STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER [1952 / 2011] [2-DISC SET] [Blu-ray + DVD] [USA Release] Strike Up The Band! Here Comes The Greatest Musical Show On Earth!
John Philip Sousa’s ‘STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER’ is a rousing and patriotic march heard every Fourth of July and, the inspirational film about the American music legend who wrote it, John Philip Sousa. Beginning with John Philip Sousa’s days as a sergeant major in the United States Marine Corps and leader of the Corps’ famous marching band “Stars and Stripes Forever” and transports you back to the 1890’s and John Philip Sousa’s ascent to world renown as a composer and conductor of The Sousa Band. Three-time ACADEMY AWARD® Nominee Clifton Webb shines as John Philip Sousa. “The Marching Song,” along with Robert Wagner, Debra Paget and Ruth Hussey.
FILM FACT No.1: Awards and Nominations: 1953 Golden Globes Awards: Nominated: Best Motion Picture for a Comedy or Musical. Nominated: Best Actor for a Comedy or Musical for Clifton Webb. Nominated: Most Promising Male Newcomer for Robert Wagner.
FILM FACT No.2: The "Presidential Polonaise," a John Philip Sousa composition, may be heard during the White House scene in which the President is hounded by a senator about a postmaster appointment. President Benjamin Harrison sends a request for a livelier piece of music in order to speed up the reception line, and John Philip Sousa and his band strike up "Semper Fidelis." Both pieces were specifically written by John Philip Sousa for White House functions: the "Presidential Polonaise" for indoor events, "Semper Fidelis" for outdoor functions. During the "El Capitan" rehearsal, while John Philip Sousa reads of Willie Little's wounding incident, two rarely heard lyrics can be heard: one to "El Capitan," the march, and a John Philip Sousa ballad. In reality, "The Stars and Stripes Forever" was first played publicly at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia on the 14th May, 1897, much earlier than the hospital concert depicted at the conclusion of the film. Ninety years later, by a 1987 act of the U.S. Congress, it was made the official National March of the United States of America. During the overture, which is played over the title credits, there are excerpts from many Sousa marches. The drum solo is a shortened version of the "Semper Fidelis" solo.
Cast: Clifton Webb, Debra Paget, Robert Wagner, Ruth Hussey, Finlay Currie, Roy Roberts, Thomas Browne Henry, Aladdin [Orchestra Conductor / Violinist at Burlesk House] (uncredited), Bill Alcorn (uncredited), Sharon Jan Altman (uncredited), Jon Andrews (uncredited), John Baer (uncredited), Barbara Bailey (uncredited), Patricia Barker (uncredited), Alvin Beam (uncredited), Bobker Ben Ali (uncredited), Jack Boyle (uncredited), Tex Brodus (uncredited), Jimmy Brooks (uncredited), Ralph Brooks (uncredited), Arthur Brunner (uncredited), Ernest Brunner (uncredited), Buddy Bryan (uncredited), Libby Burke (uncredited), Aileen Carlyle (uncredited), Alice Cavers (uncredited), George Chakiris [Ballroom Dancer] (uncredited), Ruth Clifford (uncredited), Dorinda Clifton (uncredited), John Close (uncredited), William Colella (uncredited), Jack Colton (uncredited), James Conaty (uncredited), Heinie Conklin (uncredited), Roy Darmour (uncredited), Drusilla Davis (uncredited), Rene De Haven (uncredited), Pepe J. DeChiazza (uncredited), Rudy Del Campo (uncredited), Frank Dernhammer (uncredited), Ward Ellis (uncredited), Arun Evans (uncredited), Jack Fisher (uncredited), Bill Foster (uncredited), Robert Foulk (uncredited), Doris Fulton (uncredited), Richard Garrick (uncredited), Roy Gordon (uncredited), Fred Hansen (uncredited), Jean Harrison (uncredited), Mary Jane Hill (uncredited), Marguerite E. Hogan (uncredited), Gretchen Houser (uncredited), Charlotte Hunter (uncredited), Thomas E. Jackson (uncredited), Casse Jaeger (uncredited), Si Jenks (uncredited), Delos Jewkes (uncredited), Reynolds Johnson (uncredited), Kenner G. Kemp (uncredited), Colin Kenny (uncredited), Walter Woolf