Howler Dept: A radio announcer describes "Stompin' At The Savoy" as a "brand-new Fletcher Henderson arrangement". It was, in fact, an Edgar Sampson composition and arrangement adapted for Benny Goodman's band by Sampson with the permission of Sampson's employer, bandleader Chick Webb.

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Crazy Credits

Benny Goodman's theme song is played over the appearance of the "Universal International" globe.

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Soundtracks

"Stompin' At the Savoy"
Written by Benny Goodman, Chick Webb, Edgar M. Sampson and Andy Razaf

User Reviews

Geat Film From 1955

Enjoyed this very entertaining film about Benny Goodman performed by Steve Allen who himself was a great composer, piano player and all around actor and late night show host. This was a very compact Hollywood story detailing the life of the great Jazz King of the 30's. Donna Reed, (Alice Hammond) gave a great supporting role as Benny's girlfriend and then his wife. The film was filled with all great jazz musicians, Gene Krupa, Lional Hampton, Harry James and Sammy Davis Sr. along with many other famous jazz musicians. In the 1950's you were able to go to the Roxy Theater, Paramont and Music Hall in New York City and see these great musicians in between the showing of their feature movies and at very low prices, especially at 10 AM for a price of $1.25 to $2.00. This is a great film and the musical selections will keep you glued to this film from beginning to end.