Rhapsody in Blue

This film presents many Gershwin tunes in great fashion with several great settings and great production numbers. Yes, it's unfortunate that the story line is so heavily fictionalized and even misleading. But, the sets are honest to the periods covered, several sequences are very tastefully done and fun, the show excerpts are good, and did I mention the music? As several other commentators have indicated, the music is faithfully recreated in long segments that bring you much or all of the tune.

If you come to this film to hear some wonderful Gershwin performed by some great artists staged with a lot of character and splash (my favorite set is Hazel Scott's Paris show), you won't be disappointed. The story line is simply a convenient string to tie together the thread of music.

The music was wonderful, I enjoyed watching the father of Alan Alda in the title role & I got one "mini surprise"! That was the solo song of a very young, enchanting Hazel Scott, accompanying herself on the piano. She was a musical prodigy on the piano from the age of 4 and the youngist student admitted to the Julliard School of Music at age 16. This was the last of her early film appearances, as she focused more on musical recordings and a TV series, until the late 50s. She also married Adam Clayton Powell Jr., noted congressman from Harlem & civil rights activist. Her 1955 album, "Relaxed Piano Moods," recorded with Charles Mingus and Max Roach was recently reissued on CD & named Album of the Month by National Public Radio.

The "Gershwin Years" were very exciting times, and the life and career of George --and his brother, Ira--are well captured in this memorable classic, "Rhapsody in Blue." Tackling this subject was a difficult one, and it manages to reveal the composer's exuberance for his art, his trials and his successes. Robert Alda is a perfect choice for George; others making fine contributions are Oscar Levant and Alexis Smith. A host of great artists, many playing themselves round out a star-studded cast. A wonderful selection of Gershwin's works are represented, some in near-complete versions. This is one of the most successful of classical composer bios ever brought to the screen. It is a cherished part of my video library, and I thoroughly enjoy watching and listening to this recreation of the life, times, and music of one of American's great composers.

Thank God the film-makers trusted in the power of Gershwin's music to allow almost complete versions of the title composition, and "An American in Paris" to be included in the film - as well as many complete songs. All the music is superbly orchestrated and the songs sung beautifully by a wide variety of artists, many of whom were really the first artists to sing them. The film is excellently directed and photographed, with musical scenes well realised visually. The montage of Gershwin wandering about Paris as we hear "An American In Paris" is excellent - and the use of lights and shadows to film the orchestra playing "Rhapsody in Blue" is magnificent - would that contemporary films of orchestras were this imaginative.

Yes I know it is largely fiction - but so what? This is a tribute, not a documentary. And Alda is fine in the lead, backed by an excellent supporting cast. I loved this film from start to finish.

This is a fabulous movie tracing the life and times, struggles and successes of composer George Gershwin. Fictional characters and events are used to move the story along; and the music is wonderful. This is a very easy to watch movie. A classic in black & white.

Beginning with childhood, this movie shows the closeness of the family and especially with brother Ira. Major compositions are featured: Swanee; The Cuban Overture; Somebody Loves Me; Fascinatin' Rhythm; An American in Paris and several versions of the title masterpiece, Rhapsody in Blue. Max Steiner proves his own greatness.

Robert Alda is excellent as George Gershwin and Herbert Rudley as Ira. Also in the cast are Rosemary DeCamp, Alexis Smith and Joan Leslie. Playing themselves are Paul Whiteman, Oscar Levant and Al Jolson. Levant is refreshing, comical and talented.

The music is the main attraction; this film is well worth multiple viewings.