The Benny Goodman Story (1956)

The story of Benny Goodman (Steve Allen), the clarinetist and band leader who became known as the king of swing and his rise from childhood to performing at Carnegie Hall. Directed by screenwriter Valentine Davies (BRIDGES AT TOKO RI) in his only film as a director. Universal had a huge success in 1954 with THE GLENN MILLER STORY so it was only natural they would want to follow up with another movie about a popular band leader and this Benny Goodman biography was it. It was nowhere near as successful as the Glenn Miller movie. As to this movie, it's a series of all the by the numbers cliches you've seen in Hollywood's mediocre movie biographies. As Goodman, Steve Allen was obviously chosen for the lead because of his resemblance to the bandleader, it certainly wasn't for his acting abilities or box office appeal. Aside from Goodman's music, the most impressive thing in the movie is Bill Thomas's stylish wardrobe for Donna Reed. With Harry James, Gene Krupa, Lionel Hampton, Martha Tilton, Robert Clarke, Herbert Anderson and Diane Jergens.