The Fabulous Dorseys (1947) User Reviews

Forget the sibling rivalry and concentrate on the music which is the making of this great movie.

[grafspee · 7/10 · 20 November 2007]

Tommy and Jimmy were never actors, nor close brotherly musicians for that matter. Fightin' and Feudin' were their credentials in real life, breaking up their joint band in 1935 over an argument on stage about the tempo of a tune, "I'll Never Say Never Again". Hot of trombone, hot of temper the domineering,take charge Tommy walked off and formed his own Band. Jimmy, the older of the two, who adopted the role in their joint band as the lay back clarinet and alto saxophonist was left with the original orchestra.

Both brothers vowed never to play with one another again and the rift lasted twelve years, till the death of their father, where they made it up in consolation to their grieving mother.

This movie is a relatively good portrayal of their respective lives, featuring their doting parents, who tried to reconcile their indifference's but to no avail.

The real substance of this movie however, is the superb music not only of the Dorsey Brothers, whose individual careers flourished anyway regardless of the breakup, but the contribution of many other original performers such as Bandleader Paul Whiteman, and solo instrumental performances by Charlie Barnet, Art Tatum, Henry Busse, Ziggy Elman and Ray Bauduc. Great vocals by Bob Eberly and Helen O'Connell singing "Green Eyes" who were actual performers in Jimmy's band but the real stunner is a very lovely, talented Janet Blair with a heavenly voice, effortless phrasing and natural style giving superb renditions in Tommy's band of "Marie",and "The Object of My Affection",and separately with a trio featuring William Lundigan as the pianist, plus Bass and Guitar of an unforgettable number, "To Me", in which she shines magnificently.

Tommy died on November 26 1956 followed by Jimmy 7 months later.

Despite everything about their eruptive and stormy past they both left a legacy of great music which is still played by swing band enthusiasts like myself to this day.

Relax, watch the movie, and enjoy the music.

A Pair Of Competitive Brothers

[bkoganbing · 5/10 · 4 June 2009]

The miracle in getting this film together was to get the Dorsey Brothers on the same sound-stage for this independent production released by United Artists. The feuding brothers who led two of the best and best known bands of the swing era was a story well known to the American movie going public.

Because of that and because their names and faces were so well known to the American public that certain parameters were put on the producers right from the start. That is the reason the brothers played themselves I'm thinking, despite the fact that as actors they were great musicians. It reminds me of The Jackie Robinson Story which was done a few years later where Robinson played himself and great athlete that he was, he just wasn't an actor.

Carrying the acting part of the film were Janet Blair and William Lundigan playing a singer and piano player whose lives were intertwined with the Dorseys. The only part of the film that was true was the breakup. The two brothers feuded constantly and were most competitive even as kids. As it is shown here, is exactly how the breakup occurred.

Also in the film were Mom and Pop Dorsey played by Sara Allgood and Arthur Shields. It is also true that they did grow up in the Pennsylvania coal mining country and that their father made them take music lessons as a way of escaping that life.

After leaving Paul Whiteman whose orchestra was the nurturing ground for an incredible amount of the musical talent in this country for a couple of generations, the Dorseys did strike out on their own with a joint band. And the split occurred exactly as it is shown on screen, they couldn't do it any other way, the story was part of swing lore. But as individual band leaders Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey scored their greatest success in the swing era. From 1935 when the split occurred until the end of World War II which was the end of the Big Band era, both orchestras were consistently in the top five of bands in any poll that was taken.

Jimmy was the quieter, more restrained and nicer of the brothers. Tommy's temper was legendary, but he had some of the best musicians around in his band and he ran it with an iron fist. One of the big parts of Tommy's story was his singer from 1940 to 1942 who when he went out on his own became probably the most famous graduate of either band. The parting with Tommy Dorsey was not a pleasant one for Frank Sinatra, although later on Sinatra gave Dorsey a lot of credit for the career he had. In fact he said that the way Tommy Dorsey played the trombone was whom he patterned his singing style after.

Jimmy had a couple of pretty good singers with his band as well with Helen O'Connell and Bob Eberly, both who had substantial careers, although not in the Sinatra league. Some five years after this film was made, the brothers did reunite.

Tommy died in 1956, a freak accidental death in his sleep as he regurgitated part of a heavy meal he just had and choked on it because of the pills he had taken. Sadly Jimmy Dorsey at the time of his brother's death knew he had a terminal throat cancer and he died in 1957. Their combined music will live on forever, providing enjoyment to millions.

