Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Stars and Stripes Forever (1952)


Twentieth Century-Fox
Directed by Henry Koster
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Fox Movie Channel)

This biography of march king John Philip Sousa is satisfying Americana. The turn of the century setting and Technicolor combine to create an almost hypnotic allure. Clifton Webb is perfectly cast as Sousa, a curiously unemotional man dedicated to his music. He strikes up a friendship with young Marine Corp recruit Robert Wagner, an aspiring musician. He presents Sousa with a sousaphone of his own invention, a kind of modified tuba. Wagner's personal life also provides a romantic subplot with the always spunky Debra Paget. There are plenty of interludes for music and dancing.

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