New Release: Stars and Stripes Forever Blu-ray

Release Date: Dec. 13, 2011
Price: Blu-ray/DVD Combo $27.99
Studio: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment


Stars and Stripes ForeverClassic musical Stars and Stripes Forever, finally on high-definition Blu-ray, isn’t one of the biggest musical films, like Irving Berlin’s White Christmas or Holiday Inn, but it has cache. Released in 1952, Stars and Stripes Forever was nominated for three Golden Globes, including Best Motion Picture Musical/Comedy.

The movie is a biography of 19th century composer John Philip Sousa (played by Clifton Webb, The Man Who Never Was), who is the leader of the Marine Corps Band in the 1890s. There he meets Private Willie Little (Robert Wagner, TV’s Two and a Half Men), the inventor of an instrument called the Sousaphone, and Little’s girlfriend, showgirl Lily (Debra Paget, Cleopatra’s Daughter).

After Sousa leaves the Marines, the three form a band. Although Sousa would rather write ballads, his marches bring him fame and success. But Sousa’s “no wives” rule threatens the romance of Willie and Lily, as does the Spanish-American War.

Webb was nominated for the Best Motion Picture Actor Musical/Comedy Golden Globe for his performance in the film, and Wagner was nominated as Most Promising Newcomer – Male.

Stars and Stripes Forever was directed by Henry Koster (The Singing Nun) and is based on a book by Sousa himself.

Sousa was known for his American military and patriotic marches, for example, “Semper Fidelis,” the official march of the U.S. Marines, and “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” the USA national march.

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About S. Clark

Sam Clark is the former Managing Editor/Online Editor of Video Business magazine. With 19 years experience in journalism, 12 in the home entertainment industry, Sam has been hooked on movies on since she saw E.T. then stared into the sky waiting to meet her own friendly alien. Thanks to her husband’s shared love of movies, Sam reviews Blu-ray discs in a true home theater, with a 118-inch screen, projector and cushy recliners with cup holders.