And the music is the reason to watch The Fabulous Dorseys. This review is dedicated to those battling brothers who made so much good music together and so much better apart.

Terrible Acting, but the music is worth it

[BruceUllm · 7/10 · 17 July 2007]

The condition of the print that was transferred to DVD was just awful. This was no bootleg, either. It's the commercially available disc. That is a pity. Worse is the ham-handed acting and Irish accents think enough to cut with a dull knife. Even Barry Fitzgerald never laid it on that thick.

However... for me, it as all worth it to see Helen O'Connell sing "Green Eyes." Oh yes! So, I hold with many of the others' views: watch this for the music and skip the rest.

It would be a help if the print could be restored to a decent condition and a disc transfer made from that. However, the overall quality of the movie and, sadly, the lack of general interest in good music of the Swing Era, probably doesn't justify the expense.

Great music, horrendous acting, beautiful woman.

[jarod34 · 4 December 2002]

I watched this film this afternoon and I am amazed that Janet Blair didn't become one of the great sex symbols of the era. It was only for this beautiful, sexy woman that made me stay with it, (plus the fabulous music). The script was dreadful, the acting (apart from Ms Blair), was embarrasing and the storyline was desperately dull. So in summary if an actress can make me stick like glue to a bomb of a movie like that, she must be something special. Surely we can at least have a headshot!

I wish I had been born in the 1920's

[Ed-Shullivan · 7/10 · 6 November 2020]

Wow, I loved the Dorsey brothers big band music and what a treat it must have been when filmmaking was still in its infancy (1940's) to have these two musical wonder brothers Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey appear in a wide release film brimming with some of their most popular musical numbers

I read that some other reviewers were not impressed with the Dprsey brothers acting abilities, but the way I internalized this biographical film, these were two brothers who were not actually acting but in reality, they were re-living their love/dislike relationship with one another and who can argue with either of these two highly talented brothers who had a different viewpoint on how their (own) music should be played and heard.

I will tell you what I saw and what I heard and the music that I heard was a musical sound that I want to hear more of even some seventy years after it's first release. I really do wish I was born in the 1920's and had the opportunity to see and hear the Dorsey brothers big band music live.

This is an entertaining film especially if you enjoy big band music and a bit of sibling rivalry which most brothers and sisters can relate to. I give it a much appreciated 7 out of 10 IMDB rating.

Bad Acting, but what do you expect?

[Elgroovio · 7/10 · 8 October 2004]

The Dorsey Brothers were great musicians, and I admire their work greatly, but they weren't actors. They could carry off reasonable performances in cameo roles in films, like Tommy Dorsey did in the film "a star is born" but other than that, they were not worthy of a main role.

However, I am not here to dump this film; it has some fantastic music in it, including a great jam session with Art Tatum. We are treated to a fabulous amount of Dorsey hits like Tommy Dorsey's soulful rendition of "I'm Getting Sentimental over you" and Jimmy Dorsey's swingey rendition of "Tangerine".

Also, there are some enjoyable cameo appearances (apart from Tatum) that include the famous bandleader Paul Whiteman and the singer Bob Eberle.

The worst thing about this film is a romantic relationship that occurs between the DB band's pianist and the singer. This relationship has virtually nothing to do with the film, and amounts to an unbearable schmaltz.

"The fabulous Dorseys" isn't a bad film but you probably have to be a massive fan of the talented brothers to truly like this film. Enjoy the music! 7/10

Great Music, True story, Real People, no acting....

[medrjel · 5/10 · 20 February 2002]

Note: contains real life facts that can be construed as ***SPOILERS*** for those unfamiliar with this era.

If you love the swing era music, you will enjoy this movie. It's full of it. If you want to know what went on in the lives of the musicians, this movie has it. In fact, the musicians are the actors as well!

That's the major fault in this movie. Tommy and Jimmy are great performers, but are not actors. Though, some of the bitterness is very real. Tommy "Lightning Slide" Dorsey and Jimmy "Slow Burn" Dorsey did have a parting of the ways. This movie, really in tribute to their father, was filmed shortly after they reunited from their musical split. Still, even after that time they continued solo careers (Tommy faring a bit better than his brother Jimmy in that respect).

