Whenever you attend a parade, whenever you attend a military ceremony, whenever you see the world renowned US Marine Band perform, you are sure to hear an ample portion of John Philip Sousa’s infectious music.

I typically do not write about musicals, as you can readily see if you read much of my work here at Epinions, but there are a couple I really like and Stars and Stripes Forever is right at the top of my list. As an old soljer myself, I found myself tearing up as the oft-remembered martial strains of the familiar Sousa marches reminded me of our military heritage. Sousa was The March King and did our nation proud as one of the finest composers America has ever produced.

Clifton Webb did a superlative job of portraying John Philip Sousa throughout his long career, which spanned from the 1870s thru the 1920s. Sousa first led the US Marine Band, from 1880 to 1892, attaining the rank of Sergeant Major. After his retirement, he formed his own band and toured the world. In those days there was nothing more exciting in small town America than seeing Sousa’s band deliver a rousing live performance.

While admittedly sketchy as regards Sousa’s personal life, which probably wasn’t all that interesting anyway, the film’s true star is the music, pure and simple. Robert Wagner and Debra Paget provide good support to Clifton Webb, as band members and lovers in a charming subplot. Wagner is at his boyish handsomest and it is easy to see how his charm worked him into a fabulous career in films and television. While Sousa is credited with the invention of the Sousaphone, a modification of the tuba that can be carried by a marching band, Bob Wagner is the inventor in the film and uses that as a means to get a slot in Sousa’s Marine Band.

The music is five-stars all the way and takes up a goodly portion of the movie. Songs such as Washington Post March, Weeping Willow, Semper Fidelis, Hail to the Chief, and many more, while not household words, will be instantly recognized from the very first notes by even a casual viewer. The music was directed by Alfred Newman, who composed scores for many, many films during his long career, including It’s a Wonderful Life, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and hundreds more.

While some reviewers have cited Cabaret as the first musical that had a context, where characters did not just burst into song with no apparent reason, I think they may have overlooked Stars and Stripes Forever. The film shows Sousa doing what he did best and that is conduct his band. When the Cotton States Exhibition cancelled a Sousa engagement due to lackluster attendance, Sousa showed up anyway and played Dixie, drawing a crowd from far and wide and revitalizing the Exhibition. He also performed the Battle Hymn of the Republic accompanied by the Stone Mountain Church Choir to rave reviews from the Atlantans.

Director Henry Koster wisely focused more on the music than the man while retaining a healthy respect for Sousa by casting Clifton Webb to play the somewhat ascetic bandleader. Technicolor is absolutely brilliant and scenes are well staged and edited. But come for the music. I can almost guarantee you will come out of the experience bursting with energy and excitement after hearing some of the greatest music ever written! Semper Fidelis


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV