My wife and I were in Scotland in 1980 attending the Military Tattoo in Edinburgh and the US Marine played this and we both broke down and cried To hear thousands of people from all nations cheering a home town song...amazing
When they pan to a close up of the cornet player, that's Burt Meyers, Sousa's former principal cornet player, for 55 years the conductor of the Allentown Band, and the last man to see and speak to Sousa before he died in a hotel room in Reading, Pa, in 1932. Burt was a teacher of mine and told great stories of his time in the Sousa Band.
Jesse Sunderland I was a Marine working in Classified Files when I went to see this picture on my birthday, 20 January, 1952, at the El Toro, CA. Marine Air Base, one week before it had it's World Premier. It so inspired me I auditioned (flute) for the base band officer the next day, and was accepted to the band field. I went on to have a most rewarding career as a Marine Corps musician, 20 years as an Enlisted Instrumentalist, and 7 years as a band officer. Seeing that movie on my birthday changed my life forever. I have been blessed. Funny how a little thing like seeing a movie can change your life. I wish I could do it all, again...just one more time. Semper Fidelis!
I was born in 1953, but growing up that was one of my favorite movies. It had a huge impact on my life long love of music. It was my favorite marching music in Navy boot camp. I still get a tear in my eye every time I here it and this movie brings back a bunch of good memories.
I was ten or 12 old when I watched on TV. I remember my mom commented when the US Marines were shown at the end. She was 16 when Pearl Harbor was attacked. She teared up and said "How many of those men killed in the war. Every time I watch the film I also get emotional about my mother's reaction. RIP Mom..
My father retired after a 20 year career in the Army. He was so proud to have served that STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER was the ringtone on his phone until he passed away. He was fond of General MacArthur’s quote “Old soldiers never die, they just fade away”…🇺🇸
Brilliant production, wonderful director and great bands. My daughter played flute and piccolo all through school and college in various school and college bands and honor bands and always got to play the piccolo solo. Her stepDad (retired from the Army as a 1SG after 20 years) would always play military marches and cadences around special days, and at other times when he needed a boost. Nothing beats a Sousa march! He passed away unexpectedly late last year, so his memories are my keepsake now, to pass on to the grandkids. Interestingly, three of our cats grew up listening to military music and would sit near him while he listened, and they listened too as we tapped our feet or hummed along. When they heard me play Stars and Stripes this year, they came and sat with me, but I know they were really looking for him. The 4th cat, which we took in as a stray kitten last August, doesn't respond at all - he wasn't exposed to the music for as long as the others, or from being a tiny kitten. Animals can learn from human activities too, even if we don't speak their language.
Wonderful film about the life of a great American. Sousa traveled with his band all over the U.S. and played at large towns and small villages so Americans could enjoy his tuneful music. My grandmother got to hear Sousa and his band in person back in 1925 on the town bandstand. It was a high point in her life for a WV hillbilly girl and she never forgot.
Maybe it wouldn't be well received in this day and age, but maybe we need something like this to remind us of who we really are as Americans. A massive tour around the country by military bands playing this music! If not this, something like it - something that is apolitical and appeals to what it really means to be American.
If we want to keep our independence and have America as it used to be in those times, we have to be political to show what America was all about. We have to hold our ground and we have to educate children what it means to be an American and how to respect our Consitution
I think that it would be received better now, 70 years after the movie premiered. Now everyone who encounters a vet or active duty greets them with, "Thank you for your service." The Marine band would be popular.
I love the supposed "origins" of Semper Fi as a ballad, and his wife snapping up the tempo. He was grumbling about how people thought all he could write was marches - "Well they won't be able to turn THIS into a march!" His wife, playing along on the piano to his awful singing, did just that!
John Philip Sousa was born in the United States of America, the third of ten sons and daughters of a Portuguese father of Azorean origin and a Bavarian mother,[1] named: João António de Sousa (John Anthony Sousa) (Seville, September 22, 1824 - 27 April 1892) and Maria Elisabeth Trinkhaus (Darmstadt, 20 May 1826 - 25 August 1908). His parents were of Portuguese, Spanish and Hessian (German) descent; his paternal grandparents were Portuguese and Spanish.[2] Sousa began his musical education, playing the violin, as a pupil of João Esputa, and of G.F. Benkert, in harmony and musical composition, aged just six. I'm a portuguese man and I like listening this kind of bands. So i'm proud of this musician.
