Posts Tagged ‘Glenn Miller Story’
May 4th, 2009 | 
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James Stewart, at his warmest and most avuncular, plays the bandleader who rocketed to fame during the swing era. The Glenn Miller Story may be a whitewashed version of Miller’s life, but it certainly is a pleasant example of the feel-good Hollywood biopic, with the usual conventions: early struggles, loyal wife (June Allyson at her chirpiest), personal sacrifice–Miller joins the Army when war breaks out, although he doesn’t have to–and ultimate tragedy. All the Glenn Miller classics filling the soundtrack make the film pretty easy to take, too: “Moonlight Serenade,” “A String of Pearls,” “Chattanooga Choo-Choo.” Miller plays the great “In the Mood” with his military band during a World War II air-raid warning. Pure corn, but it works. Director Anthony Mann, better known for his superb series of hard-bitten fifties westerns with Stewart, keeps the story moving gently and gracefully. A hot jazz interlude features Louis Armstrong and Gene Krupa. –Robert Horton
User Ratings and Reviews
1 Star Bad experience trying to buy DVDs on web…….
About a month ago, we tried to order three DVDs on this site. The first was a Superman collection through a company called OLD-TIME-THEATRE. Even though they sent an immediate response to our payment nearly a month ago, we are unable to reach them by phone or e-mail, but they have not billed us either. The second DVD was the GLEN MILLER story through a company named IMPORT-CDs. Five days after ordering it we get a notification of a refund from them, with no explanation. I guess it is common practice not to explain to customers why vendors are refunding payment? How tough would it have been to drop a customer an e-mail? The third DVD we tried to order that day was a movie called HOLIDAY AFFAIR. There was a picture of the DVD that appeared correct, but the description was of completely differant actors, so we did not order it. I am sure that there are thousands of great transactions everyday on this site, but our experience was not. I’ll think twice before ordering here again.
5 Stars Just as I remembered!
I had to share this video with my mom for Christmas as this is one of my earliest memories from my childhood. I remember watching it on TV and my mother humming the music for days afterwards. I was excited to find the title!
5 Stars Can’t beat the old classic movies
If you love Jimmy Stewart, this is the movie for you. Jimmy Stewart portrayed Glenn Miller with style and grace. Love it!
The scenes with the service men is very special to my family as my father was in this film and can be clearly seen. When this movie was on TV when I was growing up, we always watched it no matter the time of day. Now we can watch it over and over and pause it to get a better look.
3 Stars Incompatable
Delivery service was great however, I then found I could not play DVD on my TV. We had to watch it through the computer which tells me I can only change the format a limited number of times?
Wonder if it is possible to order DVD’s which are compatable with UK TV format?
4 Stars DVD Glenn Miller Story
This is an old movie so I had to have it. I remember the great music.
“Tuxedo Junction” is a song written by Birmingham, Alabama composer Erskine Hawkins and introduced by his orchestra. Lyrics were by Buddy Feyne. This original version, by the Erskine Hawkins Orchestra (the new name for the college dance band known as the Bama State Collegians) rose to number 7 on the national hit parade. It was further popularized by a best-selling (Number 1) record in 1939 by Glenn Miller and his orchestra. It was covered by numerous bands and Swing orchestras and solo artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Frankie Avalon and Joe Jackson, and became the theme song for The Manhattan Transfer, first recorded on their album The Manhattan Transfer in 1975. Bob Marley used this song as an inspiration for his hit called “Kaya”. It was also the inspiration for an all-girl disco group, entitled “Tuxedo Junction”.
The song is about a jazz and blues club in the Birmingham, Alabama suburb of Ensley. The area is referred to as “Tuxedo Junction”, even though the building is called the “Nixon Building” (built in 1922),. This is due to the location of a streetcar crossing at Tuxedo Park, hence “Tuxedo Junction”. The empty building still stands at 1728 20th Street as a testament to the musical heritage of the area.
The song was originally written as an instrumental. When it was given to Lewis Music Publishing, they farmed it out to several prospective lyricists to see who could write the best words that matched the song. Buddy Feyne asked Erskine Hawkins why he titled it as such. Erskine mentioned that it was a whistle stop on the “Chitlin Circuit”, which led to Buddy’s lyrics. Erskine selected his above the other candidates. Once the song had been published, then the white bands added it to their playlist.
The song has been used in various movies, including Big Band films The Glenn Miller Story, The Gene Krupa Story and the Woody Allen film The Curse of the Jade Scorpion.
Author: CookieMCMLVII
Keywords: big band jazz instrumental Glenn Miller Orchestra Erskine Hawkins
Added: February 20, 2009