Stars and Stripes Forever [Marching Along] *** (1952, Clifton Webb, Robert Wagner, Debra Paget, Ruth Hussey, Finlay Currie, Roy Roberts) – Classic Movie Review 10,816

Robert Wagner’s studio 20th Century Fox started to give him better roles in 1952. He plays the romantic male lead in Stars and Stripes Forever [Marching Along] (1952), a Technicolor biopic about the composer John Philip Sousa, from his early days in the Marine Corps Band through the Spanish-American War in 1898.

Director Henry Koster’s 1952 biographical comedy drama musical Stars and Stripes Forever [Marching Along] is based on the autobiography of its subject, John Philip Sousa, starring Clifton Webb as Sousa. It was nominated for three Golden Globes: Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical, Best Actor – Comedy or Musical (Clifton Webb) and Most Promising Newcomer – Male (Robert Wagner).

Ernest Vajda’s story and Lamar Trotti’s screenplay tell the story of the life and times of John Philip Sousa (1854-1932), the American bandmaster and composer best remembered for his music (‘The Liberty Bell’ and the title number), for marching bands and the instrument named after him.

Sousa is extremely engagingly played by Clifton Webb in his best, typically fussy manner, Debra Paget pleasantly provides the love interest as Lily Becker, and a fresh young Robert Wagner is the young bandsman Willie Little, and the actual inventor of the sousaphone, the body-encircling tuba.

Sousa’s life is hardly cataclysmic, since his career never really hits any special upsets – at least in this version. But the ambiance of the period is cheerfully created, the big-band music is jolly enough to keep everything rolling along, and Webb keeps the show on the road.

It was shot on Stage 16, 20th Century Fox Studios, 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles.

Also in the cast are Ruth Hussey as Jennie Sousa, Finlay Currie as Colonel Randolph, Roy Roberts, Lester Matthews, Thomas Browne Henry, George Chakiris, Ruth Clifford, Frank Ferguson (scenes deleted), Walter Woolf King, Nicholas Koster, Paul Kruger, Norman Leavitt, Gregg Martell, Jack Mather, Lester Matthews, Paul Maxey, Roger Moore (Chicago born character actor), Ray Montgomery, Max Showalter (Narrator, voice), Jack Rice (scenes deleted), Jack Pennick, Romo Vincent, Tito Vuolo, Maude Wallace, and Maudie Prickett.

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 10,816

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