Allen was an occasional actor. He wrote and starred in his first film, the Mack Sennett comedy compilation "Down Memory Lane", in 1949. His most famous film appearance was in 1956's "The Benny Goodman Story", in the title role. The film, while an average biopic of its day, was heralded for its music, featuring many alumni of the Goodman band. Allen later recalled his one contribution to the film's music, used in the early scenes. The accomplished Benny Goodman no longer could produce the sound of a clarinet beginner, and that was the only sound Allen was able to produce on a clarinet. In 1960, he appeared as the character "Dr. Ellison" in the episode "Play Acting" on CBS's anthology series "The DuPont Show with June Allyson" though his "The Steve Allen Show" had been in competition with the program the preceding season.