The Glenn Miller Story is a 1953 American film directed by Anthony Mann and starring James Stewart in their first non-western collaboration.

Plot

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The film follows big band leader Glenn Miller (James Stewart) from his beginnings in music in 1929 through to his presumed 1944 death when the airplane he was flying in was lost over the English Channel during World War II. Prominent placement in the film is Miller's courtship and later marriage to Helen Burger (June Allyson) and various cameos by musicians who knew Miller.

Reception

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Upon release in 1953, The Glenn Miller Story was massively successful at the box office. In 1954, the film was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Screenplay, Best Score, and Best Music Recording. The film won the Oscar for Best Music Recording. Its soundtrack was equally successful, featuring a number of Glenn Miller's most popular recordings.

Musician Cameos

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Some of the legendary musicians who make cameo appearances in the film include: Louis Armstrong, Barney Bigard, Cozy Cole, Gene Krupa, Frances Langford, Marty Napoleon, Ben Pollack, Babe Russin, Arvell Shaw, The Modernaires, and James Young (IV).

Cast

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• James Stewart : Glenn Miller
• June Allyson : Helen Burger Miller
• Harry Morgan : Chummy MacGregor
• Charles Drake : Don Haynes
• George Tobias : Si Schribman
• Barton MacLane : Gen. Henry H. Arnold, USAAF
• Marion Ross : Polly Haynes
• Nino Tempo : Wilber Schwartz

Soundtrack listing

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1. "Moonlight Serenade"
2. "Tuxedo Junction"
3. "Little Brown Jug"
4. "St. Louis Blues — March"
5. "Basin Street Blues"
6. "In the Mood"
7. "String of Pearls"
8. "Pennsylvania 6-5000"
9. "American Patrol"
10. "Otchi-Tchor-Ni-Ya"

1953 films | Films directed by Anthony Mann | Films about music and musicians | Films shot in Technicolor

Die Glenn Miller Story | Moonlight serenade