THE GLENN MILLER STORY

US, 1954, 116 minutes, Colour.
James Stewart, June Allyson, Harry Morgan, Charles Drake, Frances Langford, Louis Armstrong, Gene Krupa.
Directed by Anthony Mann.

The Glenn Miller Story is an enjoyable biopic of the '50s. It has the usual glowing treatment and tribute. James Stewart and June Allyson had acted in a tribute to baseball player Monty Stratton and were to be teamed, by the same director Anthony Mann, in Strategic Air Command.

Glenn Miller had a great reputation for his band, compositions and arrangements and for his contribution to morale in the war effort. As with Carole Lombard and Leslie Howard and others, he disappeared in a plane accident during the war. His music has lasted through the decades and is still popular.

James Stewart gives yet another variation of his sturdy and upright characters with the touch of whimsy. June Allyson was a popular heroine of the early '50s. The screenplay is straightforward, the music attractive and it comes together as a satisfying if romanticised biography. James Stewart was to make eight films with Anthony Mann during the '50s, mostly westerns including Winchester 73 and The Man From Laramie.

1. Audience enjoyment of the popular biographical film? The '50s style of this biography? The perennial interest in celebrities' lives, struggles, love stories, achievement - and the touch of tragedy?

2. Colour photography, the re-creation of the period? The importance of Glenn Miller's music, the arrangements, the incorporation of his popular pieces throughout the film? The use of so many guest stars including Ben Pollock, Gene Krupa, Louis Armstrong, Frances Langford? Glenn miller and his reputation: as a person, his talent, his musical arrangements, the role of the big band in the '30s and during the war, with the armed forces? The lasting value of his music?

3. James Stewart and his presence and reputation to embody Miller? The popularity of June Allyson? The blend of realism
/romanticism/idealism? The sketch of Glenn miller throughout the film: his drive, pawning his instruments, seeking work, moderate success, his love for Helen and yet not contacting her for two years, his sudden visits in the middle of the night and his charming Helen, his urging her to New York and to sudden marriage, his dreams of finding his own sound, Helen's supporting him -the joy of the wedding, the performance of Girl Crazy, the party and Louis Armstrong? Her disappointment in his not finding his own sound, his needing Helen, her shrewd and practical finding of money, managing their tours? The establishment of the band? His study and composition - especially Moonlight Serenade (and the humour of the stepped-up version of it)? The hard conditions for travelling bands, accidents, failure? His response to Helen's inability to have children? The adoptions? Sy and the possibility of a new band? The practices and the discovery of his sound? The applause? The collage of his success over many years? The sentiment in the anniversary dinner?

4. The war and his commission, the army, his changing the music for the parades? His contribution to morale in the war effort? The pathos of his death - but his lasting music and the joyful sentiment with the final rendition of Little Brown Jug?

5. Helen and her vitality, her waiting for long periods till he came, her going to New York, the zest of the wedding, the performance, the party? Her stating her disappointment and urging him to greater things? Her practical management of the group? The adoption of the children? Their genuine love for each other - and her grief at his death? at the end with the message from his music? Yet her smile?

6. The sketch of his companions - Chummy, Don, Sy and his support? The sketch of the parents? The army personnel?

7. The American Dream, hardship, struggle, poverty, walking the streets, opportunities, fulfilment and success - all done with a nice touch?

8. Glenn Miller and his particular sound? The big bands? Their popularity? Their lasting value?

9. An enjoyable piece of romantic Americana?