King (uncredited), Nicolas Koster (uncredited), Paul Kruger (uncredited), Lucille La Marr (uncredited), Lisa Lang (uncredited), Norman Leavitt (uncredited), Virginia Lee (uncredited), Edmond Lucitt (uncredited), Charles Lunard (uncredited), Joan Maloney (uncredited), Gregg Martell (uncredited), Buddy Martin (uncredited), Lenee Martin (uncredited), Thomas Martin (uncredited), Jack Mather (uncredited), Lester Matthews (uncredited), Jack Mattis (uncredited), Paul Maxey (uncredited), Helen McAllister (uncredited), Joan McKellen (uncredited), Frank Miller (uncredited), Nolie Miller (uncredited), Wade Miller (uncredited), Ray Montgomery (uncredited), Roger Moore (uncredited), Joan Morton (uncredited), Grazia Narciso (uncredited), Ted Otis (uncredited), Roy Palmer (uncredited), Jack Pennick (uncredited), Joe Ploski (uncredited), Howard Price (uncredited), Maudie Prickett (uncredited), George Reeder (uncredited), Jack Regas (uncredited), Pat Rice (uncredited), George Riley (uncredited), Buddy Robinson (uncredited), Jack Ross (uncredited), Autumn Russell (uncredited), Susan Scott (uncredited), Florence Shirley (uncredited), Max Showalter (uncredited), Helen Silvers (uncredited), Vida Ann Solomon (uncredited), Olan Soule (uncredited), Robert Street (uncredited), Leo Sulky (uncredited), Jimmy Thompson (uncredited), Lusita Triana (uncredited), Helen Van Tuyl (uncredited), William Vedder (uncredited), Benay Venuta (uncredited), Ernö Verebes (uncredited), Romo Vincent (uncredited), Tito Vuolo (uncredited), Max Wagner (uncredited), Bill Walker (uncredited), Maude Wallace (uncredited), Blue Washington (uncredited), Ruth Ann Welsh (uncredited) and Wilson Wood (uncredited)
Director: Henry Koster
Producer: Lamar Trotti
Screenplay: John Philip Sousa (book), Ernest Vajda (story) and Lamar Trotti
Composer: Alfred Newman (uncredited)
Costume Design: Dorothy Jeakins
Choreography: Al White Jr.
Technicolor Color Consultant: Leonard Doss
Cinematography: Charles G. Clarke, A.S.C. (Director of Photography)
Image Resolution: 1080p (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Audio: English: 1.0 DTS-HD Master Mono Audio
Spanish: 1.0 Dolby Digital Mono Audio
English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish
Running Time: 89 minutes
Region: Blu-ray All Regions + DVD NTSC
Number of discs: 2
Studio: 20th Century-Fox
Andrew’s Blu-ray Review: ‘STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER’ [1952] is an amazing Technicolor film biography of the late-19th to early 20th century composer and band leader John Philip Sousa. The film's title is taken from John Philip Sousa's "The Stars and Stripes Forever “composed music which has become the best known of his military marches.
While the film's storyline is loosely based on John Philip Sousa's autobiography “Marching Along,” the film takes considerable liberties and dramatic license, often expanding and examining themes and passages from John Philip Sousa's book. The only indisputable and exciting great element in ‘STARS & STRIPES FOREVER’ is its music. Clifton Webb does a fine work as the great band-master and composer of memorable marches who, on the 1890's, when he leaves the Marines Corps., forms his own concert band and travels around the world. With the sensitive and beautiful Debra Paget as the singer-dancer, and the sympathetic and good-looking Robert Wagner as the horn player Private Willie Little, the loving couple shares a real and firm part of the “imagined” tale.
Two examples: In the film, Private Willie Little is credited with inventing the Sousaphone and naming it after his mentor, but in reality John Philip Sousa himself designed the instrument. The inspiration for the film's title march is depicted in a scene with a voice over by Webb quoting John Philip Sousa's actual description of its creation while he was aboard ship recovering from typhoid fever. In reality, having learned of the sudden death of his band's manager, John Philip Sousa and his wife cancelled their European vacation and were returning to the U.SA. via steamship when the march came to him.
