The Benny Goodman Story (1955)

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Critic Reviews: 2
Fresh: 2 | Rotten: 0

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Release Date: Feb 2, 1956 Wide

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Average Rating: 3.5/5
User Ratings: 1,291

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Movie Info

Steve Allen makes his dramatic film debut in The Benny Goodman Story. Outside of Goodman's conflicts with his parents over his career choice, and his early frustration over not being able to play his kind of music, the film tends to be more a series of musical highlights than a biography. The film features guest appearances by Gene Krupa, Lionel Hampton, Teddy Wilson, Harry James, Martha Tilton, Ziggy Elman, and Sammy Davis Sr. (as Fletcher Henderson). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

G, 1 hr. 56 min.

Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics

Directed By: Valentine Davies

In Theaters: Feb 2, 1956 Wide

On DVD: Aug 30, 2005

MCA Universal Home Video

The Benny Goodman Story Trailer & Photos

Cast

Steve Allen
Benny Goodman
Donna Reed
Alice Hammond
Berta Gersten
Mom (Dora) Goodman
Herbert Anderson
John Hammond
Robert F. Simon
Pop (Dave) Goodman
Hy Averback
William Alexander
Shepard Menken
Harry Goodman
Sammy Davis Sr.
Fletcher Henderson
Dick Winslow
Gil Rodin
David Kasday
Benny Goodman at 10
Wilton Graff
Mr. Hammond
Harry James
Himself
Gene Krupa
Himself
Martha Tilton
Herself
Lionel Hampton
Himself
Ziggy Elman
Himself
Teddy Wilson
Himself
Buck Clayton
Fred Essler
Prof Schoepp
Stan Getz
George Givot
Jake Primo
Urbie Green
Jack Kruschen
Murph Podolsky
Kid Ory
Ben Pollack
Himself
Barry Truex
Benny Goodman at 16
Benny Goodman

Critic Reviews for The Benny Goodman Story

All Critics (5) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (2) | Rotten (0) | DVD (1)

Sweet story and the music swings!

July 26, 2003 Comment

Nell Minow

Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies

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Audience Reviews for The Benny Goodman Story

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Classic! Steve Allen does a spectacular job as Beeny Goodman, and with Lionel Hampton, Gene Krupa, and Teddy Wilson all playing themselves ... wow. If you don't get lost in "One O'Clock Jump" by the end of the song, you just don't get quality music.

November 11, 2010

Paul Franson

music's the thing in this film and the only thing worthwhile. in fact i'd recommend getting the sound track and skip the movie entirely unless you want to see an example of non-acting at its finest. too bad allen lost his day, er, night job.

March 11, 2010