cstotlar-1 Little of Gershwin's true life story was depicted here. As in the case of so many composers, their lives were not as dramatic as their music so an infringement or two on reality didn't disturb the audience or the flow of the film. No, Ravel didn't want to disturb Gershwin's style - neither did Nadia Boulanger for that matter - and things worked out well in the long run. For those of us who have performed the "Concerto in F", the orchestra is in imitation of Ravel so Gershwin chose the perfect model. As a film, this certainly isn't "Amadeus" or anything of that ilk. It's an Irving Rapper paint-by-the-numbers pic that celebrates the music above all else and some of the music here wasn't top-notch Gershwin - I've never heard the "Cuban Overture" in public, for example, and the "Porgy and Bess" snips were definitely not in the opera as presented here but these are minor details. I'm glad I saw the film for the music but that's all I want from it.Curtis Stotlar

DKosty123 Robert Alda, Charles Coburn, & Herbert Ruddley carry a major Warner brothers triumph in this production. The folks who made the film had the smarts to let the music carry the film along. It helped that the story really celebrates the Gershwins, centering on George (Alda) but featuring Coburn and Ruddley.In a way, this might be one of the strongest biographic films made. The cast is outstanding in every way. It is a reminder that George Gershwin was a man driven to greatness so hard, that when he does have a flop, his only regret is how much time he spent failing. It does not stop him from going on to write some of the greatest music in American History and one of the very few American Operas.While I am not sure if there are many facts of the true lives changed, the fact is this one chose the right people to play the royal family of American Composers. Warner even cast several people as themselves in the movie adding a touch of realism to the finished product. When you finish watching this, it tells you just how great the music is the Gershwins wrote, sang, and produced. Bravo

MarkJGarcia Nominated for two Oscars this 1945 movie based on George Gershwin's life is enjoyable if not for its accuracy but for its music scenes and sounds. The film received Academy Award nominations in the Music (Scoring of a Musical Picture) and Sound Recording categories. Although modern sources state that Joan Leslie's singing voice was dubbed by Louanne Hogan, Leslie's voice was actually dubbed by Sally Sweetland. This film marked the motion picture debuts of Broadway actors Robert Alda and Herbert Rudley. Robert Alda is the father of TV's classic hit MASH star Alan Alda. In the film, Al Jolson sings "Swanee," the song he made famous, and Anne Brown, the original "Bess," sings "Summertime" from the opera Porgy and Bess. Again, the movie was not wholly accurate but I did enjoy seeing this movie.

[email protected] I love Robert Alda. I love George Gershwin. Yet, this was one of the most embarrassing clunkers of a biopic I have ever seen. And yet it is indispensable for the appearance and piano playing of the great Oscar Levant and the full performances of great Gershwin music.Gershwin's last days and his illness were as overwrought and melodramatic as cinematic deaths can be.So why am I even taking the time to add these comments? Because despite everything, it was absolutely riveting as a curiosity. And unlike most movie musicals where an actor does not actually play the piano, Oscar Levant -- Gershwin interpreter extraodinaire -- was there.