Kattiera Nana I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Solemplex To me, this movie is perfection.

Matialth Good concept, poorly executed.

Beystiman It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

calvinnme John Payne plays the pianist/arranger for a big band led by Glenn Miller and managed by Milton Berle. They pick up singer Lynn Bari enabling them to get a big contract in Sun Valley, Idaho, at which point, a past publicity stunt comes back to bite them. They offered to sponsor a war refugee, thinking taking care of a baby would be publicity, and now the refugee arrives... in the form a of fully grown-up Sonja Henie. For Henie, it's love at first sight with Payne, and she vows to break up Payne's relationship with Bari. (And we're supposed to sympathize with her!) There's some good scenery of Sun Valley, at least the best they could do in black-and-white, and some absolutely horrid rear-projection. With Glenn Miller around, you know the music is going to be top-notch; the movie introduced the Oscar-nominated "Chattanooga Choo-Choo". That number also offers a scene for a young Dorothy Dandrige and the Nicholas Brothers.Like is often true in Fox musicals, this one is a split decision The story I give just a 5/10. However, the music, at 10/10, drags the total rating to 7/10 IMHO.

mark.waltz OK, those ain't the lyrics to the Oscar-Nominated song from this early war era Sonia Henie musical, but if Mel Brooks can't spoof it ("Pardon me boys, is this the Transylvania Station?") so could thousands of others who have danced, sang or tapped their feet to this Glenn Miller classic over and over. The movie it comes from isn't very clever, but features some great big band music, a fascinating skiing sequence that looks straight out of a Busby Berkeley musical. The Nicholas Brothers shine in "Chattanooga Choo Choo" dancing violently as a young Dorothy Dandridge sings. Saxaphones blow, trombones blare. If only the plot was as hot as that musical number. The story surrounds band manager John Payne who finds him taking in war refugee Sonia Henie, a young lady whose mission it is to marry him in spite of the catty Lynn Bari, the band's lead singer who makes a claim on him and is determined to keep Henie's Norwegian claws off of him. There isn't nearly enough music to get past this silly plot, with Milton Berle not at his best, forcing gags that are cornier than the opening song in "Oklahoma!". Henie has a more detailed role as usual, but her character's cheeriness covers an unconvincing craftiness. Payne is perhaps even more handsome than MGM's "pretty boy", Robert Taylor, and is overloaded with charm. Bari tries to add some spice to her stereotypical bitchy dame, but fails. The lack of a suitable romantic partner for Payne makes the overall love sequences disappointing.Comic genius Joan Davis is wasted in a brief walk-in, interacting momentarily with Berle, but oh, what laughs she can get with just that. Still, any movie that gives the most popular big band leader swingin' his trombone is worth a look.

slymusic "Sun Valley Serenade" is a quite a fun & pleasant movie starring one of the most famous big bands of all time: the Glenn Miller Orchestra! Glenn Miller may not have been a great actor, and jazz history informs us that he was not the greatest trombonist. But the presence of Miller and his band (as Phil Corey and the Dartmouth Troubadours), performing a fair number of old favorites, is what provides this film with a lot of its charm. The primary love interest in this movie involves the figure-skating Norwegian refugee Karen Benson (Sonja Henie) and the Troubadours' pianist/vocalist Ted Scott (John Payne), who happens to be Karen's sponsor. But Ted is pressured to make a choice between Karen and the band's female vocalist Vivian Dawn (Lynn Bari), and it is not easy for him. He is quite nervous about having a loving relationship with the cheerful young refugee for whom he is responsible. No matter how hard Ted tries to fend her off, Karen is so much in love with him and is so sure he would make a perfect husband for her that she is willing to try every trick imaginable in order to win his heart. By the end of the film, Ted realizes how stuffy Vivian is and how wonderful it would be to have Karen for a wife.My favorite highlights from "Sun Valley Serenade" include the following. Ever the prankster, Karen engages in some outrageous skiing hijinks in order to infuriate Ted, causing a lengthy chase. The band's smart-aleck, brown-nosing manager Jerome K. "Nifty" Allen (Milton Berle) tries his hand at skiing and, with a witty musical accompaniment, fails miserably ("Calling Dr. Kildare, prepare for surgery!"). While stranded inside a cabin, Karen and Ted share a tender moment as they dance together while Ted sings to her the beautiful ballad "I Know Why and So Do You." The band's rehearsing of "Chattanooga Choo Choo," featuring the great vocal stylings of Tex Beneke & the Modernaires as well as the fabulous footwork of the Nicholas Brothers, is very swinging indeed! Before Vivian joins the Dartmouth Troubadours, she does a miserable audition of "It Happened in Sun Valley" with her own band, which proves to be a fine accompaniment for her until the second chorus; she walks off the band and continues her audition with the Troubadours, and after their short rendition of the classic "Moonlight Serenade," Vivian chimes in with "I Know Why and So Do You." "Sun Valley Serenade" is a fine showcase for Glenn Miller and His Orchestra, as well as for the figure-skating talent of Sonja Henie. I highly recommend this film for all admirers of big band music and love stories with mischievous twists.

beatleman6 Caught this one on AMC before it went commercial. What a warm, family film. While I have never seen another Sonje Henie movie, I found her to be irresistible. It was also great to see John Payne playing the light comedic leading man. Of course, the music of Glenn Miller would be the highlight of any movie. The version of I Know Why (and So Do You) contained in the film is quite different from the versions you hear on Glenn Miller compilations and in my opinion is much better. (This version is also the one used in the 90's film Memphis Belle). Add great skating sequences, musical interludes, and wonderful locations and you have a fun-filled way to spend an afternoon.