"Young Man with a Horn" is a very good drama about a boy who becomes a talented musician, and his struggles in life. His dream and drive in life is to be able to play his horn with the best musicians. The horn is what those of us who played in bands called the cornets or trumpets. This is a story that might resemble one of many a talented would-be professional musician in early 20th century America.
The film was billed as a musical biography, based on its source. That was Dorothy Baker's 1938 novel of the same title, that was inspired by the life of Bix Beiderbecke (Leon Bismark Beiderbecke). So, it's not a true biography at all, but a story about a very talented and mostly self-learned trumpet player, as was Beiderbecke, with some aspects about his life in parts of the plot.
As even a brief or summary article on Beiderbecke's life will show, this film has much more fiction than fact. But the facts that it contains provide much interest and enjoyment in the film. His meeting and association with Hoagy Carmichael stands out, and his playing with some other noted musicians of his time. But the romance angles and relationships with two women that occupy a lot of this film are fictional.
It helps one to remember, when watching any films that are based on novels, that someone might inspire a writer - give her or him an idea for a great story, and it may contain a lot or very little factual stuff about that person's life. So, here's a little factual background on Beiderbecke. He was a natural talented musician and self-taught piano and cornet player, who grew up in the Midwest. He became well-known in the 1920s for his musical compositions and particular style on the cornet. Bix played with some top bands and recognized jazz musicians of the day, and had his own band. But, he died at the young age of 28 in 1931. Pneumonia and other physical problems were brought on by alcoholism.
He came from a wealthy family where his father was a lumber dealer. He had a brother and a sister. In between his forays trying to get jobs and playing his instrument for a living, he returned home to his parents for rest and work with his father.
One can understand the sentiments people will have for the character in this story. Some who see it as a real biographical film about Beiderbecke, are disappointed that it doesn't end more realistically, with his young death. But I like the ending, since it is not even close to his life other than his cornet playing. This film gives a story of a happy ending as a sign of hope for those who have exceptional talents and aspire to strike out on their own. And, it can serve as a warning about the pitfalls that can end hopes - alcohol, drugs, bad relationships.
As a biography I would not rate this film very high. As a glimpse of one particular artistic genius, it peaks one's interest in Bix Beiderbecke. But, for the music alone, the playing that the audience hears and can enjoy, "Young Man with a Horn" merits my eight stars. That playing was done by Harry James, a long-lived great trumpet player - one of the greatest.
Along with the music, the performances of the cast make this a memorable film. Kirk Douglas was especially good, and masterfully learned the posture, the lips and mouthpiece, and cornet fingering for a horn player. Doris Day was also exceptional. Hoagy Carmichael was Hoagy Carmichael - he never seemed to deviate from his folksy and matter-of-fact persona. And, while Lauren Bacall was always an alluring personality for films, her persona, again, was one that appeared as much a simple routine as it did acting. Juano Hernndez was very good as Art Hazzard, the Dixieland jazz player who mentored the young boy with the horn.
Here are some favorite lines from this film.
Rick Martin, "You're so confused yourself, you get me confused."
Rick Martin, "What a dope I was. I thought you were class, like a real high note you hit once in a lifetime."
Rick Matin, "Well, you're like these carnival joints I used to work in. Big flash on the outside, but on the inside nothing but filth. "
Smoke Willoughby, "Nobody knows what we're doing except us, the guys that do it. They don't know us. They just hear the words."
Rick Martin, "They only buy records to learn the words. Nobody cares about the music."
The film was billed as a musical biography, based on its source. That was Dorothy Baker's 1938 novel of the same title, that was inspired by the life of Bix Beiderbecke (Leon Bismark Beiderbecke). So, it's not a true biography at all, but a story about a very talented and mostly self-learned trumpet player, as was Beiderbecke, with some aspects about his life in parts of the plot.
As even a brief or summary article on Beiderbecke's life will show, this film has much more fiction than fact. But the facts that it contains provide much interest and enjoyment in the film. His meeting and association with Hoagy Carmichael stands out, and his playing with some other noted musicians of his time. But the romance angles and relationships with two women that occupy a lot of this film are fictional.
It helps one to remember, when watching any films that are based on novels, that someone might inspire a writer - give her or him an idea for a great story, and it may contain a lot or very little factual stuff about that person's life. So, here's a little factual background on Beiderbecke. He was a natural talented musician and self-taught piano and cornet player, who grew up in the Midwest. He became well-known in the 1920s for his musical compositions and particular style on the cornet. Bix played with some top bands and recognized jazz musicians of the day, and had his own band. But, he died at the young age of 28 in 1931. Pneumonia and other physical problems were brought on by alcoholism.
He came from a wealthy family where his father was a lumber dealer. He had a brother and a sister. In between his forays trying to get jobs and playing his instrument for a living, he returned home to his parents for rest and work with his father.
One can understand the sentiments people will have for the character in this story. Some who see it as a real biographical film about Beiderbecke, are disappointed that it doesn't end more realistically, with his young death. But I like the ending, since it is not even close to his life other than his cornet playing. This film gives a story of a happy ending as a sign of hope for those who have exceptional talents and aspire to strike out on their own. And, it can serve as a warning about the pitfalls that can end hopes - alcohol, drugs, bad relationships.
As a biography I would not rate this film very high. As a glimpse of one particular artistic genius, it peaks one's interest in Bix Beiderbecke. But, for the music alone, the playing that the audience hears and can enjoy, "Young Man with a Horn" merits my eight stars. That playing was done by Harry James, a long-lived great trumpet player - one of the greatest.
Along with the music, the performances of the cast make this a memorable film. Kirk Douglas was especially good, and masterfully learned the posture, the lips and mouthpiece, and cornet fingering for a horn player. Doris Day was also exceptional. Hoagy Carmichael was Hoagy Carmichael - he never seemed to deviate from his folksy and matter-of-fact persona. And, while Lauren Bacall was always an alluring personality for films, her persona, again, was one that appeared as much a simple routine as it did acting. Juano Hernndez was very good as Art Hazzard, the Dixieland jazz player who mentored the young boy with the horn.
Here are some favorite lines from this film.
Rick Martin, "You're so confused yourself, you get me confused."
Rick Martin, "What a dope I was. I thought you were class, like a real high note you hit once in a lifetime."
Rick Matin, "Well, you're like these carnival joints I used to work in. Big flash on the outside, but on the inside nothing but filth. "
Smoke Willoughby, "Nobody knows what we're doing except us, the guys that do it. They don't know us. They just hear the words."
Rick Martin, "They only buy records to learn the words. Nobody cares about the music."