Monday, May 30, 2011

Happy Birthday: Benny Goodman!



Benny Goodman's band performed in many popular musicals, including The Big Broadcast of 1937, Hollywood Hotel (1938), Syncopation (1942), The Powers Girl (1942), Stage Door Canteen (1943), The Gang's All Here (1943), Sweet and Lowdown (1944) and A Song Is Born (1948). Goodman's only starring movie was Sweet and Lowdown (1944).



Goodman's life story was told in the film The Benny Goodman Story(1955), with Steve Allen and Donna Reed. It was a follow up to, The Glenn Miller Story(1954). Many of Goodman's colleagues perform in the film: Ben Pollack, Gene Krupa, Lionel Hampton and Harry James.

1 comment:

  1. Goodman has a star turn as The Professor in "A Song is Born", in which he is a classical clarinetist who has never heard of swing, and has to be taught how to play jazz.

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