Pete Kelly Blues is pure Jack Webb, stiff as a board and solid storytelling. I love Jack Webb, and I like the movie but it's just good enough for fans. Warners put up a lot of support to Webb, and lavish production design by Walt Disney's best Harper Goff, and a ripping score with Ella Fitzgerald and Peggie Lee (Oscar Nom)make it a near great movie. Shot almost entirely with master shots (except the final act)is Webb's efficient style. Lee Marvin is great as a fellow traveler jazz-man, and Edmond O'Brien is menacing as the main gangster. Sadly enough, the wonderful Janet Leigh is stuck in a very crappy role as a rich flapper love interest. Webb even cast future kiddie show host Andy Devine and a tough lawman, and he is amazingly good. Webb's next film was his classic "The D.I.", a much better film. For fans and music buffs!
Review of Pete Kelly's Blues