At the same time, the fact that the people are real is this movie's greatest strength. They can be a bit stiff with the acting part, but you know what they say is true to their hearts... Heck it was their lives.

The Fabulous Dorseys review

[JoeytheBrit · 6/10 · 15 May 2020]

Engaging enough fictionalised musical biopic which sees the brothers (who play themselves) playing second fiddle to a lukewarm romance between William Lundigan and the rather lovely Janet Blair for much of the running time.

Lousy biopic barely saved by the music

[AlsExGal · 5/10 · 25 September 2020]

The movie tells the story of musician and bandleader brothers Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey (played by themselves), from their upbringing in Pennsylvania coal country to modest musical beginnings in small venues, to eventual radio success. Their fiery temperaments cause them to clash with each other often, eventually leading to a split and them each forming their own orchestras, after which they find even more success. Also starring Janet Blair as a childhood friend, singer, and peacemaker between the brothers, and William Lundigan as a composer and piano player for the band, as well as love interest for Blair.

Tommy the trombone player and Jimmy the saxophone player are excellent musicians but horrible actors. Thus the script focuses more often on the fictional characters played by Blair and Lundigan, neither of whom are much more compelling than the Dorseys. The viewer also begins to notice that not much of dramatic interest happens in the Dorseys lives other than them bickering like brothers do, so the only saving grace is the music, much of it performed by singers and musicians of the day playing themselves in cameos. I'm not familiar with many of them, but the music they perform is fine, and I'm sure will be appreciated by fans of the style.

a coal miner's celebrity sons

[weezeralfalfa · 7/10 · 27 May 2012]

I must admit I was dumbfounded when I learned that it was not Barry Fitzgerald playing the native Irish father of the Dorsey brothers, rather, some guy named Arthur Shields. Upon further investigation, I discovered that this famous native Irish actor had an extensive resume of Broadway productions, as well as Hollywood films, not to mention his early career in Ireland. He was, in fact, Barry's younger brother. The resemblance is striking! I further learned that both brothers had roles in two well regarded films:'The Quiet Man", and "How Green was my Valley". I guess I assumed they were the same person. Sara Allgood, who played the boys'mother also played one the main characters in the latter film, she also being a native of Ireland. Even Janet Blair, who played their fictitious semi-sister throughout the film, was of Irish descent and also from rural PA, although quite a different neck of the woods.

Unlike most musician biops, the parent-offspring relationship remains an important part of the story throughout the film. On the other hand, the Dorsey brother's own romantic relationships and family life are entirely ignored as irrelevant, and somewhat messy in Tommy's case. Tommy's second wife was a former girlfriend of Jimmy's, and Jimmy shoved Tommy's birthday cake in her face(unfortunately, not reenacted in the film!). Instead, we have an ongoing romantic relationship between blond Janet Blair's character(Jane) and a pianist ( William Lundigan.) Jane serves as the band's female singer. She is obviously much younger than the Dorseys, thus the fiction that she was raised with them looks unbelievable. It takes the whole movie of constant pleading by the pianist before Jane agrees to say "I do", she still being loyal to the Dorseys. A rather similar fictitious romantic duo was created for the film biop of John Phillip Sousa: "Stars and Stripes Forever".

I don't know how much input the Dorseys had in the script, but the importance of their father in preparing them for their careers is one of the main points of the film. Although a wage-earning coal miner in the anthracite belt of eastern PA, his true passion was music. He made his sons learn to play several musical instruments and organized a local band that eventually included them. He wanted them to become something better than coal miners, and he succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. Unfortunately, I have no info on whether actors were even considered to play the brothers. I suspect Tommy couldn't stomach anyone else playing him. As actors, I thought Tommy and Jimmy weren't bad, certainly better than Benny Goodman or Glen Miller.The film was made rather soon after the steep decline in popularity of big bands, with the end of WWII, and shortly before Jimmy was forced to dissolve his band, for lack of demand. It was made about 10 years before the brothers died, both only in their early 50s. Throughout the film, the point is made that the brothers often had disagreements about how their music should be played. Jimmy often wanted to play in a slower, less jazzy style. Thus, it was clear that their partnership was not destined to last forever.Tommy reportedly was the more ambitious and demanding of the two, and his peak years occurred after he split with Jimmy in 1935. However, as a band member, you were likely to feel much more comfortable dealing with Jimmy. Their reconciliation was very gradual during the late '40s, until they finally collaborated on a new band in '53, which was given a weekly TV spot for several years. They are credited with giving a young, radically different singer, named Elvis Presley, his first national TV exposure, in 6 appearances in '56, just shortly before Tommy died suddenly from choking.

