The Benny Goodman Story

Amazon.com

It lacks the tragic ending of The Glenn Miller Story, a smash hit released a year earlier, but this enjoyable musical biopic does a nice job of blending Benny Goodman's sweet swinging clarinet with a healthy dose of Hollywood hokum. The emphasis is on Goodman's struggle to get "hot music" into the mainstream, and his shy wooing of a socialite (Donna Reed). With Steve Allen cast as the bespectacled Goodman, there's a comic undertone to the bandleader's somewhat geeky demeanor, and Allen (a musician himself) is believable fronting the orchestra. Real-life swing figures, including Goodman Quartet players Gene Krupa, Teddy Wilson, and Lionel Hampton, lend verisimilitude. The climax comes with Goodman's legendary 1938 jazz concert at Carnegie Hall, a turning point in American popular music--and the sight of a mild-mannered man in a tuxedo leading his band through the glorious frenzy of "Sing, Sing, Sing" remains a delight. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews:

The Benny Goodman Story.......2007-09-14

This is the most enjoyable movie you can get, at this price. It is a good deal because all the qualities fit for a higher price dvd.The video and audio are superb.For the Benny Goodman'fans, The songs are really played by his band. I enjoyed every minute.The Benny Goodman and his band playing in the Carnegie Hall is incomparable. You will always played it again and again to remind yourself of the time that America once had this kind of music and these kind of people.

Great Movie .......2007-05-12

Good acting and great music . KUDOS to Gene Krupa's cameo spots.

the benny goodman story.......2007-04-13

this is a very good movie to watch.the music is splendid it makes you wish to be back in that time when music had more of a meaning donna reed is one of my favorit actresses.thank you for this movie monica grampton

Great True Story.......2007-03-12

I gave this DVD as a gift. The recipient has told me it is a great movie for the whole family to enjoy. Would recommend it. The price was good and I received it in a timely manner. Very good experience all around.

Benny Goodman Kind of Swing.......2007-02-20

Great film, entertaining , informative a great start for anyone interested in finding out about swing , good viewing for all the family.
Debbie Curtis (Debbie Curtis Radio Big Band )

The Golden Age of Jazz, Part 1 - Jazz Legends

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The Golden Age of Jazz, Part 1 - Jazz Legends
Starring: Duke Ellington , Louis Armstrong , Gene Krupa , and Louis Prima
Manufacturer: Quantum Leap
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0002ABT9O
Release Date: 2004-08-03

Description

Whether it's the barrelhouse, ragtime, syncopation, scat, swing, bebop, hard-bop, re-bop, boogie-woogie or jive, it is still Jazz! Compiled from master recordings that lie forgotten in the vaults of Hollywood studios, The Golden Age of Jazz captures the motion pictures of some of greatest artists in the history of Jazz including Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Louis Prima, The Mills Brothers, Gene Krupa, and many more. Track list: Cab Calloway - Smokey Joe, Duke Ellington - Stormy Weather, Red Nicholas - When A St. Louis Woman, Louis Armstrong - Thats Why They Call Me Shine, Louis Prima - China Town, Betty Hutton - Dippsi Doodie, Henry Busse - Hot Lips, Hal Kemp Big Band - Swamp Fire, Gene Krupa - Jungle Madness, Lawerence Welk - Aint She Sweet, Buddy Rich & Artie Shaw - Take Your Pick, Rudee Valley - Yourll Do It Someday, The Mills Brothers - I Aint Got Nobody, Ina Rae Hutton - Truckin, Russ Morgan - Wahbash Blues, Bob Crosby - Howd You Like To, Isham Jones - 2nd Rhapsody, Bob Chester Improvisation, The Dorsey Brothers - John Silver, Peggy Lee - Its A Good Day, Johnny Scat Davie

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excited
I HAVE A QUESTION????
A Clear View of the Art
a must for the Krupa fan
Another excellent Krupa film!

Gene Krupa Swing, Swing, Swing DVD
Starring: Gene Krupa
Manufacturer: Hudson Music
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Instructional | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00007KLHP
Release Date: 2002-10-01

Description

This video tribute presents Gene in fourteen complete, rarely seen performances dating back over 60 years, along with Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Charlie Ventura, Anita O'Day and an interview with the legend himself, Gene Krupa! Special Feature includes three rare bonus clips plus a photo gallery.

Customer Reviews:

excited.......2007-01-12

Ive looked for a long time to find videos of Gene Krupa. Yup-I am a drummer & he has been my main influence ever since I was old enough to pick up a pair of sticks. This dvd was meant for anyone who plays drums. Come & see the all time master. Some have come close but not many can top the pure genius of Gene playing solo drums. Also good are the insights he himself gives. What a great dvd!!!!!!

I HAVE A QUESTION????.......2006-12-30

DOES HE PLAY SING SING SING ON THIS DVD???? PLEASE ANSWER AS SOON AS POSIBLE, THANK YOU RALPH BUZETTA

A Clear View of the Art.......2005-10-10

I enjoyed this introspective of a guy who really enjoyed playing the drums. This video has wonderful solo clips in various atmospheres and periods of his life. Any musician who wants to swing, acknowledge dynamics and rhythms, should study the performance pieces. Now if only a filmaker could make a documentary on Charles Mingus or Artie Shaw, this presentable to people like myself, who are mere "tourists" in the jazz world.

a must for the Krupa fan.......2003-12-13

If you are a Krupa fan then look no further. If you not, and play drums, you have to check this out. Gene Krupa is one of the most important drummers in the history of drumming and this dvd shows why. Great job.

Another excellent Krupa film!.......2002-12-30

This is a must have for Krupa fans, drummers, Benny Goodman fans, and jazz lovers everywhere! Dr. Klauber has released another great film on GK, and even though the visual quality of the clips may be a little fuzzy, it is only expected due to their age, and does not diminish Krupa's show-stopping performances. The inverview w/ Gene is great, too. Also, the DVD includes three clips that the video does not and has a large photo gallery.

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Big Band
Starring: Tex Beneke , Gene Krupa , and Jerry Wald
Manufacturer: Request Records
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000GW8RXY
Release Date: 2007-03-20

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