The Glenn Miller Story (1954)

88% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
77% of users liked it
(6,347 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 Armstrong.… 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

Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 53 min.
Directed By: Anthony Mann
Written By: Valentine Davies, Oscar Brodney
Genres: Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics

In Theaters: Dec 10, 1953 Wide
On DVD: Mar 4, 2003
Studio: Universal Pictures

Critic Reviews

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.
Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
A strange look at the music business.
Dan Jardine, Apollo Guide
Released as part of a five-disc James Stewart 'Screen Legends' collection, this DVD comes with no extra features.
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.
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.
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Miller's great music is THE thing in this romanticized bio of the band leader.

Read all 6 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

nefnie l

This is the second of three movies that Stewart and Allyson worked together that I have seen. They really do work well together in that clean, golly gee, kinda way. The actors are great, the music is excellent, and the story is ok; although not historically accurate. It's all… More
This is the second of three movies that Stewart and Allyson worked together that I have seen. They really do work well together in that clean, golly gee, kinda way. The actors are great, the music is excellent, and the story is ok; although not historically accurate. It's all about the great music.

Cast

            James Stewart as Glenn Miller

            June Allyson as Helen Burger Miller

            Charles Drake as Don Haynes

            George Tobias as Si Schribman

            Henry Morgan as Chummy MacGregor

            Barton MacLane as Gen. Arnold

            Frances Langford as Frances Langford

            Louis Armstrong as Himself

            Gene Krupa as Gene Krupa

            Ben Pollack as Ben Pollack

            Marion Ross as Polly Haynes

            Irving Bacon as Mr. Miller

            Kathleen Lockhart as Mrs. Miller

            Phil Garris as Joe Becker

            James Bell as Mr. Burger

            Katherine Warren as Mrs. Burger

            Archie Savage
            
            Barney Bigard as Clarinet

            William Challee as Sergeant

            Cozy Cole as Drums

            Hal K. Dawson as Used Car Salesman

            Lisa Gaye as Bobby-Soxer

            Ruth Hampton as Girl Singer

            Harry Harvey as Doctor

            Dayton Lummis as Col. Spaulding

            The Glenn Miller Modernaires as Themselves

            Leo Mostovoy as Schillinger

            Marty Napoleon as Piano

            Damian O'Flynn as Col. Baker

            Gaylord "Steve" Pendleton as Lt. Col. Baessell

            Sig Rumann as Mr. Kranz

            Dick Ryan as Garage Man

            Arvell Shaw as Bass

            Anthony Sydes as Herbert

            Nino Tempo as Wilbur Schwartz

            Carleton Young as Adjutant General

            Trummy Young as Trombone

            Bonnie Kay Eddy as Irene

            Carl Vernell as Music Cutter

            Robert Davis as Boy

            Paula Kelly as Uncredited
See full cast