The Benny Goodman Story (1956): Cast & Plot
The Benny Goodman Story is a 1956 music drama directed by Valentine Davies, starring Steve Allen as Benny Goodman, Robert F. Simon and John Erman. It runs 1 hour 56 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 56m (116 min)
- Director
- Valentine Davies
- Original language
-
English - After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Benny Goodman Story About?
The premise of The Benny Goodman Story without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
As a teenager, Benny Goodman receives clarinet lessons from a music professor who encourages him to follow his own musical instincts. To support himself, he accepts a slot with Ben Pollack’s traveling orchestra, touring the circuit and honing his craft while gaining his first professional experience.
The Benny Goodman Story Themes & Keywords
· 10 tags- character name as title
- benny goodman character
- four word title
- band
- jazz music
- young
- swing
- clarinet
- big band
- bandleader
The Benny Goodman Story Cast & Characters
Steve Allen leads the cast as Benny Goodman, with Robert F. Simon as Papa Dave Goodman and John Erman as Harry Goodman (age 16 ). Directed by Valentine Davies; 27 actors are credited in all.
- Director Valentine Davies
- Steve Allen as Benny Goodman
- Robert F. Simon as Papa Dave Goodman
- John Erman as Harry Goodman (age 16 )
- Berta Gersten as Mama Goodman
Also Starring in The Benny Goodman Story
· 23 more- Ben Pollack
- Kid Ory
- Donna Reed Alice Hammond
- Wilton Graff John Hammond Sr.
- Herbert Anderson John Hammond Jr.
- Sammy Davis Sr. Fletcher Henderson
- Gene Krupa
- Teddy Wilson
- Lionel Hampton
- Jack Kruschen 'Murph' Podolsky - riverboat band Mgr.
- Dick Winslow Gil Rodin
- Fred Essler Prof Schoepp
- Hy Averback Willard Alexander - Benny's manager
- Shepard Menken Harry Goodman
- George Givot
- Harry James
Show all 27 cast members Show fewer cast members
- David Kasday Benny Goodman (age 10 )
- Martha Tilton
- Stan Getz
- Barry Truex Benny Goodman (age 16)
- Buck Clayton
- Ziggy Elman
- Urbie Green
The Benny Goodman Story Plot Summary
What happens in The Benny Goodman Story from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The young Benny Goodman, played by Steve Allen, grows up in Chicago where a respected music professor teaches him the clarinet in the classical tradition. Encouraged by bandleader Kid Ory to follow the music he loves, Benny takes his first real steps on the professional stage by joining the Ben Pollack traveling band.
In New York, Benny’s new group receives only a tepid reception, but a meeting with jazz patron John Hammond and his sister Alice sets the course for his future. He is invited to the stately Hammond home to perform Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto, a moment that reveals his steady technique and musical intuition, easing Alice’s fears that he might be laughed at.
Full summary
The whole story of The Benny Goodman Story, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Benny Goodman Story?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
In which city does young Benny Goodman grow up?
Cars in The Benny Goodman Story
6 cars on screen, including the 1929 Cadillac Series 341-B and the 1939 Checker Model A.
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1929 Cadillac Series 341-B Minor role -
1939 Checker Model A Minor role -
1936 De Soto Airstream Minor role -
1920 Ford Model T Minor role
Seen The Benny Goodman Story?
Movies Like The Benny Goodman Story
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Sweet and Low-Down, Bolden and Big Ben: Ben Webster in Europe.
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Sweet and Low-Down 1944 -
Bolden 2019 -
Big Ben: Ben Webster in Europe 1967 -
The Eddie Cantor Story 1953 -
Young Man with a Horn 1950 -
Jazz Boy 1958 -
The Jazz Singer 1952 -
Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra 1938 -
Bix: Ain’t None of Them Play Like Him Yet 1982 -
Booker Pittman 2008 -
The Jazz Singer 1980 -
The Jazz Singer 1927
The Benny Goodman Story FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Benny Goodman Story, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Benny Goodman Story?
The Benny Goodman Story runs 1 hour 56 minutes (116 minutes).
When was The Benny Goodman Story released?
The Benny Goodman Story was released on February 2, 1956.
Who directed The Benny Goodman Story?
The Benny Goodman Story was directed by Valentine Davies.
Who is in the cast of The Benny Goodman Story?
The Benny Goodman Story stars Steve Allen as Benny Goodman, Robert F. Simon as Papa Dave Goodman and John Erman as Harry Goodman (age 16 ), among 27 credited actors.
Does The Benny Goodman Story have a post-credit scene?
No. The Benny Goodman Story has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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