As biopics go, "The Benney Goodman Story" is seldom seen these days on classic movie channels. The 1956 Universal International picture deserves a look, not only for the story itself, but for the historical events depicted in the film. Directed and written by Valentine Davies, it takes the viewer to one of America's best musician, Benny Goodman, to his humble origins in Chicago and culminating in his milestone January 16th 1938 jazz concert in Carnegie Hall, a venue considered the mecca for classical music until that time.
Benny Goodman was an innovator. He discovered American jazz to be one of the most original forms of music, dedicating his life to what he knew best, giving the public pleasure with his many recordings during his lifetime. He had a talent for surrounding himself with the best musicians, as proved with the people he had in his orchestra. Gene Kruppa, Fletcher Anderson, Ted Ory, Teddy Wilson, Lionel Hampton, Ziggy Elman, and even his own brother Harry were among the people who either played, arranged music, or just influenced him.
The story involves his romance with Alice Hammond, a rich woman, way out of Benny Goodman's league, who became a fan after a disastrous first encounter. Alice recognized Benny's talent and fell in love with him. Alice and Benny met through her brother John. He was a record producer who recognized Benny's talent from the start. Steve Allen, seen as Goodman, makes an impression for the way he got the essence of the musician. Donna Reed is wonderful as Alice, the sweet lady that was the love of Benny.
Benny Goodman was an innovator. He discovered American jazz to be one of the most original forms of music, dedicating his life to what he knew best, giving the public pleasure with his many recordings during his lifetime. He had a talent for surrounding himself with the best musicians, as proved with the people he had in his orchestra. Gene Kruppa, Fletcher Anderson, Ted Ory, Teddy Wilson, Lionel Hampton, Ziggy Elman, and even his own brother Harry were among the people who either played, arranged music, or just influenced him.
The story involves his romance with Alice Hammond, a rich woman, way out of Benny Goodman's league, who became a fan after a disastrous first encounter. Alice recognized Benny's talent and fell in love with him. Alice and Benny met through her brother John. He was a record producer who recognized Benny's talent from the start. Steve Allen, seen as Goodman, makes an impression for the way he got the essence of the musician. Donna Reed is wonderful as Alice, the sweet lady that was the love of Benny.