Small town cornet player Red Nichols (Danny Kaye) moves from New Orleans to New York City in the 1920s. He joins a big band led by Wil Paradise (Bob Crosby) who is unwilling to listen to any of his new music ideas. He goes on a date with Willa Stutsman (Barbara Bel Geddes) who thinks that he's some kind of country hick. He is amazed by trumpet player Louis Armstrong (Louis Armstrong). Years later after leaving the business, his teenage daughter Dorothy (Tuesday Weld) urges him to return to music.
It's a very straight forward biopic for the first half or so. It does have the comedy of Danny Kaye and some good music from the likes of Louis Armstrong. It's cute but simple. When the little girl shows up, the cuteness is multiplied. The movie then has its first true roadblock for his life. The sacrifice, the love, and family become very compelling and very heart-warming. I love that the couple dancing is the bookends of this story. In the end, it's a sweet and touching biopic.
It's a very straight forward biopic for the first half or so. It does have the comedy of Danny Kaye and some good music from the likes of Louis Armstrong. It's cute but simple. When the little girl shows up, the cuteness is multiplied. The movie then has its first true roadblock for his life. The sacrifice, the love, and family become very compelling and very heart-warming. I love that the couple dancing is the bookends of this story. In the end, it's a sweet and touching biopic.