DVD Corner

The Benny Goodman Story Blu-ray Review

“The Benny Goodman Story” is a better than average biopic. 

Written and directed by Valentine Davies, 1956’s “The Benny Goodman Story” is a biopic about jazz musician Benny Goodman. Goodman was a clarinetist who was best known for swing jazz (hence the King of Swing moniker he was given). His biggest hit was the iconic “Sing, Sing, Sing” (which is played in a pivotal scene at the end of the film). 

In typical biopic form, the story begins in Benny’s childhood in Chicago where he picks up the clarinet at a young age and turns out to be a natural player. As a teenager, he joins bands to make money and becomes entranced by improvised jazz music. He plays in bands through his adulthood, but becomes frustrated to get his own type of swing jazz out to the masses. Eventually, the public catches on and Benny becomes a star who does film work and even performs at Carnegie Hall (which has become a classic live jazz album). Throughout the story there are key storylines about Benny’s family and Benny’s blossoming romance with a wealthy socialite (Alice).

As tends to be the case with biopics, “The Benny Goodman” plays fast and loose with the facts, but what can you do? The film we do get certainly rushes through his life and career (as is to be expected), but it wisely focuses on the music. Goodman, who was still alive when this was filmed, recorded all of the clarinet music and that goes a long way here as it seamlessly connects with Steve Allen’s engaging performance as the shy, chill, and music loving Benny Goodman. There are numerous sequences of band performances that are positively electric. They are all aided by the appearances of multiple jazz legends like Gene Krupa, Lionel Hampton, Stan Getz, Teddy Wilson and more!

In terms of the big romance between Benny and Alice, it feels believable. The two come from very different backgrounds and are polar opposites and yet the attraction is there. Steven Allen and Donna Reed really make you (the viewer) buy into their love.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.85:1 1080p. How does it look? The Technicolor film does look a bit fuzzy at times, but this is generally a crisp looking hi-def print.

Audio Track: 2.0 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? The music, well, swings! Every performance will have your speakers put to good use.

This is a bare bones release.

March 9, 2026 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Benny Goodman, Biopic, Donna Reed, Gene Krupa, Jazz, Lionel Hampton, Stan Getz, Steve Allen, Swing Jazz, Teddy Wilson, The Benny Goodman Blu-ray Review