The Eddy Duchin Story (1956)

59% of users liked it
(714 ratings)

Tyrone Power stars in this tear-jerking biography of the beloved but short-lived pianist and bandleader Eddy Duchin. Boston-born Eddy Duchin (Tyrone Power) moves to New York City to pursue a career as a pharmacist. However, Eddy is also a skilled piano player, and when he meets pretty socialite… More Tyrone Power stars in this tear-jerking biography of the beloved but short-lived pianist and bandleader Eddy Duchin. Boston-born Eddy Duchin (Tyrone Power) moves to New York City to pursue a career as a pharmacist. However, Eddy is also a skilled piano player, and when he meets pretty socialite Marjorie Oelrichs (Kim Novak) who hears him play, she encourages him not to short-change his musical abilities. Marjorie helps get Eddy a job playing at the Central Park Casino; his playing goes over well with the crowd, and Eddy goes over well with Marjorie. Able to support himself full-time with his music, Eddy asks Marjorie for her hand in marriage; she accepts, and soon Marjorie is expecting a child. Tragically, she dies while giving birth to their son Peter; Eddy, shattered by the experience, finds himself unconsciously blaming Peter for Marjorie's passing, and leaves the boy behind with his family and their nanny, Chiquita (Victoria Shaw), while Eddy and his manager Lou Sherwood (James Whitmore) head out for the first of many lengthy world tours. Years later, while serving in the Navy during World War II, Eddy realizes the error of his ways, and begins a long and difficult reconciliation with Peter (Rex Thompson), while falling in love with Chiquita. Eddy and Chiquita marry and budding pianist Peter joins Eddy on stage for an emotional duet; however, Eddy's new contentment with life is cut short when he contracts leukemia. Pianist Carmen Cavallaro dubbed in Duchin's piano parts for non-musician Tyrone Power. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 3 min.
Directed By: George Sidney II
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Jun 21, 1956 Wide
On DVD: Jul 16, 2002
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Blah biopic
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Good production values and melodic music partly compensate for George Sidney's sentimental and cliche biopic of the noted composer, played by a miscast Tyrone Power.

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

I saw this on TV, so I didn't see the beginning, but I really liked the rest of the movie. The cast is good, and the story interesting, even though I'd never heard of Duchin before.

Cast

            Tyrone Power as Eddy Duchin

            Kim Novak as Marjorie Oelrichs

            Victoria Shaw as Chiquita

            James Whitmore as Lou Sherwood

            Rex Thompson as Peter Duchin at 12

            Mickey Maga as Peter at 5

            Shepperd Strudwick as Mr. Wadsworth

            Frieda Inescort as Mrs. Wadsworth

            Gloria Holden as Mrs. Duchin

            Larry Keating as Leo Reisman

            John Mylong as Mr. Duchin

            Warren Hsieh as Native boy

            Jack Albertson as Piano Tuner

            Carlyle Mitchell as Doctor

            Lois Kimbrell as Nurse

            Kirk Alyn
            
            Richard Crane
            
            Richard H. Cutting as Captain

            Gregory Gaye as Philip

            Joan Reynolds
            
            Gloria Ann Simpson as Mrs. Rutledge

            Brad Trumbull as Seaman

            Richard Walsh as Young Man

            Xavier Cugat as Himself

            Peter Norman as Waiter

            Arline Anderson as Guest

            Ralph Gamble as Mayor Jimmy Walker

            Howard Price as Range Recorder Operator
See full cast