The Benny Goodman Story

  • 1956
  • Not Rated
  • 116m
movieMx RATING
6.3/1014
VERDICT
ABOVE AVERAGE
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Performance & Direction: The Benny Goodman Story Review

Last updated: February 4, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: February 4, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is The Benny Goodman Story (1956) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.3/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Benny Goodman Story features a noteworthy lineup led by Steve Allen . Supported by the likes of Donna Reed and Berta Gersten , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of The Benny Goodman Story (1956) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.3/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Result: ABOVE AVERAGE
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, The Benny Goodman Story stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE.

Story & Plot Summary: The Benny Goodman Story

Quick Plot Summary: The Benny Goodman Story is a Drama, Music film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.

Ending Explained: The Benny Goodman Story

Ending Breakdown: The Benny Goodman Story concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.

The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of The Benny Goodman Story reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Who Should Watch The Benny Goodman Story?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of the cast or director
  • Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
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Top Cast: The Benny Goodman Story

All Cast & Crew →
Steve Allen
Steve AllenBenny Goodman
Donna Reed
Donna ReedAlice Hammond
Berta Gersten
Berta GerstenMama Goodman
Barry Truex
Barry TruexBenny Goodman (age 16)
Herbert Anderson
Herbert AndersonJohn Hammond Jr.
Robert F. Simon
Robert F. SimonPapa Dave Goodman
Hy Averback
Hy AverbackWillard Alexander - Benny's manager
Sammy Davis Sr.
Sammy Davis Sr.Fletcher Henderson
Dick Winslow
Dick WinslowGil Rodin
Shepard Menken
Shepard MenkenHarry Goodman
Jack Kruschen
Jack Kruschen'Murph' Podolsky - riverboat band Mgr.
Wilton Graff
Wilton GraffJohn Hammond Sr.
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Where to Watch The Benny Goodman Story Online?

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The Benny Goodman Story Parents Guide & Age Rating

1956 Advisory
Not Rated

Official Age Rating

Wondering about The Benny Goodman Story age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

The Benny Goodman Story has not been officially rated yet.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of The Benny Goodman Story is 116 minutes (1h 56m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.3/10, and global performance metrics, The Benny Goodman Story is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1956 cinematic calendar.

ABOVE AVERAGE
Official movieMx status for The Benny Goodman Story. Rating: 6.3/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Benny Goodman Story worth watching?

The Benny Goodman Story is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.3/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.

Where can I find The Benny Goodman Story parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for The Benny Goodman Story identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of The Benny Goodman Story?

The total duration of The Benny Goodman Story is 116 minutes, which is approximately 1h 56m long.

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Critic Reviews for The Benny Goodman Story

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movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 6.3
The Benny Goodman Story
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/the-benny-goodman-story-43261" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;"><div style="background:#121212;border:1px solid #f5c518;border-radius:12px;padding:15px;width:180px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;box-shadow:0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);"><div style="color:#f5c518;font-size:10px;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:2px;">MOVIEMX</div><div style="color:white;font-size:28px;font-weight:900;margin:8px 0;">★ 6.3</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">The Benny Goodman Story</div></div></a>

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