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The Benny Goodman Story
List Price: $14.98Our Price: $11.99 You Save: $2.99 (20%)Prices subject to change.
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Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Binding: DVD
Brand: ALLEN,STEVE
EAN: 9780783278988
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC
ISBN: 0783278985
Label: Universal Studios
Languages: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 MonoFrench (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled),
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
MPN: 025192263620
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Universal Studios
Region Code: 1
Release Date: March 04, 2003
Running Time: 117 minutes
Studio: Universal Studios
Theatrical Release Date: 1955-12
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Editorial Review:
No Description Available.
Genre: Feature Film-Drama
Rating: NR
Release Date: 4-MAR-2003
Media Type: DVD
It lacks the tragic ending of The Glenn Miller Story, a smash hit released a year earlier, but this enjoyable musical biopic does a nice job of blending Benny Goodman's sweet swinging clarinet with a healthy dose of Hollywood hokum. The emphasis is on Goodman's struggle to get "hot music" into the mainstream, and his shy wooing of a socialite (Donna Reed). With Steve Allen cast as the bespectacled Goodman, there's a comic undertone to the bandleader's somewhat geeky demeanor, and Allen (a musician himself) is believable fronting the orchestra. Real-life swing figures, including Goodman Quartet players Gene Krupa, Teddy Wilson, and Lionel Hampton, lend verisimilitude. The climax comes with Goodman's legendary 1938 jazz concert at Carnegie Hall, a turning point in American popular music--and the sight of a mild-mannered man in a tuxedo leading his band through the glorious frenzy of "Sing, Sing, Sing" remains a delight. --Robert Horton
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Benny Goodman
When I picture Benny Goodman I picture the image as portrayed by Steve Allen. The music is, of course, B.G's. I also have "The Benny Goodman Story," which is made from actual clips from his life. Hollywood has really only changed the story slightly to make it more compact and a better movie. If you want a picture of the shy introvert who lived for his music, this is probably the better of the two. If you want the music to be more technically perfect, this is for you. But if you want to feel the driving ... Read More
Rating: - fine biopic despite a problem here and there
The Benny Goodman Story tells the story of Benny Goodman's rise to great fame with his endless touring and a historic concert at Carnegie Hall. Yes, the film is highly fictionalized; but I must agree with many reviewers who comment that the picture is worth seeing for the music alone! The acting is mediocre; Steve Allen plays Benny Goodman in such an understated way that I felt his acting was actually rather flat. He makes Goodman come off as somewhat callous--although I think Goodman wasn't so likable ... Read More
Rating:  - Compatibility
This DVD is set for region 1, my new Philips DVD player is set for region 2 (Europe , UK ) only. That restriction wasnt mentioned in the DVD offer.
Rating: - The Benny Goodman Story
This is the most enjoyable movie you can get, at this price. It is a good deal because all the qualities fit for a higher price dvd.The video and audio are superb.For the Benny Goodman'fans, The songs are really played by his band. I enjoyed every minute.The Benny Goodman and his band playing in the Carnegie Hall is incomparable. You will always played it again and again to remind yourself of the time that America once had this kind of music and these kind of people.
Rating: - Great Movie
Good acting and great music . KUDOS to Gene Krupa's cameo spots.
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