In the 1890s, Sergeant Major John Philip Sousa, the director of the United States Marine Band, leaves the Marine Corps after his enlistment expires to form his own band. John Philip Sousa must do so because he is not paid enough by the Corps to provide for his wife Jennie [Ruth Hussey] and their three children. As a favour for his splendid service, he is allowed to take along Private Willie Little, who has invented and plays a new instrument, the "Sousaphone."
Private Willie Little persuades John Philip Sousa to go with him to a "concert" where some of John Philip Sousa's songs will be performed. In fact, it is a rowdy music hall, where Willie's girlfriend, Lily Becker [Debra Paget], is one of the performers. When the police raid the place for indecency (by 1890s standards), the trio barely manage to get away. Private Willie Little and Lily Becker immediately begin to fit right in, eventually becoming an extension of the John Philip Sousa family.
John Philip Sousa forms his band and selects only the finest musicians from around the world. He firmly discourages the married men in the band from bringing their wives along on tour. However, Private Willie Little and Lily Becker are deeply in love and are secretly married and tour together in the new band. Late one night, John Philip Sousa is shocked when he spots Private Willie Little sneaking into Lily Becker's train compartment. John Philip Sousa's wife has to let him in on their secret.
The great highlights of the picture are when a black choir is singing "The Battle Hymn Of The Republic," and the outstanding performance of "Dixie," played by Philip Sousa and his Orchestra as they enter the Cotton States Exposition in Atlanta. With Ruth Hussey playing John Philip Sousa's sensible wife, and with vivid costumes and a rich amount of . John Philip Sousa's music, this colourful film is charming and entertaining all the way.
John Philip Sousa and his band tour the world, and he is honoured with medals by the crowned heads of Europe. When the USS Maine is sunk by an explosion in Havana harbour, precipitating the Spanish–American War, both Private Willie Little and John Philip Sousa reenlist in the Marine Corps. However, John Philip Sousa is kept out of the actual fighting and instead is forced to go on a sea voyage to recover from a bout of typhoid fever. At sea, John Philip Sousa begins a new march inspired by the war.
During the rehearsal of John Philip Sousa's new operetta “El Capitan,” starring Lily Becker, the John Philip Sousa family receive a letter from Private Willie Little in Cuba in which he reveals he was wounded in the knee and his lower left leg is later amputated. Following the end of the war, Private Willie Little returns home and recuperates at the Brooklyn Navy Yard Hospital. Private Willie Little and Lily Becker attend a small weekly concert held at the hospital. As a surprise, the curtain opens and John Philip Sousa and his 50-piece band are revealed. John Philip Sousa calls upon Private Willie Little to re-join them on his Sousaphone in a concert for the wounded veterans, their families, and the medical staff. John Philip Sousa announces that he has written a new march for all the veterans of the war and that this performance will be its debut.
The band launches into the film's title march, as we move forward in time to the present day. Battalions of uniformed U.S. Marines march in formation to the martial music. In modern Washington D.C., the ghostly spirit of John Philip Sousa leads the United States Marine Band while they perform "The Stars and Stripes Forever" to its rousing conclusion.
John Philip Sousa's position in American and World music is set in stone by now. Others have composed great marches and the English composer Edward Elgar especially with his four "Pomp and Circumstance Marches" for instance, two of which are memorable, and such major composers like Richard Wagner [German composer] and Felix Mendelssohn [German composer]. But John Philip Sousa remains the "March King" supremo. Like Johann Strauss the Younger, Alexander Scarlatti and Scott Joplin, John Philip Sousa is recalled for his domination of a single area of music, especially marches in this case, rather than waltzes, sonatas, or "rags." But this really does not explain why he remains the "March King." There is a sense of fun and spirit in John Philip Sousa's marches that transcend what a march is usually supposed to do. The film does touch, once or twice, on John Philip Sousa's attempts to broaden his musical ability by doing Broadway (operettas) shows.