I must have seen this film some twenty times since I was twelve. Yes, it made me a Sousa fan for life. I still get a special feeling when the US Marine Band is playing at the very end, especially the close-ups that start at the 2:55 mark, capped by the bass drum which proudly says "U.S. Marine Corps. Washington, DC", with the Marine emblem in the middle. What can I say - It just makes me proud to be an American.
Born in 1995 and a movie about patriotism is one of your favourites. Brings a happy tear to my eye Rebecca. Thank you Dear. I noted your spelling of favourite too. Thank you again
Though Cliffton Webb is a supurb actor, Mr. Sousa was a bit of a portly chap, even when he was a Marine. His father was a Marine band member, and enlisted John at thirteen years of age into the Marines and the band. At twenty seven, John became the band director.
I played trombone in my school marching band and we got to march in the rose parade after winning a band contest (mid sixties). The stars & stripes was one of our show numbers. My son played the low brass, (marching baritone, tuba and sousaphone) In his HS band (mid nineties) and he loved it too? My granddaughter (3rd grade) is now taking up the cornet, so....Time marches on😎😎
That's not historically accurate. He did in fact change it quite a bit after he transcribed it. He didn't originally compose it for a brass band. You shouldn't believe most of what the movie says. Almost all of it was fictionalized.
My brother and I drove down a small highway pretty much every weekend to our family on the shore and we would play Souza marches all the way and wave as if we were in a parade! Try it sometime, it will make any trip more fun!
Any one who has ever heard John Philip Sousa .stars and stripes for ever want to make u March even if were not in band. His music is like in every country. I like his music cuz it's real cool to listen to.
I saw this movie a very long time ago, and the funny thing about it was that Sousa was a frustrated romantic ballad composer, and his wife was the one who would turn his attempts into marches. It was pretty funny in one scene, where he's showing a new composition to his wife, who then sits down at the piano and plays it as a march. He's like, "damn, woman. You did it again".
That was with what became Semper Fidelis. Later, when it was played at the White House to speed up a dragging reception line, Mrs. Sousa called it a ballad.
Bravo for Clifton Webb for an excellent job with his conducting, Robert Wagner not so much faking it on the sousaphone, he could have at least studied and duplicated the fingering for the notes he played while the camera was focused on him.
I've looked all over the place for the full movie but could find nothing. I used to have a video tape of it, but they don't make those anymore (or the VCR or the required TV). But even on the video, the quality was no better.
*The 'Greatness' of this cannot be overstated, and Souza gained 'Immortality' with it* ( *It doesn't matter what 'Group' or 'Color' someone is, because when this is played we are all 'AMERICANS' to the core and no 'Politics' can change that, no matter what's happening now or in the future* ) *It is our duty to 'live-up' to the ideals and goals of what America means to us and the World, and petty divisions have no place in those 'dreams of Greatness'*
excellent rendition of sousa's masterpiece - in fact all of the music in this film is first rate - I never did learn who the band is though - movie is available now on dvd and blu ray
@@davidwarner3326 That's great, but the Navy are still responsible for taking the Marines anywhere they need to go. They are a department of the Navy, after all.
This is probably the best version of this great song next to the Boston Pops I've found yet! (One complaint -- I prefer the high note in the finale, this was low) Somehow I never heard of this movie... even tho I watch TCM 24/7!! Thanks for uploading! 👍
Go bless America, the essential democracy and bastion of freedom. You could very well argue that my beloved USA is the only country that ultimately must survive, lest some tin pot genocidal dictator flourish. Who's going to stand up to them? We will, that's who.
+Chrisverse Minecart The "strange-looking tuba" is part of the story line. The Robert Wagner character shown holding the tuba is the designer of the tuba, which he has come up with to facilitate playing while marching.
