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The Benny Goodman Story is a biographical film starring Steve Allen and Donna Reed, directed by Valentine Davies and released by Universal Studios in 1956. The film is based on the life of famed clarinetist Benny Goodman, who recorded most of the clarinet solos used in the film. The film captures several major moments in Goodman's life but it has been described as less than accurate in details. Goodman's Jewish background is never explicitly mentioned, despite it playing a part in his artistic and personal endeavors for decades. In one scene, where his mother tries to talk him out of a romance with Alice Hammond, played by Donna Reed, whom Goodman eventually married, she says, "Bagels and caviar don't mix."

Genres: Drama, Music

Starring: Steve Allen, Donna Reed, Berta Gersten

Released: January 1, 1956

Runtime: 102.0

Popularity Rating: 0.830

Universal Pictures

United States of America

Benny Goodman Steve Allen
Alice Hammond Donna Reed
Mama Goodman Berta Gersten
Benny Goodman a 16 ans Barry Truex
John Hammond Jr. Herbert Anderson
Papa Dave Goodman Robert F. Simon
Willard Alexander - Benny's manager Hy Averback
Fletcher Henderson Sammy Davis Sr.
Gil Rodin Dick Winslow
Harry Goodman Shepard Menken
'Murph' Podolsky - riverboat band Mgr. Jack Kruschen
John Hammond Sr. Wilton Graff
Prof Schoepp Fred Essler
Benny Goodman a 10 ans David Kasday
Harry Goodman a 16 ans John Erman

Directing — Director: Valentine Davies
Writing — Screenplay: Valentine Davies