The Benny Goodman Story Sammy Davis, Jr. The Benny Goodman Story The Benny Goodman Story is a biographical film starring Steve Allen and Donna Reed, directed by Valentine Davies and released by Universal-International in 1956. The film is based on the life of famed clarinetist Benny Goodman, who recorded most of the clarinet solos used in the film. The film captures several major moments in Goodman's life but it has been described as less than accurate in details. Goodman's Jewish background is mentioned only implicitly, despite its playing a part in his artistic and personal endeavors for decades. In one scene, where his mother
Benny Goodman sometimes performed in concert with him, beginning when she was sixteen. Hammond encouraged Goodman to integrate his band and persuaded him to employ pianist Teddy Wilson. But Hammond's tendency to interfere in the musical affairs of Goodman's bands led to conflict. In 1953 they had a falling-out during the tour with Louis Armstrong, which Hammond produced. Goodman appeared on a 1975 PBS tribute to Hammond but remained at a distance. In the 1980s, after the death of Alice Goodman, Hammond and Goodman reconciled. On June 25, 1985, Goodman appeared at Avery Fisher Hall in New York City for "A Tribute