Watch the film ‘STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER’ to get a historical perspective on some of America's and the World's Best Marching Band Music by John Philip Sousa! The film is a chronology of snippets about the life of John Philip Sousa, his wife, and two apparently fictional friends written into the movie to have a young romantic sub-plot. All other performers in this film are not interesting enough in character to comment upon. Most of the actors were not even credited in the films running credits. 20th Century-Fox enlisted a calibre of fine performers for a seamlessly entertaining biopic of John Philip Sousa with a nice, anachronistically innocent, fictional romance interwoven with the band leader and composer's story.
STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER MUSIC TRACK LIST
SEMPER FIDELIS (uncredited) (Music by John Philip Sousa) (1888) [Played during the opening credits] [Also played by the Marine band at the presidential reception]
THE WASHINGTON POST (uncredited) (Music by John Philip Sousa) (1889) [Played in the first marching scene] [Also performed in the ballroom scene by Debra Paget and an uncredited partner]
MY LOVE IS A WEEPING WILLOW (uncredited) (Music by John Philip Sousa from "Semper Fidelis") (1888) (Lyrics written for "Stars and Stripes Forever" by Ken Darby) [Sung by Clifton Webb]
OH, WHY SHOULD THE SPIRIT OF MORTAL BE PROUD? (uncredited) (Music by John Philip Sousa) (1899) (Lyrics from the poem by William Knox, "Mortality") (1824) [Performed at the music hall by Delos Jewkes]
FATHER’S GOT ‘EM! (uncredited) (Written by Harry Wincott) (1897) [Performed by Debra Paget at the Sousa home]
HAIL TO THE CHIEF (uncredited) (Music by James Sanderson) (1810) [Played during the introduction to the presidential reception]
PRESENDENTIAL POLONAISE (uncredited) (Music by John Philip Sousa) (1886) [Played by the Marine band at the presidential reception]
LIGHT CALVERY OVERTURE (uncredited) (Music by Franz von Suppé) (1866) [Played by Sousa's band at the Chicago World's Fair]
TURKEY IN THE STRAW (uncredited) (Traditional) [Played by Sousa's band at the Chicago World's Fair]
Caro nome From "Rigoletto" (uncredited) (Music by Giuseppe Verdi) (1851) (Lyrics by Francesco Maria Piave) [Performed by Debra Paget outside of rehearsal]
SWEET MARIE (uncredited) (Music by Raymon Moore) (1893) (Lyrics by Cy Warman) [Performed by a chorus during the Central Park scene]
Mein Lebenslauf ist Lieb' und Lust, Op. 263 (My Character Is Love and Joy) (uncredited) (Music by Josef Strauß) (1869) [Played during the ballroom scene]
(I Wish I Was in) DIXIE’S LAND aka "Dixie" (uncredited) (Music by Daniel Decatur Emmett) (1859) [March arrangement played at the Cotton States Exposition]
THE BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC (uncredited) (Music by William Steffe) (1856) (Lyrics by Julia Ward Howe) (1862) [New arrangement sung by the Stone Mountain Church Choir]
WHEN IT’S SPRINGTIME IN NEW YORK (uncredited) (Music by Alfred Newman) (Lyrics by Ken Darby) [Performed by a quartet, chorus and Debra Paget]
THE BOWERY (uncredited) (Music by Percy Gaunt) (1892) (Lyrics by Charles Hale Hoyt) [Performed by Debra Paget and chorus during the "Springtime in New York" number]
I’M AFRAID (uncredited) (Music by Alfred Newman) (Lyrics by Lester O'Keefe) [Performed by Debra Paget and chorus] [Also sung when Sousa reads the rest of Willie Little's letter]
EL CAPITAN (uncredited) (Music by John Philip Sousa) (1895) (Lyrics by Charles Klein) [Performed by a band and chorus backstage when Jenny reads Willie Little's letter] [Also played when Willie Little is riding in the ambulance after the war ends]
A HOT TIME IN THE OLD TOWN (uncredited) (Music by Theodore A. Metz) (1896) (Lyrics by Joe Hayden) [Played during the playbill montage] [Also played during the "Springtime in New York" number] [Sung by a chorus during the end-of-war scene]
THE STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER (uncredited) (Music by John Philip Sousa) (1896) [Played by Sousa's band at the end]
POP GOES THE WEASAL (uncredited) (Traditional) [Played between acts at the music hall]
A VISION OF SALOME (uncredited) (Music by J. Bodewalt Lampe) (1908) [Played as accompaniment to the "Living Pictures" at the music hall]
