1h 56min | Biography, Drama, Music | 3 January 1956 | Color, WS
Director: Valentine Davies
Stars: Steve Allen, Donna Reed, Sammy Davis Sr., Lionel Hampton, Gene Krupa, Teddy Wilson, Harry James.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047873/
BG led my favorite big band. His style of music has something extra that I appreciate. My favorite song, perhaps among all songs, is Sing, Sing, Sing, his big hit from that Carnegie Hall concert. They play the short version here; my favorite is the 12 minute version, with Jess Stacy stealing the show with his piano solo (not Teddy Wilson as shown in the film). Here's an NPR podcast about the song.
SA is not quite as stiff as BG was on film, but he's not his goofy self either. It helps that SA was also a musician, although apparently he didn't play clarinet well (BG dubbed it); an anecdote on his Wikipedia page says he contributed the beginner's clarinet to the film.
Lots of songs played, which is the primary reason to watch this. I have no idea of the biographical accuracy. Also, it was good to see an integrated film, even if it was showing events prior to 1939. BG really did have a trio with TW & GK, and a quartet with LH added. In the film we saw a black man in the band (not TW or LH), and I remember seeing a black member of the band in a film where they appeared. BG also did use Fletcher Henderson's (portrayed by SD) arrangements, but I don't remember the film mentioning Jimmy Mundy's arranging SSS.
Universal, dir. Davies; 7+
