There was a time period, 1970-1971 when I had the good fortune of watching "Rhapsody In Blue".This time period for this reviewer was an interesting,perhaps even an exciting time as discoveries were being made.Those discoveries included the likes of "Yankee Doodle Dandy","They Died With There Boots On","Robin Hood","Its A Wonderful Life","Meet John Doe","You Can't Take It With You","Gentlemen Jim","Mr.Smith Goes To Washington",with "Rhapsody In Blue"being among such discoveries.The interest that these films provided were in part responsible for instilling the notion of wanting to act,that is just how interesting,perhaps exciting that the motion picture became.It was a real pleasure to view these films.There was help that came from the likes of Vincent Manelli,George Cukor,Frank Capra,William Wellman,Raoul Walsh and others.This help was a documentary that I recall watching on Channel 13 in the greater New York City area then as well.Not all Motion Pictures are worth there salt but these mentions are among those that have stood a test of time,most certainly the "Rhapsody In Blue" is one such mention.Discovering George Gershwin is the kind of pleasure that I would be happy if someone would say he had just discovered some great music.I perhaps would not say much at first but if encouraged by the others discovery I would recommend ... and so on.It need not of been any particular way but discovering Gershwin had to be appreciated with those that knew that music. It was that way for me when first I heard the "Rhapsody in Blue".I do not generally enjoy the unfortunate events that took George Gershwin so early but all that we have here is the realization that he was really a dynamo with a promise perhaps like Professor Frank argued maybe Gershwin was another Franz Shubert,perhaps even a Beethoven,maybe Prof.Frank was right about a-lot of things.This is the kind of pleasure that adds up to great.I truly enjoyed the scene when Max Dreyfus makes his case and tries to get Prof.Frank to agree.It is really great showmanship,and excellent movie making.The film has stayed with me as much because of the music as because of the appearances and performances of Oscar Levant,Al Jolson,Paul Whiteman,Hazel Scott,George White in person.When First I looked at and noticed Joan Leslie,Joan Leslie was that Hot Potato from "Yankee Doodle Dandy".Alexis Smith was worth a close look in "Gentlemen Jim" with Errol Flynn.I could only watch this film on Television at that point in time but recently its purchase was made possible on DVD.I have watched "Rhapsody in Blue" twice in less than 24 hours and "loving every minute of it".The "Rhapsody in Blue" is a very good movie perhaps a great movie.It was to me a motion picture that I wished for,like the sentiment expressed by George Bailey on the Bridge when it begins to snow.George Bailey is saying "I want to Live again,please I want to live again".The Film referred to is a Frank Capra film called "Its a Wonderful Life"."The Rhapsody in Blue" is a very excellent film,it is like living again.Worth a recommendation.

Robert Alda, Charles Coburn, & Herbert Ruddley carry a major Warner brothers triumph in this production. The folks who made the film had the smarts to let the music carry the film along. It helped that the story really celebrates the Gershwins, centering on George (Alda) but featuring Coburn and Ruddley.In a way, this might be one of the strongest biographic films made. The cast is outstanding in every way. It is a reminder that George Gershwin was a man driven to greatness so hard, that when he does have a flop, his only regret is how much time he spent failing. It does not stop him from going on to write some of the greatest music in American History and one of the very few American Operas.While I am not sure if there are many facts of the true lives changed, the fact is this one chose the right people to play the royal family of American Composers. Warner even cast several people as themselves in the movie adding a touch of realism to the finished product. When you finish watching this, it tells you just how great the music is the Gershwins wrote, sang, and produced. Bravo

Nominated for two Oscars this 1945 movie based on George Gershwin's life is enjoyable if not for its accuracy but for its music scenes and sounds. The film received Academy Award nominations in the Music (Scoring of a Musical Picture) and Sound Recording categories. Although modern sources state that Joan Leslie's singing voice was dubbed by Louanne Hogan, Leslie's voice was actually dubbed by Sally Sweetland. This film marked the motion picture debuts of Broadway actors Robert Alda and Herbert Rudley. Robert Alda is the father of TV's classic hit MASH star Alan Alda. In the film, Al Jolson sings "Swanee," the song he made famous, and Anne Brown, the original "Bess," sings "Summertime" from the opera Porgy and Bess. Again, the movie was not wholly accurate but I did enjoy seeing this movie.

The world was robbed with the untimely passing of George Gershwin in 1937. We should not be deprived of seeing this magnificent biography of the great music writer.Robert Alda is just superb in the title role. He received marvelous support from Joan Leslie, as well as Rosemary DeCamp and Morris Carnovsky. As his friend, Oscar Levant also did well in this film.The music was phenomenal but how could it not be. Gershwin's writings were magnificent and had he lived longer, the world would have been a much richer place.His scoring of "Porgy and Bess" was terrific.Alda was so convincing as Gershwin, a man who literally had to write music as fast as he could as his destiny was an early demise. This film was greatly under-rated. It sports a magnificent cast led by Robert Alda, Joan Leslie, Alexis Smith and others. Gershwin gave us such a list of memorable music; he was driven as it stated in the film: "Got to make time, got to make time!" A totally memorable line was stated by Alexis Smith in the film. She knew that marriage with him would not work because he had to give so much of himself to the world. Nostalgic, a wonderful testament to the life and works of the great George Gershwin.