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Reviews
Harry James and His Music Makers (1953)
Powerful display of big band sound and trumper virtuoso
What a wonderful thing to see one of the great big bands, how powerful the sound is, how disiplined the musicians are. To see and hear Harry James's trumpet playing from soft and mellow to fast and powerful is a reat treat. One wonders how a person can play such a number as Flight of the Bumblebee on a horn with only 3 valves as he did with the accordian player accompanying him. Everyone should treat themselves to the musical experience and musicianship shown here!
The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945)
The painting used in the film is the feature star.
The cast did a very good job of bringing the story alive. The painting of The Picture of Dorian Gray by the American Artist, Ivan Albright, is something I do not believe anyone could imagine from reading. I feel the best way to understand this great story by Oscar Wild is to see this movie. Then, be sure, if possible, to visit the Art Institute of Chicago and see the actual painting for the full impact. I am sure that a close examination of this rather large painting is something one will never ever forget.
The Beast with Five Fingers (1946)
Most unique and unusual music in the movie.
This movie should be much appreciated by anyone who plays, knows, or likes classic piano music. The piano music played with one hand only is amazing, exciting and bewildering. It is obviously a soundtrack but I feel the actor, and later on, the hand, do a wonderful job making the viewer believe that they are playing this fast tempo and highly complicated piece of piano music, possibly a concerto. I this movie to be overall a really great horror film.
John Brousch
Outlaw Queen (1957)
Historical trivia about the actor.
At the time of the casting for "Outlaw Queen," the leading man turned out to be Harry James, one of the most popular and busiest big band leaders and trumpet players in the world. I recall him saying that the director or producer approached him in a dance hall where he and his orchestra were playing and told him that he looked right for the part and suggested he star in the movie. It just happened that his schedule would allow it, he was already quite familiar with horses, and liked westerns. It was quite a thrill for me to see my faviorie band leader acting in this good western movie. When I later mentioned seeing him in this western, he laughed proudly and said something to the effect that he had a good time playing the part and that he also recently made an album of Western Music. So, I liked the movie as a good Western and thought it most unusual, but very good, that Harry James was in it.