The Glenn Miller Story

PLOT:

The film follows big band leader Glenn Miller (1904-1944) (James Stewart) from his early days in the music business in 1929 through to his presumed 1944 death when the airplane he was flying in was lost over the English Channel during World War II. Prominent placement in the film is given to Miller’s courtship and marriage to Helen Burger (June Allyson), and various cameos by actual musicians who were colleagues of Miller.

Several turning points in Miller’s career are depicted with varying degrees of verisimilitude, including: the success of an early jazz band arrangement; his departure from the Broadway pit and sideman work to front a band of his own; the failure of his first band on the road; and the subsequent reforming of his successful big band and the establishment of the “Miller Sound” as typified by “Moonlight Serenade”. Also depicted is Miller’s international success touring his band in support of the Allies in World War II.

REVIEW:

As a huge fan of big band jazz and of all music, I pride myself on my knowledge of major players in the world of music. Admittedly, I did not know as much about Glenn Miller before seeing this film. While I was learning, I was also entertained by the music and great performances.

Jimmy Stewart is a dead ringer for Glenn Miller, especially when he’s wearing glass and playing trombone. I’m not sure what Miller sounded like as he was speaking, but I imagine he didn’t have Stewart’s trademark timbre. All that aside, I don’t think anyone else would have brought Miller’s life to the screen and done it justice other than Stewart.

As with most biopics of this era and genre, there are quite a few cameos of famous musicians, such as Louis Armstrong, Gene Krupa, Arvell Shaw, The Modernaires, etc.

June Allyson portrays Miller’s wife Helen to life on the big screen with a kind of refined compassion that I remember reading she actually had. I believe they consulted in preparation for this film, so it is entirely possible that she learned from the woman herself.

I had no idea that Miller disappeared until the first time I saw this film. Such a sad tale, but his music lives on. Those that enjoy great big band jazz, or like me, are history buffs, you’re sure to enjoy this.

5 out of 5 stars

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