A few of the better known past or present members of their bands were briefly featured, including vocalists Bob Eberly and Helen O'Connell from Jimmy's band. Art Tatum is also featured playing the piano in an extended jam session, and Paul Whiteman's band is featured several times...Too bad Sinatra and Jo Stafford, former standout singers for Tommy, could not be included. Although Sinatra credited his experience with the Dorsey band as important in developing his singing technique and performance style, his parting from the band was not agreeable to Tommy, and Sinatra was always bitter about the terms he had to agree to in buying out the remaining years of his contract. Hence, he refused to participate in the TV tribute to Tommy, upon his death. Sinatra always contrasted his amiable parting from the Harry James band with his stormy departure from Tommy's band.

Returning to the film, Janet Blair sings "To Me" twice, once in private to her pianist admirer, and later in public. Occasional comedic incidents are interspersed to balance the spats between the boys and others. For example, in their first radio broadcast, they play way too loud and misinterpret a signal by the frantic sound booth-confined director to mean they should play louder. This is followed by a general melee, while still on the air. Between such melodrama scenes, enjoy some of their musical performances.

The Fabulous Dorseys

[carlock · 3/10 · 21 March 2008]

I have to agree that the movie is not the best I've ever seen, but I would like to make mention that the actors portraying Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey were the actual Dorsey brothers. As actors, they were wonderful musicians. The movie, based on their famous split, would have been better had professional actors played the parts. Many movies made during this time frame took advantage of the popularity of Big Bands. Most often, the movies were not that good because musicians are not actors by trade. Most of the movie-going audience didn't go to see Tommy or Jimmy Dorsey playing themselves; they went for the plot and the music. I've never been much of a Dorsey fan, but the music is good even today.

I have to comment on a previous post regarding the actors who played Mom and Pop Dorsey and that their accents would be considered extreme by a Dublin audience. Arthur Shields and Sara Allgood were actually Irish actors, both born in Dublin. You might remember Mr. Shields as the Reverend Mr. Playfair in The Quiet Man and Ms. Allgood as Mrs. Monahan in Cheaper By The Dozen.

Determination and Cockeyed Optimism

[LeonardKniffel · 8/10 · 11 April 2020]

This black-and-white film seems almost like a documentary, with legendary big band leaders Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey playing fictionalized versions of themselves and delivering many of the hits that made them famous, including "Green Eyes," "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You," and "Marie." Performances by big band musicians and singers from the 1940s, including Art Tatum, Charlie Barnet, Bob Everly, Paul Whiteman, and Helen O'Connell help convey a sense of why this music is such a perfect expression of the American generation that won World War II with its determination and cockeyed optimism. ---from Musicals on the Silver Screen, American Library Association, 2013

Fabulous....maybe....but they were lousy actors

[helpless_dancer · 6/10 · 30 July 2001]

If you are a fan of big band swinging music, this is your ticket. Was this a true account of these talented musicians who, the film would have us believe, acted as brotherly as 2 enemies? Who knows, but I did enjoy the story and all the old tunes. One of the worst performed movies I've ever seen.

Music good, but the Dorseys deserve better

[paulwl · 5/10 · 14 April 2008]

THE FABULOUS DORSEYS is not fabulous - a B feature with a C-minus script and D-plus dialogue - but the music at least is enjoyable, as I'd expect from a picture starring not one but two big bandleaders.

Laying aside the rickety wooden dialogue and nonexistent love duo, the story is compressed but basically true: poor Irish mining family produces two talented musicians who don't get along, but rise quickly through the band business, start their own outfit, then inevitably break up. As a band nut I'd have liked to see mention of some of the name orchestras of the 20s including the Dorseys - Jean Goldkette? Freddie Rich? - or of Joe Haymes, a forgotten talent who sold Tommy his first band. But that's just me.

Janet Blair (like the brothers a Pennsylvania girl, and one-time vocalist with Hal Kemp's band) just lights up the screen every time we see and hear her, leading us to wonder just what she sees in a stuffed-shouldered cluck like William Lundigan. Other vocal highlights come from ex-JD singers Bob Eberly and Helen O'Connell and TD's then current crooner, Stuart Foster. Instrumental stars Art Tatum, Ray Bauduc and Charlie Barnet add heart to a jam session sequence. Paul Whiteman, gruff, fast-talking and positive, obviously liked playing Paul Whiteman, liaison between fiction and musical reality.

