A light and superficial entertainment of a biopic that charts the rise of one of the greatest of bandleaders.
From early days of pawning his trombone to his tragic disappearance in heavy fog off the English coast in 1944, Glenn Miller (James Stewart) lived for his music. When best mate Chummy (Harry Morgan) gets him to audition for popular bandleader Ben Pollack, after a few setbacks there’s no looking back. The successes of the likes of Moonlight Serenade allow Miller and wife Helen (June Allyson) to live a comfortable life with their two children. But that success is shortlived with his disappearance.
Avoiding natural and (known) professional conflict and featuring bandleaders of the day such as Louis Armstrong and Ben Pollack, The Glenn Miller Story is a squeaky-clean yet mellow and comfortable telling from director Anthony Mann.
Nominated for 3 Oscars in 1955 including best script and musical score, won 1 for sound
Rating: 55%
Director: Anthony Mann (El Cid, The Heroes of Telemark)
Writer: Valentine Davies (Miracle on 34th Street, The Bridges at Toko-Ri), Oscar Brodney (Harvey, Tammy & the Bachelor)
Main cast: James Stewart (Vertigo, It’s a Wonderful Life), June Allyson (Executive Suite, Little Women), Harry Morgan (High Noon, TV’s M*A*S*H)
An Opinion or Two 