SOBRE LAS OLAS (Over the Waves) (uncredited) (Music by Juventino Rosas) (1888) [Played as carnival music at the beginning of the Cotton States Exposition scene]
THE THUNDERER (uncredited) (Music by John Philip Sousa) (1889) [Played at the beginning of the montage following the Cotton States Exposition] [Also performed by the youth band on John Philip Sousa's birthday]
THE SIDEWALKS OF NEW YORK (uncredited) (Music by Charles Lawlor) [Played as the intro to the "Springtime in New York" number]
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Blu-ray Image Quality – 20th Century-Fox presents the film ‘STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER’ with an awesome Technicolor 1080p image, but sadly only in the 1.37:1 aspect ratio. With films of this calibre that was released in 1952, you often you often hear the image looks great "for a film of this age," but here, the image presentation is simply amazing. The moment the main film begins, I had to look at the Blu-ray information to check the film's release year because it looked so good. The print used for this transfer must have been tightly sealed away and protected because it's 100 percent clean. There isn't a single speck, scratch or sign of dirt. You can't help but notice this from the first frames, as well as how three-dimensional the image looks and how brilliant the colours are. With its patriotic themes, the reds and blues vibrantly pop while the whites shine brightly. The black levels are the only inconsistent issue; at times you get rich and revealing details. The contrast is spot-on with the exception of one daytime outdoor scene where the levels are thrown off to the left, causing whites to appear grey and blacks to be overpowering. Touch-up elements like edge enhancement and DNR are completely absent, making this one a totally pristine classic film with very high image quality.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – 20th Century-Fox brings you the film ‘STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER’ with one standard 1.0 DTS-HD Master Mono Audio experience. Just like the image quality, the audio is perfectly clean. There's isn't a single instance of crackling or popping. The only real problem stems from the vocal audio being considerably lower in volume than that of the music. After the grand musical intro to the film, you'll need to turn the audio up to hear the dialogue and narration as well. This problem only exists when music and vocals do not overlap. When they do overlap, the music volume is quickly lowered as to not swamp the vocals. The purpose of this film is to give you a higher appreciation for the music of John Philip Sousa, the iconic marching music that deserves to be heard in the best possible format.
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Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:
Special Feature: From Our National March To The Silver Screen [2008] [1080p] [1.37:1] [16:39] Learn how this music-driven biographical film on the famous composer John Philip Sousa came to be and how much of the film is fact or Hollywood fiction. Industry historians talk about the characters, actors and how the film came to be. Contributors include: Miles Krueger [President of The Institute of the American Musical], Keith Brion [Director of The New Sousa Band], Marc Wanamaker [Film and Television Historian] and Larry Billman [Dance on Film Historian].
Special Feature: John Philip Sousa's Contribution to American Music [2008] [1080p] [1.37:1] [6:39] Marching musical aficionados and famous band leaders describe how John Philip Sousa's influence has been present ever since he lived and how it's never going to leave. If you are or have ever been part of a marching band, this feature will appeal to you. Contributors include: Keith Brion [Director of The New Sousa Band], Miles Krueger [President of The Institute of the American Musical] and Dr. Arthur C. Bartner [Director of USC Trojan Marching Band].
Special Feature: U.K. Alternate Main Title Sequence [1952] [1080p] [1.78:1 / 1.37:1] [1:40] Here we are informed that in many instances, a U.S.A. film title is changed for International Audiences. In the United Kingdom, ‘STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER’ was released as ‘MARCHING ALONG,’ and here we get to see a black-and-white version of the opening main title sequence.
Theatrical Trailers [1952] [480i / 1080i] [1.37:1] [6:12] Here we get to view two different theatrical trailers of ‘STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER’ and they are the Original Theatrical Trailer for the American release and wow the quality of image and sound is totally atrocious. Then we get to view the U.K. Trailer With Alternate Main Title and this time in colour and a vast improvement in image and sound. As usual, you can either play each trailer separately of Play All.
Special Feature: Galleries: Here we get to view three separate galleries. To enter and view each gallery, you have to select the “continue” button on your remote control. Once you have entered the selected image gallery you have chosen, you have to press the right next button to advance the images. To exit back to the menu, you have to press the “Top Menu” button on your remote control. So here are the following three separate image galleries:
Interactive Pressbook Gallery: Here you get to view 22 images of all aspects relating to the film ‘STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER’ that consist of cinema posters, newspaper articles about the film, advertising 4 great DECCA long playing albums, Great Musical Promotions, M-G-M Soundtrack Album, Exhibitor-Dealer Contest, M-G-M Record Dealer information, Flags! Bands! Parades! Information, Sousa Band Fraternal Societies information, Band Contests information, Free Radio Spot Transcription information, Special Holiday Art information, Special Accessories For Added Playdate Power information and a variety of POSTERS.
Advertising Gallery: Here you get to view 17 images of ‘STARS AND STRIPES FORVER’ colour posters, ‘MARCHING ALONG’ UK colour posters, ‘MARCHING ALONG’ UK colour Lobby cards, ‘STARS AND STRIPES FORVER’ colour cinema posters, Black-and-White promotional photos and more ‘STARS AND STRIPES FORVER’ Black-and-White cinema posters.
Still Gallery: Here you get to view 80 images of Black-and-White promotional images and lots of behind-the-scene rare images, especially of the cast and crew, as well as scenes from the film ‘STARS AND STRIPES FORVER.’
BONUS: Here you get a wonderful colourful 16 page booklet, that included articles entitled Twentieth Century-Fox Pays Tribute to an AMERICAN ICON. “Anybody can write music of a sort. But TOUCHING THE PUBLIC HEART is quite another thing.” A Proud martin Sergeant Armed Only With A Baton CLIFTON WEBB. “Begging the major’s pardon sir, what have we DONE NOW?” Fearless, Optimistic And Lovestruck ROBERT WAGNER. “Well, by George, there’s a REAL OLD-TIME MARINE for you – even if he is only in the band.” A Perfect Victorian-Era Wife And Mother RUTH HUSSEY. “The children are accustomed to STRANGE NOISES in this house.” A Diamond In The Rough DEBRA PAGET. “It’s always a pleasure to meet young ladies whom I find SITTING ON MY LAP.” Tough AS A Marine HENRY KOSTER. “He said something I don’t let anybody say to me . . . AND THEN I HIT HIM. HONORS. We also get a plethora of photos, actor bios, and information about the film ‘STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER.’
PLUS: You get a wonderful colourful embossed Blu-ray slip cover.
Finally, with the film ‘STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER’ you get a historical perspective on some of America's and the World's Best Marching Band Music by John Philip Sousa. The film is a chronology of wonderful snippets about the life and times of John Philip Sousa, his wife, and two apparently fictional friends written into the film to have a young romantic sub-plot. All other performers in this film are not interesting enough in character to comment upon. Most of the actors were not even credited in the films running credits. The film is certainly a rousing tribute to the “March King” John Philip Sousa. The film takes us from the career of Sousa is the Marine Marching band to life afterward. Interesting that he served 5 presidents during his tenure with the marines. The music was excellently staged and Clifton Webb was in fine form as Sousa. Why? It always seemed that Clifton Webb, a fine actor, was always a perfectionist in his films, and again, a definitely rousing tribute to a great American. Ruth Hussey, who played Clifton Webb's wife in the film, was totally subordinate to her husband. That's how the lifestyle was in the 1890’s. 20th Century-Fox enlisted a cadre of fine performers for a seamlessly entertaining biopic of John Philip Sousa with a nice, anachronistically innocent, fictional romance interwoven with the band leader and the wonderful composer's story. Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
