Watch The Fabulous Dorseys

The Fabulous Dorseys is a 1947 musical biopic directed by Alfred E. Green and starring the famous Dorsey brothers themselves, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, alongside actress Janet Blair. The film tells the story of the Dorsey brothers' rise to fame as swing music pioneers in the 1930s and their eventual split due to creative differences. The movie begins with a young Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey playing in their family's band, The Dorsey Brothers Orchestra, in the early 1920s. The brothers are shown to have different personalities and musical preferences, with Tommy being more serious and disciplined, while Jimmy is more laid-back and enjoys experimenting with new sounds.

As the band gains popularity, tensions arise between the two brothers over creative differences. Tommy is more traditional and wants to stick to the classic jazz sound, while Jimmy wants to incorporate new elements like bebop into their music. This ultimately leads to a heated argument and the brothers going their separate ways.

The rest of the movie follows the brothers as they form their own bands and continue their careers in the music industry. Tommy becomes the top bandleader of the era, while Jimmy struggles to find his own unique sound. However, the brothers eventually reconcile and reunite for a final performance that showcases their incredible musical talent and brotherly bond.

Throughout the film, there are many musical numbers performed by the Dorsey brothers and other famous musicians of the time, including Buddy Rich and Charlie Barnet. The music is upbeat and lively, perfectly capturing the energy and excitement of the swing music era.

The acting in The Fabulous Dorseys is not particularly noteworthy, but it is clear that both Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey feel comfortable in front of the camera. Janet Blair plays a love interest for Tommy, providing a romantic subplot to the story.

Despite its flaws, The Fabulous Dorseys is an entertaining and nostalgic look back at the golden age of swing music. The film not only showcases the incredible talent of the Dorsey brothers but also pays tribute to the many other artists who contributed to the genre's popularity. Overall, it is a fun and feel-good movie that will appeal to fans of swing music and musical biopics.