Leofwine_draca THE GLENN MILLER STORY is a biopic of the famous 1940s-era musician, here played by James Stewart in a story directed by Anthony Mann. The two made many such films during the 1950s, many of them westerns, and all of them are watchable, although some more than others. This one I was less interested in, purely because I didn't find the subject matter as interesting as other biopics.Now, it's hard to fault THE GLENN MILLER STORY as a film in itself. It charts the usual rise to fame in a chronological order, and the attention to scene and detail is fine. The whole thing hangs together on the lynch pin of Stewart himself, who puts his all into the role and comes across completely convincing as a result. The music scenes are lively and entertaining, it's just that the non-music stuff drags and feels a little dated.

weezeralfalfa Dramatizes the prolonged struggles of Big Band icon Glenn Miller to front his own financially viable band and to discover a signature band sound that audiences would embrace. It also serves as a tribute to his many popular songs after he discovered the band sound he was looking for. It also dramatizes his much resisted, eventually successful, attempt to somewhat modernize military march music, as exemplified by his "St. Louis Blues March", and his many off-the-parade-field entertainment performances for the troops and UK civilians, either live or via radio. It includes renditions of a dozen or so of his standards, plus various other numbers. The musical aspects are nicely mixed with his personal life, including financial woes, and his initially problematic resumption of his romantic relationship with his future wife, Helen(June Allyson). Once they connect, June is consistently a major player in the film. Fictional Chummy MacGregor(Harry Morgan) serves as Glenn's constant music and personal buddy throughout. After Glenn joins the service, he seems to be acting as his substitute in the Miller household. Buddy teams, of course, were a common device in Hollywood films. Sometimes, the two often were at odds with each other(reluctant buddies), which much added to the drama and comedy. The Dorsey brothers provided a real life example, much exploited in their biop. No such conflicts here. Of course, many of the specific details in Miller's personal life presumably were improvised.If you prefer to have the real Glenn Miller present in the film, you will have to try to find an old VHS or DVD copy of the two films that featured his band : "Sun Valley Serenade" and "Orchestra Wives". I rate the former as more entertaining than the present film, with the latter film being less so. I rate John Payne's character in the former film, as not far behind Jimmy Stewart, who plays Miller in the present film. However, Sonja Henie, the lead female in the former film, is much more interesting than June Allyson's character in the present film. Her impish character, determined to steal her chosen man from his fiancé, skiing and ice skating exhibitions, and occasional dancing and singing scenes, are far superior entertainment to June's rather bland character, admittedly constrained by historical considerations. Sonja added a youthful charm and spunkiness that June often brought to her '40s films, where she often included some dancing and singing, but which had somewhat faded in her '50s films, where she usually did straight dramatic roles.The present film includes about twice as many Miller standards as in "Sun Valley Serenade", including 5 numbers featured in that film, but excluding the theme song "It Happened in Sun Valley". Several were done more interestingly in that film. "I Know Why", from that film, was being played when Miller's trumpet player supposedly split his lip(looks very fake!), supposedly instigating Miller to conceive his signature band sound. None of the several new Miller standards from "Orchestra Wives" was included in the present film. "Little Brown Jug", not included in either of these films, pops up several times in the present film, including being the last song featured in the film, broadcast from Paris, after Miller's disappearance. Along with "Moonlight Serenade", it functions as the personal theme song for Glenn and Helen.Jimmy Stewart was an excellent choice to play Miller. We don't usually think of him as being a musical actor. However, in his pre-Hollywood days, he did some singing and musical instrument playing. In a few of his early films, he did a bit of singing, and played a music teacher and musical instrument store owner in "Pot 'O Gold". I wonder, if Miller had lived, would he have been asked to play himself in this film, as did the Dorseys in their film biop? Based on his performance in his two Hollywood films, Stewart provided a more pleasing personality and was much more at ease in films.June was also a good choice as Miller's sweet cheerleading wife, she and Stewart having been a popular lead team in "The Stratford Story". However, I found that this older June had lost some of her youthful appeal. She began her Hollywood career about a decade earlier, mainly as a singer/dancer with down home charm. Unfortunately, her historical role in this film didn't allow her any stage singing or dancing.In contrast to Miller and Helen, I liked the upbeat early version of "Moonlight Serenade", with words and a stage dancing routine. It's nice to try out radically different arrangements and contexts of standards. I also liked the too brief instrumental partial rendition of "Over the Rainbow", although this had not yet been composed in the historical period dramatized. ..The buzz bomb during the outdoor playing of "In the Mood" reminds us of the danger to Brits at home, even late in the war. However, recent thinking is that probably Glenn died from a British bomb ejected in a no-fly zone over the English Channel. The poor weather, as suggested in the film, may have contributed to this tragedy.

daviddaphneredding Very many ages back, as a boy of almost eight years of age I saw this movie, enjoyed it, and now am glad I have seen it recently. James Stewart is in one of his best roles as the man who was a pioneer in music. June Allyson was wonderful in her role as Miller's sweet, loving wife Helen. (Although Allyson was only a year younger than my late mother, even as a little boy I was always "in love" with that pretty movie star.) Harry Morgan and George Tobias were very good as the supportive friends of both the man and his wife. The '30's were well-depicted. Of course, what drew people to this movie, I would dare say, were the best of Glenn Miller's songs; "Pennsylvania 6-5000", "Moonlight Serenade", "Tuxedo Junction", and "String of Pearls" were, and are, among my favorites. Romance, good acting, occasional comedy, and definitely good music always make for a great movie, and all these elements were found in this outstanding classic.

PudgyPandaMan I was born in the 60's. so Big Band Music was way before my time. So naturally, I wouldn't say I'm a big fan of the music, but of course have heard it from time to time. There are a few memorable pieces that you can't help but run across and that become somewhat "familiar". Well, I certainly didn't know enough to know the names of the songs or who performed them.Well, to my surprise as I am watching this movie, most of the ones I would recognize were all in this one little picture. So needless to say, this man's music has transcended it's appeal to those of that generation, when someone 60 years later, recognizes and appreciates the unique sound he put together.So, with that being said, I basically knew nothing about the man's life, and certainly could not have predicted the ending of the movie because of that. I know everyone who watched this movie when it came out would have known, and so I'm sure it was anti-climatic. But for me it was quite a shock and saddened me greatly.I was very touched by the beautiful love story between Miller and his wife. I think Stewart and Allyson played their roles superbly and had a wonderful and endearing chemistry between the two. I don't know if the details of their courtship were accurate, but it's amazing that she would just up and agree to meet and marry him after not seeing or hearing from him for 2 years. If it is true, it must mean that 2 people really know when they are right for each other and destined to be together.One scene I found amusing, is on their anniversary, Mrs. Miller is "out shopping". When she gets home, she surprises her husband by bringing home a baby! I know they couldn't have children of their own and already had adopted a boy. I just can't imagine someone doing this without there having to be lots of planning, both parties signing forms, etc.This is a great movie, for the characters, the superb acting, the great music, and the appearance of several other musical performers. I especially liked the club scene where Louis Armstrong performs (except for the changing colors spinning in across the camera lens - that was distracting).