Stars and Stripes Forever

As enjoyable as this film is it seems that a few of the historical inaccuracies could have been avoided. It would have been impossible for a Sergeant Major in the Marine Corps at the time that Sousa served to be able to afford such a beautiful private home complete with maids etc, Uncle Sam just didn't pay his service people that much back then. The Robert Wagner character would not have been able to get away with what he did while serving in the Marines as well. However this is still an entertaining motion picture with great music. The gorgeous Debra Paget adds to the picture. I still can't quite figure out what the living scenes actors did that was so bad it got them arrested.

Like John Phillip Sousa himself this movie is highly entertaining. Clifton Webb was superb in the lead role. He matched Sousa's look and style perfectly. Debra Paget was stunning as always and dazzled next to Robert Wagner. I loved Ruth Hussey's role counterbalancing Webb brilliantly as his wife. Even though they had limited roles, it's always great to see Golden Era greats Finlay Currie and Maudie Prickett. With all this, the scene with the Stone Mountain Church Choir was unforgettable. All in all a wonderful movie you'll cherish forever.

In an early scene, following a "Pass In Review", Sousa informs the Secretary of the Navy that he will be leaving the Marine Band to form his own commercial band. At that time, the movie informs you that Sousa is a Sergeant Major (a high enlisted rank but a non-officer]. For much of the 12 years he led the U.S. Marine Band, he was indeed a Sergeant Major, but at the time he resigned from the band, he was a Warrant Officer (a very special type of officer, within the ranks of commissioned officers). Sousa was born on "F" Street (S.E. Washington) just a few blocks from the Marine Barracks at 8th and I streets – "the oldest post in the Corps." He served a seven year apprenticeship with the band, and after a few years away from the band, he returned as their director for the period 1880-1892. All of this time (apprenticeship and as Director) was served at Marine Barracks, 8th and I. W4crypto (a retired, Warrant Officer, U.S. Navy)

I've seen Stars and Stripes Forever after more than forty years. It stands as an agreeable, happy musical, and the only musical biopic that I know, that doesn't falsify the man. The John Philip Sousa of the movie is the real John Philip Sousa. And Clifton Webb gave here his more mature and less hackneyed performance.

Ususually, I like biographical films, so this was a disappointment. This is supposed to be all about John Philip Sousa, the great American 'March King,' but the subplot - a romance involving Robert Wagner and Ruth Hussey - takes up a good chunk of the film, is stupid and gets the film off to a slow start. This romance just takes up too much time. I watched this to learn about Sousa. Clifton Webb played Sousa and Webb was always an interesting actor. Too bad he didn't get to play more of the role. When he was on, and Sousa's music was featured, the film was very good. There's nice color in here, too.

The only indisputable and exciting great element in "Stars and Stripes Forever" is its music... Clifton Webb does a fine work as the great band-master and composer of memorable marches who, on the 1890's, when he leaves the Marines Corps., forms his own concert band and travels around the world... With the sensitive and beautiful Debra Paget as the singer-dancer, and the sympathetic and good-looking Robert Wagner as the horn player, the loving couple shares a real and firm part of the 'imagined' tale... The great highlights of the picture are when a black choir is singing "The Battle Hymn Of The Republic," and the outstanding performance of "Dixie," played by Philip Sousa and his Orchestra as they enter the Cotton States Exposition in Atlanta... With Ruth Hussey playing Sousa's sensible wife, and with vivid costumes and a rich amount of Sousa's music, this colorful film is charming and entertaining all the way...