Young Benny Goodman is taught clarinet by a music professor. He is advised to play whichever kind of music he likes best, but to make a living, Benny begins by joining the Ben Pollack traveling band.
Steve Allen
as Benny Goodman
Donna Reed
as Alice Hammond
Berta Gersten
as Mama Goodman
Barry Truex
as Benny Goodman (age 16)
Herbert Anderson
as John Hammond Jr.
Robert F. Simon
as Papa Dave Goodman
Hy Averback
as Willard Alexander - Benny's manager
Sammy Davis Sr.
as Fletcher Henderson
Dick Winslow
as Gil Rodin
Shepard Menken
as Harry Goodman
Jack Kruschen
as 'Murph' Podolsky - riverboat band Mgr.
Wilton Graff
as John Hammond Sr.
