Customer Reviews
Kaye Gets Serious 
2008-10-10
Musical: From Broadway to Hollywood
Shadow Watcher
Nobody Drowns in Mineral Lake
In THE FIVE PENNIES (1959), funnyman Danny Kaye takes on the real-life role of jazz legend Loring "Red" Nichols, considered to be one of the greatest horn players of his day. Dorsey, Miller, Shaw and other major band leaders got their starts with him.
Nichols himself plays the horn for Kaye off-camera, but Danny has plenty of opportunities to clown and make his own unique kind of music on-screen. Indeed, a duet of "When the Saints Go Marching In" with the incomparable Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong is one of the film's highlights.
There is, however, a serious side to Nichols' story. In the late 1930s, while his band was playing date-after-date on the road, his young daughter came down with polio. As a result, he decided to quit the music business, going to work in a defense plant and spending more time with his family. He did not make a comeback until after World War II.
Melville Shavelson directed this touching, entertaining biography, which co-stars Barbara Bel Geddes, Harry Guardino, Tuesday Weld, Bob Crosby and Bobby Troup.
- Michael B. Druxman, author of ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD (available December 2008)
Best Movie EVER 2008-09-06
I first saw this movie as a child. I loved it then. I rediscovered it as an adult and was thrilled to find it on DVD. I have bought copies for myself, friends, and my mom. All have enjoyed it. It is a tear jerker, so if you need to have a good cry, this is your movie. One of the best psrts is Danny Kaye and Louis Armstrong doing "When the Saints Go Marching In". Gives you chills.
The Five Pennies 
2008-08-17
I remembered this movie from when it first came out. As I enjoyed it then, I was sure that I would enjoy it now. Danny Kaye does an excellent job as Red Nichols, and the supporting cast is made up mostly of the real musicians. I do not know how true the story is, but it is enjoyable, if a bit maudlin. The music is fantastic.
A biopic to enjoy 
2008-05-26
This one is one of these movies that one remembers to have enjoyed in your youth and for it I wanted to be able to return to see her and to enjoy it. The time has passed but his captivation remains inalterable. In this opportunity Danny Kaye is much more contained that in other movies, which is a point in favor for the picture. I think is worth returning to see it again.
The Five Pennies 2008-01-29
This is the best movie ever. I got it for my mom for christmas because it's her favorite movie and she has never had a good copy. the gift brought her to tears.
Danny Kaye & Louie Armstrong 2007-11-21
Musical biography of jazz musician and band leader, Red Nichols.
Genre: Musicals
Rating: NR
Release Date: 10-APR-2007
Media Type: DVD
The Five Pennies (dvd) 2007-11-13
I had seen this film as a boy back in the fifties and I had enjoyed it very much. I have seen it again a couple of times, and I wanted to have it on dvd, so I ordered it. It features the unforgettable Danny Kaye in a role somewhat different to his usual style, that is with many dramatic moments amid his usual funny ones. All the acting is excellent and the story is very moving. The quality of the dvd is very good and I am glad that I now have it in my dvd library.
A nice make you feel good movie! 2007-09-11
I LOVED it!
It's a great way to learn more about the Jazz music of the past, find out about some of the great bandleaders and how they came about.
And this is one of those make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside movies. Great actors, great story, well worth watching over and over.
Warm from the bottom of the heart 2007-08-05
Danny Kaye played Loring "Red" Nichols, the well known cornet player who rose to his fame in 1930s and whose Jazz group "Five Pennies" was once home to Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman and more - great musicians in the 40s Swing music.
The movie was coherent, tightly woven both in the musical and emotional aspects. The duets between Danny Kaye (played by Red himself) and Louis Armstrong - the Battle Hymn of Republic and the Saints are marching - were wonderful. On the emotional side, Barbara Bel Geddes (Mrs. Ewing in Dallas) as Danny Kaye's sweetheart was a loving wife who endured long tours in the Five Pennies group, a devoted mother and a steadfast lady who held the family together. The bonds between the Five Pennies musicians, father and daughter, husband and wife are close and personal.
Susan Gordon, as the couple's daughter Dorothy from 6 - 8 yrs old, was a delight. She was intelligent, passionate for her father's music and love, and would settle for nothing less. The night when father and daughter developed a closer bond over the song "Five Pennies", a table of cards, followed by a duet in the bar was touching. Susan Gordon's performance was subtle yet memorable. The dramatic turn when Danny Kaye threw away his cornet and work in a wartime shipyard at a meagre salary to make up for Dorothy in the subsequent years was heartbreaking. When the accomplished cornet player did make a comeback, it was not easy but gradual. The big finale was a tear jerker, but it's worth every tear.
This is a well-balanced act between the musical and drama. Definitely worth watching it again and again.
One of Danny Kaye's finest performances 2007-08-02
I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who wants to see a really good film. Whether you are a Danny Kaye fan or not this movie will make you laugh and cry and feel pretty good when you're finished watching it. The music is fantastic and the performances of the actors is superb. I would recommend this movie to anyone who asks.
