1h 57min | Biography, Drama, Music | 18 June 1959 | Color, WS
Director: Melville Shavelson
Stars: Danny Kaye, Barbara Bel Geddes, Louis Armstrong, Harry Guardino, Susan Gordon, Tuesday Weld.
Earl Barton ... choreographer
Lizanne Truex ... assistant dance director (uncredited)
~26 songs in the Soundtracks, most performed onscreen, although some are partial.
Some good music here, and always good to see LA onscreen. Apparently many of the biggies played in Nichols' band before forming bands of their own, including Goodman, Miller, Shaw.
Much of the film focuses on his family life, and his daughter's polio. According to this script, he gave up music to stay at home and motivate her to recover.
TW does a fine job as the 14 yo daughter. Susan Gordon player her younger, when she develops polio and before; she's familiar from a Twilight Zone episode in '62.
This is just ok. I'd like to enjoy the music more, but the song Indiana is used over and over again, and it got to be grating.
Dena Prod., distr, Paramount, dir. Shavelson; 6
