The Five Pennies

Aug 1 1959 Approved 1h 57m
Biography, Drama, Music

Dixieland cornetist Red Nichols runs into opposition to his sound, but breaks through to success. He marries a warm, patient woman and even finds time to raise a family. Then tragedy strikes when their daughter contracts polio.

Plot

Loring "Red" Nichols is a cornet-playing country boy who goes to New York in the 1920s full of musical ambition and principles. He gets a job playing in Wil Paradise's band, but quits to pursue his dream of playing Dixieland jazz. He forms the "Five Pennies" which features his wife, Bobbie, as vocalist. At the peak of his fame, Red and Bobbie's daughter, Dorothy, develops polio. Red quits the music business to move to Los Angeles where the climate is better for Dorothy. As Dorothy becomes a young teen, she learns of her father's musical past, and he is persuaded to open a small nightclub which is failing until some noted names from his past come to help out.

Written by

Jack Rose, Melville Shavelson, Robert Smith

Directed by

Melville Shavelson

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

Dena Productions

Languages

English

Awards

Nominated for 4 Oscars. 2 wins & 8 nominations total

Scores
# of Votes
2,326
Average Rating
7.1 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA