Orchestra Wives parents guide

Orchestra Wives Parent Guide

Overall B+

The music of the unforgettable Glen Miller Band adorns this rather forgettable story about an admiring fan (Ann Rutherford) that hastily marries a trumpet player (George Montgomery) and subsequently discovers the problems associated with being one of the Orchestra Wives.

Release date October 31, 2005

Violence B
Sexual Content B+
Profanity A-
Substance Use C

Why is Orchestra Wives rated Not Rated? The MPAA rated Orchestra Wives Not Rated

Parent Movie Review

The story is forgettable, but if you love the music of Glenn Miller (and I openly admit my bias in his favor), Orchestra Wives will provide more than enough good reasons to sit down and give this DVD your attention. But first… the forgettable story…

Gene Morrison (Glenn Miller) is beginning to hit the big time with his big band, but the tours are taking their toll on his players and their wives who come along for the ride. The road trips have created a tenuous bond between three of the women, who spend their time nipping at each other’s backs. Also along is Jaynie (Lynn Bari), a singer who is the band’s only single female. Meanwhile, some of the confirmed bachelors in the orchestra would rather continue to be free agents in the romantic world, especially trumpeter Bill Abbot (George Montgomery) and his buddy Sinjin (Cesar Romero).

The two playboys spend their off time cruising the audiences and streets in the towns where they play, using dusty pickup lines like, “Got a match?” But when Bill meets a young lass in the front row who melts at the sound of his trumpet, a new match is struck, and the flame will be hot enough to singe the other orchestra wives.

Joining the tight circle, Connie (Ann Rutherford) discovers a perceived friend in Jaynie, who appears supportive and accepting of the new recruit. Yet, during their high-speed twenty-four hour courtship, Connie’s new groom forgot to mention that he and Jaynie were once quite the item, and that Jaynie still isn’t completely ready to admit defeat in her quest for Bill. Needless to say, this circumstance will contribute to the rise in tension during the course of the movie.

Thankfully, the nitpicking is punctuated by something far more impressive—watching Glenn Miller and his orchestra (who play under the fictitious name of Gene Morrison’s Orchestra) dish out some great songs. The band was on fire at this point in time, but all would be lost just two years after this movie was made, when the great bandleader would die in a plane crash during World War II.

Made during a thankless period when only the most important leads in a movie received credit for their work, it is interesting to note that Miller’s actual band members play roles in this film. Singer and sax player Tex Beneke, the original Modernaires—the vocal group that often accompanied Miller’s band and included vocalists Ray Eberle (who later would sing with his brother under the Eberle Brothers banner) and Marion Hutton, are only a few of the significant faces on the screen.

There are few content concerns, other than nearly continuous smoking, a tussle between the women that leads to a few slaps, and the chauvinistic male attitudes common for the time period.

Otherwise, the film is a great opportunity to introduce a new generation to this significant period in musical history. Watching this band’s energy is thrilling, and this movie represents one of the few moments in which we can still enjoy watching the great Glenn Miller and his Orchestra.

Theatrical release October 31, 2005. Updated

Orchestra Wives
Rating & Content Info

Why is Orchestra Wives rated Not Rated? Orchestra Wives is rated Not Rated by the MPAA

Made long before movie ratings, this film shows characters smoking in nearly every scene (amazing they still had the lung capacity to blow those horns!). Male chauvinistic attitudes are also prominent, with men referring to women in derogatory terms and hunting analogies. During a tussle a few women begin slapping each other, and very mild sexual references are inferred when an unmarried man and woman discuss what they did during their last date. Finally, one character uses an expletive that could be interpreted as a term of Christian deity.

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Orchestra Wives Parents' Guide

This film is a great discussion opener regarding popular music. Glenn Miller was as popular with young people during his day as major rock and hip-hop artists are today. How have music and presentation styles changed? What things are similar?

Men in this film are often condescending toward women, and make remarks inferring you hunt down a woman and keep her as your trophy. Do all of the male characters in this movie act this way? Even though these portrayals appear outdated and even perhaps offensive by modern standards, have such attitudes really disappeared? In what forms do we see women presented as “trophies” in today’s popular culture?

Video alternatives…

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Orchestra Wives movie is November 1, 2005. Here are some details…

Release Date: 1 November 2005
Older movies are often lean on extra features, but Orchestra Wives does offer a running commentary by Ann Rutherford and dancer Fayard Nicholas (who, with his brother, starred as the Nicholas Brothers in many musicals from this era). Their remarks reveal interesting thoughts about what it was like to be “famous” during this time period. There is also a photo gallery and a theatrical trailer for this film, as well as a selection of trailers from other older titles produced by 20th Century Fox.

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Movies designed to showcase talented performers have been a profitable Hollywood formula in productions like Singin’ In the Rain, Royal Wedding, and Holiday Inn.