DVD News

Stars and Stripes Forever makes its Blu-ray debut in December

By Patrick Luce Nov 3, 2011, 13:57 GMT

Just in time for the holiday, Stars and Stripes Forever makes its Blu-ray debut December 13th from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

Based on the life of talented 19th century composer John Phillip Sousa, Stars and Stripes Forever is a good-hearted musical filled with show-stopping numbers. The film was highly acclaimed, receiving three Grammy Award nominations in 1953 including Best Motion Picture – Musical/Comedy.

Stars and Stripes Forever is a 1952 film biography of composer John Philip Sousa. Clifton Webb stars as Sgt. Major John Philip Sousa, who while the leader of the Marine Corps Band in 1890’s, meets Private Willie Little (Robert Wagner), inventor of an instrument he calls the Sousaphone...and Little's girlfriend, shapely showgirl Lily (Debra Paget).

The film follows Sousa after he leaves the Marines and forms his own band accompanied by Willie and Lily. Though he'd rather write ballads, Sousa's marches bring him increasing fame and from their debut in 1892 the band is a great success. But Sousa's 'no wives' rule threatens the romance of Willie and Lily...as does the Spanish-American War.