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The Five Pennies
Dixieland cornetist Red Nichols runs into opposition to his sound, but breaks through to success. He marries a warm, patient woman and even finds time to raise a family. Then tragedy strikes when their daughter contracts polio.
| Release : | 1959 |
| Rating : | 7.1 |
| Studio : | Dena Productions, |
| Crew : | Art Direction, Art Direction, |
| Cast : | Danny Kaye Barbara Bel Geddes Louis Armstrong Harry Guardino Bob Crosby |
| Genre : | Drama Music |
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Reviews
Highly Overrated But Still Good
Fresh and Exciting
Absolutely brilliant
Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.
Very loosely based on the life of Red Nichols whose career blossomed in the 1920s but faltered in about 1932. The music is OK, if not great, but the family saga is depressing. It's poorly paced, and not well written nor well directed. The photography seems flat. The narrative starts reasonably, but declines from about the mid-point and towards the end. Kaye's scene persuading his little daughter to go to sleep goes on far too long. In a sense the whole movie is predicated on the failure of the parents to look after their daughter properly. The final scene tries to be upbeat, but isn't. Louis Armstrong makes a powerful impression, as always. Barbara Bel Geddes is appealing, but Danny Kaye just seems miscast. The male supporting cast of characters make no impression at all, and are interchangeable. The young girls playing the Nichols daughter are adequate. How did this receive four Oscar nominations ? Brooklyn and Ogden, Utah, have connotations which amuse Americans, but which don't travel.
This movie was made 36 years before I was born. Danny Kaye died 7 years before I was born. I am 17 now and first saw this movie about 3 years ago. Danny Kaye was decades before my time, yet he is one of the greatest inspirations/influences on my life. I am a trumpet player and this movie inspires me in ways you wouldn't imagine. I was a little 'misty-eyed' during the scene where Loring comes out from being sick in the toilets and Willa says "remember, it doesn't really matter that you'll never be the greatest cornet player in the world" to which he answers by playing one of the greatest cornet pieces I've ever heard. This movie to me is about a man who defies a world telling him that he'll never make it as a horn player. 'The Five Pennies' will be admired by me forever for producing a quote I have lived my life by since I first heard it. "someday you'll all be working for me..." ^^that quote alone is worth a perfect 10/10 for me
my favorite bit of this film is at the end, I care not how factual it is. I find a lump in my throat every single time I see it and I am usually blubbing like a baby by the end credits. It is a wonderful story of a very talented man and of a great time in musical history, the scenes with 'Satchmo' Louis Armstrong are another particular favorite as he usually steals the scene. The little girl actress put s in a fine and mature performance as 'Red' Nicols's daughter. But as usual Danny Kaye is nothing short of majestic he is perfectly at home miming to Lorne 'Red' Nicols cornet playing. The story is beautiful as is the acting. Don't forget to pack your Kleenex when you watch it though. Excellent family entertainment twenty out of ten......
This is an excellent musical in the old style where the songs either help progress the plot or fit in with the story line. All the music is well done. How can you lose with Danny Kaye and Louis Armstrong singing your songs? Just heard that Susan Gordon (she played the daughter at 6) is on broadway in a play after 35 years away from the stage. Enjoy.
