The Benny Goodman Story

This film was certainly made in order to give jazz and swing band fans a real fine dose of perhaps the greatest swing music ever recorded, and this it does in abundance and in very fine form.

However, the story and dramatic part of this film is truly not very well executed, and much inferior to the previous year's "Glen Miller Story".

And, as a previous commentator stated on this site, why couldn't the producers have put in a little more thought into the costumes of the period, not only for the women, although this is where it is obviously not proper period costume, but also for the men.

Are 1920's fashions that difficult to reproduce? I don't think so.While Donna Reed certainly looked beautiful in the clothes she did wear in the film, it was a bit "jarring" to know that the story is taking place in the 20's and 30's, and everyone is parading around in mid 50's clothing.

Otherwise, the film is modestly entertaining, and the music , as mentioned, is superb.