The Glenn Miller Story [DVD]

Description

Product Description James Stewart stars in this biopic of American bandleader Glenn Miller. A talented young trombonist, Miller (Stewart) falls for Helen Burger (June Allyson) while studying at the University of Colorado. He gets his first big break after leaving college performing his own arrangement of 'Everybody Loves My Baby' at an audition, and builds himself a reputation working for bandleader Ben Pollack (playing himself). Marriage to Helen follows, and Miller finds success with his own 'sound' after a trumpet player splits his lip, forcing him to substitute a clarinet solo on 'Moonlight Serenade'. He goes on to become the leading jazz bandleader of his day, but tragedy looms with the outbreak of World War Two. Many of Miller's erstwhile colleagues, including Louis Armstrong, Gene Krupa and Frances Langford, appear here as themselves. .co.uk Review James Stewart, at his warmest and most avuncular, plays the bandleader who rocketed to fame during the swing era. The Glenn Miller Story may be a whitewashed version of Miller's life, but it certainly is a pleasant example of the feel-good Hollywood biopic, with the usual conventions: early struggles, loyal wife (June Allyson at her chirpiest), personal sacrifice--Miller joins the Army when war breaks out, although he doesn't have to--and ultimate tragedy. All the Glenn Miller classics filling the soundtrack make the film pretty easy to take, too: "Moonlight Serenade," "A String of Pearls," "Chattanooga Choo-Choo." Miller plays the great "In the Mood" with his military band during a World War II air-raid warning. Pure corn, but it works. Director Anthony Mann, better known for his superb series of hard-bitten fifties westerns with Stewart, keeps the story moving gently and gracefully. A hot jazz interlude features Louis Armstrong and Gene Krupa. --Robert Horton