►►► Synopsis
The "Glenn Miller Story" is the biopic of legendary big band leader, Glenn Miller (James Stewart), who is famed for creating the big band sound with such classics as 'Moonlight Serenade' and 'Pennsylvania 6-5000'. Covering his life from his early days as a ... Read review
It was a time that changed the world. And one man put it to music. The true story of an ... more
unassuming band leader and trombonist Glenn Miller (played by James Stewart) who got his first break playing his own arrangement of 'Everybody Loves My Baby' at ...
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James Stewart, at his warmest and most avuncular, plays the bandleader who rocketed to ... more
fame during the swing era.The Glenn Miller Storymay be a whitewashed version of Miller's life, but it certainly is a pleasant example of the feel-good Hollywood biop...
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Glen Miller is playing his terrific big band hits again in this stunning musical ... more
biography. The great Jimmy Stewart and June Allyson star in this vibrant tribute to one of America's legendary bandleaders, charting Miller's rise from obscurity and poverty to fame and wealth in the early 1940's.The wonderful score swings with the original Miller music performed by the Glen Miller Orchestra and such musical giants as Louis Armstrong, Gene Krupa, Frances Langford and The Modernaires. Rounding out the great cast are such favorites as Henry Morgan (M*A*S*H), Charles Drake and George Tobias.
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Advantages: Innocent look at a famous musician, James Stewart is brilliant Disadvantages: Dull due to the story being to sanitized
►►► Synopsis
The "Glenn Miller Story" is the biopic of legendary big band leader, Glenn Miller (James Stewart), who is famed for creating the big band sound with such classics as 'Moonlight Serenade' and 'Pennsylvania 6-5000'. Covering his life from his early days as a struggling musician / composer through to his commission into the services where he entertained the troops during the war. This film paints ... ...discover a bit more about the man famed for creating the big band sound, plus it starred one of my favourite actors, Jimmy Stewart.
Although I won't deny that I enjoy this film, as it is a pleasant insight into Glenn Miller, I also won't deny that it is a hugely flawed film which without Jimmy Stewart taking the lead would have been utterly terrible. Made back in 1953, this biopic suffers from being over sanitized, failing to paint ... more
►►► Synopsis
The "Glenn Miller Story" is the biopic of legendary big band leader, Glenn Miller (James Stewart), who is famed for creating the big band sound with such classics as 'Moonlight Serenade' and 'Pennsylvania 6-5000'. Covering his life from his early days as a struggling musician / composer through to his commission into the services where he entertained the troops during the war. This film paints a picture perfect look at one of America's most famous and loved musicians.
►►► Opinion
Having grown up in a home where Glenn Miller's big band sound was inflicted on me from a very early age, it is a surprise that I did not grow up with a complete hatred for this man let alone his musical legacy. But whilst I am not fanatical about it, there is something about Glenn Miller's music which I kind of like, so when I stumbled across "The Glenn Miller Story" I was intrigued to discover a bit more about the man famed for creating the big band sound, plus it starred one of my favourite actors, Jimmy Stewart.
Although I won't deny that I enjoy this film, as it is a pleasant insight into Glenn Miller, I also won't deny that it is a hugely flawed film which without Jimmy Stewart taking the lead would have been utterly terrible. Made back in 1953, this biopic suffers from being over sanitized, failing to paint Glenn Miller in anything but a positive light. Whilst this will please the legions of Glenn Miller fans and those who enjoy films which are full of innocence and over sentimentality. This approach fails to deliver anything more than a dull, uneventful movie which will not appeal to anyone expecting a realistic biopic. Not wanting to sound over critical, but except for a semi-dramatic climax, the only drama comes from a vehicle breaking down forcing Miller to miss a gig and his wife becoming ill.
Part of the problem is that the film focuses too heavily on the musical side of Glenn Miller's life and skims over most of his personal life. Whilst the inclusion of scenes such as when he came up with the idea for 'Moonlight Serenade' or when he gets called onto stage to play with Louis Armstrong, are interesting they do not make up for the lack of drama. Maybe the fact is that Glenn Miller led a pretty uneventful life, although I doubt it and I believe the film makers created an over sanitized film because they didn't want to tarnish an American hero. On the few occasions where the film delves into Glenn Miller's personal life, they are done in such a fleeting manner that even his romance and marriage to the lovely Helen Berger is handled in less than a couple of minutes of screen time.