TD and JD are actually OK on screen - they weren't actors but one should not expect them to be. The fault there is with the mawkishly written dialogue that flops out of everyone's mouths. Their real personalities are visible, though toned down: Tommy's natural side-of-the-mouth cockiness, Jimmy's salty dignity of the veteran trouper. (In reality Tommy was profane and given to physical violence; Jimmy was quiet, decent but more than a little bitter, and both had long love-hate relationships with John Barleycorn.)

The real-life Dorseys - their music, their problems, their era - still await a full-dress Hollywood treatment before their names totally fade from the culture. It's easy to imagine, say, Ben Affleck and Ed Burns in the roles of TD and JD, complete with booze, broads, cuss words, flying chairs, and original orchestrations.

(PS: Those commenting about how over-the-top Mom and Pop Dorsey's Irish brogues were should understand that the actors playing them actually were Irish.)

It's entertaining, a great showcase for the Dorseys' music, but not much else.

[mjbrown · 31 January 1999]

The true story of the rise of jazz/swing bandleaders Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, The Fabulous Dorseys' appeal rests primarily on its basis in reality (the Dorseys portray themselves, in fact) and the many live performances recreated for the film. As for plot, well, it has none to speak of. The supporting cast is ornamental, and character development consists, for all but the last 15 minutes, of little more than establishing that the brothers don't always see eye to eye. Also, the film commands top honors when it comes to abysmal lip-synching and faux piano-playing. Nevertheless, it's clear that the point is to showcase the Dorsey's music and quell any gossip that may have been going around, at the time, about the tension between the Fabulous Dorseys, and on that level, this musical biography is pleasantly entertaining.

musical biopic

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 5 November 2023]

It's a biopic of battling musical brothers Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey. They play themselves as adults. Their father raised them to be musicians to escape their coal mining hometown. They are best friends with next door neighbor Jane Howard who would sing in their band. They use a bit of Jane to hook pianist Bob Burton.

I've heard of Tommy Dorseys although I don't remember the context. It's a very simple standard biopic. I'm sure most of it has been cleaned up for public consumption. Quite frankly, I would not be surprised if this has been entirely fictionalized. It doesn't really matter. I'm not looking for some shocking truth to be revealed. This is fine.

The Dorsey music, what there is of it, is fine, but it keeps being interrupted by the acting

[Terrell-4 · 3/10 · 10 April 2008]

Why spend a moment slogging through this awkward and self-conscious movie? Every now and then, after an hour of tedious plot and amateur acting, we start getting bits and pieces of the big band swing that made Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, separately and together, the great musicians they were. Occasionally -- in a jam session with Art Tatum, with Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra doing "Marie" and, a standout, Jimmy Dorsey and his orchestra fronting Bob Eberle and Helen O'Connell singing "Green Eyes" -- we get a complete song.

Unfortunately, the movie is in the public domain and the DVD transfer is just as bad as the acting. My copy has only four chapter stops. That means you can get arthritis in your fast- forward finger trying to speed through to where the good stuff is. The swamp you're moving through is Hollywood's version of the life and battles of the two Dorseys. Tommy, superb on trombone, and Jimmy, superb on saxophone, usually couldn't stand each other. In 1935 they finally split, with Tommy starting his own orchestra. Each had greater success alone than they had achieved together. They reconciled when their father died in the Forties, which is where the movie ends. They later managed to tolerate each other in the orchestra led by Tommy as the big band era faded out in the Fifties. Tommy died in 1956 at age 51, vomiting in his sleep after booze, pills and a big meal. Jimmy died of cancer at 53 in 1957. Jimmy was hugely talented and, from all accounts, a reasonably easy-going guy. Tommy was hugely talented and, from all accounts, often an overbearing jerk. But good music makes up for a lot of faults, and the Big Band sounds the two created helped define the swing era.

They play themselves in the movie, and we see them develop from tussling tykes (with child actors) to grown men battling and yammering at each other. The movie is lumbered with not just their two parents, played by those Hollywood Irish clichés, Sara Allgood and Arthur Shields, who just want their boys to get along with each other, but also with a major sub- story involving a romance between Janet Blair, as a childhood friend of the Dorseys who becomes a vocalist with them and serves as a nearly full-time mediator and enabler, and William Lundigan, as a piano player. Blair is not bad at all. However, if you want to see why she never became the star she quite probably should have become, just look at the films, like this one, that her studio put her in. No wonder she left Hollywood. Lundigan simply takes up space.

