The Glenn Miller Story

Biopic is an enormously difficult genre to do successfully. They're especially difficult to do if the subject was particularly beloved. Add to that the fact that Glenn Miller died tragically, and very recently. His family was still perfectly alive, as were, I assume, many members of his band. If anything interesting happened in Glenn Miller's life, you'd never know it from watching The Glenn Miller Story. It's an awfully bland little picture, with its only energy coming from always reliable Jimmy Stewart and Miller's own music. Oh, and a brief appearance by jazz legend Louis Armstrong (who actually looks kind of scary in close-up!). June Allyson, who plays Miller's wife, is embarrassing. She's very, very poor in the film. Not one other actor in the film registers. I say just go out and buy some Glenn Miller music (and mix in some Louis Armstrong!) instead of sitting through this one. 5/10.

Trailer—The Glenn Miller Story

The Glenn Miller Story

When this film debuted in 1953, it had a pretty large audience, as Miller's music was still popular on the radio. However, many years have passed and tastes have changed, so my reaction to the film is strongly impacted by my being a child of the 1960s. I am not a particular fan of big band music, though there are some Glenn Miller songs I like mildly. However, since the second half of the film is like a giant music video and features practically every hit Miller ever made (all played in their entirety), I got pretty bored. It's a real shame, as I liked the first half of the movie (less songs) and love Jimmy Stewart films. So what if the story isn't very close to the real life of Glenn Miller--it was fun and engaged me from the beginning. But,...there were just too many songs!! The bottom line is the production values were just fine but this film is really just for fans of big band or Jimmy Stewart--all others should probably try another film instead.

...that belong in a time capsule. It beautifully captures the mood and the music particular to that moment in time. The movie left a lasting impression when I first saw it as a kid in the 1960s. In a way, I felt like I was watching my own parent's story. It helped inform my impression of the WWII generation. I wondered how it would hold up all these decades later and through my adult lens. Brought me to tears. It gave me a chance to really appreciate the immense talent of Jimmy Stewart as well as that of Glenn Miller. The music, for which it won an Oscar, is genius. Performing and playing themselves: Louis Armstrong, Gene Krupa, Frances Langford, Ben Pollack, The Modernaires ... and a bunch of others. As Purple Rain describes the 1980's zeitgeist, the Glenn Miller Story describes the 1940's zeitgeist in the way any really good movie does ... through a soft-filter lens and a great soundtrack.

The Glenn Miller Story is a shiny but shallow and dull biopic about the famed band leader Glenn Miller. It is too safe and sentimental when director Anthony Mann should had been edgy. James Stewart certainly looks the part as the All American Miller who wanted other band leaders to accept his compositions, having money problems where he had to go to the pawnbroker and after other band leaders made horrendous arrangements of his tunes, he started his own band and then created a distinctive sound of his own which the record buying public loved. When World War Two broke out Miller joined the Army and revolutionised Army band music with his swinging sound. Miller was presumed dead when his flight to France failed to land in 1944. Aside from the music the film was overlong and at times tedious.

music, Glenn Miller's music, , James Steward, June Allison , Henry Morgan, lovely clichés and touching homage to a great American musical legend. and the entire flavor of a period, fresh, clear, unique. a perfect film because nothing missing. all has the force to seduce each category of public. and James Steward... he is himself. in the perfect clothes of his role who becomes part of him. remembering all his performances . and giving something not exactly original but touching in real profound sense. a remarkable film because it preserves an entire universe. sure, the explanations are not insignificant but you feel, scene by scene, to be master of a great Christmas gift. because it is a fairy tale, it represents the spirit of the films from "50's but remains a special delight like a time travel.

Were Jimmy Stewart and June Allyson made for the movie,or what?! Great movie,lovely music!One of those movies that make you feel good all over,with a beautiful blend if wit,emotion and the Blues!What is even more impressive is the use of African American actors,considering the movie was made in 1954.The Jimmy and June combination evokes the chemistry of a Kate and Spencer movie.A true classic in every way,I'd watch it again in a heartbeat!

Biopic is an enormously difficult genre to do successfully. They're especially difficult to do if the subject was particularly beloved. Add to that the fact that Glenn Miller died tragically, and very recently. His family was still perfectly alive, as were, I assume, many members of his band. If anything interesting happened in Glenn Miller's life, you'd never know it from watching The Glenn Miller Story. It's an awfully bland little picture, with its only energy coming from always reliable Jimmy Stewart and Miller's own music. Oh, and a brief appearance by jazz legend Louis Armstrong (who actually looks kind of scary in close-up!). June Allyson, who plays Miller's wife, is embarrassing. She's very, very poor in the film. Not one other actor in the film registers. I say just go out and buy some Glenn Miller music (and mix in some Louis Armstrong!) instead of sitting through this one. 5/10.

A nice movie about a nice couple making nice music. I guess that pretty much sums up this film. Individually, I have praise for everyone but as a whole, to be honest, the film is just so-so. It's nice, but nothing special. I found Miller's music somewhat slow and boring, which was a disappointment. Perhaps if I were older and more of a fan of Miller's sound, the movie would have been better. June Allyson was one of the queens of wholesome-looking actresses in her day, but I never cared for her voice. James Stewart and Harry Morgan are the males and play good guys, as well, with Stewart in the lead as Miller. For the music fans, there are cameos by Louis Armstrong, Frances Langford, Gene Krupa and The Modernaires.