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Five Pennies
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Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786302477375
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
ISBN: 6302477379
Label: Paramount
Languages: English (Original Language), Analog
Manufacturer: Paramount
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Paramount
Release Date: July 02, 1996
Running Time: 117 minutes
Studio: Paramount
Theatrical Release Date: 1959-08
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Editorial Review:
Danny Kaye shows off his keen musical sense in the lead role of The Five Pennies, the life story of cornet master Red Nichols--or at least the Hollywood version of Nichols'd life. The movie gets off to a kicky start as Nichols joins a big-city band, meets his future wife (Barbara Bel Geddes), and sits in on a speakeasy session with Louis Armstrong. Armstrong's in the movie a lot, and there are smaller roles for other musical names such as Bob Crosby and Ray Anthony. The tunes include a batch of standards but also new songs written by Sylvia Fine, Danny Kaye's wife and the creator of his signature wordplay routines. The film's main dramatic device--that Nichols eventually sacrifices his career to care for a sick daughter--must be slogged through while the decent jazz sequences come and go. Whether you're a Danny Kaye fan or not, this film emphasizes his very real musical "touch" (in his manner, not his cornet playing; Red Nichols dubbed the horn himself). It also proved Kaye could handle melodrama at least as easily as frantic comedy, and yet this 1959 film was near the end of his run as a movie actor. Director Melville Shavelson, most associated with comedy, does an atmospheric job of staging the jazz numbers, especially in the colorful clubs. This is well-served by a snazzy transfer to DVD--even the opening credits are a treat, a cool example of late-1950s graphic design. --Robert Horton
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - A biopic to enjoy
This one is one of these movies that one remembers to have enjoyed in your youth and for it I wanted to be able to return to see her and to enjoy it. The time has passed but his captivation remains inalterable. In this opportunity Danny Kaye is much more contained that in other movies, which is a point in favor for the picture. I think is worth returning to see it again.
Rating: - The Five Pennies
This is the best movie ever. I got it for my mom for christmas because it's her favorite movie and she has never had a good copy. the gift brought her to tears.
Rating:  - Danny Kaye & Louie Armstrong
Nice band leader story with great music. Danny Kaye and Louie Armstrong perform a rendition of "When the Saints Go Marching In" that is a memorable event in the history of movies! It is reason enough to watch this film.
Rating: - The Five Pennies (dvd)
I had seen this film as a boy back in the fifties and I had enjoyed it very much. I have seen it again a couple of times, and I wanted to have it on dvd, so I ordered it. It features the unforgettable Danny Kaye in a role somewhat different to his usual style, that is with many dramatic moments amid his usual funny ones. All the acting is excellent and the story is very moving. The quality of the dvd is very good and I am glad that I now have it in my dvd library.
Rating: - A nice make you feel good movie!
I LOVED it!
It's a great way to learn more about the Jazz music of the past, find out about some of the great bandleaders and how they came about.
And this is one of those make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside movies. Great actors, great story, well worth watching over and over.
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