+Chrisverse Minecart The first sousaphones were called "raincatchers" for obvious reasons. Eventually they turned the bell forwards and sousaphones then looked like the instruments we know now. It's a nice story in the movie, but the sousaphone was developed by the J. W. Pepper company at Sousa's request, although the C. G Conn company laid claim to that distinction as well.
Willie Little's "inventing" the Sousaphone was a creative liberty taken for the movie; he and Lily Becker did not exist in real life. Another big one: Sousa composing Stars and Stripes while aboard a ship, where he had been sent due to an epidemic (of what is never stated). Real life: He was aboard a ship, but was on vacation in Europe in 1897 when he heard that his manager Blakeley had died, and was on his way home to finish arrangements for an upcoming tour.
@@bobmilner1741 Sousaphone, actually, He introduced it to Sousa early in the movie; in reality Sousa himself commissioned the J.W. Pepper Company of Philadelphia to design it. Willie Little's (Wagner's character) was the early model with the upright bell called a "rain catcher". Later versions have the bell pointing forward.
The Kingdom of God is Forever, we only dare Hope that The Stars & Stripes shall remain a part of God's Kingdom, and thus last forever. It is a worthy hope, it will require that with God's help, we will defeat the evils, like communism, that remain our and God's Enemy.
My wife and I were in Scotland in 1980 attending the Military Tattoo in Edinburgh and the US Marine played this and we both broke down and cried To hear thousands of people from all nations cheering a home town song...amazing
When they pan to a close up of the cornet player, that's Burt Meyers, Sousa's former principal cornet player, for 55 years the conductor of the Allentown Band, and the last man to see and speak to Sousa before he died in a hotel room in Reading, Pa, in 1932. Burt was a teacher of mine and told great stories of his time in the Sousa Band.
yea he flunked the audition but luckily sousa had second thoughts ha - that's great info though rc :)
Never knew that. That’s really cool
Esta de me hace la mejor versión si alguien sabe cuál es publiquenlo
My Dad, James Edmond Burr played the part of the famous Cornet player Arthur Smith...time at 1:12
Truly amazing!
Jesse Sunderland
I was a Marine working in Classified Files when I went to see this picture on my birthday, 20 January, 1952, at the El Toro, CA. Marine Air Base, one week before it had it's World Premier. It so inspired me I auditioned (flute) for the base band officer the next day, and was accepted to the band field. I went on to have a most rewarding career as a Marine Corps musician, 20 years as an Enlisted Instrumentalist, and 7 years as a band officer. Seeing that movie on my birthday changed my life forever. I have been blessed. Funny how a little thing like seeing a movie can change your life. I wish I could do it all, again...just one more time. Semper Fidelis!
Sounds like a very cool life. Thank you for your service
What a terrific job! We’ll be watching for your memoirs!
I was born in 1953, but growing up that was one of my favorite movies. It had a huge impact on my life long love of music. It was my favorite marching music in Navy boot camp. I still get a tear in my eye every time I here it and this movie brings back a bunch of good memories.
wow thank you for sharing and thank you for serving
My late father was a Marine and had a life long love of music and service. OORAH Marine, from one floutist to another.
I was ten or 12 old when I watched on TV. I remember my mom commented when the US Marines were shown at the end. She was 16 when Pearl Harbor was attacked. She teared up and said "How many of those men killed in the war. Every time I watch the film I also get emotional about my mother's reaction. RIP Mom..
it was people like your Mom that made this great country that it is. God bless her
My father retired after a 20 year career in the Army. He was so proud to have served that STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER was the ringtone on his phone until he passed away. He was fond of General MacArthur’s quote “Old soldiers never die, they just fade away”…🇺🇸
Very Cool
Brilliant production, wonderful director and great bands. My daughter played flute and piccolo all through school and college in various school and college bands and honor bands and always got to play the piccolo solo. Her stepDad (retired from the Army as a 1SG after 20 years) would always play military marches and cadences around special days, and at other times when he needed a boost. Nothing beats a Sousa march! He passed away unexpectedly late last year, so his memories are my keepsake now, to pass on to the grandkids.
