Question 1

Which actor learned clarinet for the role of Benny Goodman?

Accepted Answer

Already an accomplished piano player, Steve Allen learned how to play the clarinet for this film.

Question 2

Who actually played the clarinet music in the film?

Accepted Answer

Benny Goodman played all the clarinet music heard on the soundtrack himself, except for the squeaky notes in the scene where young Goodman first tries to play, which were played by Steve Allen.

Question 3

Why did Ziggy Elman play 'air trumpet' in the film?

Accepted Answer

Ziggy Elman, who plays himself, was unable to play the trumpet by that time, so he mimed while Manny Klein performed the solo on the soundtrack.

Question 4

What did Steve Allen reveal about the real Benny Goodman?

Accepted Answer

In later interviews, Steve Allen admitted that the real Benny Goodman was not nearly as pleasant as Allen portrayed him in the movie.

Question 5

Which real-life musicians appear as themselves in the film?

Accepted Answer

Ben Pollack, Gene Krupa, Lionel Hampton, Harry James, and Ziggy Elman appear as themselves.

The Benny Goodman Story

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