Young Man With A Horn (1950)

With a second hand trumpet and the mentoring of a brilliant bluesman (Juano Hernandez), a young boy (Orley Lindgren) grows up into a great trumpet player (Kirk Douglas). But personal demons prevent him from enjoying his success. Based on the novel by Dorothy Baker (itself inspired by the life of Cornet great Bix Beiderbecke) and directed by Michael Curtiz (CASABLANCA). As far as movie bios go, this one is a bit better than average but once again, the usual cliches rear their head. The film even eschews the book's downbeat ending for the typical Hollywood happy ending. The most interesting character in the film is Douglas's bitter bisexual wife (Lauren Bacall) whose unhappiness with her own life causes her to destroy other people's lives. Both Douglas who brings his usual intensity and Bacall are perfectly cast. The third lead, Doris Day's band vocalist doesn't have much to do as an actress but we're treated to several songs sung in her inimitable style. With Hoagy Carmichael, Mary Beth Hughes and Jerome Cowan.