Interestingly, three of our cats grew up listening to military music and would sit near him while he listened, and they listened too as we tapped our feet or hummed along. When they heard me play Stars and Stripes this year, they came and sat with me, but I know they were really looking for him. The 4th cat, which we took in as a stray kitten last August, doesn't respond at all - he wasn't exposed to the music for as long as the others, or from being a tiny kitten. Animals can learn from human activities too, even if we don't speak their language.
Wonderful film about the life of a great American. Sousa traveled with his
band all over the U.S. and played at large towns and small villages so
Americans could enjoy his tuneful music. My grandmother got to hear
Sousa and his band in person back in 1925 on the town bandstand. It
was a high point in her life for a WV hillbilly girl and she never forgot.
Noice.
Maybe it wouldn't be well received in this day and age, but maybe we need something like this to remind us of who we really are as Americans. A massive tour around the country by military bands playing this music! If not this, something like it - something that is apolitical and appeals to what it really means to be American.
If we want to keep our independence and have America as it used to be in those times, we have to be political to show what America was all about.
We have to hold our ground and we have to educate children what it means to be an American and how to respect our Consitution
I think that it would be received better now, 70 years after the movie premiered. Now everyone who encounters a vet or active duty greets them with, "Thank you for your service." The Marine band would be popular.
Every note perfection. Sousa deservedly called The March King.
I love the supposed "origins" of Semper Fi as a ballad, and his wife snapping up the tempo. He was grumbling about how people thought all he could write was marches - "Well they won't be able to turn THIS into a march!" His wife, playing along on the piano to his awful singing, did just that!
smwca123 oo
smwca123 He did have more to his composing abilities. He wrote for a successful musical called “El Capitan”.
America has been so blessed....Among its greatest blessings is John Philip Sousa....His greatest marches leave me moved....they are inspiring....
even the title...ha
John Philip Sousa was born in the United States of America, the third of ten sons and daughters of a Portuguese father of Azorean origin and a Bavarian mother,[1] named: João António de Sousa (John Anthony Sousa) (Seville, September 22, 1824 - 27 April 1892) and Maria Elisabeth Trinkhaus (Darmstadt, 20 May 1826 - 25 August 1908). His parents were of Portuguese, Spanish and Hessian (German) descent; his paternal grandparents were Portuguese and Spanish.[2] Sousa began his musical education, playing the violin, as a pupil of João Esputa, and of G.F. Benkert, in harmony and musical composition, aged just six.
I'm a portuguese man and I like listening this kind of bands. So i'm proud of this musician.
Too bad he gave up his ancient Catholic faith.
@@thomashogan4908
It's a shame, such a decision. It's an episode in his life that I didn't know about. Thanks for The information.
I must have seen this film some twenty times since I was twelve. Yes, it made me a Sousa fan for life. I still get a special feeling when the US Marine Band is playing at the very end, especially the close-ups that start at the 2:55 mark, capped by the bass drum which proudly says "U.S. Marine Corps. Washington, DC", with the Marine emblem in the middle. What can I say - It just makes me proud to be an American.
Ditto
Just to think, some of the band members here may have heard the song when it was first played in 1897!
I cant believe this was made 70 years ago (though I was born in 1995). The actors of Wally and Lily are still alive. Still one of my favourite movies.
Born in 1995 and a movie about patriotism is one of your favourites. Brings a happy tear to my eye Rebecca. Thank you Dear. I noted your spelling of favourite too. Thank you again
Though Cliffton Webb is a supurb actor, Mr. Sousa was a bit of a portly chap, even when he was a Marine. His father was a Marine band member, and enlisted John at thirteen years of age into the Marines and the band. At twenty seven, John became the band director.
I played trombone in my school marching band and we got to march in the rose parade after winning a band contest (mid sixties). The stars & stripes was one of our show numbers. My son played the low brass, (marching baritone, tuba and sousaphone) In his HS band (mid nineties) and he loved it too? My granddaughter (3rd grade) is now taking up the cornet, so....Time marches on😎😎
Oh God do I love this; America forever!
