Stars and Stripes Forever

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Stars and Stripes Forever

Released Dec 22, 1952

1h 29m

Biography

Musical

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4 Reviews

78%

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250+ Ratings

Eager to impress his boss, musician Private Willie Little (Robert Wagner) presents Marine Corps Band composer John Philip Sousa (Clifton Webb) with a rejiggered instrument he's dubbed the "sousaphone." When the composer exits the Corps, Little joins Sousa's new band. Sousa wants to play more than just his famed marches, and Little is preoccupied by his performer girlfriend, but when the Spanish-American War starts, both men concentrate on giving all they can to the war effort.

Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

An overlong plot thread involving Young Love (Debra Paget and Robert Wagner) doesn't interfere unduly with the rousing band-tunes that make the picture a lot of fun to see and hear.

Oct 7, 2019

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James Plath

Movie Metropolis

Like The Music Man, Stars and Stripes Forever captures the turn of the century with loving accuracy, and that's part of the film's charm.

Rated: 7/10

Dec 29, 2011

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Kevin Carr

7M Pictures

This is the kind of film that my father-in-law, who loves movies of the 50s and musical tributes, would love.

Rated: 2.5/5

Dec 20, 2011

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Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

Great Sousa marches, credible acting by Clifton Webb make this a must see.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 8, 2008

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Mark A

Clifton Webb is perfect as John Phillip Sousa.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/20/22

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Audience Member

Very much a product of it's time: a whitewashed, simplified bio-pic, If you really want to know about the life of Sousa, you won't get it here, but if you love his music & want a fun romp, this picture will do it. Has Clifton Webb ever given a bad performance? If so, I've yet to see it. Richard Wagner is at his precocious best here. Very much a mid-century, rose colored glasses look back.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

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steve d

Not enough story to it.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

Clifton Webb stars as bandleader John Philip Sousa in this highly entertaining, if fictionalized, account of his later years.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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Audience Member

Wonderful biography of John Philip Sousa.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

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Audience Member

Wonderful biography of John Philip Sousa.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

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Henry Koster

Director

Clifton Webb

John Philip Sousa

Debra Paget

Lily Becker

Robert Wagner

Willie Little

Ruth Hussey

Jennie Sousa

Finlay Currie

Col. Randolph

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Synopsis

Eager to impress his boss, musician Private Willie Little (Robert Wagner) presents Marine Corps Band composer John Philip Sousa (Clifton Webb) with a rejiggered instrument he's dubbed the "sousaphone." When the composer exits the Corps, Little joins Sousa's new band. Sousa wants to play more than just his famed marches, and Little is preoccupied by his performer girlfriend, but when the Spanish-American War starts, both men concentrate on giving all they can to the war effort.

Director: Henry Koster
Producer: Lamar Trotti
Screenwriter: Lamar Trotti
Production Co: 20th Century Fox
Genre: Biography, Musical
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 22, 1952, Wide
Release Date (DVD): Dec 13, 2011
Runtime: 1h 29m