Easygoing biopic of the titular bandleader, played with charm by the great Jimmy Stewart and directed by his frequent collaborator Anthony Mann. This is unlike any of their other films together, mostly westerns. It's a biopic like they used to make them - uplifting, positive, entertaining. If made today it would almost certainly focus on whatever scandalous lies they could think up about the subject, often spread decades later. In this particular case it would likely be exclusively about his tragic death and the many conspiracy theories surrounding it.
Anyway this is thankfully not that kind of picture. Made in a different time, as they say. The music is exceptional, of course. The romantic story is perfect as well. Stewart and June Allyson had great chemistry. It's a leisurely paced film, perhaps too much so for some. But I enjoyed it.
Anyway this is thankfully not that kind of picture. Made in a different time, as they say. The music is exceptional, of course. The romantic story is perfect as well. Stewart and June Allyson had great chemistry. It's a leisurely paced film, perhaps too much so for some. But I enjoyed it.