“Orchestra Wives” (Movie Review-9/24/42)

Microfilm-New York Times archives, Monterey Public Library | 9/24/42 | Bosley Crowther

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents World War II Plus 70 Years: Seminar and Discussion Forum
First session: September 1, 2009. Last date to add: September 2, 2015.
Reading assignment: New York Times articles delivered daily to students on the 70th anniversary of original publication date. (Previously posted articles can be found by searching on keyword “realtime” Or view Homer’s posting history .)
To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by freepmail. Those on the Realtime +/- 70 Years ping list are automatically enrolled. Course description, prerequisites and tuition information is available at the bottom of Homer’s profile. Also visit our general discussion thread.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

There are no clips or trailers at TCM, but I did find this capsule review of the movie there.

D: Archie Mayo. George Montgomery, Ann Rutherford, Glenn Miller and his Band, Lynn Bari, Carole Landis, Cesar Romero, Virginia Gilmore, Mary Beth Hughes, The Nicholas Brothers, Jackie Gleason, Henry (Harry) Morgan. Hokey storyline (with hotshot trumpeter Montgomery impetuously marrying moony-eyed fan Rutherford) serves as a nice showcase for Miller's band, and features such hits as "Serenade in Blue,'' "At Last,'' and "I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo,'' featuring Tex Beneke, The Modernaires, and a snazzy dance routine by The Nicholas Brothers. That's young Jackie Gleason as the band's bass player . . . and look fast for Dale Evans as Rutherford's soda-fountain pal.

So even if Crowther is correct that this is “a trifling little story which is as ridiculous as a zoot suit and has no more shape or distinction than one of those forbidden garbs,” it still has historical value for students of our popular culture.

“I’ve Got a Gal in Kalamazoo” This is a clip from the movie I found on youtube and it includes a dance by the Nicholas Brothers. Did Jackie Gleason really start as Glenn Miller’s bass player or was he acting as one?

[cotton1706]

The clip in this movie of Miller’s band playing Bugle Call Rag is worth seeing. You can see the musical talent and showmanship of the band. And it’s cool to see Jackie Gleason playing bass and Cesar Romero playing piano.

[Emperor Palpatine]

Glenn Miller and his orchestra were basically the soundtrack to WWII.

RIP Major Miller. You’re always on my Saturday Night Jukebox.

[Emperor Palpatine]

I just noticed the other story.

Toscanini doing Berlioz’s “R & J”....with the under-rated basso Nicola Moscona and his unbelievably rich sonorous throbbing at that!

Too bad time-travel isn’t yet a reality.

[MinuteGal]

Your Kalamazoo clip is like entering a time capsule into ones' past. The story line may be hokey, but the music, sing and dancing linger on forever. Everyone should watch this video to see what the Nicolas Brothers dancing was all about....it was all about spectacular!

Leni

[Tainan]

BkMrk for viewing