"The Benny Goodman Story"

"The Benny Goodman Story"

The Benny Goodman Story

		Year: 1955 Running Time: 116 minutes Other: Color Category: Musical Biography Directed by: Valentine Davies Produced by: Aaron Rosenberg Screenplay by: Valentine Davies
		Cast: Steve Allen - Benny Goodman Herbert Anderson - John Hammond Hy Averback - William Alexander Sammy Davis, Sr. - Fletcher Henderson Berta Gersten - Mom (Dora) Goodman Lionel Hampton - Himself Gene Krupa - Himself Donna Reed - Alice Hammond Robert Simon - Pop (Dave) Goodman Teddy Wilson - Himself Buck Clayton Ziggy Elman - Himself Fred Essler - Prof. Schoepp Stan Getz George Givot - Jake Primo Wilton Graff - Mr. Hammond Urbie Green Harry James - Himself David Kasday - Benny Goodman at 10 Jack Kruschen - Murphy Podolsky Shepard Menken - Harry Goodman Kid Ory Ben Pollack - Himself Martha Tilton - Herself Barry Truex - Benny Goodman at 16 Dick Winslow - Gil Rodin

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. 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).

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