To think. From the moment he began putting pen to paper for this march, not a single note was ever changed. The lord was truly guiding him that day.
That's not historically accurate. He did in fact change it quite a bit after he transcribed it. He didn't originally compose it for a brass band. You shouldn't believe most of what the movie says. Almost all of it was fictionalized.
Just watched the full movie, would recommend!
My brother and I drove down a small highway pretty much every weekend to our family on the shore and we would play Souza marches all the way and wave as if we were in a parade! Try it sometime, it will make any trip more fun!
Any one who has ever heard John Philip Sousa .stars and stripes for ever want to make u March even if were not in band. His music is like in every country. I like his music cuz it's real cool to listen to.
A great movie!
Brings a tear every time
I was just thinking the same.
Me too Mark.
Mark, same thing happened to me when I first saw it at age 12. Became a Sousa fan for life. All these years later, the ending still gets me choked up.
At Sheppard AFB Texas Tech School, the daily noon review of troops started with Stars and Stripes.
Great movie, especially the ending. Semper Fidelis !
I saw this movie a very long time ago, and the funny thing about it was that Sousa was a frustrated romantic ballad composer, and his wife was the one who would turn his attempts into marches. It was pretty funny in one scene, where he's showing a new composition to his wife, who then sits down at the piano and plays it as a march. He's like, "damn, woman. You did it again".
That was with what became Semper Fidelis. Later, when it was played at the White House to speed up a dragging reception line, Mrs. Sousa called it a ballad.
You can't listen to this for long, without your toe starting tapping.
This gets to me like nothing else. I had to have been there.
John Phillip Souza directed The Marine Corps Band from 1880 to 1892. He composed The Stars & Stripes Forever in 1896.
mr Belvedere ( mr clifton webb ) looks magnificent and magnifico
And hey..it's 2015 and we're STILL marching to this one!!!
The test of time is the true test of the quality of a musical composition. Stars and Strips Forever is sheer genius.
AWESOME Film! AWESOME ACTOR! AWESOME SONG!!!!
Amazing piece of music!
Oh yea
Love this song! 🇺🇸
god how i love this tune!!!!!!
It may sound weird nowadays but when I hear this song 🎶 I’m so proud to be an American 🇺🇸
Ditto
Bravo for Clifton Webb for an excellent job with his conducting, Robert Wagner not so much faking it on the sousaphone, he could have at least studied and duplicated the fingering for the notes he played while the camera was focused on him.
"he could have at least studied and duplicated the fingering for the notes he played" agreed!
I like the faster tempo. Bands usually play it too slowly.
marching?
Amy Might i recommend the BundesWehr's (German Army) rendition? They were quite fast too.
Amy because they march
I personally think this is one of the best versions of Stars and Stripes as well. Could we get a better quality upload?
The movie was made back in the 50's. I don't there is a better quality one out there. Sorry
I've looked all over the place for the full movie but could find nothing. I used to have a video tape of it, but they don't make those anymore (or the VCR or the required TV).
But even on the video, the quality was no better.
It’s on dvd check Amazon or eBay your sure to find it 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
@@j.peters3053 Yes -- I own a copy. Delightful film.
*The 'Greatness' of this cannot be overstated, and Souza gained 'Immortality' with it*
( *It doesn't matter what 'Group' or 'Color' someone is, because when this is played we are all 'AMERICANS'
to the core and no 'Politics' can change that, no matter what's happening now or in the future* )
*It is our duty to 'live-up' to the ideals and goals of what America means to us and the World, and petty
divisions have no place in those 'dreams of Greatness'*
Excellent film and music! Especially in this politically correct era when old-fashioned, flag-waving patriotism is so needed.
Saw this film in 1953 while my father was stationed at Gitmo,Cuba.
Hand Salute.
excellent rendition of sousa's masterpiece - in fact all of the music in this film is first rate - I never did learn who the band is though - movie is available now on dvd and blu ray
Awesome!
Super excellent with very good interesting video
Thank you
A good movie! Semper Fidelis to the men and women of the United States Marine Corps and to the Corps itself. Andy McKane, 20 August 2024.