How bad is this movie, other than when we can actually hear the Dorseys play? Well, here's a song written especially for the movie and given to Blair to warble. It's called "To Me."

To me...you're the rose of a rosary...the rise of a rising sea...the glow of a star...

The rose of a rosary? The movie doesn't get any better than this, and it can't get worse. Still, if you like the Dorseys and if the price is right...well, in hindsight I'd still not buy it. The highlight, for me, is Eberle and O'Connell singing "Green Eyes." You can watch them on You Tube for free. You'll also find there quite a bit of each of the Dorseys. I wish I'd known.

A few musical highlights but this is the pits for plot and acting...

[Doylenf · 5/10 · 14 April 2008]

THE FABULOUS DORSEYS is, as Maltin says, "a limp musical", largely because neither JIMMY or TOMMY DORSEY can act their way out of a paper bag and the screenplay is hardly an inspired piece of writing. The most ingratiating performers are JANET BLAIR and WILLIAM LUNDIGAN, supplying the love interest as members of the band, and at least add some necessary glamor to the proceedings.

SARAH ALLGOOD and ARTHUR SHIELDS are the Irish parents of the boys, who had a fighting relationship since childhood. The film depicts how this temperamental nonsense continued into their adult life as band leaders who argued about everything, especially music. Only after their father dies and Blair schemes a way to get the band leaders together again for a concert, does the story reach a reasonably happy ending.

We get snatches of some of their song hits, including the memorable "Green Eyes" and "Marie", and Bob Eberle and Helen O'Connell get to do their thing with a song, but the swing music isn't enough to compensate for a thin, contrived plot line. Furthermore, the print shown on TCM was pretty rough around the edges, no better than a third rate Public Domain print.

Summing up: The Dorseys deserved better than this.

Great Music, True Story, No acting.

[me-75905 · 3/10 · 8 March 2019]

Oh dear. This film was shown on one of the Talking Pictures channels here recently. Now don't get me wrong. If you like Jazz and its technicians in this Golden Era, like I do, you will love the music and arrangements, and the surprise cameos.

But Jesus H Christ. Is this film smug and up its own backside or what?

Talk about If you love kitch and schmaltz, there's boatloads here, but you will have to suspend belief in that all you are seeing actually happened, or happened in the way as portrayed. Make sure you have a sick bag to hand.

Were the boys actors? Nope. Does it bother me? NOT ONE BIT!

[ben-thayer · 9/10 · 11 December 2020]

OK, I'll confess up front, I'm a sucker for this picture. So my rating is entirely personal.

Although many reviewers have bashed this picture harshly, it's is a treat for any fans of the Dorsey brothers. It's interesting to see them with so much screen time when the majority of their onscreen appearances were brief, primarily introducing a number and conducting their respective bands. And does it bother me that they aren't talented thespians? Not at all...in truth I found their "performances" rather amusing. It's the tunes that push me to rate this film as high as I have...so many FABULOUS numbers!

Viewers also get to see the brothers play individually a lot more than one typically sees in their other film appearances, where they conduct and play a solo here or there. This picture is laced with their virtuosity. The Dorseys were *brilliant* players, and one gets a full dose of their otherworldly talent throughout the film.

And speaking of talent, the magnificent Art Tatum is on full display in one of his rare film appearances. It's easy to see why Mr. Tatum is revered as one of *the* greatest, most innovative pianists in the jazz genre. The scene where the boys jam with Tatum's band is pure gold, and it's hard not to be floored completely when the legendary Charlie Barnet takes a tenor sax solo.

So don't expect Citizen Kane, this film isn't in the same league nor is it trying to be. But then again, well...not comparing it to Kane but there's a lot to see in this picture. The brothers' prodigious musical talent was nothing short of amazing, and this film does a great job showing just how good they were.

