The Five Pennies

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User Ratings: 733

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Reviews Count: 0
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Rotten: 0

Average Rating: 4.1/5

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Movie Info

The struggle for success and eventual triumph of jazz trumpeter Red Nichols is portrayed in this biographical drama. Nominated for several Academy Awards, the film includes many musical numbers and appearances by numerous real jazz musicians, including Louis Armstrong.

Rating:

NR
Genre:

Classics, Drama, Musical & Performing Arts
Directed By:

Melville Shavelson
Written By:

Jack Rose, Melville Shavelson
In Theaters:

Jun 18, 1959 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Dec 13, 2005
Runtime:

117 minutes
Studio:

Paramount Home Video

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Cast

Danny Kaye
as 'Red' Nichols

Barbara Bel Geddes
as Willa Stutsman

Bob Crosby
as Wil Paradise

Louis Armstrong
as Himself

Harry Guardino
as Tony Valani

Susan Gordon
as Dorothy Nichols at 6

Tuesday Weld
as Dorothy at 12 to 14

Valerie Allen
as Tommye Eden

Ray Anthony
as Jimmy Dorsey

Shelly Manne
as Dave Tough

Ray Daley
as Glenn Miller

Bobby Troup
as Arthur Schutt

Ray Daly Jr.
as Glenn Miller

Earl Barton
as Choreographer

Ned Glass
as Murray

Bob Hope
as Himself

Richard Shavelson
as Party

Blanche Sweet
as Bit

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Critic Reviews for The Five Pennies

All Critics (2) | Fresh (2) | Rotten (0)

The Five Pennies is a solidly crafted movie that glosses over a lot of the real history of jazz.

Dec 16, 2013 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Noel Murray
The Dissolve
A bit of a sprightly-tragic mess, but if one doesn't try to sum up its parts, it's plenty entertaining in a nostalgic, old-movie way.

Jan 2, 2006 | Rating: 2.5/4

Peter Canavese
Groucho Reviews