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MauritiusToday.com - Shopping Mall - The Benny Goodman Story
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List Price: $14.98
Our Price: $13.49
Your Save: $ 1.49 ( 10% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
Starring: Steve Allen, Donna Reed, Berta Gersten, Barry Truex, Herbert Anderson
Directed By: Valentine Davies
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Binding: DVD
Brand: Universal
EAN: 9780783278988
Format: Closed-captioned
ISBN: 0783278985
Label: Universal Studios
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Universal Studios
Region Code: 1
Release Date: 2003-03-04
Running Time: 117
Studio: Universal Studios
Theatrical Release Date: 1955-12
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Editorial Reviews:
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The jazz clarinetist and bandleaders story includes his boyhood his sweetheart and his swing-era frame. Studio: Uni Dist Corp. (mca) Release Date: 03/04/2003 Starring: Teddy Wilson Wilton Graff Run time: 116 minutes Rating: G Director: Valentine Davies
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Old but good
Comment: Well made movie, and probably close to reality than The Glenn Miller Story. Steve Alen looks more like Glenn Miller than he does to Benny Goodman, and he plays Goodman in a rather understated way, at times almost dead, but he was no actor. He was a comedian. Some of the acting in this movie is quite mediocre, and so is the script. But it is a movie for Big Bands buffs, the music is wonderful and so is the depiction of the period. Despite its shortcomings, the movie is quite enjoyable.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great Times, Great Music and Great Value
Comment: I am no critic, BUT thought that the story line was OK (no hard times shown- other than death of Benny's father) MUSIC - FANTASTIC - Having some of the GREATS involved - OUT STANDING! Those who enjoy the music of the BIG BANDS should enjoy it. "DON'T BE THAT WAY!"
Customer Rating:
Summary: Benny Goodman
Comment: 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 beat that made up the swing era and to see musicians totally engrossed in their music, then get "The Benny Goodman Story." I am proud to own both of them and to watch whichever one most fits my mood at the time.
Customer Rating:
Summary: fine biopic despite a problem here and there
Comment: 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 in real life. Donna Reed does a much better job at playing Benny's girlfriend Alice Hammond. The plot moves along at a good pace and the music will hold your attention.
The action starts when we are introduced to a very young, ten year old Benny Goodman played very well by David Kasday. We see Benny getting his first music lessons; and after six years Benny is able to play just about anything. He slowly but surely gets his start but isn't ever comfortable in New York (where Alice lives, just by coincidence) because he and his band had a flop or two early on there.
The movie then progresses to show Benny Goodman form his band; and their eventual climb up the ladder is wonderful to watch. I especially liked the scene at the theater where people stop dancing and just crowd around the stage because they are so much in awe of Benny and his band.
Of course, the famous Benny Goodman concert at Carnegie Hall ends this film in order to show the viewers that Benny was on top--a happy ending made all the happier because we also know that Benny will finally marry his sweetheart Alice Hammond.
There are numerous celebrities in this film; look for Sammy Davis, Sr. to play Fletcher Henderson, who wrote some arrangement for Benny and his band earlier on in their careers; and we also get great performances by Lionel Hampton, Martha Tilton, and Gene Krupa, and Harry James among others. In addition, when Steve Allen plays the clarinet in this film we are actually listening to Benny Goodman himself playing his own clarinet offstage. Great! We hear them play terrific numbers including "Let's Dance, "Stompin' At The Savoy," "One O'Clock Jump," "Moonglow," "Sing Sing Sing (With A Swing)."
The DVD comes without any bonuses or extras; that's a disappointment. Another disappointment is that the costumes are distinctly 1950s looking--and this movie takes place mostly in the 1930s. The cars used are from the right era; but I was quite surprised to see costumes from the `50s.
Overall, this may not be the greatest biopic ever made; but the music, Donna Reed and the celebrity appearances make this more than worth the while. You should see this film if you are a Benny Goodman fan--and people who enjoy swing music will love this!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Compatibility
Comment: 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.
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