The Bhoys In The Band

[writers_reign · 5/10 · 18 February 2007]

As a biopic this one fits where it touches. Who knows the genesis; what we DO know is that The Jolson Story had been produced the year before (1946) and had cleaned up despite having an actor portray Jolie so maybe the thinking was 'suppose we get Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey to play themselves ...'. Whatever, the movie is fine on Musical content yet blithely ignores the biggest name by far who was ever associated with either brother, Frank Sinatra, who sang with Tommy from 1940 to 1942 (in fact Tommy's band is heard playing 'I'll Never Smile Again' which was one of Sinatra's early hits with the band and Jimmy's two prime vocalists, Bob Eberle and Helen O'Connell appear as themselves and perform one of their hit records Green Eyes. There's an entirely superfluous 'romance' between Janet Blair - who may be a fictional character but is alleged to have grown up as a neighbor of the brothers - and prime mahogany William Lundigan but the musical content is adequate and will please fans of both brothers.

Fatuous Nobodys

[shandycr · 1/10 · 22 January 2023]

Dreadful tripe.

Prosaically filmed nonsense about brothers learning to concatinate instruments to make a caterwauling sound. Utterly basic in every techincal department, and if you don't like jazz, then, interminably discordant.

It invariably looks poo because it was so awful it had to be independently produced. Therefore you get various PD incarnations of it on DVD. But even this half-decent British DD release can't compensate for the cheapness and literal scissor editing.

Ends extremely disconcertingly with a shot of the 'mother' grinning, worthy of Laura Palmer's 'Missing Twin Peaks' grin at the fan.

10 overall - but with a lot of 2's and 3's inside

[caa821 · 10/10 · 22 October 2006]

Tally the various qualities of this flick: the Dorsey brothers couldn't act for proverbial "sour apples;" they are in their 40's (look 10 years older), yet are supposedly 20 or so as they begin their careers; their wisecracking banjo player (Foggy), obviously intended as a comic-relief quipster, only succeeds in making you want to jamb your index finger down your throat as far as possible; the contrived silly, superfluous, romantic relationship between Lundigan and Blair takes the word "insipid" to new heights - and she all but swoons when he reveals to her his desire to "write a concerto;" (this duo makes you want to insert your other index finger into your throat); the actor and actress, portraying Mom and Pop Dorsey, effect Irish accents which would be thought extreme by an audience in a Dublin theater (theatre); and about 50 other details which could be added.

But.......... these two were superb musicians, and the Tommy Dorsey orchestra remains today - also, the film evokes a nostalgic, great bygone era. The music, songs and performers, in addition to the brothers, provide a "who's who" in our musical history. Paul Whiteman, Art Tatum, Charlie Barnet would alone make any film worth seeing. And Henry Busse is thought by some to be perhaps the best trumpeter ever - certainly near the top among Biederbecke, Hirt, James, Armstrong, McCoy, etc.

This movie might only rate a 2- to 4-star mark based upon the acting and plot contrivances. But the awfulness in the acting makes it even more fascinating, and with the music and the personalities in this film, it is worth an overall "10."

It's all about the music

[earlytalkie · 10/10 · 26 May 2011]

I would give "The Fabulous Dorseys" a 10 on the basis of the music alone. If the acting by the Dorsey Brothers does not exactly bowl you over, at least it were the actual brothers portraying themselves. The music is sublime, and if you like the classic big-band sound, you will love the music here. There are guest stars as well, chief among them being Paul Whiteman, in one of his rare film appearances. Lovely Helen O' Connell is along to vocalize to some of the Dorsey Brother's biggest hits. Based on the reviews I have read about this film, I wouldn't bother, but I have learned to listen to my own opinions of certain films after viewing them. That is why we have websites like this so we can share our honest opinions of these films.

A sentimental journey.

[ouzman-1 · 10/10 · 2 May 2018]

A film that has great music in the way that the West End has modern pop placed within a musical, ABBA, Frankie Valli etc., this script had to explain the context of the two feuding musicians and attempt a story time-line of sorts, given that both actors are made up to simulate youthful exuberance and middle age. Their rise and rise, their falling out all quickly accepted as a vehicle/background to the music.

This is the Swing Era that is remembered but this is not the Glen Miller story. It is poor and a bit shallow. I can forgive this as these two legends each suffered an untimely end - dying within their 50s. A Tragedy of a story in hindsight that could be re-visited? there is a story out there but not found here.

However back to the script - it is AOK, but best revered for the music and it is a tad over sentimental especially with their reunion. Factually accurate? Well who knows but it does gives us a wonderful insight into the boys' music. music makes it a ten and to watch the technique of glissando!