Orchestra Wives (1942)

65% of users liked it
(851 ratings)

In his last screen appearance, bandleader Glenn Miller plays--are you sitting down?--a bandleader. The film's main plot involves small-town girl Ann Rutherford, who impulsively marries George Montgomery, a trumpeter in the Miller band. Rutherford soon finds that she isn't particularly suited for… More In his last screen appearance, bandleader Glenn Miller plays--are you sitting down?--a bandleader. The film's main plot involves small-town girl Ann Rutherford, who impulsively marries George Montgomery, a trumpeter in the Miller band. Rutherford soon finds that she isn't particularly suited for life on the road, nor is she prepared for the petty jealousies and backstabbings prevalent among the other orchestra wives (Lynn Bari, Carole Landis et. al.) She eventually leaves Montgomery, an event which coincides with the breakup of the band. But both the band and the marriage are salvaged through the benign conspiratorial schemes of Glenn Miller and a repentant Rutherford. Those who aren't interested in the various plots and subplots in Orchestra Wives will be captivated by the endless supply of blue-ribbon tunes, including I Got a Gal in Kalamazoo, At Last, and Serenade in Blue. Guest stars include Tex Beneke, The Modernaires and the Nicholas Brothers. Watch for an uncredited Jackie Gleason as a bass player and Dale Evans as Ann Rutherford's friend in the soda-fountain scene. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 38 min.
Directed By: Archie Mayo
Written By: Karl Tunberg, Darrell Ware
Genres: Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics

In Theaters: Sep 4, 1942 Wide
On DVD: Nov 1, 2005
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox

Critic Reviews

Bosley Crowther, New York Times
Mr. Miller and his assorted virtuosos are killers when it comes to making jive, but it takes more than wind and willingness to support a ninety-seven-minute film.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
The Glenn Miller Orchestra is THE reason to catch this WWII musical.
Douglas Pratt, DVDLaser
a bared teeth comedy about the gossiping and back biting that goes on among the wives of the band members.
Brent Simon, Now Playing Magazine
A confection that is ultimately disposable but at times quite pleasantly and utterly delirious.

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Great music and a light weight story add up to a pleasant diversion. The professional actors llike Ann Rutherford, Carole Landis and Cesar Romero all give enjoyable performances. Also a great movie for familiar faces that were just starting out like Jackie Gleason and Harry Morgan to… More
Great music and a light weight story add up to a pleasant diversion. The professional actors llike Ann Rutherford, Carole Landis and Cesar Romero all give enjoyable performances. Also a great movie for familiar faces that were just starting out like Jackie Gleason and Harry Morgan to pop in and disappear. Marion Hutton, Betty's sister, shows up as one of the band's singers and the resemblance is striking. As for Glenn Miller, as an actor he was a wonderful band leader and Tex Beneke who plays one of the husbands had a beautiful voice and a face just made for radio. None of it really matters at all though whenever the boys pick up their instruments and play it's magic.