Clifton Webb stars in this entertaining and uplifting musical biopic of John Philip Sousa. The king of the march was an American icon and legend from the late 19th century to 1932. A composer and bandleader, he wrote more than 130 marches, 15 operettas, several other musical compositions and hundreds of arrangements. Besides that, he had time to write five novels.
Among his most famous marches still played today are the official Marine Corps march, "Semper Fidelis," "The Washington Post" march (in response to the newspaper of that name running an essay contest in 1889), and "Stars and Stripes Forever." The latter is one of just two official songs of the United States. "The Star Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the U.S., and "Stars and Stripes Forever" is the official march of the U.S.
The movie, "Stars and Stripes Forever," doesn't cover his early years but starts with Sousa as a sergeant-major in the U.S. Marine Corps. At the time, he had been principal musician and bandleader of the Marine Corps Band in Washington, D.C. for 12 years. He had served and led the Marine band under five U.S. presidents.
The film covers the last days with the Marines and then his years with his private band, the Sousa Band. He was 35 years old in 1892 when he left the Marine Corps to build a band like no others of the day. He combined the best of what was popular at the time and had a band that one reviewer described as a military orchestra. The band toured America for two years to sell-out crowds everywhere. And then went on an international tour. He received honors from royalty and government heads all across Europe. Sousa continued to tour and play across the U.S. and on a world tour for nearly 40 years.
The Sousa Band was unquestionably the most famous band in the world during that time. Anyone who's ever played in a high school, college, city or other band has played Sousa's music.
The film is a fair portrayal of Sousa's musical life through his most productive years. The characters of Willie Little and Lily Becker are fictional, for the romantic and comedy effects. Robert Wagner and Debra Paget play them well. Ruth Hussey is Jennie Sousa. All of the cast are very good.
The musicians chosen for the film were superb and gave the music the energy that Sousa displayed in his directing. Movies such as this are good for showing the works of the great musicians. I would have enjoyed some more of a closer look at Sousa the man, and his family. But this is definitely a movie to get one up on his or her feet to stomp around the room to the music.
The film has a nice blend of humor. Here are some favorite lines. For more, see the Quotes section under this IMDb Web page of the movie.
John Philip Sousa, "What in the name of all get out's been keeping you so long?" Jennie Sousa, "I was hearing the children's prayers." Sousa, "Does that take all night?" Jennie, "They were praying for you."
Sousa, "It's always a pleasure to meet young ladies whom I find sitting on my lap."
Jennie Sousa, "And as to hearing you sing, my husband would be delighted. Won't you Philip?" Sousa, "If you say so, dear."
Lily Becker, singing a silly song of the day, "Father's got 'em. Father's got 'em. Got the hycumflukies of the brain."
Sousa, "Upon my word, ma'am, I've never danced with so charming and graceful a two-stepper." Jennie Sousa, "And upon mine, sir, I've never danced with so charming and flattering a liar."
Among his most famous marches still played today are the official Marine Corps march, "Semper Fidelis," "The Washington Post" march (in response to the newspaper of that name running an essay contest in 1889), and "Stars and Stripes Forever." The latter is one of just two official songs of the United States. "The Star Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the U.S., and "Stars and Stripes Forever" is the official march of the U.S.
The movie, "Stars and Stripes Forever," doesn't cover his early years but starts with Sousa as a sergeant-major in the U.S. Marine Corps. At the time, he had been principal musician and bandleader of the Marine Corps Band in Washington, D.C. for 12 years. He had served and led the Marine band under five U.S. presidents.
The film covers the last days with the Marines and then his years with his private band, the Sousa Band. He was 35 years old in 1892 when he left the Marine Corps to build a band like no others of the day. He combined the best of what was popular at the time and had a band that one reviewer described as a military orchestra. The band toured America for two years to sell-out crowds everywhere. And then went on an international tour. He received honors from royalty and government heads all across Europe. Sousa continued to tour and play across the U.S. and on a world tour for nearly 40 years.
The Sousa Band was unquestionably the most famous band in the world during that time. Anyone who's ever played in a high school, college, city or other band has played Sousa's music.
The film is a fair portrayal of Sousa's musical life through his most productive years. The characters of Willie Little and Lily Becker are fictional, for the romantic and comedy effects. Robert Wagner and Debra Paget play them well. Ruth Hussey is Jennie Sousa. All of the cast are very good.
The musicians chosen for the film were superb and gave the music the energy that Sousa displayed in his directing. Movies such as this are good for showing the works of the great musicians. I would have enjoyed some more of a closer look at Sousa the man, and his family. But this is definitely a movie to get one up on his or her feet to stomp around the room to the music.
The film has a nice blend of humor. Here are some favorite lines. For more, see the Quotes section under this IMDb Web page of the movie.
John Philip Sousa, "What in the name of all get out's been keeping you so long?" Jennie Sousa, "I was hearing the children's prayers." Sousa, "Does that take all night?" Jennie, "They were praying for you."
Sousa, "It's always a pleasure to meet young ladies whom I find sitting on my lap."
Jennie Sousa, "And as to hearing you sing, my husband would be delighted. Won't you Philip?" Sousa, "If you say so, dear."
Lily Becker, singing a silly song of the day, "Father's got 'em. Father's got 'em. Got the hycumflukies of the brain."
Sousa, "Upon my word, ma'am, I've never danced with so charming and graceful a two-stepper." Jennie Sousa, "And upon mine, sir, I've never danced with so charming and flattering a liar."