But whilst the whiter than white storyline is a disappointment, the cast and their performances help to make up for it. Most notably the casting of James Stewart was a master stroke as not only does he have an uncanny resemblance to the band leader, but it his performance which makes you enjoy this movie. Like in his other films, such as "It's a Wonderful Life", Stewart does not just act the part, he becomes the character in question bringing them to life in front of your eyes. Whilst Stewart is obviously the main attraction, June Allyson is perfect as his supportive wife Helen, in what is in reality quite a cliché character. In the same manner as Stewart, she doesn't just act her part but inhabits her character making her both sweet and engaging, especially during the sentimental climax. Whilst the remaining supporting cast were mostly unfamiliar to me, Harry Morgan who played Glenn's best friend Chummy was a familiar face from his days playing Col. Sherman T. Potter in "M*A*S*H*". Sadly his character was never really explored which is disappointing considering his prominence through out the movie.
Of course a big draw for this film is the music which features numerous tunes which have become synonymous with Glenn Miller. From the beautiful 'Moonlight Serenade' to the up beat 'In the Mood' I doubt that any Glen Miller fan will be disappointed. But it is not just Miller's music which features in this film, with pieces from many other artists of the time featuring just as strongly, such as Louis Armstrong's "Basin Street Blues' who also happens to make a short appearance in the movie.
►►► Summary
Whilst I have no doubt in my mind that this film, with its niche appeal, has a legion of fans amongst those who are fond of Glenn Miller's music as well those who are fans of James Stewart. I readily admit that despite some great performances from Stewart and Allyson, this film is ultimately quite dull due to its uneventful storyline and overly sanitized approach. This lack of any real drama will undoubtedly put many people off and for those who do watch it are likely to become bored quite quickly unless they fit into one of the aforementioned categories. Whilst I am fond of this movie, I cannot honestly recommend it as you really need to have an interest in either big band music or James Stewart Movies to really enjoy it.
►►► Price & Availability
Amazon.co.uk: £6.97
►►► Technical Details
Certificate: U Duration: 115 mins Year of Release: 1953 Genre: Drama, Music
Director(s): Anthony Mann Writer(s): Valentine Davies, Oscar Brodney
Cast: James Stewart, June Allyson, Harry Morgan, Charles Drake, George Tobias, Kathleen Lockhart, Louis Armstrong, Ben Pollack, Gene Krupa
Advantages: The Music, Glenn Miller, James Stewart Disadvantages: Too nice
The Glenn Miller Story was made by Universal International Pictures in 1954 just ten years after his tragic and mysterious death. The film is a biopic of the bandleaders life, focusing on his musical career. Starting from his early aspirations to become a musician as a travelling trombone player, the film progresses through Miller’s quest to find his own distinctive signature sound, his marriage, his meteoric success as America's favourite bandleader ... ...entertain the troops and boulster morale. This Film has been digitally remastered for DVD to improve picture and sound qualities with a Anamorphic WideScreen that automatically adjust to your tv picture size. The DVD was released on 4th March 2004 and runs for 115 minutes. There are no extras.
The film is completely enjoyable. Miller is portrayed as thoroughly nice man. His courtship and marriage are presented as a traditional love story. The film ...
MAFARRIMOND 30.06.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Glenn Miller Story (DVD)
One of the few things in this world capable of dragging me away from the keyboard apart from the need to sleep and eat was the showing of The Glen Miller Story on ITV on Sunday. The Benny Goodman Story, The Al Jolson Story and The Great Caruso are three others of a very limited list.
Starring James Stewart and June Allyson and supported by Henry Morgan (of MASH fame) this purports to be the story of how the Glen Miller Orchestra became famous world ... ...life. However they couldn't "fake" the music and the "sound". That was real and a treat to hear.
James Stewart was the ideal person to play Glen Miller as he had more than just a passing resemblance to the trombone player and June Allyson, with her slightly husky voice, sent many a young man's heart racing.
Made in 1953 and set in the late thirties and forties this was a film absolutely loaded with nostalgia as Glen and the "boys" tried to get ...
jimbuck 18.12.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Glenn Miller Story (DVD)
...James Stewart and this was the main reason why I watched this film in the first place. I honestly had no idea who Glen Miller was or what kind of musician he was. The movie, I think, does such a great job at documenting Glen Miller's life and how he started out and got big, but what I absolutely love about this movie was James Stewart's acting. It was so great. James Stewart was the kind of actor that simply made a character likeable. Okay, so his ... ...enjoyed watching, not because of the intriguing plot or the interesting mindset of the character and all that kind of stuff, but because his films entertained you and made you think that maybe nice, honest, ordinary people really do exsist. In the Glen Miller Story, he portrays Miller as being someone who I think we can all relate to. Someone who keeps trying until he gets what he wants, but who also suffers through life's problems...his loving wife ...
CatFood 19.12.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Glenn Miller Story (DVD)
The moving true story of Glenn Miller, the legendary bandleader and trombonist, who swiftly rose to the big time with offers from Hollywood only to lose his life when his plane disappeared en-route to Paris. All his hits are featured along with many guest performances.
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