1:01 Snack Time
1:20 Blue's News!
2:09 Blue's Birthday
2:20 Mechanics!
3:13 Nature!
3:29 Environments!
"If you see a person that looks identical to you, run and hide"
Music is actually conducted by Alfred Newman
My parents first date was to see this movie on December 31, 1952.
Clifton Webb was a great actor! Great movie. Can it be downloaded, please?
Roger Wilco
It probably can I just do not know where Sorry
Thank you Alfred Newman.
Just for the record (for all the army and navy brats), remember that Sousa was a Marine.
Who later joined the Navy.
@@davidwarner3326 The Navy are the Marines' chauffeur service. :)
@@Black-Swan-007, Sousa was not allowed back into the Marines at 62, so he joined the Navy Reserves.
@@davidwarner3326 That's great, but the Navy are still responsible for taking the Marines anywhere they need to go. They are a department of the Navy, after all.
And later became director of the Navy band , Great Lakes. You see him in Navy uniform in the movie.
This is probably the best version of this great song next to the Boston Pops I've found yet! (One complaint -- I prefer the high note in the finale, this was low) Somehow I never heard of this movie... even tho I watch TCM 24/7!! Thanks for uploading! 👍
Thank you
I DON'T Understand WHY THIS MOVIE ISN'T SHOWN ON THE 4th OF JULY
I don't either but if it did it would probably tick someone off. Sad
💙💙💙😭😭😭
Can’t believe this was 71 years ago
1:27 Houston Marriott South at Hobby Airport
❤ when USA was strong and respectful ❤
2:37 3-D book effect.
1:42 John Day National Monument Clarno Unit
2:35 Holiday Inn Club Vacations Holly Lake Resort
WHATS GREAT ABOUT THIS MOVIE AND VIDEO: THERE ARE NO WOMEN IN THE SERVICE CLOGGING UP THINGS, THE WOMEN ARE AT HOME WHERE THEY BELONG.
2:35 Gaaaah!
Go bless America, the essential democracy and bastion of freedom. You could very well argue that my beloved USA is the only country that ultimately must survive, lest some tin pot genocidal dictator flourish. Who's going to stand up to them? We will, that's who.
Alright
2:08
0:32 & 1:23 Strange-looking tuba
+Chrisverse Minecart
The "strange-looking tuba" is part of the story line. The Robert Wagner character shown holding the tuba is the designer of the tuba, which he has come up with to facilitate playing while marching.
+Chrisverse Minecart That strange-looking tuba is called a Sousaphone.
+Chrisverse Minecart The first sousaphones were called "raincatchers" for obvious reasons. Eventually they turned the bell forwards and sousaphones then looked like the instruments we know now. It's a nice story in the movie, but the sousaphone was developed by the J. W. Pepper company at Sousa's request, although the C. G Conn company laid claim to that distinction as well.
Willie Little's "inventing" the Sousaphone was a creative liberty taken for the movie; he and Lily Becker did not exist in real life. Another big one: Sousa composing Stars and Stripes while aboard a ship, where he had been sent due to an epidemic (of what is never stated). Real life: He was aboard a ship, but was on vacation in Europe in 1897 when he heard that his manager Blakeley had died, and was on his way home to finish arrangements for an upcoming tour.
And isn't that Robert Wager on the tuba?
Yep
@@bobmilner1741 Sousaphone, actually, He introduced it to Sousa early in the movie; in reality Sousa himself commissioned the J.W. Pepper Company of Philadelphia to design it. Willie Little's (Wagner's character) was the early model with the upright bell called a "rain catcher". Later versions have the bell pointing forward.
The Kingdom of God is Forever, we only dare Hope that The Stars & Stripes shall remain a part of God's Kingdom, and thus last forever. It is a worthy hope, it will require that with God's help, we will defeat the evils, like communism, that remain our and God's Enemy.
what is robert wangner doing😂
CRYING AS i WATCH THIS AND MY COUNTRY FALLING APART UNDER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.
Interesting the chorus was absent. There’s actually words to this
Semper Fi 🦅🌎⚓️
I would love to have met sousa
2:10
2:07