Benny Goodman returns to his old neighborhood in Chicago on a goodwill tour and ends up loosing his prize clarinet thanks to a Chicago version of the Bowery Boys. All the kid wants to do is have Benny and his assistants hear his trombone playing brother. Benny and one of his piano players join in, but this isn't enough to convince James Cardwell believe that he's on the level. But once mom steps in and confirms that he is, Cardwell agrees to join. After all, even in the slums of Chicago, you always listen to your ma.
But once Cardwell assumes the leading trombone player spot, his temperament comes out and he is determined to start his own band. This is a big band/male variation of "42nd Street" Where the discovered newbie is even more egotistical than the vet's. This makes Cardwell rather unlikable, no matter how much of a mean trombone he plays. Toss in socialite Linda Darnell out for a good time, with nice girl Lynn Bari waiting in the wings, and this is about as much plot as you get.
As far as the music is concerned, none of the songs really stand out although the rhythms are hot and the feet do move. One song is a definite rip-off of "Chattanooga Choo-Choo" and is perhaps the only one you'll remember.
Supporting Goodman are Jack Oakie and Allyn Joslyn, with handsome teen Dickie Moore playing a military cadet pretending that his young aunt is his girlfriend (Eew!). I wish I could have liked it more, so while it ain't no "Orchestra Wives", it at least is often pleasant to listen to.
But once Cardwell assumes the leading trombone player spot, his temperament comes out and he is determined to start his own band. This is a big band/male variation of "42nd Street" Where the discovered newbie is even more egotistical than the vet's. This makes Cardwell rather unlikable, no matter how much of a mean trombone he plays. Toss in socialite Linda Darnell out for a good time, with nice girl Lynn Bari waiting in the wings, and this is about as much plot as you get.
As far as the music is concerned, none of the songs really stand out although the rhythms are hot and the feet do move. One song is a definite rip-off of "Chattanooga Choo-Choo" and is perhaps the only one you'll remember.
Supporting Goodman are Jack Oakie and Allyn Joslyn, with handsome teen Dickie Moore playing a military cadet pretending that his young aunt is his girlfriend (Eew!). I wish I could have liked it more, so while it ain't no "Orchestra Wives", it at least is often pleasant to listen to.