The Glenn Miller Story (1954)
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88% of critics liked it
(8 reviews) -
77% of users liked it
(6,441 ratings)
The Glenn Miller Story traces Miller's rise from pit-orchestra trombone player to leader of the most successful big band of his era. June Allyson is on hand as Miller's wife, Helen, who learns the value of patience when Glenn spends his wedding night jamming with Gene Krupa and Louis… More The Glenn Miller Story traces Miller's rise from pit-orchestra trombone player to leader of the most successful big band of his era. June Allyson is on hand as Miller's wife, Helen, who learns the value of patience when Glenn spends his wedding night jamming with Gene Krupa and Louis Armstrong. Given an officer's commission during World War II, Miller helms the swingin'est military band ever heard. In December of 1944, a plane carrying Miller disappears while flying over the English Channel. In memoriam, radio stations all over the world suspend their regular broadcasts to play such Miller standards as "Moonlight Serenade," "Chattanooga Choo Choo," and "Little Brown Jug." Many of Miller's contemporaries, including his first big-time boss, Ben Pollack, appear as themselves. The success of The Glenn Miller Story inspired Universal to give the go-ahead for another musical biopic, 1956's The Benny Goodman Story, with Steve Allen in the title role. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Anthony Mann
- Written By
- Valentine Davies, Oscar Brodney
- Genres
- Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics
G,
- In Theaters
- Dec 10, 1953 Wide
- On DVD
- Mar 4, 2003
- Studio
- Universal Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
If you're a fan of the big band sound (which I'm not) you will probably like this pic much better than I did.
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Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
A strange look at the music business.
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Dan Jardine, Apollo Guide
Unfortunately, while Jimmy Stewart provides yet another winning performance as the seminal big band leader, the film is an unsatisfying hybrid.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Featuring a towering performance from Jimmy Stewart as America's most popular band leader, Anthony Mann's intelligent if also sentimental film is one of the most enjoyable Hollywood biopics.
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Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Miller's great music is THE thing in this romanticized bio of the band leader.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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James Stewart
as Glenn Miller
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June Allyson
as Helen Burger Miller
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Charles Drake
as Don Haynes
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George Tobias
as Si Schribman
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Henry Morgan
as Chummy MacGregor
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Barton MacLane
as Gen. Arnold
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Frances Langford
as Frances Langford
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Louis Armstrong
as Himself
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Gene Krupa
as Gene Krupa
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Ben Pollack
as Ben Pollack
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Marion Ross
as Polly Haynes
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Irving Bacon
as Mr. Miller
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Kathleen Lockhart
as Mrs. Miller
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Phil Garris
as Joe Becker
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James Bell
as Mr. Burger
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Katherine Warren
as Mrs. Burger
- Archie Savage
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Barney Bigard
as Clarinet
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William Challee
as Sergeant
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Cozy Cole
as Drums
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Hal K. Dawson
as Used Car Salesman
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Lisa Gaye
as Bobby-Soxer
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Ruth Hampton
as Girl Singer
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Harry Harvey
as Doctor
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Dayton Lummis
as Col. Spaulding
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The Glenn Miller Modernaires
as Themselves
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Leo Mostovoy
as Schillinger
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Marty Napoleon
as Piano
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Damian O'Flynn
as Col. Baker
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Gaylord "Steve" Pendleton
as Lt. Col. Baessell
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Sig Rumann
as Mr. Kranz
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Dick Ryan
as Garage Man
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Arvell Shaw
as Bass
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Anthony Sydes
as Herbert
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Nino Tempo
as Wilbur Schwartz
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Carleton Young
as Adjutant General
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Trummy Young
as Trombone
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Bonnie Kay Eddy
as Irene
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Carl Vernell
as Music Cutter
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Robert Davis
as Boy
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Paula Kelly
as Uncredited
